JOHN CHOWNING
In Scripture, there are a few heresies which are explicitly identified by one of their distinctive doctrines. The Roman Catholic Church’s teaching of celibacy and dietary restrictions are explicitly mentioned in 1 Timothy 4:1-3; it is identified as a departure from the faith because it has given heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons.
In like manner, full preterism’s cardinal doctrine of teaching that “the resurrection is already past” is also explicitly identified by inspiration. For those who may not be familiar with the term “full preterism”, it is the hermeneutical approach to Scripture which is built upon the belief that everything spoken of in the Book of Revelation--including the resurrection and judgment of all the wicked (20:11-13); the casting of the devil (20:10), death and Hades (20:14) into Gehenna/the lake of fire and brimstone; the coming of a new heaven and new earth (21:1); and the eternal fellowship of the righteous with God in the holy city/new Jerusalem (21:2)--occurred in A. D. 70 when Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans. (Thus, in some places it is called the “A. D. 70 Theory”.)
This heresy was introduced into our brotherhood by Max King in Ohio in the 1970’s. (Thus, it has also been called “King-ism”.) Don Preston and William Bell have been promoting it for the past couple of decades. And, about ten years ago, two preachers in Michigan--Steve Baisden and Holger Neubauer--began touting this heresy which contains as a cardinal doctrine that “the resurrection is past already”.
Like the current “New Heavens and New Earth” advocates in our brotherhood, the advocates of full preterism introduced their heresy by proclaiming their doctrine is “not a matter of fellowship”. When this claim is examined against the words of Scripture in just one New Testament passage, it is found wanting in at least six ways.
It is written: “15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenæus and Philetus; 18 who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. Nevertheless the foundation of the God standeth sure…” (2 Tim. 2:15-19).
This passage identifies the following six glaring and fatal flaws of full preterism:
One, in contrast to the diligent, proper, and unashamed handling of God’s word (v. 15), this cardinal doctrine of full preterism is used as an inspired illustration of mishandling God’s word.
Two, full preterism’s cardinal doctrine--that “the resurrection is past already” (v. 18)--is given as an inspired example of what happens when “profane and vain babblings” are embraced instead of shunned (v. 16).
Three, the influence of a faith void of the “one hope” (Eph. 4:4) is the increase in ungodliness (v. 16). On the other hand, Biblical hope --which anticipates with confident desire the resurrection and transformation of our earthly body into Christ’s glorious body (Phil. 3:21) when all who are in the graves come forth to either a resurrection of life or a resurrection of damnation (John 5:28-29)--produces purity (1 John 3:3) by denying ungodliness and worldly lusts and living soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world (Titus 2:12-13).
Jesus Himself taught that every false teacher and his doctrine are known by their fruits (Matt. 7:15-20). Any doctrine which produces evil fruit and increases ungodliness is a corrupt tree which produces converts which say “Lord, Lord” but were never known by Christ (Matt. 7:21-23). Being a worker of iniquity (Matt. 7:23) is a matter of fellowship for the faithful (2 Cor. 6:14-17).
Four, the seriousness of this heretical and shameful mishandling of God’s word is clearly stated by Paul in verse 17; it eats like a “canker”. The Greek word here is gangraina. Yes, that is the precise word from which our English word “gangrene” comes. If your body has a case of gangrene would you and/or your doctor treat it as “not a matter of fellowship” with the rest of your body? Full preterism is to your soul what gangrene is to your body. Unless Hymenaeus and Philetus in the first century excised this heresy from their faith and practice, they died of a horrible, spiritual disease.
Five, there are two Greek words which are translated “erred” in the New Testament. One, planao is the word from which the English word “planet” comes. It denotes the idea of someone who gets out of the proper spiritual orbit a Christian should be in. It is found in James 5:19: “Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him.” The second word, astocheo (like the word harmatia, “sin”) means “to miss the mark”. It denotes the idea of someone who is way off spiritually.
Think of these two words in terms of driving a car on a highway. When your car veers out of its lane on either side, you have planao-ed. A course correction must take place before something more catastrophic occurs. If your car is driven off the side of the road and has plunged hundreds of feet over the side of a hill, you have astocheo-ed. You are not “just a little off” about an inconsequential matter. To claim that believing and teaching something which God calls astocheo is not a matter of fellowship is to be a workman who has not come close to rightly dividing the word of truth; he ought to be ashamed and repent.
Six, the Spirit of God expressly says that the doctrine which teaches “that the resurrection is past already” results in the overthrow (I.e. destruction) of the faith God requires for a person to be saved. The God of heaven knows the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10). There may be a way which a false teacher can convince himself and others is right, but its end is the way of death (Prov. 16:25). The doctrine that “the resurrection is past already” is polar opposite to the firm foundation which Biblical faith has (2 Tim. 2:19).
If a doctrine which 1) arises from mishandling God’s word and failing to shun profane and vain babblings and 2) results in increased ungodliness, spiritual gangrene, erring from the truth, and the destruction of the faith that saves is not a matter of fellowship, then what is?