A FULLER PRESENTATION OF THE HISTORY OF PRETERIST UNIVERSALISM:

The (New) History of Full Preterism (Part Two) (WMV File)

Preterist Universalism Study Archive

Preterist Universalism
Commentaries on Preterist Universalism from Various Sources

• Dorothy Anderson - Preterist Universalism: Global or Local? (2009) "(T)o claim the White Throne Judgment is past and Satan is cast into the lake of fire to no more deceive the nations along with ALL THOSE NOT WRITTEN IN THE LAMB’s BOOK OF LIFE, is not consistent with an AD70 judgment UNLESS universalism is the end result or the creation covenantal context is correct."

• Brian Simmons - What Hyper Preterists Don't Want You To Know (2008) "The consistent Preterist view holds that all salvation was perfectly consummated in A.D. 70.  Those born after A.D. 70 never needed salvation, for they were never under the Old Covenant... Therefore, if Hyper-Preterism is true, all men must be saved.  For the individual is really part of the universal.  Therefore, the universal effects of an A.D. 70 general judgment would cover individuals living past that event."

Preterist Universalism Earliest Full Preterism Developed Among American Universalists // Doctrinal History Can Be Traced Back to the 18th Century All relevant forms of Unlimited Redemption related to the Preterist paradigm are under consideration here, especially modern forms such as of Pantelism and  Infinite / Common / Comprehensive/ Absolute Grace, Ultimate Reconciliation, etc. The works and solutions of other ex-Universalists will be considered here, as well.

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"Christ's Second Coming in AD70" Seen as Universalist Doctrine
"Professor Bush is, I perceive, a favourite writer with him. He is also a favourite with the American Universalists, a body which boasts of numbering among its adherents above 600,000 individuals, and which happens to agree with my friend in his notion of Christ's second coming being past." Dr. Thom

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Hosea Ballou Study Archive | Thomas Whittemore

 

Introduction

After ten years of dedicated searching, the earliest roots of Full Preterism have revealed themselves in the writings of the American Universalists - a group which boasted a membership of over half a million.   Universalists tend to believe that atonement is received by all in Jesus Christ regardless of one's state of belief.   Universalist Preterism specifically focuses on the destruction of Jerusalem in AD70 as being the exhaustion of God's judgment, and also being a fundamental proof  of the universality of the world's presence in the "New Heavens and Earth" and "The Age About to Come" ever since that time. 

As to why Preterist Universalism may have found its roots in America, church historian George Emerson may offer a clue.   He suggests that, as opposed to the emergence of the Universalist denomination out of the architecture of the previously existing religious establishment in Europe, "the Universalist denomination here in the United States began with nothing" ("Ebenezer Fisher", p . 92).   The liberty to construct a diligently consistent system from the ground up seemed to have freed American Universalists from the shackles of the Futurism which crippled the European counterpart.

In addition to seeing the organic development of Full Preterism in Universalist writings, the trend is revealed to operate in the other direction, as well.  The earliest known FP author, Robert Townley, converted to Universalism shortly after the publication of his book in 1845. (PDF File) Considering how this trend is also apparent in the FP movement of today, Townley becomes a key figure in dissecting the correlation between Preterism and Universalism.   Generally, all Preterist Universalism is classified as "Hyper" Preterism, though some hold to a future resurrection.

For a while, a great deal of this material was withheld out of concern for what is, in my personal opinion, the potentially damaging effects of Universalist doctrine upon a person who is uncertain about where they stand regarding a proper view of the redemptive work of Jesus Christ (I suppose a Calvinist might say the same thing about Arminianism) ; however, it finally seemed time for a general release of these revelations on the website -- so that each may be equipped to decide for themselves what, if any, connection there are between the "AD70 Terminus" view of typical Full Preterism, and the Unlimited Atonement view of Universalists.

All relevant forms of Unlimited Redemption related to the Preterist paradigm are under consideration here, especially modern forms such as of Pantelism and  Infinite/Common/Comprehensive/Absolute Grace, Ultimate Reconciliation, etc. The works and solutions of other ex-Universalists will be considered here, as well.

