Objection:  Overruled!

by Don K. Preston

Don K. Preston is a popular lecturer and debater at Preterist conferences, as well as one of the most prolific Preterist authors ever. Even though I’ve read a number of his books I still have a stack of them in my “to read” pile. In addition to his sharp mind, excellent recall and quick thinking on his feet, I have been impressed by another facet of Don’s work: he has taken the apologetics of Preterism to another level. Adept as he is at presenting audience relevance, apocalyptic language, imminency statements, etc., he has built upon these “general foundations” of Preterism by pulling together passages and themes that can be easily overlooked. The efforts of Don and others like him are slowly transforming Preterism from an Eschatological position into a Systematic Theology.

Don will be sharing some of the “objections” that he as “overruled” in his books and debates, as well as taking on “objections” from readers. In this issue Don introduces himself by chronicling his journey to Preterism. I appreciate his candor in sharing the negative experiences as well as the good ones—something I’m sure many readers will be able to identify with. If you are not familiar with Don’s writings I encourage you to visit his website or contact him for information.

I am deeply honored that Brian has asked me to keyboard a Preterist apologetic column, entitled, “Objection: Overruled!” Brian is doing a great job with the journal, and I hope that my small contribution will honor the Lord, His Truth, and help make this journal a blessing to the readers. I think it would be good to let you know a bit about myself so, please allow me to tell you a bit of my journey to Preterism.

From my earliest recollections, I always wanted to know what others believed and why. I read the writings of other fellowships prodigiously to that end. My father was a tremendous influence on me, instilling in me a love for the Truth and a mind to examine things critically (not negatively, but analytically). My full time ministry began in 1975, though I had been in public speaking since I was 13. I won’t feign to call that preaching though!

Raised as a fifth generation member of the Churches of Christ denomination, I was a thorough going amillennialist. However, in my first year of ministry, a ladies Bible class asked me to teach on Matthew 24-25. This was frightening, since my father as well as my seminary teachers had openly admitted frustration in their understanding of this great discourse. I was granted a year of preparation time, in which I discovered that I did not understand why there was so much confusion about the text! It became glaringly obvious to me that it was tradition and tradition alone that saw in Matthew 24-25 a prediction of a future coming of the Lord at a so-called “end of time.”

Based on that challenging but rewarding research, which was eagerly accepted by the ladies class, I excitedly continued my studies, trying to ignore the sound of the train I heard coming! The next class the ladies chose was on Revelation, and believe me, by the time I was ready a year later to teach Revelation, the sound of the on-coming train was a lot louder!

It was during this period that I had my first formal public debate with a dispensational Baptist minister, a friend of mine. My intense preparation for that debate broke down many more of my own traditionally held eschatological views. In fact, I shocked my own brethren during that four-night debate, with statements that the texts I was examining were as troublesome for our tradition as to my friend!

While I was deeply troubled that my traditional views were being challenged, my love for the Truth would not allow me to stop. I wanted, desperately at times, to either stop my research or to find a way to “hang on” to the “faith of my fathers.” Interestingly however, it was the early training from my father that compelled me to continue. As my father said repeatedly, “If it is in the Book, believe it, even if it is not what I taught you!”

With this legacy driving me, I committed myself to finding the Truth, no matter what. The more I studied, the more I tried to share with my preaching peers. I was excited to finally be seeing harmony and unity. And yet, I wanted to be “rescued” from the direction I was going! Those were deeply troubling times. I found myself broken before the Throne, with nothing left but my faith in the Lord and His Word. My friends had forsaken me, but neither He – nor my wonderful, dedicated wife - had.

I must share with you that my circle of fellowship did not, and does not, welcome anyone, especially “insiders” suggesting that our traditions may be wrong. Phariseeism is alive and well, as I soon discovered. I was terminated from a prominent congregation, and blackballed. I lamentably found that my “heroes of the faith” were in fact mere men, who were themselves afraid of being “put out of the synagogue.” Some of my “friends” told me they did not even want to be seen speaking to me!

While the human side of all of this was deeply troubling -  the word is traumatic -  the spiritual rewards were flowing in abundance! The thrill of finally understanding God’s Word, to begin to understand somewhat this marvelous thing called Grace, to be assured that the pursuit of Truth is more important than friends, “career” or anything else, is a reward above measure. What liberation!

So, after literally years of struggle and painstaking, laborious research, I was finally convinced and convicted that my traditional eschatology was fundamentally, egregiously wrong. But God was true, and every man a liar. Jesus kept his word. He came as and when he promised.

I was ready to take a stand, openly, unashamedly, and have been doing so for several years now. I have defended and spread that message and challenge now in numerous formal debates, countless private discussions, many written debates, and formal radio debates on The Voice of Reason radio show, John Anderson being the moderator. I stand ready to give an answer to any man for the hope that lies within me.

With all of that said, let me say candidly that I am not the final answer. I don’t have all the answers. I am not the “Preterist authority.” I strive with everything in me to be a servant, a student of God’s Word. I am subject to human foibles and weakness. It may be that Brian chose me for this column because I am the loudmouth keyboard of Preterism! Who knows?

      Be that as it may, in regard to this column, here is my pledge to you:

·        I do not think there are any dumb questions, so, ask away!

·        I will honor and assume the integrity of each questioner.

·        I reserve the right to say, “I don’t know!”

·        I will do my best to exemplify 2 Timothy 2:24f. I will not insult you. I will not demean questioners. I will not deal with personalities at all. Truth matters, personalities must be subsumed to that pursuit.

·        I expect the same Christian respect and common courtesy in your questions to me.

Okay, there you have a snippet biography of my journey to Covenant Eschatology. I hope this is helpful and lets you know that I understand the struggles of questioning dearly held traditional beliefs. I know the trauma of friends turning their backs on you. I know what it means to be fired from a loved and respected position. If you are experiencing any of these things, and want some Biblical answers, please send them to me. I promise that I will do my best to give you the solid, sure, sound Truth of God’s Word. Take it, test it, stand on it. Come join the journey!