Misplaced Minds: Colossians 3:1-2 and Dispensationalism: Dispelling Dispensationalism

by Don K. Preston

The 1948 "restoration" of Israel to the land was heralded as "The Super Sign of The End." Of course, the countdown necessitated by that "restoration" has now been proven false. Nonetheless, in the Millennial view, the land is everything. Salvation is in "the land." We are told that in the coming kingdom, the land will be the "center of the world." Christ will rule the world from Jerusalem. Failure to pilgrimage to the land and Jerusalem will result in destruction!
But, is this actually what the Bible teaches? The answer is a resounding "NO!"
In this insightful, compelling, "fresh" look at Colossians, prolific author, Don K. Preston (D. Div.) shows that Colossians- and particularly chapter 3:1-2- falsifies all emphasis on the land of Israel! After all, Paul said, "do not set your minds on the land!" This is a powerful, challenging, important and convincing book!

66 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2017

About the author

1968 Graduate of Elkins High School outside Fayetteville, Arkansas.

1975 graduate of the Northside school of preaching, (seminary) Harrison, Arkansas.

Don’s preaching ministry spans 35 years in only two different cities, Shawnee, Oklahoma and Ardmore, Oklahoma.

Don worked for 7 years helping produce a television program Christian magazine which received national recognition in the magazine, Christianity Today.

Don has written several books, including: 2 Peter 3: The Late Great Kingdom, reprinted now under the title of the Elements Shall Melt with Fervent Heat; Who is This Babylon? (Second Edition), Like Father Like Son, on Clouds of Glory, Into All The World Then Comes The End, The Last Days Identified, Seal Up Vision and Prophecy, Can God Tell Time?, Israel: 1948, Countdown To No Where, Blast From The Past: The Truth About Armageddon, Leaving the Rapture Behind, Seventy Weeks are Determined...for the Resurrection; How Is This Possible (third reprint, revised and enlarged, 2009). Some of Preston's works have been translated into six different languages, and reprinted several times.

Don’s book, Who is this Babylon?, A Study of Revelation, has received critical acclaim. He is currently at work on several other manuscripts including books on the(supposed) rebuilding of the Jerusalem temple, the Transfiguration, the parables of Jesus, the Olivet Discourse, the significance of circumcision in New Testament eschatology, the Song of Moses and eschatology, and others.

Don's 2010 book, We Shall Meet Him In The Air: The Wedding of the King of kings, is the very first, and only, full length commentary on 1 Thessalonians 4 from the preterist (fulfilled) perspective.

Preston’s writings have appeared in almost every major religious periodical of the churches of Christ.

Mr. Preston is an experienced debater, and has participated in several formal public debates as well as radio debates. his opponents include some of the leading evangelical leaders of the day, including:

Thomas Ice, co-founder with Tim Lahaye, of the Pre-Trib Research Center,
Harold Hoehner of Dallas Theological Seminary,
Dr. David Engelsma of Reformed Theological Seminary,
C. Marvin Pate of Moody College,
Dr. F. Lagard Smith, and other notable theologians.

He has participated in live interviews on such christian talk shows as “Salt and Light” in St. Louis, Missouri. Preston is also co-host, with William Bell, of a radio program each Tuesday evening, 6 PM central time, called "Two Guys and the Bible." The program can be heard live at ad70.net.

Mr. Preston‘s web address is www.eschatology.org. In addition to this website, Mr. Preston is also the personal owner of www.bibleprophecy.com, one of the top rated sites for the study of prophecy.

The websites contain many articles written by Don and other writers from around the country. They welcome open discussion and study.

Don served as minister for the Ardmore church of Christ, for 16 years. He resigned in order to devote himself full time to research writing, seminars and debates.

Hobbies include collecting and restoring old cars, especially early mustangs, and old pickups; fishing, hunting, internet research, reading, etc.

Reviews

[Jarmo Larsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Preston addresses in this booklet what the word "earth" refers to in Colossians 3:1-2. He demonstrates from the context that it pertains to the land of Israel and the central rituals within Judaism as the earthly things, and what this understanding means for our interpretation of the Bible. He also points out that Paul's warnings against false teachings are not directed against the Gnostics, whom he believes only became a threat in the second century and not during Paul's ministry, but rather against the judaizers, those who claimed that, in addition to faith in Jesus, Gentiles had to be circumcised and follow related jewish practices.

This is a really good, short and easily understandable book on a topic that one might not think much about but is still relevant for our understanding of God's Word. One does not need to be a preterist to benefit from it. This is perhaps the book by Preston that has least to do with preterism, even though it indirectly touches the topic.

[David Ledbetter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sound teaching

This is a straightforward exposition of Colossians 3:1-2, and it is done--most importantly--contextually. In short, it exposes the folly of "Christian Zionism" that has captured the minds and purses of a huge segment of the evangelical church. Highly recommended reading for anyone wanting to broaden their understanding of the implications of the New Covenant in Jesus Christ. The insight offered here will be useful in reading all of the epistles of Paul.

[Lance Conley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better written

I have this 3 stars because Preston actually writes decently here and rightfully points out dispensationalism is a heresy as well as Zionism. It's just too bad he continues in his own heresy of full preterism because this book was actually pretty good an dare I say...decent.