 

LATEST ADDITIONS

The Universalist and Ladies' Repository (1843)

"We are amused to see how earnestly to see how earnestly polemics writers now urge to against Millerism the very reasoning they scorned a short time since as absurd because used by Universalists !.. We give one specimen, from a late publication, of the adoption of our method of interpreting several prophetical passages : - 'Christ's second coming was at, or about the time of the destruction of Jerusalem, A.D.70.'" (pp. 294-296)

• Books that Changed my Life: The Adventures of a Christian Hedonist "The journey that took me from believing in an eternal hell to Christian Universalism all started with the book, ‘Shades of Sheol: Death and Afterlife in the Old Testament’ by Philip Johnston.  I learned that Israelites were quite agnostic about what happened after death and did not have a firm belief in either heaven or hell.    The book ‘Jesus and the Victory of God’ by NT Wright, really showed me how Jesus’ predictions that many Christians believe are a future post-mortem Judgment actually refer to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70AD.  This is one of the best books on the purpose of Jesus based on the cultural context of 1st Century Israel."

• Thomas Whittemore: A Commentary on the Revelation of St. John, the Divine (1848) "For our part, we are willing to confess, that if a man believes the Apocalypse was not written until after the destruction of Jerusalem, and if he believes in the common notions concerning the day of God's wrath, the judgment of the dead, the great dragon, the bottomless pit, &c., &c., he cannot understand the book. He will be continually hampered by his pre-conceived system ; and, in harmony with such a system, no probable interpretation can be given. Although Professor Stuart has produced an excellent work upon the Apocalypse, — the most consistent and valuable, we think of any we've have ever seen, — yet he was manifestly troubled and warped in his judgment in interpreting certain parts by his theological system, or creed, especially his belief in endless misery, and the popular notions of a future judgment. "
  The Connection "It seemed that every preterist group I came across was fully dedicated to the subject of Preterism but refused to even give a seconds attention to the idea that God would be interested in saving all of humanity. What’s even more puzzling to me is that most of the UR groups I am a member of couldn’t grasp the idea of all scripture being fulfilled. For me the more and more I study the more I find the two subjects to be completely inseparable! In fact I see that the fulfilled prophecies of scripture were the means to the the ultimate reconciliation of all things." http://whatifound.info

• Yahoo Group: Preterist Universalism  - Here's my conundrum. Full Preterist holds these truths as I understand them; 1. God's wrath on man has been pacified through Christ sacrifice on the cross. The finality or icing on the cake being in 70 A.D.. Complete removal of the law that held us in bondage. 2. Satan with all his influence, was thrown into the abyss, being chained forever. This is part of all of the book of Revelation being fulfilled.  3. The resurrection has happened, all the dead has risen making Sheol an empty place. Here lies my conundrum. Why, oh why, do "Full Preterist" have such a hard time believing in universal salvation. What they/we teach goes further than a lot of universalist I know and correspond with. Some universalist believe Sheol/hell still exist holding the spirits of all who've gone before and they will not be released until the day of judgment, that is still yet to come. Then when judgment day arrives only those who believed in Christ will be released and those who don't will have to stay, being tormented, until they do. Kind of like putting someones arm behind their back until they cry uncle. This to me is asinine, making no since what so ever. I call it Eventual Salvation.  Anyway, what I'm suggesting you do, being a Full Preterist, is take another look at what happened to Satan in the last chapters of the book of Revelation. Bruce...the real Full Preterist!"

 

Articles on Preterist Universalism

• Dorothy Anderson - Preterist Universalism: Global or Local? (2009) "(T)o claim the White Throne Judgment is past and Satan is cast into the lake of fire to no more deceive the nations along with ALL THOSE NOT WRITTEN IN THE LAMB’s BOOK OF LIFE, is not consistent with an AD70 judgment UNLESS universalism is the end result or the creation covenantal context is correct."

