WHAT OTHERS HAVE SAID

• 2011: Rod Edwards: "Todd Dennis, perhaps one of the most famous ex-hyperpreterists was accused by then leading hyperpreterist Virgil Vaduva of being "motivated by an irrational zeal which is clouding his mind and controls him and all he does" (source).  Anyone that knows Dennis knows he is almost too gracious"

• 2011: Sam Frost: "Well, he never quotes the line from Chilton, either, delivered at his conference about the Paradise Mandate being “consummated” POST AD 70. Chilton had a “consummation” and never left Reformed soteriology. Todd Dennis has even weighed in here agreeing largely with what our research showed (and from Talbot’s personal conversations). When Chilton “full preterism” he did not have in mind the “full preterism” we see today….."

• 2011: Sam Frost  "Todd Dennis, who owns Preterist Archive, which is celebrated as perhaps the best Preterist website out there, has recently published material from Daniel Lamont, D.D., Professor Emeritus of Practical Theology in the University of Edinburgh ; President of the Inter-Varsity Fellowship (1945-46). Good company." (Many thanks for the kind word and the interesting article) // "I must admit Mr. Dennis, your website is indeed the most insightful on preteristic and historic material for the church in general. I truly enjoy visiting it." (Source)

• 2010: Roderick Edwards - "Todd Dennis was instrumental in the online promotion of hyperpreterism. It was Dennis’ archivist work that gave material to the hordes of hyperpreterist websites that have come & gone since. But even as Dennis renounced hyperpreterism, he was purposely slow & discerning about speaking out against it.  Like many former-hyperpreterists, perhaps Dennis wanted to wait & see if there was anything of value he could keep from the “movement”. He probably held out hope (as I did during the last 5 years of being a hyperpreterist) that maybe if the movement could be made more “evangelical”, more “conservative” that it could be legitimate.  As Dennis has patiently waited, giving the hyperpreterist movement the benefit of the doubt as if maybe they were just going through growing pangs, the movement has been increasingly moving further & further away from anything that we would recognize as historically Christian. " (Former Hyper Preterist Speaks Out)

• 2010: Roderick Edwards - "A. Modern Hyper-Preterist Movement 1990s (Although there were a smattering of online hyperpreterist groups, perhaps the start was with the website, PreteristArchive by Todd Dennis. "

• 2010: Brian Simmons - " This system was first developed by former Full Preterist Todd Dennis, and presented at the first annual “Carlsbad Eschatology Conference” in 2007 (hosted by Kurt Simmons); though it integrates elements from Preterism and other systems. Preterist Idealism teaches that the historical fulfillment of prophecy constitutes only the “shadows” of an eternal spiritual substance which believers obtain “in Christ.” New Testament typology is vertical rather than horizontal; and meant to point to the higher realties of the Christian life, rather than foreshadow things to come. Idealism relies heavily on the allegorical interpretation of prophetic texts. The system has a small number of adherents, most of them former Full Preterists. " (A Brief Survey of Christian Eschatology)

• 2009: "In Todd's case, as in the case of others who WERE full-prets at one time, this is willful and destructive.Todd et al. know better because they "have tasted the heavenly gift" of freedom, and rejected it. All because, by their own testimony, God just might happen to be too gracious for them - god forbid, He may even want all to enter into blessedness with Himself. Whether this conclusion is true or not (and personally believe it is), Todd et al. have a responsibility to study the scripture and "show themselves approved," rather than base their theology on the rejection of what might possibly be (although arguably, I admit) a conclusion that turns their stomach.  This is Judaizing at its worst. To deny grace to some is foreign to the gospel of Jesus. It's one thing to state categorically that someone must exercise faith to experience the blessedness of afterlife, it's quite another to tell God how gracious He is allowed to be. To me, that's where Todd et al. have returned to their vomit - placing the demands of the Law upon others, while accepting God's grace in light of their own failures." Jude, the first hyper-preterist heretic

• 2009: "It should be refered here, that a big lump of historical grounds pertaining the development of American Preterism was not available when Ice pent his paper. Todd Dennis , conservator of the Preterist Archive , has been able to follow the rise of `` Full-of-the-moon Preterism `` to American Universalism which throve during the first one-half of the Nineteenth century."

