HELP FROM JOHN’S AUDIENCE

Interpretation, Preterism, Revelation August 25, 2017 1 Comment

PMT 2017-069 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

In my last article I noted the significance of John’s opening time-indicators for interpreting Revelation. These powerfully demonstrate the preterist (past tense) approach to Revelation. That is, that the vast majority of Revelation’s event lie in our distant past and in John’s approaching future.

If you want to explain Revelation to a friend, the first thing you need to do is have them read the first three verses. Then point out to them the near-term indicators (as per my last article). Then you need to point out to them the fact that he is writing to a real, historical audience who would not be inclined to overlook those indicators. Continue reading →

BURIAL, CREMATION, RESURRECTION

Ethics, Resurrection August 15, 2017 Leave a comment

PMT 2017-065 by Alex Chediak, Ph.D. (Stream.org)

Gentry note: Postmillennialism is fully committed to historic, Bible-believing orthodoxy rather than to innovation. Consequently, we believe in a future physical resurrection of the bodies of all men. A practical question that arises is: Does the Bible encourage burial or cremation? Cremation does not destroy the prospect of resurrection, but it does not testify of the hope of the resurrection very well. Dr. Chediak provides us a helpful article in that regard.

Preference for cremation among Americans has skyrocketed over the past few decades. In 1960, only 3.5% opted for cremation over burial. By 1999, it was one in four (25%). And in 2016, U.S. cremations outnumbered burials. Continue reading →

DARWIN’S DEADLY DANGERS

Creation, Culture August 8, 2017 Leave a comment

PMW 2017-063 by John Woodmorappe (Creation Ministries, Intl.)

[Gentry note: Postmillennialism affirms the impact of God’s kingdom on this world. It also recognizes the original creation not only set up this world, but becomes a paradigm for its redemptive renewal through the new creation principle. It also affirms its eschatological hope by means of a confident commitment to of God’s revelation in Scripture. Consequently, the Reformed postmillennialist is committed to Six-day Creation as revealed in Scripture. This article is helpful for reminding us of the dangers of Darwinism.]

Review of The Darwin Effect: Its Influence on Nazism, Eugenics, Racism, Communism, Capitalism, and Sexism

This work covers the effects of the Darwinian revolution on 19th and 20th century thinking. It is striking how pervasive and harmful this effect has been. Because this work is so rich in diverse topics, I focus on only some of them and concentrate on developments in the latter part of the 20th century.

Darwin was not simply a product of his time and culture. To the contrary, he effectively steered his culture. His ideas were aggressively promoted and they transformed societies. Moreover, the interactions of Darwinism with so many different strands of human thought were, and are, much too pervasive to be dismissed as ‘misunderstandings’ or ‘misinterpretations’ of Darwinism. Continue reading →

THE “BONDAGE” OF THE CIVIL LAW?

Ethics, Law August 4, 2017 Comments: 3

PMW 2017-062 by Chris Hume (Reformed Hope)

[Gentry note: Postmillennialism is committed to a God-defined righteousness as characterizing the advance of God-established kingdom in a God-created world. Thus, we are interested in how God’s law impacts ethics. Chris provides us with a helpful article in this regard.]

A common view is that the civil law of Moses was a bondage to Old Testament saints. This understanding leads people to view passages which speak of freedom from the law as meaning that saints are now “free” from the “bondage” of the civil laws of the Old Testament. In my opinion, this view is erroneous. Whatever you may believe about the civil laws of the Old Testament, you cannot biblically defend the view that the civil laws were a burden. You may attempt to make arguments against applying the general equity of the civil laws to societies today, but you cannot cogently use any argument that implies said laws were a form of bondage to Old Testament saints. Please allow me to explain. Continue reading →

INCLUSIVITY, MORALITY, AND CREATIONISM

Creation, Theology August 1, 2017 Leave a comment

PMW -2017-061 by Gary Bates (Creation Ministries, Intl.)

(Originally featured in a CMI newsletter, July 2010)

[Gentry note: Postmillennialism expects and promotes a biblically-based worldview. A biblical worldview requires a biblical understanding of creation and morality. This article by Gary Bates is helpful for understanding the impact of biblical creation on moral standards.]

Unfortunately, many within the church unwittingly fall for an oft used tactic by atheists, because they are scared that the God of a Christian faith would be caricatured as an unloving, judgmental Creator. To portray God as irrelevant and out of touch in a politically correct world we hear statements like “If God is a God of love why doesn’t he love homosexuals?” Or pro-abortionists might say “If God is all-knowing He would understand why some need to have abortions.” Continue reading →

HOW GAY MARRIAGE HARMS

Culture, Ethics July 28, 2017 Leave a comment

PMW 2017-060 by Keaton Halley (Creation Ministries, Intl.)

[Gentry note: Postmillennialism anticipates a time in contemporary history — before Christ’s return — during which God’s righteousness will prevail. We are currently witnessing the collapse of Western culture’s  moral values. We believe, of course, that this is temporary and will be overcome by the gospel which is the power of God unto salvation. We need to understand the wide-ranging negative implications of today’s secular humanism and its abandonment of our historic Western, Christian culture. This is a helpful article in this regard.]

Even now that same-sex marriage has become widely accepted in many countries, Christians cannot surrender. We must continue to lovingly and graciously stand for the truth. Also, if we want to be effective, we must learn to articulate the reasons why gay marriage not only violates God’s moral standard, but actually harms society. Indeed, a faulty view of marriage will create many victims, as we highlight in response to today’s question. Continue reading →

ATHEISM, MORALITY AND REASON

apologetics, Ethics July 25, 2017 Leave a comment

PMW 2017-059 by Keaton Halley (Creation Ministries, Intl.)

C.O. from the US wrote to Creation Ministries, International:

[Gentry note: Postmillennialism entails a holistic worldview, in that all areas of life are to be overwhelmed by Christ’s kingdom as it grows to dominance in the world. Humanistic naturalism is contrary to Christian supernaturalism at every point. We need to understand the implications of our worldview in the debate over morality. The postmillennial hope will prevail over all opposition (2 Cor. 10:4-5). But God uses our labors to accomplish his end (cp. Gen. 50:20). This is an important and helpful article in the debate.]

Hello CMI team,

Thank you so much for your ministry. I have a quick question — is it *possible* in an atheistic worldview for morality, reliability of our mind, etc to exist, thus making our argument (as a Christian) on which makes the more sense? Because as I’ve researched, I often hear them saying that evolution could account for morality, reliability of our minds, etc. And though I think that Christianity provides a more plausible answer, I’m confused as to whether or not the naturalistic worldview can offer any explanation.
Can you help me understand this? Thank you!

In Christ,

C.O.

Continue reading →