Preterist Universalism
Commentaries on Preterist Universalism from Various Sources

UNIVERSALIST PRETERISM STUDY ARCHIVE
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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

INTRODUCTION TO THIS ARCHIVE

After ten years of dedicated searching, the earliest roots of Full Preterism have revealed themselves so far in the writings of American Universalists.   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 Futurism which crippled the European church.

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.

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.

A FULLER PRESENTATION OF THE HISTORY OF PRETERIST UNIVERSALISM AVAILABLE IN "CARLSBAD ESCHATOLOGY CONFERENCE" TAPES

"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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