Postmillennialism’s distinctive element is the conviction that Scripture teaches that the gospel and righteousness will dominate the world for a long period of time before Christ returns. And that this will occur as the Great Commission progresses in its saving work among men. This is also its most doubted and debated point. Each of the other eschatological perspectives predicts the world will get worse until Christ comes to rescue us out of it and effect the Last Judgment.
Postmillennialists have a powerful response to those who see no improvement in world conditions since the first century and the Neronic persecution of Christianity as a minority class. We point out that you cannot disprove postmillennialism on the basis of historical world conditions. Why? Christ has not returned to end history yet, and until he does you cannot demonstrate that he will never pour out his full blessings upon the world. Though it is not a Bible verse, Yogi Berra’s sentiment holds true nonetheless: “It ain’t over til it’s over.”
Greatness of the Great Commission
(by Ken Gentry)
An insightful analysis of the full implications of the great commission.
Impacts postmillennialism as well as the whole Christian worldview.
See more study materials at: www.KennethGentry.com
I would like to point you to an intriguing article regarding world conditions. It seems counterintuitive, but it also appears to be statistically based. I wonder what you think of this World Revival Network Blog article: “Why You Have Been Duped Into Believing the Myth that the World Is Getting Worse and Worse.”
http://worldrevivalnetwork.blogspot.com/2015/08/why-you-have-been-duped-into-believing.html
Tagged: terrorism, wars and rumors of wars, world conditions
Just finished reading Steven Pinkers The Better Angels of our Nature. He shows lots of evidence of the decline in violence over the centuries. Of course, he credits the Enlightenment for the progress. However, I believe a more likely explanation is the spread of the gospel and committed Christians.
Kenneth, I am the author of the World Revival Network Blog post consider it a great honor that you would link to my article. Your teaching on Postmillennialism has been highly influential to me. Thank you. You might also like my latest article.
Good work!
Thank you Dr. Gentry. Your scriptural insights and expanded research is always a blessing to me.