REVELATION AND ORIGINAL INTENT

Interpretation, Preterism, Revelation August 29, 2017 Leave a comment

PMW 2017-070 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

I am concluding a brief series presenting interpretive issues necessary for understanding Revelation rightly, i.e., from the preterist perspective. Many evangelicals deem Revelation’s judgment passages to be counter-indicative to postmillennialism’s long term hope. In this article I will focus on John’s original intent which shows he was not speaking past his audience to an audience thousands of years in the future.

Today we are so distant from the events of A.D. 70, so removed from the ancient culture, so little acquainted with the first century Jewish outlook, and so accustomed to the Christian perspective, we tend to overlook the enormous redemptive-historical significance of A.D. 70. Those events are not merely another sad instance in the history of “man’s inhumanity to man which makes countless thousands mourn.” They serve not as demonstration of “nature, red in tooth and claw.” Neither do they merely remind us of “the carnage of war, the blood-swollen god.” Continue reading →

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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 →

THE KEY KEY TO REVELATION

AD 70, Preterism, Revelation August 22, 2017 1 Comment

PMW 2017-067 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

There are several keys to interpreting the Book of Revelation. But the key key is that of John’s statement regarding the prophetic events being temporarlly near. When I discuss Revelation with folks I begin by urging them to read the first three verses. Once the shock wears off their faces, the gears in their head will often begin to turn.

Thus, the leading preterist evidence derives from John’s temporal delimitations, which he emphasizes by strategic placement, didactic assertion, frequent repetition, and careful variation. Continue reading →

THREE PRETERIST PRINCIPLES

AD 70, Interpretation, Preterism August 18, 2017 1 Comment

PMW 2017-066 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

Modern postmillennialism is largely, though not solely, committed to a particular interpretive tool known as “preterism.” This tool is helpful for explaining many of the catastrophic judgment passages as features of the founding of Christianity in the first century rather than evidence for the decline of Christianity in the final century.

However, postmillennialists do not adopt this interpretive approach in order to avoid a negative impact on their eschatological system. Rather, preterism arises naturally from a careful reading of the biblical text. 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 →

DISINHERITING REBELLIOUS CHILDREN

Uncategorized August 11, 2017 Comments: 2

PMT 2017-066 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

Postmillennialism is church-centered, family-oriented, culture-impacting, and future-directed. Training up children in the way they should go is a first-order obligation of the covenantal postmillennialist. But what is the Christian postmillennialist to do when his children go radically astray?

I believe the Bible and its covenantal theology direct believers to disinherit irretrievable, wayward children. And here are the reasons why. Continue reading →

THE 10 COMMANDMENTS AND GOD’S KINGDOM

Ethics, Law August 8, 2017 Leave a comment

PMW 2017-064 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

Introduction

Postmillennialism expects a day when “the earth will open up and salvation [will] bear fruit, and righteousness [will] spring up with it” (Isa 45:8). It expects the discipling of the nations to teach all the things Christ taught his disciples (Matt. 28:19), which included the continuing relevance of God’s law (Matt. 5:17–19; cp. Rom. 3:19, 31). This is because the law reflects God’s character which is “holy and righteous and good” (Rom. 7:12). Because of this, postmillennialists would do well to learn God’s law and its practical applications.

Learning Deuteronomy well is a good place to start. And the structure of Deuteronomy is helpful for reinforcing and expanding the application of God’s law. Let me explain. Continue reading →