“It can be stated without fear of contradiction that the postmil position was the historic position of Princeton Theological Seminary.”[1] Thus in the words of one loyal and devoted child of the Princeton tradition, J. Marcellus Kik, there is absolutely no doubt that the Princeton tradition is exclusively postmillennial in its eschatological understanding. There are [...]
Postmillennialism
Postmillennialism: Introduction by Loraine Boettner
Broadly speaking there are three general systems which profess to set forth the teaching of Scripture regarding the Second Coming of Christ and the future course of the Kingdom. They are: Postmillennialism, Amillennialism, and Premillennialism. The essential presuppositions of the three systems are similar. Each holds that the Scriptures are the word of God and [...]
Postmillennialism: Representative Theologians by Loraine Boettner
We have said that each of the millennial views has been held by men of unquestioned sincerity and ability. Among Postmillennialists should be mentioned first of all the great Augustine, whose eminently sound interpretation of Scripture set the standard for the Church for nearly a thousand years. In later times there were Rev. David Brown, [...]
Postmillennialism: Statement of the Doctrine by Loraine Boettner
We have defined Postmillennialism as that view of the last things which holds that the Kingdom of God is now being extended in the world through the preaching of the Gospel and the saving work ok the Holy Spirit in the hearts of individuals, that the world eventually is to be Christianized, and that the [...]
Postmillennialism: Inadequate Terminology by Loraine Boettner
One difficulty that we constantly face in this discussion is that of an inadequate terminology. The use of the prefixes ‘pre-’ and ‘post’, as attached to the word ‘millennial,’ is to some extent unfortunate and misleading. For the distinction involves a great deal more than merely ‘before’ or ‘after.’ The Millennium expected by the Premillennialist [...]
Postmillennialism: A Redeemed World or Race by Loraine Boettner
On postmillennial principles a strong emphasis is thrown on the universality of Christ’s work of redemption, and hope is held out for the salvation of an incredibly large number of the race of mankind. Since it was the world, or the race, which fell in Adam, it was the world, or the race, which was [...]
Postmillennialism: The Vastness of the Redeemed Multitude by Loraine Boettner
The writer of the Apocalypse says: ‘I saw, and behold, a great multitude, which no man could number, out of every nation and of all the tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, arrayed in white robes, and palms in their hands; and they cried with a great voice, [...]
Postmillennialism: The World is Growing Better by Loraine Boettner
The redemption of the world is a long, slow process, extending through the centuries, yet surely approaching an appointed goal. We live in the day of advancing victory, although there are many apparent set-backs. As seen from the human viewpoint it often looks as though the forces of evil are about to gain the upper [...]
Postmillennialism: Material Prosperity During the Millennium by Loraine Boettner
The great material prosperity of which the Bible speaks as accompanying the millennial era will be, to a large extent, the natural result of the high moral and spiritual life of that time. These blessings too are from God. In numerous prophecies temporal blessings are expressly represented as following in the train of the new [...]
Postmillennialism: The Millennium Not A Perfect or Sinless State by Loraine Boettner
There seems to be a general impression that when we speak of a Millennium we mean a time when the world will be sinless or practically so. We do believe that a time is coming when the people of the world in general will be Christians, a time when Satan will no longer be able [...]
Postmillennialism: Approaches by Imperceptible Degrees by Loraine Boettner
The golden age of righteousness is, of course, not to be thought of as beginning suddenly, or on any particular date. It cannot be pinpointed on the calendar, for it comes as the result of a long, slow process. ‘The kingdom of heaven cometh not with observation’ (Luke 17:20). It is ‘first the blade, then [...]
Postmillennialism: The Thousand Years A Symbolical Figure by Loraine Boettner
As we read the book of Revelation figurative or symbolical expressions are met on every hand. The churches are symbolized by the seven golden candlesticks. Seven spirits before the throne are used to symbolize the fullness of the one Holy Spirit. We read of the Lamb having seven horns. We do not expect to see [...]
Postmillennialism: The Final Apostasy and Rebellion? by Loraine Boettner
A question which confronts both Post- and Premillennialism is this: Is there to be a brief but world-wide apostasy and rebellion at the end of the Millennium? Does the large proportion of the human race, after enjoying the high privileges which come with life during the millennial era, turn violently against God and righteousness and [...]
Postmillennialism: Principles of Interpretation by Loraine Boettner
It is clear that each of the millennial views has been held and at the present time is held by men concerning whose sincerity and loyalty to the evangelical faith there can be no doubt. That believing Christians through the ages, using the same Bible and acknowledging it to be authoritative, have arrived at quite [...]
Postmillennialism: The Old Testament Sacrificial System by Loraine Boettner
The writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews has much to say about the endless repetition and the futility of the ancient sacrifices. He shows that their only value was to symbolize and point forward to the one true sacrifice that was to be made by Christ. ‘We have been sanctified,’ he said, ‘through the [...]
Postmillennialism: The Nature and Purpose of Prophecy by Loraine Boettner
Also in connection with the subject of interpretation something should be said about the basic nature of prophecy. Premillennialists regard prophecy as history written beforehand. We prefer to say, however, that the primary purpose of prophecy is to inspire faith in those who see its fulfillment, and only secondarily to inform us of what is [...]
