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He Shall Have Dominion: A Postmillennial Eschatology

Kenneth L. Gentry Jr.

4.37 · Rating details · 152 ratings · 32 reviews

In this greatly expanded and wholly updated version of Dr. Gentry's classic study of postmillennialism, you will sense anew the powerful message of Psalm 72 that Christ "shall have dominion from sea to sea" (Psa 72:8). You will learn that God's word promises that "the whole earth will be filled with his glory" (72:19) so that "all nations will call him blessed" (72:17) bef ...more

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Paperback, 619 pages

Published by Wipf & Stock Publishers (first published January 1st 2009)

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Jan 02, 2019 Brandon rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

Don't read this unless you'd like to have all your assumptions about the future challenged. ...more

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Dec 15, 2011 John rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2013, eschatology

He Shall Have Dominion is the most recent attempt at articulating a thorough, ‘irrefutable’ argument for postmillennialism. Gentry attempts to make his case so airtight that critics will have to either ignore his work or answer his arguments. I’ve not read much on eschatology, outside of the postmillennial tradition, having grown up in the premill/amill mold. So I can’t speak to the persuasiveness of the argument with much sophistication.

Based on my experience reading the postmillenialists, the ...more

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May 17, 2012 Jerry Johnson rated it it was amazing

NiceneCouncil.com has published the Third Edition of this great work. Please see our bookstore at http://store.nicenecouncil.com/he-sha... ...more

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Jun 01, 2017 Ben Zornes rated it it was amazing

Shelves: history, theology, worldview

Marvelous on almost all counts. It is quite common in some circles for eschatological preoccupation to take up far too much time, and in other circles to be almost entirely neglected. In the first group, it is often accompanied by what Gentry calls "Newspaper exegesis"; in the other group it is thought that it is a peripheral issue and therefore not discussed so as not to stir up debate.

Gentry does a wonderful job of presenting the postmillennial view as the most consistently biblical view, whil Marvelous on almost all counts. It is quite common in some circles for eschatological preoccupation to take up far too much time, and in other circles to be almost entirely neglected. In the first group, it is often accompanied by what Gentry calls "Newspaper exegesis"; in the other group it is thought that it is a peripheral issue and therefore not discussed so as not to stir up debate.

Gentry does a wonderful job of presenting the postmillennial view as the most consistently biblical view, while interacting with the other schools of eschatological thought (pre- & a-). Now, if "end times" stuff either bores you, or you've been burned by "prophetic date-setting" (often found in dispensational camps), Gentry reminds us:

Eschatology is a deeply rooted and intricately involved aspect of Christian theology. It should not be approached in a naïve manner or be given superficial treatment. Consequently, no single passage may be expected to present an entire eschatological system [...] Eschatology is woven into the whole fabric of Scripture as the story within. (Gentry, Pg.497)

Meaning, we must remember that the Scriptures lead us to look forward to what God has in store. What we believe about what God's purposes are for history and eternity will affect how we live here and now. Gentry shows how postmillennialism is the only view (of the three primary camps) that has a theology of Gospel-victory in history. He is careful in expositing the applicable texts as well as quoting various voices of all three camps. He is always charitable, but somewhat merciless, especially when the other viewpoints are shown to hold utterly ridiculous and unbiblical views.

This is really a must read for every Christian, as it would be immensely profitable for Christians to understand that the pessimism of amillennialism and premillennialism is afflicting the church in such a way that we are rather impotent in our Gospel proclamation. We must affirm and proclaim the Lordship and Kingship of Christ in history, in recognition of His great redemptive work on Calvary.

I highly commend this to the top of your "to-read" list! ...more

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Dec 10, 2018 wpschrec rated it it was amazing

Shelves: eschatology

An excellent, thorough overview of postmillenialism and preterism

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Mar 30, 2009 Douglas Wilson rated it really liked it

Shelves: theology

Very good.

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Jul 15, 2010 CJ Bowen rated it liked it · review of another edition

Gentry is a clear and straightforward writer, and does a good job presenting the postmillennial case. I especially appreciated his gospel-centeredness, his excellent answers to objections (especially the amillennial argument concerning suffering), and his gentlemanly tone. The sheer number of misconceptions that he removes is staggeringly helpful; He's like a cannery for red herrings.

If someone is reading deeply in eschatology, they ought to read this one. However, there are several weaknesses o Gentry is a clear and straightforward writer, and does a good job presenting the postmillennial case. I especially appreciated his gospel-centeredness, his excellent answers to objections (especially the amillennial argument concerning suffering), and his gentlemanly tone. The sheer number of misconceptions that he removes is staggeringly helpful; He's like a cannery for red herrings.

