I am tryiing to present (I lead a Bible study) a very introductory overview of the 4 MODERN approaches to Revelation. I stress the word modern b/c I am not getting into what the early church believed. I am trying to present the background on the modern movements behind each of these views. Can someone help me identify any glaring mistakes/errors in the information below? Thanks.
Futurist- Origin: 1800’s. Marked by: Literalism Popularized by: Darby Supporters: Scofield, Ryrie, Lindsey Status: Most Popular
Historicist- Origin: 1100’s. Marked by: Anti-Catholicism Popularized by: Luther/Reformers Supporters: Wycliffe, Calvin, Wesley Status: Little Support
Preterist- Origin: 1500’s. Marked by: Relevance to original readers Popularized by: Alcazar Supporters: Sproul, Gentry, Demar Status: Recent Resurgence
Spiritualist- Origin: 1900’s. Marked by: Non-specificity Popularized by: Hendrikson Supporters: Most Modern Commentators Status Popular in higher education
Can someone check this overview of the 4 approaches?
Can someone check this overview of the 4 approaches?
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
Reason:
Reason:
Hemingway once said: 'The world is a fine place and worth fighting for'
I agree with the second part (se7en)
I agree with the second part (se7en)
Hi Mattrose,
Your summaries are pretty close. The main areas of uncertainty would be the suggested dates of origin.
For example, it is true that "dispensationalism" (which is the most popular brand of futurism) did begin in the 1800's. However, an earlier form of futurism arose within Roman Catholic circles in the late 16th century with Francisco Ribera. He may have been the first to associate the beast of Revelation with an individual antichrist who would arise in the last days. Chapter 20, and some other portions, were understood in a futurist manner by a number of church fathers, prior to Augustine. However, dispensationalism is what most people today know of futurism, and it certainly arose with Darby in 1830.
Preterism, with reference to the book of Revelation can be documented in Luis de Alcazar in the 16th century, but some commentaries dating, perhaps 1000 years earlier, have preteristic interpretations of some of the early visions.
It is hard to pinpoint the beginnings of historicism and idealism (the latter is a preferable label for the fourth view, though I didn't use it in my book). The problem is that elements of both of these views are found intermixed in some earlyt commentaries from about 390 AD onward.
In general, the form of historicism that was popular among the reformers did arise (as you suggested) in the 12th century. The modern form of idealism, which was popularized by Hendrickson, has become popular since the first half of the twentieth century. Therefore, you analysis is essentially correct.
Your summaries are pretty close. The main areas of uncertainty would be the suggested dates of origin.
For example, it is true that "dispensationalism" (which is the most popular brand of futurism) did begin in the 1800's. However, an earlier form of futurism arose within Roman Catholic circles in the late 16th century with Francisco Ribera. He may have been the first to associate the beast of Revelation with an individual antichrist who would arise in the last days. Chapter 20, and some other portions, were understood in a futurist manner by a number of church fathers, prior to Augustine. However, dispensationalism is what most people today know of futurism, and it certainly arose with Darby in 1830.
Preterism, with reference to the book of Revelation can be documented in Luis de Alcazar in the 16th century, but some commentaries dating, perhaps 1000 years earlier, have preteristic interpretations of some of the early visions.
It is hard to pinpoint the beginnings of historicism and idealism (the latter is a preferable label for the fourth view, though I didn't use it in my book). The problem is that elements of both of these views are found intermixed in some earlyt commentaries from about 390 AD onward.
In general, the form of historicism that was popular among the reformers did arise (as you suggested) in the 12th century. The modern form of idealism, which was popularized by Hendrickson, has become popular since the first half of the twentieth century. Therefore, you analysis is essentially correct.
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
Reason:
Reason:
In Jesus,
Steve
Steve
Thanks Steve
Your book has been very helpful
I am finding it a challenge to teach through the four views of Revelation, but I enjoy it. The main difficulty is deciding what to leave out. For example, as you mentioned, most futurisits seem to be dispensationalists and so I tend to just describe the dispensational view when I talk about futurists. Basically, moreso than any other book I've taught, I have to be ready for a ton of different types of questions b/c, for Revelation, people will ask them all.
Your book has been very helpful
I am finding it a challenge to teach through the four views of Revelation, but I enjoy it. The main difficulty is deciding what to leave out. For example, as you mentioned, most futurisits seem to be dispensationalists and so I tend to just describe the dispensational view when I talk about futurists. Basically, moreso than any other book I've taught, I have to be ready for a ton of different types of questions b/c, for Revelation, people will ask them all.
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
Reason:
Reason:
Hemingway once said: 'The world is a fine place and worth fighting for'
I agree with the second part (se7en)
I agree with the second part (se7en)
Justin Martyr had what you could call a futurist view. He believed that Jesus was coming back to set up his kingdom on earth and reign on earth 1000 years. His view would be historic premil. This view was already around in the second century.
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
Reason:
Reason:
By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. (John 13:35)
Yes, it was guys like Justin Martyr, Papias, Polycarp, Irenaeus, and Tertullian, that I had in mind when I wrote: "Chapter 20, and some other portions, were understood in a futurist manner by a number of church fathers, prior to Augustine." They believed in a future millennium. They also believed in a future second coming of Christ, but then, so do the advocates of all four views.
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
Reason:
Reason:
In Jesus,
Steve
Steve