• 2009: Mike Loomis - "On a side note, I've been fortunate enough to get to know Todd on a personal level over the last few years and have seen first hand his desire to make information on preterist eschatology available to the whole wide world, no matter what the cost. Back in late 2006, Todd and I had arranged to go to a book store located in Pasadena California called, "The Archive." No connection to The Preterist Archive. Just a strange coincidence I guess you could say. After spending a couple of hours browsing through the incredible and seemingly unending selection of Christian works both new and used we took our selections to the clerk to make our purchases. As my transaction was being finalized, Todd's face lit up like a kid in a candy store when he saw the collection of antique leather bound books located on the wall behind the counter. The clerk asked him if he wanted to take a look. Without hesitation Todd swiftly made his way behind the counter and started browsing through the books one after the other. And then he stopped. His eyes focused in on a relatively small and rather plain looking book. A first edition of "The Truth of the Christian Religion" by Hugo Grotius, translated from the Latin by Jean LeClerc from 1709. Measuring at best 5 x 7 x 1.5 inches thick. Todd carefully removed this relatively tiny treasure from the shelf and as he began to open it, you could hear the age of this book as its spine made noises like an old man with a sore back in the morning after a rough nights sleep.  Todd's face lit up like a child on Christmas morning. He knew exactly what this book was. The author, Hugo Grotius had long been credited as being the first author to openly adopt the preterist view. This title was among many of the long forgotten books that Todd had spent many years looking for. A book that he thought would only ever be confined to the dusty corners of attics and quiet university libraries where most would likely never have access to it much less desire to. As he was carefully turning the pages he asked the clerk how much it would cost to take this book home today. 120 dollars he said. And without even a second thought Todd secured this small, almost forgotten, pocket sized book from 1709 that clearly demonstrated an early growth in understanding of preterist eschatology and was willing to if necessary break the binding on it so that it could be scanned and posted on the Preterist Archive. Made available for the whole wide world to see for many generations to come at the click of a mouse. A relatively small price to pay considering some of the other titles he's secured from half way around the world with sellers asking upwards of 2500 dollars." (Preterism: 2000 years in the making)

• 2009: Brian Simmons - "Within just two years, I have witnessed a spectacle truly amazing. A theology which was formerly one of the great wonders of the internet world has caught fire, and is now burning to cinders.   When did this conflagration start? It began in 2006, when Todd Dennis, curator of Preterist Archive.com, announced his rejection of the Hyper-Preterist position. Almost immmediately the solidarity of the movement showed signs of weakening. A furious wave of attack was launched against Todd and others who began defecting from the Hyper-Preterist scene." (A Building on Fire)

• 2009: Rod Edwards: "I want to here, publicly apologize & ask Todd forgiveness for so rudely opposing him while I was STILL a hyperpreterist.  To use the vernacular of the 20-30 something crowd associated with the hyperpreterist movement, I want to say, “Todd is one brave dude!” He has had to endure (sometimes alone, except for Christ), the barbs of former hyperpreterist friends who have done everything from claim he is suffering from emotional problems to saying the only reason he left hyperpreterism is due to a personal issue.  They don’t seem to want to realize that people can & do leave the cult because they realize it is a cult."

• 2008: "TNA" Todd Dennis' over reaction is HIGHLY emotional. I hadn't been to Preterist Archive in a long time and was also a bit shocked by it changing over and taking on a very negative unfounded view of Full Preterism. But I must agree with Dave in that I think Todd could not deal with the implications and 'freaked out' for lack of a better term. Todd has also adopted a very odd view of Preterism which seems to combine Preterism with Historicism and is called Idealism. The problem that I see with this is that it faces the exact same issues that Historicism does, in that things are basically archetypes and not so much rooted in reality. Todd is off his rocker, particularly when we note that he tries like all non True Preterists to accuse us of the Hymeanean heresy - which BIBLICALLY was a timing issue, but of course Todd and his ilk make it out to something it is not. I am deeply disappointed that Todd has allowed emotions and anxiety to trump reason and logic. Tsk, tsk." (cite)

• 2007: David Embury - "Pantelism hasn't taken over pręterism at all – that is more Todd Dennis' over-reaction when realising the true "inclusive" implications of pręterism and not being able to refute them [which is what occurred when he invited some of us to explain our position on his message board he once had]. He subsequently ditched full pręterism." (cite)

• 2007: Ed Stevens - "Todd Dennis' presentation on the implications of the Dead Sea Scrolls for Preterism was superb! It was material I have not seen any preterist ever deal with. That one lesson is worth the price of the whole set! "

• 2007: "Theolog" - "Todd Dennis was never a full preterist he was only pretending to be one because he thought it sensational and knows that sensationalism sells. He is all about money not Jesus.. I considered the idealist view 20 years ago and realized it was really just another form of allegory. Just how many interpretations are there to any given verse? a million?????? How many interpretations do you accept for any given verse???? Todd's going for the bucks. There is no money in being a full preterist yet I'm supprised he couldn't see that before making the claim of being a preterist."

