Are there any Partial Preterists here?

**soulsurvivor316** · Jun 22nd 2009, 12:29 AM

For as long as I can remember, I always believed in the Left Behind/New World Order/Antichrist dispensational premillennialism. I was really into the Left Behind books and other readings dealing with the rapture.

Recently, I have started to question the validity of these beliefs. Furthermore, as I have done more reading; I now fully reject dispensationalism. I am a postmillennial preterist. These people are usually called partial preterists (Althought a partial preterist could also be a amillenialist).

Partial Preterists believe that the apocalyptic language of the NT is mostly referring to the fall of Jerusalem and perhaps the Roman Empire. I think this makes a lot of sense contextually, historically, exegetically when we consider the use of that kind of language in other Second Temple writings.
However, as a partial preterist, I believe that the real, physical, future return of Jesus to judge and renew humanity and creation has yet to occur. This separates partial preterists from full preterists who believe that Christs' second coming has already occured.

Is there anyone else who shares these beliefs with me? Also, can anyone recommend so good partial preterists reading? Thanks.

***danield*** · Jun 22nd 2009, 12:39 AM

There are quite a few here. Just go on to the end times section and you will see many members who believe as you. And welcome to the board.

**Psalms Fan** · Jun 22nd 2009, 01:38 AM

If you want a good book about partial preterism, read "End Times Fiction", by Gary DeMar.

Am I a partial preterist? Yes and no, but mostly no. Yes, in that there are many aspects of it with which I agree. No, in that as a system, it's too limiting, and there are areas where I don't agree with it.

So I guess you could say that I am "sorta like" a partial preterist.

***moonglow*** · Jun 22nd 2009, 02:00 AM

I am...here are some good things to read in regard to this view: The Adam Clarke Commentary on Matthew 24...he uses alot of historical evidence for this chapter..fits nicely with this view.

PROPHECY: KINGDOM ESCHATOLOGY

The Beast of Revelation Identified

The Beast of Revelation (14 of 25) Trampling of Jerusalem?

The Beast of Revelation (16 of 25) Anti-Israel Anti-Semitic?

WHEN AND WHAT ARE THE "TIMES OF THE GENTILES"?

Historical preterism (not full preterist but partial)

Believe it or not I have more too...

Let me know if you want more..might not be able to answer until tomorrow though.

God bless...and have fun studying!

**soulsurvivor316** · Jun 22nd 2009, 02:25 AM

Originally Posted by moonglow

I am...here are some good things to read in regard to this view: The Adam Clarke Commentary on Matthew 24...he uses alot of historical evidence for this chapter..fits nicely with this view.

PROPHECY: KINGDOM ESCHATOLOGY

The Beast of Revelation Identified

The Beast of Revelation (14 of 25) Trampling of Jerusalem?

The Beast of Revelation (16 of 25) Anti-Israel Anti-Semitic?

WHEN AND WHAT ARE THE "TIMES OF THE GENTILES"?

Historical preterism (not full preterist but partial)

Believe it or not I have more too...

Let me know if you want more..might not be able to answer until tomorrow though.

God bless...and have fun studying!

Thanks!! I plan to read these websites tomorrow.

***markedward*** · Jun 22nd 2009, 03:20 AM

I am a full preterist.

***drew*** · Jun 22nd 2009, 03:34 AM

Originally Posted by soulsurvivor316

Partial Preterists believe that the apocalyptic language of the NT is mostly referring to the fall of Jerusalem and perhaps the Roman Empire. I think this makes a lot of sense contextually, historically, exegetically when we consider the use of that kind of language in other Second Temple writings.
However, as a partial preterist, I believe that the real, physical, future return of Jesus to judge and renew humanity and creation has yet to occur.

Well said. This is precisely my position. I think that British theologian NT Wright ascribes to this view.

**Izdaari** · Jun 22nd 2009, 03:40 AM

I'm behind on studying eschatology. I'm not really sure what I believe about that.

**Dani H** · Jun 22nd 2009, 04:28 AM

The only thing I can honestly say I believe about "end times" is that I've no clue what exactly is going to happen, or when. I'm more concerned with how I treat people today, because that's what God is going to judge me for; not for what I believe is going to happen about past or future events that I have no control over.

If Jesus returns during my lifetime, hey, that'll be great. If not, hey, that'll be alright too. If He already did, I'd sure like to know where He is hiding out or why He didn't just stick around if, in fact, He already came back and then left again.

