PMW 2022-057 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.
From time-to-time a review is helpful for understanding a system of thought. And basic definitions are therefore in order. This is especially true in presenting postmillennialism because it is widely misunderstood and subject to radical misconceptions. This is a particular problem for attempting to explain postmillennialism to someone who has been a dispensationalist for a long time.
For one to understand any system he must have a proper definition of it. Perhaps more than any of the other evangelical millennial options, postmillennialism has endured much abuse by mis-definition. Indeed, it is the easiest eschatological position to misunderstand in our era and therefore inadvertently to misrepresent. Consequently, we must remind all parties to the debate of this system’s actual claims.
Erroneus Preconceptions
Before I provide a careful, working definition of the system, I would caution non-postmillennialists regarding three faulty assumptions that they must avoid when responding to our eschatological system. And though few competent theologians would intentionally apply these conditions to postmillennialism, I fear that these sometimes lurk unrecognized in the subconscious of too many critics.
Postmillennialism Made Easy (by Ken Gentry)
Basic introduction to postmillennialism. Presents the essence of the postmillennial argument and answers the leading objections. And all in a succinct, introductory fashion.
See more study materials at: www.KennethGentry.com
First, postmillennialism neither teaches nor implies universalism. Postmillennialism does not claim that at some point in temporal history each and every individual then living will be saved. Even at the very height of the advance of the gospel in history, unbelievers will remain among us, though in a minority status. Some of these will be false converts to the faith, others openly unrepentant resisters to it. Jesus clearly teaches this in his Parable of the Tares among the Wheat (Matt 13:30), just before declaring the enormous victory of the faith in all the world (Matt 13:31-33). This is a part of the “mysteries of the kingdom” (Matt 13:11): the glorious kingdom of God does not overwhelm the world catastrophically (but grows gradually like a mustard plant and penetrates little-by-little as does leaven) and it will not conquer the world absolutely (but grows to a majoritarian dominance like wheat in the field).
Second, postmillennialism neither teaches nor implies perfectionism. Postmillennialists do not argue that at some point in temporal history Christians then living will be perfected. Despite the worldwide victory of the Christian faith, Christians will remain sinners—sanctified sinners, of course, but redeemed vessels of mercy suffering the complications of indwelling sin. Just as no current evangelical church is perfect, neither will an evangelical world be perfect. But if the majority of the human race were conducting themselves as the average church-going, born-again Christian of today, the world would certainly be a different and much better place—despite this lack of perfection.
Third, postmillennialism neither teaches nor implies satisfactionism. Postmillennialists do not argue that Christ’s people should prefer temporal, earthly conquest through gospel dominion over eternal, heavenly victory in consummational glory. Any believer with even a modicum of spiritual sanctification and biblical understanding must recognize the surpassing glory that awaits him in the resurrected estate. Then—and only then—will we see God face-to-face, experience the transformation of our bodies from mortality to immortality, enjoy perfect and permanent freedom from temptation and sin, live forever in blessed circumstances, and be reunited with our saved loved ones. The glory of Christian dominion in the earth pales in comparison to the glory of resurrection majesty in the new earth.
Common Objection
In addition to these three clarifications, postmillennialists endure dissenters reminding us of present sinful world conditions as evidence against our expectations. We must insist that our eschatological system be properly understood: nowhere in the definition of postmillennialism do we declare that by the year 2011 (for instance) we will witness the glorious blessings of worldwide gospel conquest. Until the moment the Lord returns postmillennialism cannot be disproved by evidences from cultural decline and social chaos in the world. Who knows how long God will take to effect the glorious transformation? Just as Christians should not doubt the second coming of Christ because it has not occurred yet (2 Pet 3:4), neither should evangelicals discount the cultural dominion of Christ because it is not full now. All our system requires is that the world be Christianized before the Lord returns—and we do not know when that will be (Matt 24:36; Acts 1:7).
He Shall Have Dominion
(paperback by Kenneth Gentry)
A classic, thorough explanation and defense of postmillennialism (600+ pages). Complete with several chapters answering specific objections.
See more study materials at: www.KennethGentry.com
Careful Definition
So then, how should we define postmillennialism? My definition of postmillennialism reads as follows:
Postmillennialism is that eschatological system arising from Scripture that expects the proclaiming of the Spirit-blessed gospel of Jesus Christ to win the vast majority of human beings to salvation in the present age. Increasing gospel success will gradually produce a time in history prior to Christ’s return in which faith, righteousness, peace, and prosperity will prevail in the affairs of people and of nations. After an extensive era of such conditions the Lord will return visibly, bodily, and in great glory, ending history with the general resurrection and the great judgment of all humankind.
Hence, our system is post-millennial in that the Lord’s glorious return will occur after an era of “millennial” conditions. The postmillennialist confidently proclaims in a unique way that history is “His story.
This is only a brief definition, but it is important to have this definition as our starting point. The fullness of the postmillennial system will be fleshed out as we study postmillennialism together on this blog!
Tagged: perfectionism, universalism
We know that many are called, but few are chosen.
Would this biblical truth be consistent throughout time and history?
Does the postmillennialist believe that, sometime in the future, a time will come when those many living on earth who are called to repent and be reconciled to God will not only be called but also prove to be among the “few chosen” who actually repent and are reconciled to God; thus, the majority of people living on earth at this future time will be spiritual men and women of God, and this future reversal of “many are called, but few are chosen” will continue to play out for an era of such conditions until the Lord returns in all His glory to end history?
Here is perhaps a fuller definition based on my two works: Mark R Kreitzer,
Mark R. Kreitzer
When A Theological Shift Changed a Nation: A Kuyperian Analysis of Church and Society 1990, and a Way Forward for South Africa
(Peter Lang, 2024)
Mark R. Kreitzer
The Concept of Ethnicity in the Bible: A Theological Analysis (Edwin Mellen, 2009)
I can send you full review manuscripts of each if you would read and perhaps write a peer review). Daniel Strange (Their Rock is not Like Our Rock) at Oak Hill College in London found the second quite helpful.
Postmillennialism is that eschatological system arising from Scripture that expects the proclaiming of the Spirit-blessed gospel of Jesus Christ to win all the clans and peoples, tribes, ethno-nations and languages, and the vast majority of human beings in those peoples to salvation in the present age according to the promises in the Abrahamic covenant and those many passages echoing that covenant in this he OT and NT. Consequently, increasing gospel success will gradually produce over the centuries an ever-increasing rolling wave upward curve of growth so that a time will come in the history of “this age” prior to Christ’s Second Visible Appearing in which faith, righteousness, peace, and prosperity will prevail in the affairs of families, clans and of nations including the Jews. After an era of such conditions and a final “Gog and Magog”-like revolt, the Lord will return visibly, bodily, and in great glory, ending history with the general resurrection, the great judgment of all humankind, fire-cleansing and the renewal of the new heavens and earth in which will dwell righteousness and divine justice.
How long does it take for my comment to be moderated? I asked the questions in “good faith,” expecting a “good faith” yes-or-no answer. I am asking again in case you overlooked my comment. Thanks for your response.
Jesus was speaking of his contemporary circumstances. He was prodding his disciples to undertake the task of reaching all nations and not let the number of God’s people remain few.
Excellent!
I don’t see your question anywhere. Please re-send it.