Postmillennialism: An Eschatology of Hope

by Keith A. Mathison

Book Overview

The promises of the gospel offer hope of a brighter future for the families and nations of the earth. Mathison's optimistic eschatology is supported by biblical, historical, and theological considerations.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0875523897
• ISBN13: 9780875523897
• Release Date: February 1999
• Publisher: P & R Publishing
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.93 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.4" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

The Kingdom of God has come

Until I undertook a study of Eschatology this past year, I was a Pre-Millennialist with a leaning towards a pre-trib rapture. However, this book presents a compelling case for Post-Millennialism. Mathison does a survey of the subject from Genesis through Revelation as well as a history of the church's view on the subject. Mathison provides solid Biblical exegesis for his assertion of a post-millennial return of Christ. He deals with difficult passages and objections. If someone is wanting to understand post-Millennialism, this book is an outstanding resource. Personally, I do not know if post-millennialism is right or not. But, I would rather live my life with the positive view of the expansion of the Kingdom of God in this world as opposed to the negative view of this world as held by Pre-Millennialists.

Excellent summary

Although one could easily point to a number of books that handle invididual aspects of eschatological discussion more fully, I have not found any other book that succinctly covers the broad range of material that Mathison's does. In 250 pages he covers the exegetical basis for postmillenialism from both the Old and New Testaments, its place within Church history, its interaction with other doctrines of Christianity, and the objections to postmillenialism and the rebuttals to them. I highly recommend this book to anyone wishing to become more acquainted with the postmillenial viewpoint.

The Gospel is Not as Weak as the Church is Making It.

Mathison has put in short form the wonderful truths of the Bible that Chilton in "Days of Vengeance" put into 700 pages. Mathison has, in short order, blown the dispensationalist out of any position of respectable Bible interpretation (as Chilton did in long order). No one who believes Jesus' promise that He will build His Church without the Enemy prevailing could reject this book. Only one that believes that God would break His promise to Abraham (to eventually give him descendants from every nation, tribe, tongue, people, and family by faith unto salvation, and that this would take place on earth in history by the Gospel of faith) would reject this book. The Bible is clear: God wins, the Church wins, the Gospel wins, the promise wins. But all other interpretations of Bible eschatology teach that God loses, Satan gets the most by billions upon billions, the Church loses and gets beat up, the promise fails, and the Gospel is a failure. Granted, dispensationalism is more sensational than post-millennialism; but then again, winning the majority of the world to Christ is incomparably more exciting than dispensationalism. Thank you, Mr. Mathison, for putting out such an easy-to-read volume that is so convincing without being argumentative. After you read this book, you'll be ready to move on to Chilton. And after reading either author, your excitement in doing the work of the Gospel will reach new heights, that is, if you believe the Gospel and the Church win.

Beware of this book by Keith Mathison!

If you have never heard of Postmillennialism, you probablydon't want to read this book. Why? Because it's the most clear andconcise explanation available on the topic.Mathison presents an exegetical and historical overview of the expectation of the Gospel in this age. Do the Scriptures indicate the demise of the Church or do they speak of the success of evangelism and the overpowering victory of the risen Christ?You may disagree with some of the finer points depending on your current position...that's to be understood. But please investigate this matter from an author (Mathison) who advocates the Postmil point of view. If you've had enough of the "they say" method of scholarship, do get this book. As a short appendix, Mathison also deals with the eschatological heresy which believes we are in the eternal state right now (hyper-preterism).So, beware. This title does a great job at clearly explaining the Biblical portrait of the purpose of the Gospel. This book is a great place to start an investigation into Postmillennial thinking...

Postmillennial Truth

Postmillennialism: An Eschatology of Hope is a carefully and logically outlined Scriptural argument for the eschatological position known as postmillennialism. This view teaches "that Christ will return to the earth after the Spirit-blessed Gospel has had overwhelming success in bringing the world to the adoption of Christianity." (Kenneth Gentry).At the beginning of the third millennium, this is a much needed antidote to the end times hysteria created by the dispensationalists who have foisted one failed prophecy after another on a gullible Christian populace for over 100 years. With the huge success of such Christian make-believe as the works of Hal Lindsey and the Left Behind series, it appears that postmillennialists have their work cut out for them. This book will be helpful in preparing them for that task.Part One of the book sets forth the author's basic presuppositions, definitions of important terms, and an explanation of the essential difference between covenant theology and dispensationalism.Part Two of Mathison's book is a brief overview of the eschatological positions held throughout church history. Beginning with the church fathers and continuing up to the present, the book provides a helpful historical context for the remaining discussion.Part Three is an exegetical study of Old Testament eschatology, and Part Four covers the New Testament. These six chapters are the heart of the book. Unlike many eschatology books which focus on several select Scriptural passages, this book provides a carefully argued study of the eschatological teaching of the whole Bible from Genesis to Revelation.Part Five includes chapters on the relationship between postmillennialism and other aspects of theology; critiques of amillennialism and premillennialism; and a summary of what postmillennialism is and what it isn't. The last mentioned chapter is especially helpful at overcoming some of the silly stereotypes and outright falsehoods that are often used as "arguments" against postmillennialism.Finally in Part Six, numerous biblical, theological, and practical objections to postmillennialism are dealt with. The book also includes three appendices. The first is a brief overview of the seventy weeks of Daniel 9. The second is an interesting discussion of I Thess. 4 and 5 and II Thess 1 and 2. The final appendix is a brief critique of the hyper-preterist heresy that is gaining recruits to help it in the latest of a long line of assaults upon Christian truth.The book includes a helpful list of books for further study, an exhaustive Scripture index, and it is well footnoted.I would recommend it to anyone who is seriously interested in studying the subject of Christian eschatology.