2.Recommended Reading on the Preterist Perspective

[Josh]

Here's a list of good resources exploring the Preterist understanding of Eschatology:

My first exposure to the Preterist perspective was in a book Matt Hansen recommended to me:

Revelation: 4 Views by Steve Gregg

I attempted to refute the nonsensical "preterism" Matt was espousing, and here, some 8 years later, I've come full circle and have largely embraced that interpretation of Biblical prophecy. Go figure.

Anyway, this commentary will open your eyes to the different viewpoints. It treats each view fairly, and is easy to read because it is basically a parallel commentary on about 2-5 verses of Revelation at a time.

The Last Days According to Jesus by R.C. Sproul

A great book in that it brings up more questions than answers and really gets you thinking about the strengths of the preterist position.

End Times Fiction by Gary DeMar

This one's provacative, if you want to be shocked out of a narrow focus on the futurist perspective. Not a gentle introduction.

The Great Tribulation: Past or Future? by Kenneth Gentry and Thomas Ice

This is a great one because it's a debate between leading Preterist and Futurist scholars.

The Apocalypse Code by Hank Hanegraaff

Leaving the Rapture Behind by Dr. Larry Pechawer

Lower budget book, but good information and perspectives from a professor of Hebrew.

[Josh]

I just started reading the Apocalypse Code by Hank Hanegraaff. I'm actually pleasantly surprised (I don't think he's that great of an author normally). This book serves as a good intro to "preterist thinking" even though he uses his own terms. He does a good job explaining why the subject is important, countering the frequent ambivilence a lot of Christians have to the subject of eschatology "Who cares about the details?", etc..

This book is pretty much geared to debunk the philosophy behind Tim LaHaye's Left Behind empire, ur, franchise, so it's definitely clear in it's mission.

[christopher]

Fascinating Josh!

You and I have arrived at the same place on this topic in almost the same fashion. Although I wasn't set on debunking preterism, I set about the study with an open mind and I only wanted to hear all the best arguments from all sides.

I had been looking for a book like Steve Gregg's book (parallel commentary) for several years before I finally found it through CRI. I had already read Sproul's book by this time and found his arguments very convincing. When I found Steve's book (and listened to his lectures on the topic), I became even more convinced that this was the more tenable view than I had previously known before (I had been going to a church that was adamantly dispensational so I never even heard of other views).

I have since become friends with Steve and I have to say that I have not met a more Godly man and great example of someone who loves truth and loves Jesus at the expense of his own reputation than Steve. Here is a man that truly lives out his faith and practices what he preaches on so many levels. I'd have to say he's been one of my greatest influences in the faith.

Thanks for sharing this book list.

[Josh]

How'd you end up meeting Steve?

[christopher]

Steve is very meet-able. Very humble and approachable guy for someone of his renown.

I went to one of his meetings a few years ago when he came up here to do a lecture, and we ended up talking in the parking lot well into the night. After that, we just kind of kept in contact and I would see him from time to time at his meetings up here.

He still comes up every few months and holds open bible discussions for whoever wants to come. It's pretty fun.

[Josh]

I found at Powell's and almost bought Adam Clarke's bible commentary (abridged) for ACF this week. I looked through it and was pretty impressed... especially for one more than 100 years old (I think- something like that).

It seems like there should be more partial-preterist or at least preterist friendly commentaries out there, but I haven't found any modern ones. Have you guys?

Furthermore, why aren't there any "systematic preterist theologies" out there? I'm not a fan of "systematic" in general, but it would be nice to see a somewhat consistant treatment on the subject especially in regard to passages of Scripture which aren't on the eschatological forefront like Revelation and the Olivet Discourse. I want to see a coherent partial preterist commentary on Ezekiel, for instance. Or even Zechariah.

Perhaps some of you guys know of more resources than I do.

[Josh]

So, Chris, I told you I've been slowing working my way through Steve Gregg's audio commentary on Eschatology that you were so gracious to send my way. I would certainly add it to my list here on this thread.

You're right- I think his personal perspective (what I've seen so far) matches up pretty well where I tend to reside on the topic.

Today in listening I really liked his reference to Zechariah 10 as support for Rev. 19's scene of Jesus appearing on a horse as not a reference to his second coming, but His riding of his people in conquering the nations through his word. That was a new one to me.

[onthe3dge]

Another person's thoughts on Preterism: www.biblicalstudies.com/bstudy/eschatology/preter.htm

[Patrick]

Here's a link to a detailed study of Daniel's 70th Week

www.lulu.com/shop/http://www.lulu.com/shop/patrick-fancher/daniels-seventieth-week-encapsulated-within-the-hebrew-feasts-giving-way-to-the-departing-scapegoat-the-prophecys-historical-window-27-a-d-34-a-d/paperback/product-23610059.html