If someone is reading deeply in eschatology, they ought to read this one. However, there are several weaknesses of presentation that mar the book's usefulness, and keep it from being my first recommendation. (Mathison's Postmillennialism)

Two hundred of the pages that Gentry spends refuting wacky dispensational ideas could be cut without losing anything of the postmillennial case. Dispensationalism is over, and at any rate, is not the proper subject of this book. Related, yes, but not related enough to deserve as much play as it gets. His discussion of theonomy is more related to his argument, but could also slim down a few pages. Focus.

Also, Gary North's intro should be retired. Fun while it lasted. If the book is to be taken seriously, which it should, then North's bravado should be dropped. I happen to agree with North, but don't think the intro helps the book; actually, it hinders it.

The footnotes are wildly disparate in usefulness and scholarship. North boasts about them, but when one of them is used to mention that the granddaughter of a premillennial scholar is a postmillennialist, well, it casts the whole bunch of them in a new light. Similarly, referencing all the NT passages that mention the Church "in Christ" seems to be proof-texting, and of an auxiliary point, at that. Looks impressive, but so does cotton candy.

Gentry's dialogue partners are skewed, as well. I feel like Herman C. Hanko should probably abstain from theological debate after the few articles that Gentry manhandles, but who besides Gentry and Herman's own mother have ever heard of him? Surely someone else said something about postmillennialism that needs refuting. Centering the debate by choosing more evangelically relevant foes would help, which would mean dropping the unpublished articles, and most of the outdated dispensationalist footnotes. Otherwise, Gentry looks like he is kicking puppies.

There is a newer edition of the book out now, which may very well correct some of these flaws, and if it does, stars would deservedly be added, because the heart of Gentry's work is an excellent defense of the triumph of Christ. ...more

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Aug 02, 2018 Caleb Powers rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

One of the best books I've ever read. Every Christian needs to read this book and come face to face with these ideas. Not only is the book well-written, thorough, and rhetorically persuasive, but it's also very scripturally sound, exegetically secure, and theologically profound. Eschatology matters, and this eschatology speaks to the truth of God's mission on Earth. ...more

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Mar 27, 2012 Gabriel rated it it was amazing

Very thorough argument for post-mil theology. Must read if you are thinking through the various views.

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Jan 09, 2016 Peter Clegg rated it it was amazing

This book revealed to me that I am postmil after all. I believe I misunderstood amil and postmil before reading this book. This book is a careful Biblical analysis of eschatology. Recommended.

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Apr 03, 2019 Scott Guillory rated it it was amazing

Really great!

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May 26, 2012 Jonny rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-in-2012, theology

This is the second (and final) book I'm reading this year on Postmillennialism. Still not totally sold on the idea, but I find it respectable.

One thing I disliked about this book is that he spent way too much time focusing on Dispensationalism. The book could have been 100 pgs thinner in my estimate. ...more

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Oct 11, 2011 Chris Griffith rated it really liked it

By far the most comprehensive book I've read on postmillennial eschatology. Gentry is very thorough and answers many misconceptions and misinterpretations which surround this hopeful and helpful biblical doctrine concerning the end times. Christ is the LORD!

Many thanks to the Nicene Council dot com for making this available for free as a ebook! nicenecouncil.com/ ...more

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Feb 25, 2009 Chris Comis rated it really liked it

Shelves: theology, missio-dei

Gentry is a great scholar with an eye for the details in the text. I've read this book twice now. Gentry presents a very clear and precise case for the postmillennial position. May be a little to much for those not very well attuned to eschatological debates. Maybe start with K. Mathison's book for a much more basic intro. to postmillennial hermeneutics and theology. ...more

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Jan 10, 2013 Daniel rated it it was amazing

This book is nothing short of awesome. Gentry does a fine job of exegeting postmillennialism and demolishing the frameworks of opposing viewpoints. Along the way he also gives rock solid support for theonomy and dismantles dispensationalism. I would highly recommend this book.

