Category Archives: Definitions

MISUNDERSTANDING POSTMILLENNIALISM

Definitions January 4, 2022 Leave a comment

DefinitionPMW 2022-001 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

Sadly, as the heat of the eschatological debate intensifies, too often the light from it diminishes. Postmillennialism is perhaps the easiest eschatological position to misunderstand in our era and therefore inadvertently to misrepresent. Consequently, we must remind our brothers in the debate of postmillennialism’s actual claims. In the Westminster Theological Journal article I 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. Continue reading →

CAN A LIBERAL BE POSTMILLENNIAL?

Definitions, Dispensationalism, Objections November 2, 2021 Comments: 6

BlindPMW 2021-080 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

As I note on my “Definition” page on this blogsite, postmillennialism confidently anticipates a time in earth history (continuous with the present) in which the very gospel already operating will win the victory throughout the earth, fulfilling the Great Commission. “The thing that distinguishes the biblical postmillennialist, then, from amillennialists and premillennialists is his belief that the Scripture teaches the success of the great commission in this age of the church” (Greg L. Bahnsen, Victory in Jesus, 74).

Thus, we hold that the overwhelming majority of men and nations will be Christianized, righteousness will abound, wars will cease, and prosperity and safety will flourish. “It will be marked by the universal reception of the true religion, and unlimited subjection to the sceptre of Christ.” “It shall be a time of universal peace.” “It will be characterised by great temporal prosperity” (David Brown, Christ’s Second Coming, 399, 401). This causes us to “look forward to a great ‘golden age’ of spiritual prosperity continuing for centuries, or even for millenniums, during which time Christianity shall be triumphant over all the earth” (Lorraine Boettner, The Millennium, 29). Continue reading →

PRIMER ON POSTMILLENNIALISM (4)

Christ, Definitions September 7, 2021 Comments: 6

glowing-crossPMW 2021-064 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

I am continuing a study on the millennial reign of Christ. In this article I will focus on:

Christ and the Postmillennial Hope

In Christ’s earthly ministry we witness the coming of the prophesied kingdom. For instance, in Mark 1:15 we hear the Lord himself proclaim: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” Thus, not only does he declare that “the” time is fulfilled (the prophetically-expected time) and that the “kingdom of God is at hand,” but he also associates it with the proclamation of the gospel. Later in Matthew 12:28 we read him state: “if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” Continue reading →

PRIMER ON POSTMILLENNIALISM (2)

Definitions August 31, 2021 1 Comment

what-is-postmillPMW 2021-062 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

In my last article I began considering the distinctive approach to the millennium in the postmillennial view, and as over against amillennialism. Though amillennialism and postmillennialism are closely related, they are distinct.

Defining Postmillennialism

So now: What is the postmillennial outlook? Why is it called post-millennial? And what are its expectations?

Postmillennialism teaches that Christ will return to earth after a long era of gospel progress and worldwide righteousness. As the gospel wins greater influence the world will witness a long era of social stability, economic development, and international peace.

Continue reading →

PRIMER ON POSTMILLENNIALISM (1)

Definitions, Millennium August 27, 2021 1 Comment

rainbowPMW-2021-061 Kenneth L. Gentry,

Postmillennialism and amillennialism are closely related. In fact, they are both “post” millennial in that they believe the current age (the Church Age, if you will) is the “millennium,” and that Christ will return “post” (after) the millennium.

Both Post- and Amillennialists note that the “thousand year” reign of Christ occurs in only one passage in Scripture, Revelation 20:1–6. We further observe that it appears in the most symbolic book in all of Scripture. In Revelation we see a seven-headed beast, fire-breathing horses, locusts with the faces of men and the teeth of lions, a woman standing on the moon, and many more symbolic features. Consequently, we prefer that eschatological discussion begin elsewhere in more didactic portions of Scripture, and that it be controlled by passages other than the apocalyptically-charged, highly-wrought symbolic images in Revelation Continue reading →

DOES THEONOMY REQUIRE POSTMILLENNIALISM?

Definitions, Ethics January 12, 2018 Comments: 6

PMW 2018–04 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

Dr. T. David Gordon wrote a critique of theonomy several years ago where he intended to dispel the whole notion of theonomic ethics: T. David Gordon. “Critique of Theonomy: A Taxonomy,” in Westminster Theological Journal, 56 (1994): 23-43 (hereinafter abbreviated: CT). I had many problems with his critique. But one angle is particularly frustrating because it frequently arises. He believe that postmillennialism is one of the foundations of theonomy. Though I am a postmillennialist and a theonomist, as was Bahnsen. The two are not mutually dependent, as amillennial theonomists will attest. Continue reading →

MYTHS “AGAINST” POSTMILLENNIALISM

Definitions, Objections November 6, 2013 Comments: 2

PMT 2013-023 by Sam Hughey

True false“There used to be a group called ‘postmillennialists.’ They believed that the Christians would root out the evil in the world, abolish godless rulers, and convert the world through ever increasing evangelism until they brought about the Kingdom of God on earth through their own efforts. Then after 1000 years of the institutional church reigning on earth with peace, equality, and righteousness, Christ would return and time would end. These people rejected much of the Scripture as being literal and believed in the inherent goodness of man. World War I greatly disheartened this group and World War II virtually wiped out this viewpoint. No self-respecting scholar who looks at the world conditions and the accelerating decline of Christian influence today is a ‘postmillennialist.” — The Late Great Planet Earth, Hal Lindsey.

There can hardly be a more dishonest and distorted description of Postmillennialism. This shouldn’t really surprise us, since, over the years, many have learned that Lindsey is to Theology what the “National Enquirer” is to journalism: don’t be too concerned with truth, just make it sensational so it will sell. Continue reading →