Preterism!

[OldSage]

"Preterism is literally scriptural terrorism"

- Ewq1938

“I am not in full alignment with Preteristic theology per se, however I could say that I may be a 'partial preterist' "

- R. Alan Woods

“Did you ever regret the absence of the burnt-offering, or the red heifer, of any one of the sacrifices and rites of the Jews? Did you ever pine for the feast of tabernacle, or the dedication? No, because, though these were like the old heavens and earth to the Jewish believers, they have passed away, and we now live under a new heavens and a new earth, so far as the dispensation of divine teaching is concerned. The substance is come, and the shadow has gone: and we do not remember it.”

- Charles Spurgeon

"Bengel has said much on these points, but to very little purpose; the word in the above place seems to signify delay simply, and probably refers to the long-suffering of God being ended in reference to Jerusalem; for I all along take for probable that this book [Revelation] was written previously to the destruction of that city."

- Adam Clarke

it would seem that many reputable scholars, and some less so, have their opinion on Preterism. What is yours? Perhaps you know a Preterist?
Do you have vigorous arguments with them in the nave after a service, or in your house bible study group?

Feel free to share your Preterist experiences.

 

[Oncefallen]

For the record: The Admin team of Christian Chat holds that Full Preterism (the belief that ALL end times prophesy has already been fulfilled) is heresy and those promoting it will be dealt with accordingly. Partial Preterism (the belief that some end times prophesy has already been fulfilled) is an acceptable and debatable viewpoint alongside numerous other debatable viewpoints on eschatology.

 

[OldSage]

I can well understand why you would ban such an idea. I personally would have thought it such a stupid idea that it would fall on its own demerits. But I guess at a certain point you have to draw a line to protect weaker brethren.
I am not that clued up on Preterism but someone accused me of it, hence I created a thread to get to the bottom of it,
but then I realized it was just being used as a form of slander, and not really a meaningful term.

 

[Dino246]

I can well understand why you would ban such an idea. I personally would have thought it such a stupid idea that it would fall on its own demerits. But I guess at a certain point you have to draw a line to protect weaker brethren.
I am not that clued up on Preterism but someone accused me of it, hence I created a thread to get to the bottom of it,
but then I realized it was just being used as a form of slander, and not really a meaningful term.

"Preterism" is a meaningful term (it comes from the Latin for "past" or "beyond"), but it gets conflated with "full preterism" which is the belief that everything has already happened. Sadly, some people do use "preterist" as an insult, which usually indicates that their minds are shut to anything but their own beliefs.

Perhaps a more helpful term is "post-millenialism". You'll find a lot of related material on that subject from folks such as R.C. Sproul, Douglas Wilson, Jeff Durbin, Gary DeMar, and many others.