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Nov 22, 2014 Aaron Ventura rated it it was amazing

Finally finished this volume and found it to be thoroughly convincing, exegetical and rigorous. I can gladly say all my amillenial hesitancies were addressed and dismantled. Grateful for Gentry and can't wait for that commentary on Revelation. ...more

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Aug 20, 2014 Eric Quinones rated it it was amazing

Great book..Converted me. :)

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Apr 12, 2019 Etienne OMNES rated it really liked it

Ce livre est un très bon point d'entrée dans le postmillénarisme, mais n'est pas un point final pour autant (contrairement à ce que dit Gary North dans sa préface trop enthousiaste). Kenneth Gentry a eu beaucoup d'intelligence éditoriale dans le plan et l'arrangement de son livre, et globalement le livre remplit bien ses objectifs: servir d'introduction et de défense générale au postmillénarisme, non pas complète, mais satisfaisante.

Il y a un bon équilibre entre exposition et réfutation, et dan ...more

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Feb 01, 2021 History7teacher rated it it was amazing

He Shall Have Dominion is one of the clearest expositions of the Bible’s teaching on eschatology and all that it touches that I have ever read—and I do have a MA in Theology so I’ve read many expositions of Scripture. Gentry carefully builds a scriptural case for believing in the ultimate success of the Gospel. And that is what sets this teaching apart from others: Does the Scripture teach that the Church with the Gospel will ultimately fail only to be rescued from oblivion by Christ into the et ...more

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Dec 26, 2018 Jacob Rush rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This work handles explicitly the question of eschatology, and focuses on the biblical theological evidence for postmillennialism, as well as gives preterist alternatives for so-called "end times" verses. Those who are wondering how this eschatology bleeds down into one's approach to politics will have to go elsewhere. Along these lines, one small aesthetic objection I have for Gentry is his emphasis on the spiritual nature of Christ's kingdom. He is adamant that this spiritual kingdom has politi ...more

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Sep 20, 2019 Andrew Becham rated it it was amazing

Gentry's work in Dominion is characteristically thorough and convincing. His familiarity with the contemporary eschatological discussion, patristics, Reformed thinkers, and ancient texts provides a helpful backdrop for the theological and exegetical arguments. Throughout the work, he corrects, exhorts, clarifies, cites his sources, pays dues, and, more than anything, helps the reader along. And as a final note, upon finishing this book, I am more convinced than ever that Christ will have victory ...more

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Sep 05, 2019 Joshua Jenkins rated it it was amazing

Eschatology matters. The way we view the world going effects the way we live our lives today. Ken Gentry presents a victorious gospel, a reigning Christ, and a hopeful future that is as easy to read as this topic can be. Gentry is a careful and faithful exegete of Scripture and that is what he offers in this work. A good theological work will leave the reader not in a confusing pile of information, but in a spirit of doxology to our great God. This book did that for me. I do recommend.

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Oct 30, 2020 Zephram Foster rated it liked it

Solid exegesis, very sound book. 3 stars for the dryness, it felt like a textbook at times (not really a bad thing - it was just 500 pages of dissertation)

Recommended for anyone serious about eschatology.

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Mar 16, 2019 Aurora Grace rated it did not like it

Shelves: dominionism

Probably the most comprehensive defense of dominionist postmillennialism certainly written in the 20th century.

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Sep 07, 2019 Joel Carlson rated it it was amazing

This is the most thorough treatment of Postmillennial thinking I have read. A truly wonderful and helpful resource for the Christian.

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May 15, 2017 Seth Mcdevitt rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Thorough.

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Nov 01, 2018 Isaac rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: eschatology, kingdom-of-god

This is one of the best books in the world. You should totes read it.

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Mar 01, 2014 Jacob O'connor rated it really liked it

Whatever happened to the rapture? When I was a puppy protestant, it was all the rage. Hal Lindsey was selling books by the bunches. Every other day someone was predicting the end of the world, and pastors aplenty were warning of the pressing possibility of the parousia. I can't remember the last time I heard a preacher mention it. Is it because I'm sheltered? Living in the wrong part of the States? Or has the idea gradually fallen out of favor?

Kenneth Gentry has written a 600 page defense of a ...more

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Jul 13, 2015 Joshua Nuckols rated it it was amazing

Compelling case for Post-Mil.

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Jul 14, 2009 Brett rated it really liked it

Shelves: eschatology

Thorough and convincing.

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About Kenneth L. Gentry Jr.

Kenneth L. Gentry Jr.

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Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr. is a Reformed theologian, and an ordained minister in the Reformed Presbyterian Church General Assembly. He is particularly known for his support for and publication on the topics of orthodox preterism and postmillennialism in Christian eschatology, as well as for theonomy and six day creation. He holds that each of these theological distinctives are logical and theological ...more