I also have to keep in mind that so many Jews (even to this day) are/were so certain about how their Messiah would come and what would happen. And if they were wrong, I'm not proud enough to believe that I can't be. Besides, God is full of surprises. He has my future in His hand, as well as that of all mankind, and it's probably all going to go down in a way that nobody would have guessed. That's just judging from His prior M.O.

The Messiah who was to subdue the whole earth coming as a baby in some obscure manger? And then dying on some cross instead of single-handedly bringing down all know world governments? Who'da thunk it? Nobody, that's who. And so I have the sneaky feeling that our best guesses are probably way off too. It's fun to research and speculate though, as long as we understand that we probably got it all wrong, all the way around.

***markedward*** · Jun 22nd 2009, 04:40 AM

If He already did, I'd sure like to know where He is hiding out or why He didn't just stick around if, in fact, He already came back and then left again.

No (full) preterist that I know of believes that Jesus "left again" after his coming.

If you're going to not believe in something (such as full preterism, in the case of this little jab), at least make sure you can accurately describe the thing you don't believe in?

***Walstib*** · Jun 22nd 2009, 10:55 AM

I'm going to move this over to end times chat.

markedward,

I don't think DaniHansen was trying to accurately describe anybody's views. In fact I think that was the point of the post.

**David Taylor** · Jun 22nd 2009, 01:32 PM

Originally Posted by markedward

No (full) preterist that I know of believes that Jesus "left again" after his coming.

If you're going to not believe in something (such as full preterism, in the case of this little jab), at least make sure you can accurately describe the thing you don't believe in?

Markedward,
I think the confusion or misunderstand by nonFPs comes into play,
because we all understand the FP view teaches the 2nd Coming already
occurred in 70 AD.
It is a natural deduction for a nonFP to wonder if Christ returned back to heaven, or is in hiding...because most nonFPs (excluding JWs from 1914)
believe the 2nd Coming to be bodily and physical.

***moonglow*** · Jun 22nd 2009, 02:09 PM

There is alot of misunderstanding about full preterists because we aren't allowed to discuss it so people cannot be educated on it other then going some site and reading which might or might not be accurate.

soulsurvivor316: Thanks!! I plan to read these websites tomorrow

You are welcome. I have more but one I can't put on here because it links to another Christian message board but when you are on here long enough I can PM it to you. I haven't read everything on those links either..its alot to go through!

God bless

**Dani H** · Jun 22nd 2009, 02:44 PM

Originally Posted by Walstib

I'm going to move this over to end times chat.

markedward,

I don't think DaniHansen was trying to accurately describe anybody's views. In fact I think that was the point of the post.

Exactly. Thanks for clarifying.

Edit: For the record I do lean towards partial preterism myself. But the point of my post up above was that nobody knows the future for certain except God. And any view I've run across so far doesn't fully jibe within my spirit as I hold it against the Word, and against the way OT prophecy has been interpreted by those gone before us. I honestly don't think any of us are completely on the mark (not a jab against your name, sir, but you know what I mean

)

***wpm*** · Jun 22nd 2009, 02:48 PM

Originally Posted by soulsurvivor316

For as long as I can remember, I always believed in the Left Behind/New World Order/Antichrist dispensational premillennialism. I was really into the Left Behind books and other readings dealing with the rapture.

Recently, I have started to question the validity of these beliefs. Furthermore, as I have done more reading; I now fully reject dispensationalism. I am a postmillennial preterist. These people are usually called partial preterists (Althought a partial preterist could also be a amillenialist).

Partial Preterists believe that the apocalyptic language of the NT is mostly referring to the fall of Jerusalem and perhaps the Roman Empire. I think this makes a lot of sense contextually, historically, exegetically when we consider the use of that kind of language in other Second Temple writings.
However, as a partial preterist, I believe that the real, physical, future return of Jesus to judge and renew humanity and creation has yet to occur. This separates partial preterists from full preterists who believe that Christs' second coming has already occured.

Is there anyone else who shares these beliefs with me? Also, can anyone recommend so good partial preterists reading? Thanks.

I would agree a lot with Partial Preterism, but I would disagree with there approach to Revelation. I am an Idealist Amil. I think Partial Preterist's make the same mistake as Futurists, they take Revelation as a actual unfolding of literal events, whereas there is a large deposit of symbolic and apocalyptic language in that prophecy. I feel there are 7 figurative parallels all ending in an account of the one final future Second Coming.