• Brian Simmons - What Hyper Preterists Don't Want You To Know (2008) "The consistent Preterist view holds that all salvation was perfectly consummated in A.D. 70.  Those born after A.D. 70 never needed salvation, for they were never under the Old Covenant... Therefore, if Hyper-Preterism is true, all men must be saved.  For the individual is really part of the universal.  Therefore, the universal effects of an A.D. 70 general judgment would cover individuals living past that event."

• Dean Johnson - The Resurrection of All in All (2003) "Some call this Preterist theology, or fulfilled eschatology. In this view, there is a progression, a working out of a divine plan that is now fulfilled. This is a reasonable human understanding that can lead to a spiritual worldview that sees all as now completed within the Christ. Within this view, when all is fulfilled, the scriptures are unlocked and our interpretations and understandings are freed from the fetters of time and cultural restraints. "

• John Riffe - Revelation 20 & Universalism "I know you are busy, but could you take just a brief moment and fill me in on how you view the Rev. 20 passage and how a wrong view there can open the door to universalism. Being slow of mind, it will help me to get up to speed. So thanks so much for doing this. Don't take a lot of time, just a brief response."

• John Samuel Thompson : Prophecy Fulfilled Or Destruction of Jerusalem and Dispersion of the Jewish People at the Second (1824) - Added to Bibliography

• Robert Townley Converted to Universalism Shortly After Releasing Earliest Known Full Preterist Book in 1845 -  PDF File Excerpt from "Carlsbad Eschatology Conference" Notes

 

Books on Preterist Universalism

Universalism in America, Volume II : Bibliography "And having satisfied our minds respecting the time of the coming of the Son of man to judge and reward men according to their works, and being assured that that event took place when Jerusalem was destroyed, and the Jews dispersed; it remains an easy task to settle the question respecting the meaning and fulfillment of all the passages in the New Testament which speak of that judgment, and the awful calamities which fell on the people. But we must always keep in mind the fact that all those scriptures were fulfilled in that generation in which Jesus and his disciples lived." (Hosea Ballou, 1805 - Treatise on the Atonement) | Tentmaker Books

• 1804 : Hosea Ballou - Notes on the Parables "Will the reader now say that all this may be, and that both Daniel and the Saviour were speaking of the resurrection of mankind to a state of immortal happiness and misery in a future world? To this we reply, when Jesus spoke to his disciples of the destruction of Jerusalem and of the calamities which should shortly come on the Jews, he uses the words of Daniel nearly verbatim, when he speaks of the time of trouble. By this circumstance we are instructed that both Daniel and the Saviour spake of the same time and of the same events, and that time was, when Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans."

• 1805 : Hosea Ballou - Treatise on the Atonement  "And having satisfied our minds respecting the time of the coming of the Son of man to judge and reward men according to their works, and being assured that that event took place when Jerusalem was destroyed, and the Jews dispersed; it remains an easy task to settle the question respecting the meaning and fulfillment of all the passages in the New Testament which speak of that judgment, and the awful calamities which fell on the people. But we must always keep in mind the fact that all those scriptures were fulfilled in that generation in which Jesus and his disciples lived."

• 1819: Hosea Ballou - Select Sermons Delivered on Various Occasions "In his account of the destruction of the Jews, and of the vengeance of God upon them, Jesus was particular in his reference to what had been written on the subject ; he says, "For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.. the whole is confined to that generation ; and not the least intimation of punishment in a future state of existence."

• 1824 : John Samuel Thompson - Prophecy Fulfilled. Or, Destruction of Jerusalem and Dispersion of the Jewish People

• 1826 : Thomas Brown -  A History of the Origin and Progress of the Doctrine of Universal Salvation "I shall now prove, and prove only from the scriptures, that this was the end of the world, the end of the age, the day of judgment, and "the days of vengeance, that all things which are written by Moses and the prophets might be fulfilled."  And the hell that people have so long been talking about was in Jerusalem." "Now the whole just amounts to this, that the only way to prove a hell of endless punishment, must be to prove that what is said by the prophets.. means endless punishment.  If that can be done, then we must, to our great grief and sorrow, and to the sorrow of all good men, give up Universal Salvation.  .. I conclude that no man of sense and learning will ever undertake it, nor to find a law that ever threatened such punishment for sin, then we have gained the victory, the great and long controversy is decided."

