The Promise of His Appearing: An Exposition of Second Peter

by Peter J. Leithart

Book Overview

The Promise of His Appearing: An Exposition of Second Peter The second book of Peter has long troubled biblical scholars and interpreters. Not only has its authorship been disputed, but also its... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1591280265
• ISBN13: 9781591280262
• Release Date: December 2004
• Publisher: Canon Press
• Length: 126 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.0" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

An Amazing book!

From the back cover: "The book of Second Peter has long troubled biblical scholars and interpreters, who have disputed both its authorship and its claims about the imminent return of Christ. In this study Peter Leithart offers a preterist reading of the epistle, arguing that it describes first-century events rather than the end of history. At the same time, he maintains orthodoxy, avoiding hyper-preterism and affirming both the real future return of Christ and the epistle's authenticity. Leithart's accessible style and powerful arguments make this book a valuable addition to the discussion surrounding the Bible's apocalyptic prophecies." This book is amazing! Highly-recommended!

Reconvinced me of partial preterism

I came to the Reformed faith reading partial preterists. I saw it as the obvious alternative to dispensationalism. I then moved away from it for a while. Having been a fan of Leithart, I decided to read his commentary. While he holds to the basic preterist position, he makes a few exciting mutations. Most partial preterists, when they get to this book, simply reassert that it took place in AD 70. Well and good, but that is not an argument. Leithart introduces what he calls "knock-out" arguments for partial preterism in 2 Peter. There are five of them. He sets the stage for saying that without a preterist understanding of 2 Peter, Peter's comments do not make sense. Here is an example: Peter says he wrote his letter (2 Peter) on the theme of the coming of Jesus, which he says was also a theme of his 1 letter (1 Peter). Since 1 Peter's teaching about the coming of Jesus highlights its imminence, 2 Peter must be dealing with the same looming event (14). Btw, when all five arguments are seen together, they are quite compelling. Do not judge this argument standing alone. Leithart also adds a Hebraic element to the interpretation. Peter's audience are dispersed Jews (and he quotes a plethora of passages showing how Peter's language directly mirrors exilic Jews in the OT). In short, AD 70 was not simply Rome destroying Jerusalem and that kind of conveniently looks like Matthew 24. No, it is a destruction of the Old Creation world. (Leithart then draws parallels showing how the temple symbolized the cosmos). I really enjoyed it. Definite recommendation. However, it is not a key for sermon prep. It is more for eschatology than sermon, although it makes for good biblical theology.