The (New)The (New)History of Full PreterismHistory of Full Preterism

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Dr. Samuel LeeEarliest Known Modern Preterist

“he is unrivaled; no scholar of our age can approach him”

"he became convinced that the

views which he entertained, known

as the Preterist, were those held by the early Church."

"Add to this, (the book of Revelation's) own repeated declarations, that what was then said was shortly to come to pass ; and we shall be led to a conclusion as strong as words and facts can make it, that the purposes of God, as declared by the Prophets, and generally summed up in this Book, have been long ago fulfilled and finished."

"We cannot humble ourselves too much, we cannot love Christ too much, we cannot depend too much upon Him, nor cast our cares too implicitly and fully upon Him, nor indeed can we rejoice too much in His power, readiness and willingness to save to the uttermost. "

“I find him a very pleasant chatting man, and in high spirits like a boy... He seemed perfectly happy.“ – Charles Darwin, May 16, 1832

The Divine Manifestation of Christ By Eusebius

• Found 80 miles from Cairo at “Monastery of the Blessed Virgin”

• No other copy of it was known to exist

• Only mention was in "Lives of Illustrious Men" by Jerome.

• Dated by hand to A.D. 411

Bishop of Caesarea (c. 265 - 340)

"Eusebius never allows the doctrine of Christ's second coming any importance in his historical scheme.  There is no sense of a new kingdom

which will at some future date break in upon the existing historical structure, righting what is wrong and establishing justice."

Frank S. Thielman

"The Second Coming is treated by Eusebius as not an essential event, and even less like a culminating event, but only as one element which

plays a symmetrical part as that of the theophanies of the Old Testament, compared to the first coming.“

“Sirilli’s Review”

FIRST MODERN PRETERIST BOOK IN AD310?

"EVER since his translation of Eusebius's 'Theophania,' my father's mind had been more or less occupied

on the subject of Prophecy, and he became convinced that the views which he entertained, known as the Preterist, were those held by the early Church.

Anna Lee, Daughter

Stunning Impact of “Theophany”

Lee’s Bold “Preliminary Dissertation”Published in 1843

• "it is evident that Eusebius believed that the End had come. And in this there can be no doubt, I think, he was right; but as this involves a question very ill understood at this day, it may be right to offer a few words here, as to what is meant by the End.“

• "the old and elementary system passed away with a great noise; all these predicted empires have actually fallen, and the new kingdom, the new heaven and earth, the new Jerusalem -- all of which were to descend from God, to be formed by His power, have been realised on earth ; all these things have been done in the sight of all the nations"

• Extensive letters defending his view• 1843 - Preliminary Disserations on Eusebius• 1849 - An Inquiry into the Nature, Progress and

End of Prophecy. • 1849.--A Letter to G. S. Faber, B.D., containing an

Interpretation of 2 Peter iii.  • 1849.--A Letter to the Right Reverend the Lord

Bishop of Glouchester and Bristol.  • 1849-51.--The New Testament translated into

Arabic, and part of the Old with Notes.  • 1851.--The Events and Times of the Visions of

Daniel and St John investigated.

Launched Preterist Publishing Career

A Difficulty With Categorizing LeeA Difficulty With Categorizing Lee

FULL PRETERISM:All eschatology fulfilled by AD70

• Seemingly Not A Full Preterist !• Lee Doesn’t End Prophetic Fulfillment at AD70, But Extends

to the Fourth Century.• How Can He Be Considered a Full Preterist ?• Full Preterism: AD70 as the Consummation of the Ages

WEBSTER’S DICTIONARY: PRETERIST

“A theologian who believes that all of the prophecies of the Apocalypse have been fulfilled.”

Differences Between Lee and FPDifferences Between Lee and FP

• “the feet must of necessity symbolize Heathen Rome in its last times.”