• 1832: Thomas Whittemore: Notes and Illustrations of the Parables of the New Testament "Some recent authors have expressed much surprise, that Universalists of the present day should apply so many passages of the New Testament to the destruction of Jerusalem. To name no other, Rev. Parsons Cooke speaks 'of the credulity of those who embrace the system of Universalism,' in believing 'that so large a part of the Bible should relate to the destruction of Jerusalem.'  'If ever I succeeded,' says he,' in digesting the monstrous absurdity, I would be honest enough to call things by right names, and label the New Testament, "JERUSALEM'S DESTRUCTION FORETOLD."

• 1839 : Josiah Priest - The Anti-Universalist - Displays Preterist Universalism's arguments based upon past fulfillment : "And if he shall come again, in like manner, it must take place at a definite time, and that definite time will be the day of judgment, will it not? Oh, but, says the Universalist, I believe he did come, and in so coming, the promise of the two angels was fulfilled, and the day of judgment is past. But when we enquire, did he come, and what was the day of judgment? Why, says one, he came at the time of the destruction of the city of Jerusalem by the Romans, about forty years after his ascension." (The Anti-Universalist, p. 80)

• 1843 : Adin Ballou - The True Scriptural Doctrine of the Second Advent, an Effectual Antidote to Millerism "The "second coming," "appearing," or "revelation," of Christ, in his regal and judicial glory, took place about the time of the final dispersion of the Jews, at the end of the Mosaic age. The general resurrection and day or age of judgment, then commenced in the invisible world, denoted to mortals only by the remarkable signs, terrors, and dreadful events, attendant on the destruction of Jerusalem. Then all departed souls in Hades came forth, clothed with immortality, before the judgment seat of Christ, they that had done good to the resurrection of life, and they that had done evil unto the resurrection of condemnation. The patriarchs, prophets, apostles and saints, who had previously finished their course on earth, and were resting in hope, then entered into their glory in the resurrection of the just." (p.3)

• 1843 : Thomas B. Thayer - Universalist Miscellany The "Coming" "Appearing" "Revelation" &c. in Scriptural Usage - "These passages show that the revelation of Christ in judgment was, very near, on the eve of opening when the revelator wrote, which, as we have said, was immediately preceding the event, about A. D. 69; and the destruction of Jerusalem took place about two years after, A. D. 70, so fulfilling all the predictions of Christ and his apostles." 

• 1845 : Dr. David Thom - Three Grand Expositions of Man's Enmity to God  Thom's Response to Robert Townley (earliest known Full Preterist), who converted to Universalism shortly thereafter. "Professor Bush is, I perceive, a favourite writer with him. He is also a favourite with the American Universalists, a body which boasts of numbering among its adherents above 600,000 individuals, and which happens to agree with my friend in his notion of Christ's second coming being past."

• 1845 : Robert Townley Converted to Universalism Shortly Thereafter -  PDF File Excerpt from "Carlsbad Eschatology Conference" Notes

• 1848: Thomas Whittemore: A Commentary on the Revelation of St. John, the Divine "For our part, we are willing to confess, that if a man believes the Apocalypse was not written until after the destruction of Jerusalem, and if he believes in the common notions concerning the day of God's wrath, the judgment of the dead, the great dragon, the bottomless pit, &c., &c., he cannot understand the book. He will be continually hampered by his pre-conceived system ; and, in harmony with such a system, no probable interpretation can be given. Although Professor Stuart has produced an excellent work upon the Apocalypse, — the most consistent and valuable, we think of any we've have ever seen, — yet he was manifestly troubled and warped in his judgment in interpreting certain parts by his theological system, or creed, especially his belief in endless misery, and the popular notions of a future judgment. "

