Generally it is helpful to understand your opponent’s eschatological postion in order to better know your own. In this succinct study I will summarize the essential distinctive features of amillennialism. Until the early twentieth century the term “amillennial” did not exist. Amillennialism was subsumed under the term “postmillennialism.” But after World War I and the onset [...]
Full Story »
In developing a systematic eschatology we may sort out the standard evangelical viewpoints along millennial lines (though the actual question of the millennium in Rev 20 really should not be central to the discussion). In attaching prefixes to the term “millennium” we modify the second coming of Christ in terms of its connection to the [...]
Full Story »
According to amillennial objectors, postmillennialism allegedly overlooks Christ’s present kingship. Prof. Robert Strimple quotes my definition of postmillennialism which observes that “increasing gospel success will gradually produce a time in history prior to Christ’s return in which faith, righteousness, peace, and prosperity will prevail in the affairs of people and of nations.” He responds by [...]
Full Story »
Robert Strimple is a Reformed scholar and former professor at Westminster Theological Seminary in Escondido, California. He is a strong advocate of amillennialism who deems postmillennialism to be a skewed eschatological system. Strimple commits an error in theological argumentation that is commonly witnessed in amillennial circles. I believe that he either overstates his case, or [...]
Full Story »
Amillennialists complain that postmillennialism must overlook or downplay biblical calls to suffering. Our postmillennial expectation of victory in history seems to run against the New Testament statements regarding Christian suffering. How do we explain such passages? In this post I am continuing a response to Reformed amillennialists R. Fowler White, Richard B. Gaffin, Jr., and [...]
Full Story »
Below is a review of a book that argues for an optimistic outlook on history from within an amillennial eschatology. One wonders why an amillennialist would be optimistic (against the virtually dominant pessimism in amillennialism) and why the optimistic amillennialist does not simply become postmillennial. What are your thoughts? The Promise of the Future, by [...]
Full Story »
Below is an article by an amillennialist rebutting postmillennialism. What are your thoughts? (Ken Gentry) The importance for the Church of the return of Jesus Christ can hardly be overemphasized. It is the one aspect of the promise that awaits fulfillment. It is the last and crowning work on the whole process of redemption. It [...]
Full Story »
Historic Differences In discussing the differences in Reformed Eschatological views, I’ve been asked to defend the postmillennial view against the more popular Amillennial view. The challenge here is to clearly define views that, over time, are slowly evolving into each other, particularly with the rise of “optimistic Amillennialism”. The similarities are as follows: 1.) All [...]
Full Story »
The term “amillennial” derives from a (which means “no”) and mille (“thousand”) and annum (which means “years”). The amillennial view denies a literal thousand year reign of Christ on earth or even any millennial-type conditions dominating on earth in the pre-consummation order. Amillennialists hold that Christ established his kingdom in the first century as a [...]
Full Story »
Some amillennialists complain that postmillennialists wrongly categorize them as “pessimistic.” They generally reject this evaluation for two reasons: (1) It is negative sounding in itself, and (2) it overlooks the fact that they argue that ultimately Christ and his people win the victory at the end of history. Still other amillennialists deny this designation because [...]
Full Story »
KINGDOM LEAVENThe Parable of the Leaven reads: "The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid i...
. All rights reserved.