• 2007: Larry Siegle - "Todd Dennis, who for more than a decade has been the “guardian” of all things preterist, has collected in his “Archive” hundreds of valuable documents confirming the historical roots and foundation of preterism from the days of the apostles to our present time.  The PreteristArchive has been acknowledged as a place where all approaches to eschatology are considered and documented with a sense of freedom and openness, even those whose doctrinal stance and faithfulness to the word of God has been dubious at best. "

• 2007: "TNA" - "Todd Dennis' over reaction is HIGHLY emotional. I hadn't been to Preterist Archive in a long time and was also a bit shocked by it changing over and taking on a very negative unfounded view of Full Preterism. But I must agree with Dave in that I think Todd could not deal with the implications and 'freaked out' for lack of a better term. Todd has also adopted a very odd view of Preterism which seems to combine Preterism with Historicism and is called Idealism. The problem that I see with this is that it faces the exact same issues that Historicism does, in that things are basically archetypes and not so much rooted in reality. Todd is off his rocker, particularly when we note that he tries like all non True Preterists to accuse us of the Hymeanean heresy - which BIBLICALLY was a timing issue, but of course Todd and his ilk make it out to something it is not. I am deeply disappointed that Todd has allowed emotions and anxiety to trump reason and logic. Tsk, tsk.

• 2006: Don Hendricks - " Todd Dennis, to whom I am deeply indebted for his credentials of service to the Preterist movement through the website, brought to the conference a broad historical perspective on what we face and where we are in our desire for reformation in Christian thought. He pointed out many in church history who pioneered this recovery of historic eschatological view. I had the deep impression in my heart that Todd has arrived where I desire to be. I hope some day to heal and be no longer wounded or angry at those who ex-communicate me from fellowship. Todd is a brother who models a theology flowing with the uplifting reality of Jesus' presence in our lives bringing us into the holy city." (2006 NCMI)

• 2004: H.L. James - "I must say before continuing, that the Preterist Archive, and the format that Todd Dennis has adopted there, has made it possible to really go over the TAAHP (and other articles) with a fine-tooth comb. This is because readers can post their own comments and critiques just below the articles that are posted on the Preterist Archive. Kudos to Todd Dennis and Glory to God for this feature."

• 1998: In April 1995, the Antioch Baptist Church in Bismarck, North Dakota, drew 50 people to hear Eugene Schroder and Graham County, Arizona Sheriff Richard Mack, author of From My Cold Dead Fingers. According to the Bismarck Tribune, the meeting was coordinated by Pastor Todd Dennis who said, "Just like 200 years ago when our founding fathers questioned their government, so are we." (Preaching the Patriot Gospel)

THE DOCTRINAL DEPOT & PRETERIST ARCHIVE
Quest Magazine
1997

To the monthly readers of Quest, we have changed our format this month to introduce you to our web site and to the pastor who made our participation in this media possible.

Our ministry had our first contact with Pastor Todd Dennis through a phone call. The good pastor had seen copies of our newsletter and questioned why we were not on the Internet. Our ministry had been considering designing our own "page" but found the cost a bit prohibitive. Pastor Todd invited us to climb on board his Internet Train and we have been on-line ever since.

As we have gotten to know Pastor Todd from his writings, we have come to appreciate his talent, his knowledge, and his Christian spirit.

Recently, we posed several questions to him in an effort to get to know him better. We share this interview with you.

How did you become interested in fulfilled eschatology? Describe your feelings when you first heard about it and how long after you heard, did it become biblical truth for you?

Becoming interested in fulfilled eschatology came as a result of a continual stream of studies that began, in earnest, while a student at a dispensationalist college. Initial studies were fueled by a great number of doctrinal questions that were not answered by the system of doctrine being taught, nor by those sincere people teaching it. Questions continued to pile up unanswered. My dissatisfaction with the system itself grew.

Interestingly, an introduction to the Christian Identity movement [while going to a Dispensationalist college] helped me identify the great errors of the Dispensational system. And it was while studying the Identity doctrine that I received the  refutation of both it and Dispensationalism in the carnalizing of spiritual/eternal passages.

Several passages became very clear under the light of a non-carnal nation of Israel:

Gal. 4:22-26 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the bondwoman and one by the free woman. But the son by the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and the son by the free woman through the promise. This is an allegory: for these women are two covenants, one proceeding from Mount Sinai bearing children who are to be slaves; she is Hagar. Now this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free; she is our mother.