• Focus Being Battle With Judaism AND Paganism

• Overthrow of the Most Powerful Empire the World Has Ever Seen

• As with Bishop Jacque Bossuet of Meaux (1627-1704) “Six Seal Preterist”

Nebuchanezzar’s Image

Differences Between Lee and FPDifferences Between Lee and FP

• "The vision of the evening and morning...is true:" and here the establishment of Christ's kingdom is clearly foretold. In Zechariah (ver. 9), "And," i. e. in that day, " the lord shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and His name one." Both the one year, and day, is therefore divided into two parts: the first in the one case, is Summer, in the second, the Evening.

• In Daniel's seventieth week, the Apostolic period is, as we have seen, its first portion, and this constitutes the Apostolical Millennium: its second portion reaching from the fall of the City and Temple, to the establishment of Christianity under Constantine. These then, respectively, are Zechariah's Summer and Winter, Morning and Evening.

• We have therefore, the same period, and portions of it, before us in every case : and in the increasing progress of this river, a lively representation of the triumphant progress of the Gospel."

Daniel’s Seventieth Week

“Modern Preterist” - Yet Not Full

• MODERN PRETERISM - The whole spectrum of fully fulfilled eschatology, which includes Full Preterism, and recent systems of Preterist-Idealism. 

– Generally believes that all eschatology was fulfilled by AD70, or with Pagan Rome’s fall or conversion to Christianity.

Regardless, Lee Had World-Wide ImpactRegardless, Lee Had World-Wide Impact

TranslationsTheological Journals

James Stuart Russell – Almost certainly aware of Lee's preterist system

• Professional lives overlapped by at least five years• Russell only thirty miles away from Lee at Cambridge. • Russell attended Chestnut College in Samuel Lee's home district of Hertfordshire. • Quite likely a close observer of Lee, if not apprentice of some sort.

– Lee became the Source of Massive Scorn» Perhaps Reason Why Russell Published Anonymously

Liverpool Pastor• Who, as a result of studies on Lee’s writings, penned the

EARLIEST KNOWN UNDENIABLY FULL PRETERIST BOOK

Full Preterist Quotes From Townley(1845) The Second Advent of the Lord Jesus Christ, A Past Event.

"there is not a shadow of a shade of error in the conclusion at which I have arrived."

•"we conceive to be the scriptural doctrine of the Millennium, as confined to the period of the Apostolic ministry." •Now the resurrection, being part and parcel of that preaching of the gospel to which this promise was made, "Lo, I am with you alway, even to the consummation of the age;" therefore the resurrection must be limited by the same consummation of the age, and must consequently be past, the Apostolic age and ministry being now no longer visible, and the promise of Christ being now of none effect. •"The Lord God, at the destruction of Jerusalem, made his foes his footstool; he completely abolished death, of whom it is said, in 1 Cor. 15, " Death, the last enemy, is disabled" he took away entirely the first covenant, which was "the ministration of death," that he might establish supremely the second, which was the ministration of life ; he removed the things which, in Paul's day, " were shaken, that the things which could not be shaken might remain." (Heb. 9:27) "The heavens (of the Jewish church) passed away with a great noise; the elements ('beggarly') melted with fervent heat, the earth also, and the works that were therein, (all that attached to the Mosaic economy, see Heb. 9:1-11,) were burned up, and the new heavens and new earth appeared," (2 Peter 3.)

Robert Townley – Earliest Known Full Preterist

Townley Influenced by Samuel Lee

• "would that Professor Lee's works formed part of a prescribed course of reading for ordination candidates.“

• “I will take the liberty of transcribing one or two passages respecting the fall of Jerusalem, in order to show the correspondency between his views of the fulfillment of prophecy and my own”

• We prove, and Dr. Lee admits, that “the kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and his Christ;” consequently the prediction must have been fulfilled.”

Townley Attacks UniversalismTarget: Dr. David Thom of Liverpool – Universalism and Calvinism

Robert Townley – Earliest Known Full Preterist

If I am to be a believer in Universalism, I must have a widely different statement from any which Mr. T. propounds.

Involved in the following controversies:

1. Eternal Punishment2. Global Flood3. Judgment in AD704. Universalism

A Very CuriousEndorsementOf Townley

Brings up Townley’s Difficulties

Universal Atonement

UNIVERSALISM

General Definition

All mankind will ultimately be saved from all forms

of judgment and damnation.

