What do ya'll think of the arguments that the early church pretty much advocated what we today call historical premillenialism? Since I think it is always best to adhere to the early church's understanding of the Scriptures before man-made systems corrupted church theology, I am interested if there are any chinks in the idea that this was the early church's esschatology - realizing of course that they did not have everything systematized as we do today.
Did the Early Church Adhere to Historical Premillennialism?
Discussion in '2003 Archive' started by KenH, Dec 19, 2003.
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I believe I read somewhere that there were conflicting beliefs among those of the early church about eschatology. I will try to find that information and quote it for you.
Joseph Botwinick -
I found this on the Internet:
I always associated him as being Roman Catholic but perhaps he was not. That may be the subject for debate on another thread. Of course the Catholics will say he was, but I wasn't around then to know for sure.... ;) -
My main problem with eschatology is that it appears to be a theological Tower of Babel. All viewpoints use certain verses in the Bible and certain quotes from early church theologians to say that they are correct.
This is all very frustrating to someone who likes his theology cut and dried. :eek: -
II. AUGUSTINE’S ESCHATOLOGYIt may shock some to realize that Augustine was not only premillennial5in his early eschatology, but he was also dispensational.
ROFL! Don't you just love undocumented claims. -
It was clear that they were premillenial. However, they didn't write alot about eschatology. It is a matter of fact doctrine. It is true, but the emphasis is and should be upon salvation, holiness, etc.
I do find that they believed in the imminent return of Christ. Now, if they thought they were living in THE tribulation (not just tribulation), then they were posttrib/premill.
I believe they were pretrib/premill. That is a matter of debate, because they aren't the final authority.
The theologians that have convinced me of pretrib are Paul, John, Luke, Peter, Mark, and Matthew. -
You can preach that until the cows come home!
Better still: you can preach that until
the Sheep go Home!
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As I said, eschatology is a theological Tower of Babel. I guess until Jesus does return we have no way of knowing with certainty in what way many of the events of the last day will unfold.
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There are certain "issues" (or conflicts that became the focal point of 99% of the writing and debate of an age.
In 100-300 it focused on the Canon
300-600 focus on Deity of Christ
600-1200 focus on person piety (monasticism)
1200-1600 focus on Grace v works
1600-1800 focus on Denominational distinctions
1800-1900 focus on expanding the Kingdom (missions)
1900-2000 focus on fundamentals of the faith
What would it be in our era? The KJVO sect is just a miniscule fraction of fundamentalism which is likewise a small % of evangelicalism which is less than 10% of Christianity!
So it is not that. Open for suggestions! -
There is not really a simple answer to this! Many early church fathers did have a premillenial understanding of eschatology so to speak - more of what we would call historical premillenialism as opposed to the dispensational premillenialism we see today. Irenaeus was probably the earliest big proponent of a millenial system. We do find a difference in the western (Latin) fathers and eastern (Greek) fathers starting to emerge however. Also, the thing that makes this all so tough to sort out is that the early church fathers' views of the millenium were very tied into, if not derived somewhat from their thoughts on the state of the soul after death. Where will all the dead in Christ be during this period? This is where the Catholic doctrine of purgatory began to emerge as well. Those who believed in a literal millenium were often referred to as "chiliasts". So to sum it up... probably a majority of early church fathers could be loosely described as historical premillenialists! :D
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Oh no!
My computer must be on the blink! GH & I actually agree on something - this is a FIRST for the BB!
Lord, help me, I'm feeling faint! :D ;) :eek: -
Justin Martyr at least was premillenial AND he believed in "replacement theology"
Tim -
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