• 1848: Dr. David Thom: The Number and Names of the Apocalyptic Beasts: with an Explanation and Application (1848) "For many years I have rejected unhesitatingly, and on what seem to myself to be most valid and satisfactory grounds, the notion,— might I not even be justified in calling it the fable ? — of this Book having been composed towards the close of the first century, A. D. 95 or 96, or thereabouts. Evidence to substantiate this, which is the common opinion, is, it appears to me, totally a-wanting. Events connected with the destruction of Jerusalem, and the passing away, at that era, of the Old Testament economy, are in more than one part of it clearly and strikingly spoken of, as matters of future occurrence : and if so, it must have proceeded from the pen of inspiration before A. D. 69 or 70 ; unless we feel disposed to impute to the Holy Ghost the uttering of prophecies subsequently to their accomplishment. Can it be shewn satisfactorily, indeed, that any of the New Testament records were composed at a later period than the one which has just been indicated ? I believe not." (Thanks Universalist Archive!)

• 1858: Lucius Paige: Selections from Eminent Commentators (1858) "Of course, it is not pretended that any one orthodox commentator explains every disputed text in accordance with the views entertained by Universalists. But among them ah, some have furnished us authority on every text of this description, with a very few exceptions; some furnishing authority on one text, some on another. The quotations are introduced, on each text, with reference to a single point; to wit, does this text teach or imply a state of misery in the future life, or does it not ? When any commentator allows that it does not, I consider him to be proper authority to quote in confirmation of the exposition given by Universalists, even though they do not agree with him in regard to what the text does mean. I will illustrate my meaning by a single example. By referring to the notes on Rev. vi. 12—17, it will be seen that Hammond and Lightfoot interpret the passage as descriptive of the ' destruction of Jerusalem and the whole Jewish state"

• 1869: Richard Metcalf - Letter and Spirit (1869) "This was the second coming of Christ, which he foretold so vividly that its literal fulfilment must have given his disciples a still clearer proof of his Messiahship. The judgment with which he threatened the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, came, as he said it would, in the lifetime of that generation. The judgment which Paul said was impending came within five years of the time when Felix trembled in view of it. The disciple whom Jesus loved did tarry till the coming of his Master; and all the Gospel predictions upon the subject were realized in that spiritual coming at the end of the Jewish age, between A.D. 65 and A.D. 70. Not the slightest hint is given of still another coming to be looked for in or after our day; for all that was meant by the second coming of Christ, the great day of judgment and the end of the world, took place eighteen centuries ago."

• The Connection "It seemed that every preterist group I came across was fully dedicated to the subject of Preterism but refused to even give a seconds attention to the idea that God would be interested in saving all of humanity. What’s even more puzzling to me is that most of the UR groups I am a member of couldn’t grasp the idea of all scripture being fulfilled. For me the more and more I study the more I find the two subjects to be completely inseparable! In fact I see that the fulfilled prophecies of scripture were the means to the the ultimate reconciliation of all things." http://whatifound.info

• Yahoo Group: Preterist Universalism  - Here's my conundrum. Full Preterist holds these truths as I understand them; 1. God's wrath on man has been pacified through Christ sacrifice on the cross. The finality or icing on the cake being in 70 A.D.. Complete removal of the law that held us in bondage. 2. Satan with all his influence, was thrown into the abyss, being chained forever. This is part of all of the book of Revelation being fulfilled.  3. The resurrection has happened, all the dead has risen making Sheol an empty place. Here lies my conundrum. Why, oh why, do "Full Preterist" have such a hard time believing in universal salvation. What they/we teach goes further than a lot of universalist I know and correspond with. Some universalist believe Sheol/hell still exist holding the spirits of all who've gone before and they will not be released until the day of judgment, that is still yet to come. Then when judgment day arrives only those who believed in Christ will be released and those who don't will have to stay, being tormented, until they do. Kind of like putting someones arm behind their back until they cry uncle. This to me is asinine, making no since what so ever. I call it Eventual Salvation.  Anyway, what I'm suggesting you do, being a Full Preterist, is take another look at what happened to Satan in the last chapters of the book of Revelation. Bruce...the real Full Preterist!"