History of Consistent Preterism & Universalism

"a man of no ordinary character. He is settled as pastor of an Independent Congregation in Liberpool, and is widely known by his published writings, as well as respected for his learning, ability, and piety" - New York Tribune, April 8, 1843

On What Point Did Thom Convert

Townley to Universalism

Townley’s Conversion

Berean Universalist Church – Closed in 1975

Converted by Dr. David Thom

A Developed “Consistent Cessationism”

• We object to the entire constitution of the various religious establishments of the day, because we believe that they all maintain the great foundation principle of Judaism, viz., an outward and visible church

• This was the originating cause of trouble then, from the man of sin, Antichrist, flesh, (the law, see Romans viii. 8,) the carnal mind, which was attached to the law, whose strength was sin, which was the sting of death, the wages of sin, of which death the devil had the power.

– At the same destruction of Jerusalem all these the enemies were put under Christ's feet, the fall of Jerusalem being, if his own words are authority, most indisputably his second coming to "reward every man according to his works."

Townley’s Conversion

Now, if at the destruction of Jerusalem there was a taking away of the first covenant; a removing of .the old heaven and earth, and a burning up of the same ; and if sin, Satan, death, and hell have their true and scriptural meaning in reference only to the two covenants of Sinai and Sion, as consequent upon the Adamic transgression - and proof to the contrary is defied - if these things be so, then are we warranted in concluding….

A View of “The Law” As Mosaic Order “This was the originating cause of trouble then, from

the man of sin, Antichrist, flesh, (the law, see Romans viii. 8,) the carnal mind, which was attached to the law, whose strength was sin, which was the sting of death, the wages of sin, of which death the devil had the power. “

Townley’s Conversion to Universalism

"If sin, Satan, death, and hell have their true and scriptural meaning in reference only to the two covenants of Sinai and Sion, as consequent upon the Adamic transgression...then are we warranted in concluding that the time when the covenant of Sinai was 'everlastingly banished from the presence of God, and from the glory of his power,' being the destruction of Jerusalem, and every thing opposed to God being comprehended in that covenant, and having no meaning out of that covenant - that at the same destruction of  Jerusalem all these the enemies were put under Christ's feet....On the other hand, the common opinion of the day is, that so far from sin, Satan, death and hell being destroyed in the finished work of Christ, these several enemies are stronger than ever..."  Townley, p. 17

Dr. David Thom

“By some, the (Apocalypse) is considered to have received its accomplishment and at the period of Jerusalem’s destruction. Among the American Universalists, this view is very prevalant.”

(The number and names of the apocalyptic beasts: with an explanation and application)

Breakfast in America (Boston)Townley’s Conversion

American Preterist Universalism

• Issues : Coming of Son of Man, Endless Punishment, Annihilation, Global Deluge, Universal Salvation

• Shop Talk Between Unitarians, Universalists & Congregationalists

• Harvard Divinity was Unitarian & “All the Churches of Boston”

• Stages of Arminianism, Arianism, anti-Trinitarianism, rationalism and modernism.

• Judgment upon Jews in AD70

History of Consistent Preterism & Universalism

Townley Co-Minister with Balfour

• Similar case to Townley : Former Calvinist, Convinced of Universalism by a Preterist

• - “The Old Testament, he thinks, makes (gehenna) an emblem of the future temporal punishment to the Jews as a nation. With this clue he comes to the New Testament and interprets all such passages as Matt. 23:33 ("Ye generation of vipers, how shall ye escape the damnation of hell?") of the temporal calamities connected with the fall of Jerusalem.”

• “I deemed Universalism a great error, sometimes discussed the subject with Universalists, and always thought had the best of the argument. The first thing which staggered my faith in the doctrine of endless punishment was reading Mr. Stuart’s letters His statements, I was unable to controvert, and the text of which they were founded seemed to support them.”

