Category Archives: Resurrection

THE END-TIME RESURRECTION (3)

hyperpreterism, Resurrection, Theology May 10, 2024 Leave a comment

Resurrection dayPMW 2024-036 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

In this article I am concluding a three-part series on our resurrection as taught by Paul in 1 Cor 15. This continues the previous presentation outlining Paul’s second argument in his great resurrection chapter. The other two articles need to be consulted before jumping into this one. Unless you are good at back masking, and you can hum well..

(3) Paul’s parallels and contrasts show his concern is not physical v. immaterial, but perishable v. imperishable (v. 42), dishonor v. honor (v. 43a), and weakness v. power (v. 43b). Our resurrected condition is so governed by the Holy Spirit that the weaknesses of our present condition will be totally overcome by the transformational power of the Spirit. Indeed, he emphasizes the difference of glory as the key (vv. 40-41). Continue reading →

THE END-TIME RESURRECTION (2)

Resurrection, Theology May 7, 2024 Leave a comment

PMW 2024-035 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.Resurrection general

This is the second of three articles on our eschatological resurrection as understood in the postmillennial system. For Paul, Christ’s resurrection was a non-negotiable. And it was also the key to our own future resurrection. As I continue the previous study we come now to:

Paul’s First Argument

After insisting that Christ was resurrected from the dead and that this is the foundation of our redemptive hope (vv. 1-19), Paul then powerfully links our resurrection to Christ’s. In other words, his whole point regarding Christ’s resurrection is to lay a foundation for ours. In verse 20 we read: “But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first-fruits (Gk., aparche) of those who are asleep.” This first-fruits imagery carries a load of theological implications regarding our physical resurrection. Continue reading →

THE END-TIME RESURRECTION (1)

Interpretation, Resurrection May 3, 2024 Leave a comment

PMW 2024-034 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.resurrection

As Christians we recognize the resurrection of Christ as of enormous significance in the Christian worldview. Paul dogmatically states: “if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins” (1 Cor 15:17). Clearly for him, Christ’s resurrection is foundational to our hope of salvation.

In this article I will deal with just one of the redemptive-historical effects of Christ’s resurrection: the eschatological resurrection of believers. Christ’s resurrection not only secures our present redemption for glory (Rom. 4:25; 10:9-10) but our future resurrection to glory (Rom.8:23). Continue reading →

EARTH OUR ETERNAL HOME

New Creation, Resurrection March 15, 2024 Comments: 2

PMW 2024-021 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

As we have been witnessing in Internet discussions of late, hyperpreterism is inherently Gnostic in its basic outlook. They not only do away with our physical bodies by proposing a spiritual (i.e., immaterial) body at the resurrection (or at the point of death). But many of them also teach that even Christ’s own physically-resurrected body has dissipated and been replaced with a spiritual body. Along these lines I would like to speak to a related issue regarding our eternal destiny in the new heavens and new earth.

We need to understand that with God matter matters. God created the material universe. He created a material man to rule over the material earth. He sent his Son in a material body to save his people from their sins. He resurrected Christ in a material body. And we will be resurrected in material, re-constituted bodies. And we will do so in anticipating inhabiting a perfect, material, reconstituted new earth. Truly, matter matters in the biblical worldview. Despite the Gnostic elements in hyperpreterism.

From time-to-time I make the mistake of reading hyperpreterist literature. And on occasion someone will send me a quote from their musings. Often enough I see complaints directed against me that demonstrate they are not well read or theologically trained.

The matter about which I am speaking [1] at the moment is the frequent (and frustrating) complaint that “Gentry believes Christians will not live in heaven with Christ for eternity.” What they are complaining about is my fully orthodox, widely-held, biblical view that in the eternal, consummate order believers will live on the new earth in their resurrected bodies after the physical second coming of Christ and the final judgment. We certainly do go to heaven at death now, but in heaven we await the resurrection and final judgment before our final estates are fully entered into [2]. Despite hyperpreterists’ confusion, our dwelling on the new earth will not involve our being separated away from Christ. Of course, we do not know all the particulars, but we may rest assured that there will be direct communion between heaven and earth in eternity.

Continue reading →

WHERE DO WE GO AT DEATH?

Last Days, New Creation, Resurrection, Second Coming December 29, 2023 1 Comment

New earth

PMW 2023-100 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

A writer sent a note asking:

“One thing I’m a little confused about is the ultimate end of history. Does man remain on earth when Christ returns? After Christ has put all enemies under his feet and handed over the kingdom to the Father, does heaven and hell “merge” and man remains on earth for a lack of better words while Christ is present physically (assuming also still in some sense everywhere present because he’s God). I’m so confused as I feel like I always hear by and large from Christians is to just go to heaven and it seems many believe the present earth to be destroyed. Or is there something else beyond earth/heaven?”

Ken Gentry responds:

Basically, I believe that when we die now (in history) we go to heaven — as did the disciples, the thief on the cross, and Paul the apostle: Continue reading →

SANDLIN ON DEMAR’S HIDDEN VIEWS

hyperpreterism, Resurrection April 25, 2023 Comments: 27

PMW 2023-033 by Andrew Sandlin

The following article written by Andrew Sandling, President of Center for Cultural Leadership explains why he (and I and many others!) did not notice Gary DeMar’s commitment to the core principles of hyperpreterism until recently.

Gary DeMar’s Heretical Eschatology: What Did I Know, and When Did I Know It?
By P. Andrew Sandlin

I don’t intend to pursue further the controversy over Hyper-Pretersim (HP) brought to light by this letter signed by a number of Gary’s friends.

But I feel obliged to respond to Gary’s statement that he hasn’t changed his views in about 25 years, and that I have continued to promote him during that time, and only lately have I objected to his views. Have I just over the last few months become more severe in my judgment on heresy? Was I tolerant of Gary’s false teaching for a quarter century and only in the last few weeks become publicly intolerant of it?

The short answer is no. Here’s the longer answer:

Gary is quite correct that I had concerns over his eschatology 25 years ago. The (HP) heresy was rearing its ugly head. Its books were being carried by the late Walt Hibbard at the now defunct Great Christian Books, which was influential in the Reformed camp at that time. By reliable accounts, noted author David Chilton had embraced the HP heresy before his premature death. Many people seemed to have had the impression that to embrace postmillennialism was to embrace preterism, and even heretical HP.

Continue reading →

VOS ON THE RESURRECTION OF BELIEVERS

Resurrection February 21, 2023 Leave a comment

PMW 2023-015 by Geerhardus Vos

Vos book cover

Gentry note:
This insightful article is a section of study by Geerhardus Vos which is found in Richard Gaffin, Redemptive History and Biblical Interpretation available at P & R Publishing. This is slightly edited to break up long sentences and paragraphs into smaller sizes.

Vos’ study:

The resurrection of believers bears a twofold aspect. On the one hand it belongs to the forensic side of salvation. On the other hand it belongs to the pneumatic transforming side of the saving process. Of the former, traces appear only in the teaching of Jesus (Matthew 5:9; 22:29–32; Luke 20:35, 36). Paul clearly ascribes to the believer’s resurrection a somewhat similar forensic significance as to that of Christ (Romans 8:10, 23; 1 Corinthians 15:30–32, 55–58). Continue reading →