• Bill's Bloggins "My personal blog with articles on Universalism, Preterism, the Holy Spirit, and my own personal commentary on books of the Bible"

• DeanJohnsonMinistries.com

• Infinite-grace.com

• Pantelism.com (David Embury) "The understanding that the Scriptures, both prophetically and redemptively, are fulfilled in their entirety in the person and work of Jesus Christ – the one to whom the whole of prophetic and redemptive history points. This fulfillment completed all Biblical eschatology, being demonstrated in Christ and His elect first-fruits saints end-of-the-age ministry, finding consummation in His prophesied Second Coming [Parousia] and Judgment upon the Old Covenant Mosaic world of the Law and Temple, circa AD70."

• Presence.tv - cf. "Grace for All" Article

• Tentmaker | Message Board (Gary Amirault) "Our hope is that all who visit our internet site will come into a living personal relationship with their Maker, their Father through His Son, Jesus Christ, who sent the Holy Spirit to lead us into the Truth. Sooner or later all will come into this personal and eternal loving relationship with their Creator. "

• Whatifound.info - The Connection "It seemed that every preterist group I came across was fully dedicated to the subject of Preterism but refused to even give a seconds attention to the idea that God would be interested in saving all of humanity. What’s even more puzzling to me is that most of the UR groups I am a member of couldn’t grasp the idea of all scripture being fulfilled. For me the more and more I study the more I find the two subjects to be completely inseparable! In fact I see that the fulfilled prophecies of scripture were the means to the the ultimate reconciliation of all things."

"And if he shall come again, in like manner, it must take place at a definite time, and that definite time will be the day of judgment, will it not? Oh, but, says the Universalist, I believe he did come, and in so coming, the promise of the two angels was fulfilled, and the day of judgment is past. But when we enquire, did he come, and what was the day of judgment? Why, says one, he came at the time of the destruction of the city of Jerusalem by the Romans, about forty years after his ascension." (1839: The Anti-Universalist, p. 80)

Dr David Thom
"Professor Bush is, I perceive, a favourite writer with him. He is also a favourite with the American Universalists, a body which boasts of numbering among its adherents above 600,000 individuals, and which happens to agree with my friend in his notion of Christ's second coming being past."

Rev. Parsons Cooke
"Some recent authors have expressed much surprise, that Universalists of the present day should apply so many passages of the New Testament to the destruction of Jerusalem. To name no other, Rev. Parsons Cooke speaks 'of the credulity of those who embrace the system of Universalism,' in believing 'that so large a part of the Bible should relate to the destruction of Jerusalem.'  'If ever I succeeded,' says he,' in digesting the monstrous absurdity, I would be honest enough to call things by right names, and label the New Testament, "JERUSALEM'S DESTRUCTION FORETOLD." (Quoted by Whittemore in Notes on Parables, p. 316)

David Chilton
(On "Eventual Gospel Universalism")
(Writing as a Modern Preterist) ""It is certainly true that righteousness does not dwell in the earth in an absolute sense; nor will this world ever be absolutely righteous, until the final enemy is defeated at the Second Coming of Christ.. according to God's promise, the saving knowledge of Him will yet fill the earth, as the waters cover the sea." (Days of Vengeance, 544)

(Writing as a Hyper Preterist)  "Once the Lord came to destroy the scaffolding of the Old Covenant structure, the New Covenant Temple would be left in its place, and the victorious march of the Church would be unstoppable.  According to God's predestined design, the world will be converted; the earth's treasures will be brought into the City of God, as the Paradise Mandate (Gen. 1:27-28; Matt. 28:18-20) is consummated (Rev. 21:1-27)." (from "New Heavens and Earth")

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