Consistent Preterism & Universalism

Balfour & Moses Stuart

“Professor Stuart” by Kenneth P. Minkema

•“These declarations - remarkable, coming from such a source - at once arrested Mr. Balfour’s attention. He was greatly perplexed and in his perplexity, turned to Prof. Stuart for relief.”

•“These declarations - remarkable, coming from such a source - at once arrested Mr. Balfour’s attention. He was greatly perplexed and in his perplexity, turned to Prof. Stuart for relief.”

Moses StuartHistorical Preterist

"Here then, on the very front of the book, is exhibited a title-page, indicative of the contents of the work. The punishment of the un-believing and persecuting Jews must follow the coming of the Lord; and this is one leading object of the book to illustrate and confirm.” – Prof. Stuart

Stuart’s Views Lent Themselves to BalfourHistory of Consistent Preterism & Universalism

• “To Mr. Stuart, of Andover, I am indebted for making me a Universalist, and to him the world are indebted for my books. If I have embraced an error, and have published it to the world, let all who think so know that he is the man who led me astray; {who} was urged to give some explanation, but declined it, and that nothing has been said by him, or any other person,to show me my error.” (p. 142 The Universalist Quarterly and General Review)

• “But led by his investigations to see that nought of the words translated hell in the Bible has any reference to a place of future punishment”

• “An unauthorized, or altogether fanciful thought” - in the orderings of Providence, our venerable and excellent father was so first called among the immortals, that he might welcome there his equally venerable and excellend peer, with whom he had been so much in debate, to reciprocate his offices of help by introducing him into the larger and clearer displays of grace and truth, which were to settle all their controversies and demonstrate the glory of God as the Father, and the efficiency of Christ as the redeemer of ALL SOULS.

Others on Universalism

John H. NoyesHistorical Preterist

“The Berean” (1847)

"[If] an angel from heaven, bearing the seal of ten

thousand miracles, should establish a religion, which

should fail to recognize the truth which blazes on the whole front of the New

Testament, that Jesus Christ came the second

time at the destruction of Jerusalem, I would call

him an imposter."

“The Berean” (1847)

“In relation to the judgment, we agree

with the Universalists that the second

coming of Christ took place in connection with the destruction

of Jerusalem”

Ephraim Currier - 1841"About the year 1824, some books from

Universalist authors, fell my way, which I read with much pleasure; and by comparing the

sentiments therein contained, with the Bible, I was rejoiced to find that the sentiments of that sect appeared much more scriptural, as well as reasonable, than the sentiments of limitarians.”

“I soon became a confirmed Universalist.“

(Skowhegan, Maine)

Others on Universalism

Erasmus Manford – 1860 Oral Debate With Benjamin Franklin

"I have proved beyond all doubt, that my friend does not believe that sinners of our day will ever be judged or punished in any way for sin, not even by the lashing of conscience, for the coming of Christ to judge the world, was all fulfilled at the destruction of Jerusalem, and since that time there has been no hell, judgment, or punishment of any kind for the ungodly, and never will be”

"This theory limits the prophecy under consideration (the second coming) to the overthrow of the Jewish capital, and the downfall of Judaism.. Consequently, when Jerusalem was destroyed some thirty or forty years after the prediction, it was then fulfilled in the sense in which the Lord intended it. This is the way that those who call themselves Unitarians and Universalists commonly interpret this passage.

Benjamin Fiske Barrett – 1842 A Course of Lectures on the Doctrines of the New Jerusalem Church

Benjamin Hallock – 1840 Letters to Rev. E. F. Hatfield on Two Lectures Against Universalism

• "Having shown that the coming of Christ took place as he had stated during "that generation" it must have been at that time that the wicked, those on "the left hand" the goats" or the unbelieving Jews went away into this punishment. "

• "By consulting the prophets, it may be seen that great temporal judgments and national calamities and punishments are spoken of under the figure of a "fire that shall not be quenched" as becoming an "evelasting reproach"

• Our blessed Lord, it would seem, attached more importance to the fact that his coming in his kingdom was to take place during that generationo, while some of his hearers would be living witnesses of it, than he did to any other circumstance connected with this event."