II Cor. 4:18 while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

I Cor 15:46 However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual.

The doctrine of the Church/Israel relationship, as well as the nature of Christ's kingdom and His kingship became evident to me in this light.

In the midst of such studies, I was still a Futurist. There were still many points that were hard to be understood, most notably such verses as Galatians 5:5 and 1 Peter 4:13. These verses implied that the promises of salvation and redemption were yet future to the writers and only to be revealed with Christ.

It was then that my studies began on the history of the Christian Church, which led me to the Works of Josephus. His historical writings confirmed that which was written in Scripture relative to the fulfillment of portions of Matthew 24.

Still "holding out" on the coming of Christ, however, and  never coming to an explanation of time-frame verses, I promised the Lord to continue my studies.  It was then that recognition of my erroneous futurist presuppositions sank in.  [Sensing the impending victory..] Wanting an unbiased, Holy Spirit-led perspective to Scripture I determined to study no book save the Scriptures -- allowing the Bible to simply interpret itself.  Studies lead to Acts 3:19-21 Repent, therefore, and return, that your sins may wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you; whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time.

It became clear that the judgment occurred in that generation, and that the New Heavens and Earth were directly related to the New Covenant. I was free from the chains of demanding the Scripture mean something other than what it said. What liberty!

Throughout my studies, I always had supreme confidence that God did not will me to be ignorant of His Word. I was able to faithfully pursue as He enlightened my mind. Being a pastor during this time of study, increased the potential for meltdowns of frustration. I was leading my dispensationalist! futurist church down the path behind me. I began a practice of preaching my previous week's study which could be proven from Scripture, and with which I had peace. There were three times when I was still working on my doctrinal message late into Saturday night before preaching it the next morning. God was faithful to give me the wisdom that I needed and for which I prayed. The revelation I received in my study was as if a light bulb had been switched on.

The most pleasing and rewarding part of the studies was a closer walk with God -- we can have all doctrine but if we do not have charity and true love, it serves little purpose. In fact, I cherish the walk with God I gained through the studies much more than the result of the studies themselves. He never, never failed me.... of, course!

In all, my transition from Futurist to Preterist lasted for 36 months until the entire church assembly publicly stood behind my the Preterist position.

Pastor, can you describe your church and the type of service you offer?

The assembly here is called Antioch Baptist Church. It is a small congregation as a result of splits regarding other doctrinal convictions.  In 1985, we were an assembly of over 250. It was then that the 501c3 church corporation followed the Lord out of a corporate, contractual status with the State and stood solely under the authority and headship of Jesus Christ. First the lawyers left, then the doctors, and all the influentia. Various parents were put in jail for their placing their children in the assembly's unlicensed Christian school.. and then more left.

The pruning can be good and profitable when people leave on doctrinal grounds. In all, over 200 people left. Since then, the assembly has grown stronger and closer to each other. In spite of the small size, we have three publishing related ministries: PreteristArchive.com/Doctrinal Depot, New Heavens Printing and Publishing, and my evangelical ministry to other States.  I was in Fairbanks, Alaska in June, and will be in Bismarck on July 22 and in Indianapolis in October.

Our service on Wednesday evening includes a Bible study and a prayer service at 7:00 P.M. On Sunday morning our preaching service begins at 10:00 A.M. which is typically doctrinal teaching, e.g. the nature of the Resurrection and other doctrinal - applications of Fulfilled Eschatology. The 6:00 evening service focuses upon the life application of Scriptures.

Please provide information on your Internet work including home page address, articles you are interested in receiving and other pertinent information.

After setting up The Doctrinal Depot on the Internet, others who see the Scriptures from the preterist perspective found me.  I am meeting many, many more.

The Internet site was born out of a desire to put the spectrum of my personal doctrinal belief (unregistered church, Baptistic line of believers/martyrs, autonomous local church, full preterist, proper relationship with civil government) on-line and to show others my study of the Scriptures. The Josephus Archive was the first big addition to the site. It was to be the cornerstone. 

When given the opportunity to expand beyond 2 Mb [9/11/2002-280Mb], I created "Dispensational Dementia," "Mistaken Identity," and the Preterist Archive.

I am interested in publishing any articles people may wish to submit, provided they do not deny the fundamental doctrines of the Bible. I would love to see more people involved in international ministries. Fulfilled Eschatology materials are scant. We have an opportunity to make an impact that will last for centuries. The opportunities on-line are unparalleled in the history of Christian teaching!

Pastor Todd Dennis
Antioch Baptist Church