PRETERISM IN THE SCIENTIFIC ACADEMY?

PMW 2024-017 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

QUESTION TO ME

Hello, Mr. Gentry, good morning!

It is always a privilege to have the opportunity to interact with you via email.

I am currently studying preterism/postmillennialism through your writings and those of others (such as Douglas Wilson, Frank Brito, Sproul, Gary DeMar…). I would like to ask you a question, if you don’t mind:

Why do you think that those who embrace preterism/postmillennialism are a minority in academy, particularly among the Reformed? I was talking to a friend of mine who studied at Westminster (California), and he mentioned that he did not encounter any professors who advocated for this position…

Of course, the majority’s position does not determine its validity, but I find it curious that among the prominent contemporary scholars, the preterist view is in the minority (you certainly being an exception). Am I mistaken, or is this accurate?

I appreciate your attention and support in advance!

Fabrício Zamboni

The Beast of Revelation
by Ken Gentry

A popularly written antidote to dispensational sensationalism and newspaper exegesis. Convincing biblical and historical evidence showing that the Beast was the Roman Emperor Nero Caesar, the first civil persecutor of the Church. The second half of the book shows Revelation’s date of writing, proving its composition as prior to the Fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. A thought-provoking treatment of a fascinating and confusing topic.

For more study materials, go to: KennethGentry.com

RESPONSE BY ME

Fabricio:

Thanks for your inquiry. Good question.

Preterism has clearly waxed and waned over the last 100 years, having been quite strong in the 1700–1800s. Fortunately, it is seeing a rebirth today. But unfortunately, it is being anathematized of late because of a small but noisy hyperpreterist movement, largely dependent upon the Internet and print-on-demand publishing. This movement has taken preterism and converted it into a whole new (unorthodox) theology, rather than seeing it as a helpful hermeneutic for certain passages. The recent adoption of some of its key unorthodox positions by ary DeMar has caused alarm for not a few evangelicals (including many of his friends), even prompting some to turn against preterism as dangerous. Dispensationalists have been particularly delighted in noting DeMar’s new convictions.

However, though orthodox preterism is a minority position, it is more widespread than you seem to realize. Your friend, in fact, is mistaken: there have been well-placed orthodox preterist evangelical scholars in Reformed seminaries, including at Westminster Theological Seminary. See:

Robert Letham, Systematic Theology (2019), who is Adjunct Professor of Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary (the very seminary you friend mentions). A Reformed seminary.

Keith Mathison, From Age to Age (2009) is Dean of the Ligonier Academy of Biblical and Theological Studies. A Reformed seminary.

Prophecy Studies (4 downloadable mp3s)
by Ken Gentry
Dispensationalism dominates the evangelical market regarding eschatological discussions. But dispensationalism is radically mistaken regarding the eschatology of Scripture. In this series not only is dispensationalism analyzed, but also the postmillennial eschatology of the Psalms, and a preterist analysis of Revelation.
See more study materials at: www.KennethGentry.com

Robert Reymond (recently deceased), A New Systematic Theology (1998) was Dean of Faculty at Knox Theological Seminary. A Reformed seminary.

R. C. Sproul (recently deceased), Matthew (An Expositional Commentary) (2019), taught at Knox Theological Seminary, and other Reformed seminaries.

Douglas Kelly, Revelation (Mentor Commentary) (2015), recently retired as Professor of Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary, Charlotte. A Reformed seminary.

See also these evangelical scholars who hold to key orthodox preterist positions:

David E. Garland, Luke (Zondervan Exegetical Commentary (2011), is Professor of Christian Scriptures at Baylor’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary.

R. T. France, Luke (Teach the Text Commentary Series) (2015), though recently deceased, France was Principal of Wycliffe Hall, Oxford University.

Jeffrey A. Gibbs, Matthew (Concorcia Commentary) (2010), is Professor of Exegetical Theology at Concordia Seminary. A Lutheran seminary.

Jeannine K. Brown, Matthew (Two Horizons New Testament Commentary) (2018), is Professor of New Testament at Bethel Seminary. A noted evangelical seminary.

Sam Storms, Thy Kingdom Come (2013), is President of Grace Training Center.

The quite recent dates for some of these major publications (see especially, France, Kelly, Letham, Storms, and Brown, for instance) show a current growing interest in orthodox preterism among evangelical scholars of repute.

If any readers can name some more contemporary evangelical, orthodox preterists in seminaries and colleges that I have overlooked, please send me their information.

I hope this is helpful and that your remain hopeful!

BEFORE JERUSALEM FELL
Doctoral dissertation defending a pre-AD 70 date for Revelation’s writing (459 pp; paperback). Thoroughly covers internal evidence from Revelation, external evidence from history, and objections to the early date by scholars.

For more study materials: https://www.kennethgentry.com/