Something grabbed my attention last week. Preterism. I had never heard of preterism before last week. A preterist believes that the second coming of Christ has already happened; it took place in 70AD at the destruction of Jerusalem. A preterist would say all the verses speaking of the coming of Christ have already been fulfilled. For more information on what a preterist believes click here.
Apparently Preterism is rapidly growing throughout church. It seems clear however that this view is completely unfounded from scripture. While I don't know exactly how the second coming of Christ will play out, I do know that there are some serious ramifications in believing the second coming of Christ has already occurred. This would mean that we have no future hope; this is all there is and ever will be.
If I were discussing Preterism with a Preterist the first question I would ask comes from 1 Cor 11:26 dealing with the Lords Super. It says: "For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup you proclaim the Lords death until He comes." By partaking of communion you are proclaiming the Lords death until He return again. If He has already returned then why do you (Preterists) take the Lords Super?
It is astounding to me the views of Preterists as portrayed on the above mentioned webpage. If one truly studies the Word of God how can he or she come to the conclusion that Christs second coming has already taken place? It almost seems to question the inerrancy of the Scriptures
What question(s) would you ask and what Scriptures would you take a Preterist to?
3 comments:
Hi BFisk, please, please, please, don't conflate "hyperpreterism" with preterism. I am a preterist and do NOT think that the Second Coming and resurrection already happened. That is rank heresy and worthy of excommunication.
If you are interested in orthodox preterism at all, I have a podcast and a website
http://wwww.preteristsite.com
http://www.preteristpodcast.com
Thanks for the comment, I will check it out.
Hi BFisk,
I know you posted this a long time ago but I have a question that touches on preterism somewhat...
How would you interpret the following passage?
Matthew 24:29-34:
29 "But immediately after the tribulation of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
30 "And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory.
31 "And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.
Parable of the Fig Tree
32"Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near;
33 so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door.
34 "Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.
Since he was speaking these passages in regards to his return to a specific audience of people then, how are we to take it? Here he specifically told his listeners who he was speaking to that He would return before that generation (greek = genea) passed away...
Nate
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