• “The judgment, and of course the punishment of the wicked, are connected with a second coming of Christ.. The universalists maintain was fulfilled in the destruction of Jerusalem, while anti-universalists consider it descriptive of a future and general judgment.”

• Universalists explain (Matt 25) by the preceding chapter which treats of the destruction of Jerusalem, and where Christ says, verse 34, “This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.” (p. 176)

Luther Lee – 1836Universalism Examined and Refuted

• “If Christ is to be understood as he said, if his words explain his meaning, it is clear, that his coming in his glory.. was some time in the life-time of those to whom he spake.

• If this be true, which my opponent with his eyes open, will not dispute, then no objection can be stated, from this parable, against the final holiness and happiness of all men.

• “We are informed, that Christ came once in the end of the world, to put away sin. The world, of which Christ came in the end, was undoubtedly the dispensation of the legal priesthood.

Hosea Ballou - 1811“The Father of American Universalism"

United Unitarians and Universalists

Hosea Ballou - 1805“The Father of American Universalism"

First Universalist Church in America

• "In Matt 12:31, 32 (neither in this world nor in that which is to come), "world" means dispensation; "this" world, the legal priestly dispensation; and "that which is to come," the gospel.”

• Nothing can be more evident than that what Jesus and his disciples meant by the end of the world was the end of the Jewish polity and their destruction by the Romans.”

• “The wrath to come,’ of which John spake, when he said ‘who hath warned you..’ is speaking of the destruction of the Jews and their city, he said ‘For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.” (1805 Notes on the Parables)

Other Preterist-Universalist Works

• J.T. Flanders : A Review of Universalism Against Itself

• Thomas Brown : A History of the Origin and Progress of the Doctrine of Universal Salvation: Also the Final. 1826

• Various Cited – A Defence of Orthodoxy Against the Heresy of Universalism (1825 Wm. Latta McCalla)

• Ephraim Currier : "About the year 1824, some books from Universalist authors, fell my way..“

• Numerous Cited by Stevens in “What Happened in AD70” Bibliography

The New History of Full Preterism Sitting Here Today

• Amazing Diversity Coming Out of All Denominations Sitting Here Today, Many in Complete Isolation, Even With the Internet

• Got What We Asked For – Now What?• Trying to Sculpt One Unified Body Possible ?• Not Going to be Monolithic Movement : i.e.

“Reformed Preterist Reformation” or a “Preterist Universalism Reformation”

• Continually Dividing From Others Best Answer ?• Necessary Time For Measured Approach

1. Realistic ExpectationsWhat does the Lord teach us through change?

• Isolation From Rest of World Profound• Learning How to Stand Alone with Christ• Full Pret Fellowship Rare, Even on Internet• Nearly All Communities Disappoint as Supports• No United Reformation to Join or Serve• No Public Vindication Forthcoming

– Influx of Curious Doctrines Continues– Acceptance of New Ideas Extremely Slow

2. With Whom to Separate ?Strange Winds of Doctrine in Every Movement

• Investigating Carefully What is Being Said/Written– Researching Viewpoints Fairly Important

• Can Full Preterism Be Primary Determining Factor For Fellowship

• With Satisfaction in “First Things”, Spiritual Walk Will Be Better Prepared for “Last Things”

3. With Whom to Fellowship ?Seeking Church Likeminded in Every Last Doctrine ?

• Must We Agree With A Church 100% ?

• Some Forsaking Fellowship Altogether Based Upon the “Last Things” of Eschatology

• Zealous “Theological Nationalism” Lonely and Destructive to One’s Peace and Rest

• Important Keys to Finding Rest and Peace :– Finding an Assembly with Loving Nature– Listening to Spirit Speak Through Preacher– Staying Connected with Futurist Friends

• Tear Down Walls we’ve Built and Moats we’ve Dug

4. Division the Effect of Wrong Basis of Fellowship

“what fellowship hath light with darkness?”

