Three Views on the Millennium and Beyond

by Craig A. Blaising, Darrell L. Bock, Kenneth L. Gentry Jr., et al.

Book Overview

Is there biblical evidence for a thousand-year earthly kingdom (the Millennium) ruled by Christ before the fulfillment of the new heaven and new earth?

Revelation chapter 20 seems to suggest so, but few books of the Bible are so difficult to interpret. And a discussion of the Millennium branches out into many other theological questions about the end times (eschatology): Are these the last days? What must happen before Jesus...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0310201438
• ISBN13: 9780310201434
• Release Date: March 1999
• Publisher: Zondervan Academic
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 0.33 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.3" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

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Counterpoint Series

I'm going to apply this commentary for the entire Counterpoint Series published by Zondervan Publishing Company. My compliments to that company for creating this series. I initially purchased "Four Views on the Book of Revelation" but soon realized it was only one in a series. I got so much out of that volume, that I decided to purchase the entire set to study and keep for reference. My spiritual growth has been remarkable as a result. Seminary students and professionals would probably enjoy this series, which seems geared for them. But this series is also excellent for those college-educated laypeople who feel inclined to enhance their understanding of Christian theology. That is, with one caveat: Buy a decent theological dictionary to refer to at first. It probably won't get used much after about the third book you choose to read, but initially you will be need it to be confident of some of the terms used among advanced theologians. Then, the Counterpoint series will give you a full understanding of many different concepts and concerns of the Christian faith which have been applicable from early on until the present. I've learned a lot, and the only way I think I could do better is if I were enrolled in Seminary. A list of all the titles I am aware of from this series is: Are Miraculous Gifts for Today? Five Views on Law and Gospel Five Views on Sanctification Four Views on Hell Four Views on Salvation in a Pluralistic World Four Views on the Book of Revelation Three Views on Creation and Evolution Three Views on the Millennium and Beyond Three Views on the Rapture Two Views on Women in Ministry

Three Views Debated Sensibly

I picked up this book almost immediately after it came in the store. I found it both enlightening and very educational, as I learned more about the pressupositional mindset that underlies the hermeutical methodology that all three viewpoints uses in approaching scripture. Gentry - His presentation is very well done- I've read his works before. However, his rebuttal of the premill position was very poor in quality (all he did was restate his previous arguments...which are really only impressive to postmill and amill folks). Strimple - spends most of his time attacking premillennialism, sadly. He does, however, present an accurate case for amillennialism. In fact, he confuses premillennialism and dispensationalism, treating them as synonyms. His rebuttals to the other positions aren't really too impressive and he and Gentry pretty much did the same thing (repeat their earlier arguments instead of really interacting with Blaising's presentation). Blaising - does a wonderful job of exegetically presenting his case for premillennialism. Blaising's response to amillennialism and postmillennialism is pretty good.Bock's essay - Bock's essay summed up the whole book well. This book won't really 'convince' anyone of either view if you already come to it holding certain viewpoints about what is 'proper' and 'fitting' in our understanding and application hermenutics to the text. Overall- I'd recommend this book. I find it interesting that myself (I'm premill dispensational) and another reader (amill) both read the book and came to two different conclusions about who 'won' the debate. I'm thinking of changing my view to pan-millennialist---- it'll all 'pan out' in the end *grin* I recommend the book to anyone who wants to take a good look at the differing millennial views. The one thing I do regret not seeing in the book is a presentation of the historic premill view, since it does differ from the dispensational (progressive or classic or revised) view.

Excellent summary of Millennial views

This book is an excellent exploration into the varying millennial views. Each author presents myriads of Biblical and theological evidence in making his case. For those who are uncertain of the basis for differing millennial views, this volume will clear up the questions. The responses that each author presents to his colleagues' views are also very well thought out. The book is somewhat technical and assumes the reader's understanding of some basic theological terms; I found myself needing to take extensive notes on the book to adequately process the information presented. Nonetheless, Bock and company do a marvelously comprehensive job of highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of the differing positions, allowing the reader to make a fully informed decision him- or herself.