A Question for Preterists
I’ve been (slowly) continuing forward in my studies on emergent views of eschatology – got a little stalled over the Christmas season, traveling, and preparing for teaching a NT Survey class this month.
I went to the ‘preterist planet’ website – which seems to be a sort of spokesperson for preterism, and discovered (among other things) that there is a view that there will never be a Jewish Temple rebuilt in Jerusalem.
The question (simple enough):
Would most (say 85%) preterists consider this a standard view that represents the majority?
low5point said,
January 12, 2009 at 11:46 pm
First off Preterist Planet is not the spokesperson for the majority of preterist. Preterist Planet is full Preterist and does not reflect the more orthodox or Reformed preterism of Greg Bahnsen, Ken Gentry, RC Sproul, Hank Hannegraaf, Keith Mathison, Gary DeMar, Doug Wilson, Lorraine Boettner, Jonathan Edwards, BB Warfield, etc.
They would be one of the best sources for Full Preterism. I won’t venture into the debate of the orthodoxy of the view, but i want to make sure the classification is made.
As for the question at hand. Yes, i would think most full or classical preterist would say there is no third – actually it would be the 4th as the Herodian Temple was a completely new Temple – to be built. Or, on the other hand, if a new Temple is built it has nothing to do with anything…Either way a new Temple would be an insult to the finished work of Christ which is what Hebrews is all about.
graham said,
January 13, 2009 at 3:19 am
I think you can put it in the late nineties, if not 100%.
Of course, it’s possible that some folks will endeavour to rebuild a Temple in Jerusalem, but most preterists would not see this as anything to do with biblical prophecy.
Virgil said,
January 13, 2009 at 3:55 pm
Kyle, it’s “planet preterist”
I would say that a majority of people who see prophecy as having been already fulfilled do not expect a new temple to be physically built in Jerusalem. The “new temple” described throughout the NT by Jesus seems to be a reference to the Church, the place where God’s presence is now dwelling, not a physical building made out of bricks.
kylegebhart said,
January 14, 2009 at 12:20 am
cool. thanks virgil.
kylegebhart said,
January 14, 2009 at 12:24 am
this is all very helpful in helping me to understand – appreciate your time!
Virgil said,
January 14, 2009 at 2:07 pm
There is a pretty detailed FAQ on Preterist theology/eschatology at preterism.com if you are interested in delving deeper into the issue and deal with actual theological arguments.
John Scargy said,
January 14, 2009 at 9:14 pm
Kyle,
Virgil’s website is one of the most informative ones for understanding the “full preterist” view.
I have links to Virgil’s “planet preterist” site as i think the outline he provides and the question and answer section are excellent.
I would also recommend my own as it is especially for those seeking answers and want to ask specific questions in a friendly atmosphere.
This site is not for “preterist” only,nor does one have to be a “Christian” to join and ask questions..The only requirement is that we show respect at all times.
Feel free to visit and sign up.
John
http://deathisdefeated.ning.com/
Ben Lee said,
January 16, 2009 at 6:21 am
Heres an interesting web site:
http://www.templeinstitute.org
christiankane said,
February 19, 2009 at 6:55 am
Not being a preterist myself, I can’t give you a 100% answer about what the majority believe. Since classic preterism believes that eschatological prophecy has been fulfilled, there isn’t really a “need” per se, of a Jewish Temple. While it would be a fair guess that it is going to happen eventually, I don’t think that most preterists would be befuddled our shaken off their doctrine by a Jewish Temple being built.
At least, that is my experience with them.
David Lee said,
February 27, 2009 at 8:34 pm
Maybe a more important question is “why do Christian look for another “temple built with hands” when Jesus gave us His Body and made it clear that this was “a temple not built with hands”? Paul adds in Ephesian and in other epistles that Jesus was allowing him and others to become a part of “the Body (not built with hands)…which is the Church……Christ being the head”. Would n’t we then have two temples, existing at the same time in their completeness which would contradict what John says in Rev concerning the New Jerusalem that would have no (physical) temple in it because the Lamb is the temple.
Are we (as humans) choosing (or yearning for) the the carnal over the spiritual…again?
Jesus said (while talking to the Sam at the well) that a time was coming when instead of worshiping on this mountain or in Jerusalem, she (and others) would worship God in Spirit and in Truth. If we look forward to another physical temple, we in essence are saying that this future, locational form of worship, supersedes the form of worship that Jesus said that the Father seeks (or desires).
I hope my rhetorical questions make sense. Thanks for letting me post!
kylegebhart said,
March 1, 2009 at 7:34 pm
@ david: i don’t know any christians who are longing for a literal temple to be rebuilt for the purpose of worship – BUT there seem to be unfulfilled biblical prophecies related to a future anti-christ who will set himself up as god and demand the worship of the earth from a Jewish Temple.
clearly, much of the preterist/futurist debate is over whether or not Antiochus Epiphanies fully fits the bill for the fulfillment of this (and other) prophecies.
Roderick said,
September 30, 2009 at 12:50 am
Kyle, please consider the input from FORMER “hyperpreterists” — it is important to understand why people became and then why they left the hyperpreterist movement. Check out: http://preteristblog.com
Thanks