• Fellowship in “First Things” or “Last Things”?• Which is More Important ? Which Defines Your

Faith ?– Last Things Tends Toward Disappointment– Contributes to Greater Isolation

• Consider Finding “First Things” Fellowship, Regardless of “Last Things” Differences

• That Will Arrest Divisions as much as Possible in Church and at Home with Spouse

• Ministers, Consider Narrowing “End Things” Evangelism to “First Things” Likeminded

5. Reconsider Approach

“Last Things” Fellowship An Isolating ChoiceEndless Divisions in Eschatology ; Unable to Penetrate Deep Spiritually

Fellowship in Last Things Fellowship in First Things

AD70 AS PRIMARY CHRIST AS PRIMARY

CALVINISTS ARMINIANS

PRETERISTS FUTURISTS

AD70 AS SECONDARYCHRIST AS SECONDARY

ATONEMENT

RESURRECTION

Finding Isolation in Eschatology Finding Unity in Christ

CESSATION

FUTURISTS

“Tail Wagging Dog” Ministry/Literary ApproachCounterproductive Towards Goals

“Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit “

Focusing on Historical Things Focusing on Spiritual Things

DISUNITY IN LAST THINGS UNIFIED BASIS IN FIRST THINGS

ARMINIANS CALVINISTS

PRETERISTS FUTURISTS

APPROACHING AD70 EVENTSAPPROACHING CHRIST

ATHEISM & HYPER-PRET

IBD / IBN

Eschatology Fails as Ministry Basis Soteriology Binds Much Stronger

ECT / ANNI

6. Marginalization by EstablishmentWhat is being built? By whom, and for whom?

• No Stopping or Marginalizing Universalism• Probably Worse Positions Yet to Come• Productive to Jealously Deny, Ignore, or Filibuster ?• What is Being Glorified By Such Politics ?• We’ve Seen that Fellowship Isn’t in “Last Things”• Restrict “End Things” Evangelism to Likeminded ?• Are Disagreements Just Details, or an Overthrow ?• Clearly Define Hybrid & Basis of Fellowship• Clearly Define What is “Hyper-Preterism” to You

• Can Fulfillment Be Taken Too Far ? Most Believe So.• To Deny That There is Hyper-Preterism Encourages Critical

Errors, and Discourages Those Investigating Pret.• Are Winds of Doctrine Legitimate Alternatives ?• “Hyper” Label Needed If Not “Just Another Option”• Discussions in Open and in Literary Production

• Ward Fenley: "Hyper-Preterism is the belief that all soteriological events were consummated and ended by AD70 and that none of the soteriological benefits of Christ redemptive work apply post AD70. “

• Mike Sullivan: The “literal rapture view” & “no application of eternal life post AD 70 because "eternal life" was a new covenant blessing made to the 12 tribes of Israel and therefore can ONLY apply to them. "

• Ed Stevens: Hyper-Preterists "These folks would see the church as a temporary transitional phase of the Kingdom, with its phase-out in AD 70. These folks would also see baptism, the Lord’s Supper and other such physical expressions of our ongoing covenant relationship with God as being no longer valid in the post-70 Kingdom. This is certainly an extreme “hyper” preterist position, and very few have taken that route. ”

• PreteristArchive.com : “that form of Modern Preterism which, due to overmuch focus on AD70, has ceased being profitable for studies and has overthrown basic Christian doctrine -- also having become dangerous to one's spiritual walk. 

7. Clearly Defining “Hyper” Preterism For the Good of the Followers and the Observers

The (New) History of Full PreterismA Very Critical Moment of Decision For All

• Uniting and Teaching on Grounds of Christ-Focus, or Primarily Historical Evangelism

• Primary Focus on History or Christ ?– Unite with “Eschatology Minded” Christians,

Regardless of Christ ?– Unite with “Christ Minded” Christians,

Regardless of Eschatology ?

The New History of Full Preterism is Being Written Today

Robert Townley – Rest of the Story

Preterist-Idealist

Universalistto..

Futuristto

Full Preteristto

Partial Preterist to

Personification of Preterist History ?

The (New)The (New)History of Full PreterismHistory of Full Preterism

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