Think Wink.

I have made known in earlier posts that I am a partial preterist, postmillennialist (or better yet an optimistic amillennialist–amilliennialism tends to view the success of the church in her commission [Matthew 28:18-20] very pessimistically). My understanding of the rapture in 1 Thessalonians 4 is closest to a post-tribulation view, although I don’t really think we need to have a separate category for what happens at the Resurrection when those who are living are translated into their resurrection-bodies.

The following link is for a two-hour debate hosted by Covenant Radio. It is between Don Preston is a full preterist and his opponent is Lou Ruggiero who is a dispensational premillennialist. While I think that full preterists push certain texts too far (i.e. 1 Thessalonians 4) and thus loosing the eternal estate, there is a great deal that I agree with in regards to full preterism. Listen to this debate and note one thing. The dispensationalist’s commitment to a literal reading of the OT prevents him from allowing Paul and Peter to interpret the OT prophets. Also, the dispensationalist must avoid the texts that speak of timing issues (i.e. texts that say “quickly”). Also, the hyperbolic language in the OT prophets are not allowed to be taken hyperbolically. I enjoyed the debate and I have a great deal of respect for one Don Preston. His website is www.eschatology.org. Here is the link to the debate.

The Second Coming Debate (Preston vs. Ruggiero).

If you liked this debate, Don Preston is going to debate Melvin Jones on June 26, 2008 on the topic of eschatology. Check out the Covenant Radio website (linked above) for more information.

This Sux

The Right Time and the Right Place

My Comfort in Romans 9