When Warfare Gets Dirty

On a recent blog post at "Sovereign Grace Preterism," Sam Frost continued his rant against orthodoxy by making numerous allegations against Roderick Edwards & myself. It was my intention to let these men stew in their own broth for a time. After Jason Bradfield's weak attempt to refute our position (after which he threatened to sue me), I considered the conversation over with.

However, it appears these men have a great relish for provoking continual discord. It seems that no matter what we do, Sam and his friends continue to find fault with our actions. Article after article appears on their site daily, and in each article they wax more zealous in maintaining their heresy and assaulting our orthodox position. Will the madness never end?

First of all, I don't know 90% of what is going on with the Gary DeMar controversy. I never even heard of DeMar until several months ago, nor have I read any of his books or articles. To me he is just another false teacher/ compromiser who needs to be combated. For more information on this phase of the war, see http://we-support-hyperpreterism.blogspot.com/

That brings us to the question: What is a false teacher? A false teacher is someone who knowingly spreads heresy. I think many people over at Sovereign Grace Preterism would fit that description. Of course, I agree with Roderick that Hyper-Preterism is a "damnable" heresy. It is damnable because men use it to replace God's gospel with their own subjective message. This is the "dirty little secret" which only those "initiated" into their cult understand. The newbies aren't told that hardly any of the New Testament "applies" to Christians today.

I heard Sam, Jason, and Mike's latest podcast, and do not even consider their 'Sola Scriptura' argument worth a serious reply. If you choose to go by "the Bible alone," you still have to answer why 2,000 years of Christian teachers disagree with you. Perhaps you are wrong and they are right. Once again, will any of you rascals openly debate me on this topic? Of course not. Your position is indefensible, and you know it.

One of Sam's favorite arguments against myself is that I am a "heretic" because the Augsburg Confession "damns" Chiliasm. But this confession was drawn up at the request of Emperor Charles V, and was put forward as a means of conciliating the Roman Catholic church. Papists have always been antagonistic to Chiliasm. Why? Because Chiliasts hold that all secular world government will be replaced by the Divine government of Jesus Christ. For obvious reasons, this doctrine is not friendly toward those who wish to maintain their rulership in this present world.

Then, too, I have to say that the "Chiliasm" depicted in that document is one which I don't even know (line sound familiar?). The confession reads: "They condemn others also, who now scatter Jewish opinions, that, before the resurrection of the dead, the godly shall occupy the kingdom of the world, the wicked being everywhere suppressed [the saints alone, the pious, shall have a worldly kingdom, and shall exterminate the godless]."

Now, when did I ever say anything about "exterminating the godless"? This doctrine is news to me. Also, I have no notion of any worldly kingdom 'before the resurrection.' I hold to the teachings of apostolic Chiliasm, that the kingdom shall ensue after the resurrection. So, unless Sam can be more explicit in defining the doctrine he professes to be "damned" by the Reformers, he is barking up the wrong tree.

Again, if Sam looked closely enough he'd find that the same confession 'damns' the Baptists as a general rule, anathematizing those who reject infant baptism! I am a Baptist by the way. In my opinion, there is far too much "damning" going on in this confession. At the same time, however, it is interesting to note that the document endorses the Apostle's Creed & Nicene Creed, as well as the writings of Ambrose & Augustine.

Everyone knows that the Augsburg Confession & Helvetic Confessions never passed into general usage as universal creeds of the Christian church. I would consider the Westminster Confession far more important as representing the theology of the Reformers in general. And let's not forget that Dr. Twisse, a Chiliast, was president of that assembly.

In fact, Chiliasm has always shown great affinity for the doctrines of Calvinism. I assure Sam and his friends that I am far more "Sovereign Grace" than they are, who believe that evil will exist "forever and ever and ever." Once again, I challenge them to meet me on these issues.

As for any personal attacks made upon Sam, I have to plead "not guilty." I used to have a drinking problem years ago, so to pick on Sam because he has a can of suds now and then would be like the pot calling the kettle black. Of course, drunkenness is a sin and will bar one from entering Jesus Christ's kingdom. However, I have no right to judge anyone because of his personal life. I don't even know Sam! I am making my judgments based on the false doctrines he and his associates are spreading.

Sam complains, however, that we are ruining his reputation. He writes: "Roderick Edwards and Brian Simmons are doing everything within their power to defame me, ruin my name, my reputation and my good standing with many Church leaders." Now, really, if Sam is preaching the truth and acting honorably in this situation, how could anything either Roderick or myself say harm him?

If, on the other hand, Sam is preaching lies and error, defending a false position & acting dishonorably, then, yes, I would have to say that his reputation may undergo a beating. Only Sam knows where he truly stands. His conscience has nothing to do with me. My only business is to defend orthodoxy and combat heresy.

But despite all of this arguing and verbal abuse going on, I know one thing for sure. One day (it may be a month from now, or perhaps ten years) these men are going to wake up and realize that their theology is groundless. Funny enough, in that day I won't be around to chide them or to say "I told you so," but will offer the the hand of fellowship and say, "Welcome home." Until that happens, my position toward them will remain the same. And I assure you that Jesus Christ will grant the victory to those who combat the heresy of Hyper-Preterism.