: Post Millennial

Post Millennial

Specific Distinctives:
Christ‘s return ends history
Most of Bible prophecy was fulfilled in 70 AD
No secret rapture, no future Antichrist, no future 7 year Tribulation or literal 1000 year Millennium
Believe that Christianity will ever increase and dominate the affairs of this world
Some believe Jesus will return during the 'Golden Age‘ of Christianity‘s future influence
Some teach a final Satan-lead rebellion before return of Christ

Background:
Athanasius (296-372AD) and Eusebius (260-340) are cited as sources for Post-Mil thought
Joachim of Eloris, a 12th century Roman Catholic scholar, is credited as Middle Ages promoter of Post-Millennialism
Systematized in England by Thomas Brightman (1562-1607) and Unitarian Daniel Whitby (1638-1726)
Influential from the 16th to the early 20th century with its heyday in the mid-19th century
The Puritans were Post-Mil looking to expand the Kingdom of Christ when they came to America
The 1st (1730-1760) and 2nd (1790-1830) Great Awakenings added to Post-Mil enthusiasm
Worldwide missions (William Carey, Adoniram Judson, David Brainerd, Robert Moffat, Hudson Taylor) work spurred Post-Mil fervor
The American Civil War along with WWI and WWII put a major damper on the Post-Millennial movement
Proponents of Post-Millennialism state they are 'in it for the long haul' despite setbacks in history

Works:
Lorraine Boettner, The Millennium (1957)
Marcellus J. Kik, An Eschatology of Victory (1974)
David Chilton, Paradise Restored: A Biblical Theology of Dominion (1985)
Keith A. Mathison, Postmillennialism: An Eschatology of Hope (1999)
Gary DeMar, Last Days Madness: Obsession of the Modern Church (1999)

Theological Persuasion:
Most are Calvinists adhering to Reformed/Covenant Theology
Most are Replacement Theology adherents teaching the Church has replaced national Israel (see Israel as an OT type)
Some hold to 'Dominion Theology' or 'Christian Reconstructionism' believing the Church has the biblical mandate to exercise dominion over all aspects of society (politics, education, arts, media)
Reconstructionist notables: Gary North, Kenneth Gentry, David Chilton, R.J. Rushdoony, Gary DeMar, Greg L. Bahnsen Churches:
Puritans, Reformed churches, Presbyterians, Methodists and Baptists

Past notables:
Charles Hodge, William Carey, B.B. Warfield, J. Marcellus Kik, A.W. Pink, Matthew Henry, Jonathan Edwards,
Charles Finney, J. Gresham Machen, Loraine Boettner, Augustus Strong, A. A. Hodge, Greg L. Bahnsen
David Chilton (1951-1997) became a Full-Preterist in 1994 before his death
The late D. James Kennedy had definite Post-Mil leanings along with Reconstructionist leanings

Current Notables:
Gary DeMar, Kenneth Gentry, Iain Murray, Kenneth G. Talbot, Keith A. Mathison,
Dee Dee Warren, Andrew Sandlin, Pat Robertson

Web Sites:
Gary DeMar (www.americanvision.org)
Kenneth Gentry (kennethgentry.com, www.againstdispensationalism.com)
Dee Dee Warren (www.preteristsite.com)
Todd Dennis (www.preteristarchive.com) - one of the largest Preterist www sites (although Todd himself is an Idealist)

Quote:
"There will come a time when in this world holiness shall be more general, and more eminent, than ever it hath been since Adam fell in paradise." - Thomas Brooks, The Crown and Glory of Christianity. (1662).