MISGUIDED REJECTIONS OF POSTMILLENNIALISM (2)

Objections October 20, 2023 Leave a comment

PMW 2023-082 by Greg L. BahnsenWeak man

Gentry note:
In the previous posting, Bahnsen noted the misguided and failed attempts to dismiss postmillennialism based on (1) newspaper exegesis, (2) misrepresentation, and (3) the application of two-edged criticism (which applies to the critic as well as the position criticized). In this posting he continues.

OT VS. NT ISSUE

There are current day charges against the position which are premature or unfounded. To this category belongs the allegation that postmillennialism is founded on Old Testament passages rather than New Testament evidence, that the New Testament knows nothing of the proclamation of a semi-golden age.

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MISGUIDED REJECTIONS OF POSTMILLENNIALISM (1)

Objections October 17, 2023 1 Comment

Bible and newspaperPMW 2023-081 by Greg L. Bahnsen

It must be observed that postmillennialism lost favor (and today remains held in disfavor) with conservative theologians for manifestly unorthodox and insufficient reasons. Extra-biblical reasoning, as well as lazy or poor scholarship, has intruded itself into Christian discussions of eschatology.

NEWSPAPER EXEGESIS

Alva J. McClain says of postmillennialism: “This optimistic theory of human progress had much of its own way for the half-century ending in World War I of 1914. After that the foundations were badly shaken; prop after prop went down, until today the whole theory is under attack from every side. Devout Postmillennialism has virtually disappeared.”

J. Barton Payne’s massive Encyclopedia of Biblical Prophecy mentions postmillennialism only once, and that merely in a footnote which parenthetically declares “two world wars killed this optimism.”

Merrill F. Unger dismisses postmillennialism in short order, declaring: “This theory, largely disproved by the progress of history, is practically a dead issue.”
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THE NEW CREATION IN CHRIST

salvation October 13, 2023 1 Comment

PMW 2023-080 by Geerhardus Vos

Gentry note:
As noted in my last posting, a new version of several of Geerhardus Vos’ works on eschatology will soon be published. This book collects together some of his important eschatological articles and updates them in the process — removing his awkward, cumbersome, early-20th century writing style. In this particular excerpt from the updated Vos, he deals with the concept of a new creation in Christ.

Vos observations:
The recognition of the eschatological source of the term “new ktisis” has been held back by its assumed individual use in 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Wherefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature.” And likewise by the exclusively subjective-soteriological reference the representation seemed to suggest. Both obstacles also make themselves felt in regard to Titus 3:5. But in regard to neither of the two passages can these objections obscure the quite perceptible eschatology texture.

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TWO PROBLEMS WITH AION TERMINOLOGY

Preterism, Two Ages October 10, 2023 Comments: 2

PMW 2023-079 by Geerhardus Vos

Gentry note:
Soon a new version of several of Geerhardus Vos’ works on eschatology will be published. This book collects together some of his important eschatological articles and updates them in the process — removing his awkward, cumbersome, early-20th century writing style. In this clip from updated Vos, we will note his helpful observations on the Greek words kosmos and aion. These words overlap in meaning and significance, making it easy to confuse matters when interpreting biblical texts. I hope this posting is helpful.

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THE WOMAN IN HEAVEN (3)

Revelation October 6, 2023 Comments: 2

PMW 2023-078 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.Woman with 12 stars

This is the third and final installment studying the woman in Revelation 12. So, let us now continue and conclude our study.

THE CROWN OF TWELVE STARS

The “crown of twelve stars” (12:1c) is a stephanos, a victor’s wreath (cp. 2:10; cf. 6:2; cp. 1Pe 5:4), rather than a diadēma, a crown representing political rule (L-N 1:76, 77). Ideal Israel embodied in the faithful remnant is deemed victorious, despite her diminished count and difficult circumstances. Unfortunately, the historical manifestation of the ideal community — Israel after the flesh — ultimately fails in that she does not recognize the true light that she should have accepted (Jn 1:4–5, 9–11; 3:19–20; 5:33–40). As a result we learn that “it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants” (Ro 9:8; cp. Ro 8:14; Gal 4:28). Consequently, earthly, corporate Israel’s failed light-bearing function is taken over by the new covenant church (Mt 5:14–16 //; Ac 13:46–47; 26:18, 23; 2Co 4:6; cp. Col 1:12; 1Th 5:5) which is the “Israel of God” (Gal 6:16), the “true circumcision” (Php 3:3). Therefore, in Revelation God’s judgments against earthly Israel darken her lights (8:12; cp. 6:12; 9:2) and cause her shining stars to fall (6:13). Continue reading →

THE WOMAN IN HEAVEN (2)

Revelation October 3, 2023 Comments: 2

PMW 2023-077 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.Woman in heaven 2

This my second study looking into the woman in Revelation 12. Please read the previous posting for context. But now, let us return to the study.

THE WOMAN AS PREGNANT

Before we can specifically identify this glorious woman and explain the significance of her clothing, we must consider the further important descriptive information found in the next verse: she was with child; and she cried out, being in labor and in pain to give birth (12:2). Many scholars note that here we discover another OT backdrop from which John primarily draws for both 12:2 and 5, that is, Isa 66:7–8 (e.g., Russell 450; Kiddle 222; Caird 149; Ford 189; Aune 682; M. Wilson 318; Witherington 167; Osborne 458). In that Isaianic reference we find the pregnant-mother and birth-son symbolism: “Before she travailed, she brought forth; / Before her pain came, she gave birth to a boy. / Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? / Can a land be born in one day? / Can a nation be brought forth all at once? / As soon as Zion travailed, she also brought forth her sons. / ‘Shall I bring to the point of birth and not give delivery?’ says the LORD. / ‘Or shall I who gives delivery shut the womb?’ says your God.” Other texts present Israel as a woman enduring birth pains: Isa 21:3; 26:17–18; 37:3; Jer 4:31; 6:24; 13:21; 22:23; 30:6; Mic 4:9. Continue reading →

THE WOMAN IN HEAVEN (1)

Revelation September 29, 2023 Leave a comment

Woman in heaven 1PMW 2023-076 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

In Revelation 12 we see John’s vision of a pregnant woman in heaven. His introductory text reads:

“A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars; and she was with child; and she cried out, being in labor and in pain to give birth.” (Rev. 12:1–2).

Our first task in interpreting this vision and that which follows is to determine the identity of the woman.

A GREAT SIGN APPEARED IN HEAVEN
This is the first time that we find the word sēmeion (“sign”) in Rev. Beginning here it appears seven times in the book, three times in the singular (12:1, 3; 15:1) and four in the plural (13:13, 14; 16:14; 19:20). A sign is something quite remarkable and extraordinary that captures one’s attention, and is oftentimes a miracle. John uses “sign” frequently in his Gospel (e.g., Jn 2:11, 18, 23; 4:48; 6:2, 14; 7:31). Robertson (387) explains that “this ‘sign’ is really a teras (wonder), as it is so by association” in Mt 24:24; Jn 4:48; Ac 2:22; 5:12. He adds that “the element of wonder is not in the word sēmeion as in teras, but often in the thing itself,” as in Lk 21:11; Jn 9:16; Rev 13:13ff; 15:1; 16:14; 19:20. John especially emphasizes this sign by the adj. megas (“great”). Continue reading →