Debunking Preterism: How Over-Realized Eschatology Misses the "Not Yet" of Bible Prophecy

by Brock David Hollett

Dr. Brock D. Hollett formerly embraced preterism while earning his Master of Divinity at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2000 because the preterist perspective seemed to provide him with coherent arguments regarding the time statements of the New Testament. Persuaded by the arguments put forth by preterist scholars, especially R. C. Sproul, N. T. Wright, Gary DeMar, and Kenneth Gentry, Dr. Hollett became a teacher at a church with a preterist orientation, and defended preterist eschatology as the host of a weekly radio program, Fulfilled Life, on Covenant Key FM. By 2013, he had finished writing a book defending preterism and was scheduled to be a conference speaker at a preterist prophecy conference in Ardmore, Oklahoma. However, on the very night that he received the first box of one hundred books from his publisher, the Lord spoke to his heart to reexamine the biblical doctrine of the resurrection of the dead, which led him to repent of his involvement with preterism. In 2017, God placed a fresh burden on Dr. Hollett's heart to write a book that sets forth a proper biblical eschatology and a roadmap for refuting preterism. He wrote Debunking How Over-realized Eschatology Misses the "Not Yet" of Bible Prophecy in only three months, sensing a prophetic urgency regarding the project. Debunking Preterism will undoubtedly become the gold standard on the topic of preterism. The book is replete with a wealth of illustrative figures and comparative charts that reinforce its main concepts. Special emphasis is placed upon a proper understanding of the biblical time statements and the "already and not yet" principle of eschatology.

262 pages, Perfect Paperback

Published January 1, 2018

About the author

Brock David Hollett is a physician and psychiatrist. He resides in Bradenton, Florida, with his wife Staci and their four daughters. Dr. Hollett earned a Bachelor of Science in middle school education from the University of Central Missouri in 2000 and a Master of Divinity from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2003. He worked toward a Ph.D. in religious studies at the University of Missouri—Kansas City from 2003 to 2004. He worked three years as a social worker for adults with developmental disabilities before becoming an osteopathic physician, earning his medical degree from Kansas City University of Medicine in 2014. He completed his psychiatry residency at Centerstone of Florida in Bradenton, Florida, in 2018. From 2015 to 2020 he served as an adjunct professor of science and biblical studies at Southeastern University in Bradenton, Florida. He received his board certification from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in 2020, and he currently practices psychiatry in Sarasota, Florida.

Reviews

[Alan Fuller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hollett is a former preterist who looks back at preterism from a post-tribulational historic premillennial view. Hollett now believes in the literal fulfillment of OT prophecies to Israel and the building of the third temple in Jerusalem, which seems like Dispensationalism to me. Hollett states;

"...the entire preterist hermeneutic is built upon an inadequate understanding of these (timing) statements, of the prophetic perspective, and of the “already and not yet” principle of eschatology." p.244

Any biblical text should be understood literally, unless there is good reason not to according to Hollett (p.58).

"Writings of the early church fathers provide evidence of a future restored Jerusalem and Third Temple, which will be made desolate by the Antichrist." p.144

Hollett is somewhat selective in his support of this idea. He should have examined the writings of some of the Apostolic Fathers, such as Barnabas, Ignatius, Hermas and done a thorough examination of Justin Martyr before making this claim. He goes through the Olivet Discourse (Mat 24-25, Mark 13, cf. Luke 21), and successfully disputes the preterist interpretation.

"Time as chronological sequence is of secondary concern in prophecy." p.14

Despite this assertion, he depends heavily on history in his interpretation and dispute with preterism about the interpretation of Daniel 9.

"...the statement about the resurrection in Daniel 12:2 should not be interpreted as figurative, referring to conversion or the vindication of the martyrs..."

Hollett claims support of church fathers such as Irenaeus. However, I think he should be aware of this statement from Irenaeus, who he often refers to. It sounds figurative to me.

"...And for this reason, indeed, when at this present time the law is read to the Jews, it is like a fable; for they do not possess the explanation of all things pertaining to the advent of the Son of God, which took place in human nature; but when it is read by the Christians, it is a treasure, hid indeed in a field, but brought to light by the cross of Christ, and explained, both enriching the understanding of men, and showing forth the wisdom of God and declaring His dispensations with regard to man, and forming the kingdom of Christ beforehand, and preaching by anticipation the inheritance of the holy Jerusalem, and proclaiming beforehand that the man who loves God shall arrive at such excellency as even to see God, and hear His word, and from the hearing of His discourse be glorified to such an extent, that others cannot behold the glory of his countenance, as was said by Daniel: “Those who do understand, shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and many of the righteous as the stars for ever and ever.” [Dan. xii. 3.] Thus, then, I have shown it to be, if any one read the Scriptures. For thus it was that the Lord discoursed with the disciples after His resurrection from the dead, proving to them from the Scriptures themselves “that Christ must suffer, and enter into His glory, and that remission of sins should be preached in His name throughout all the world.” And the disciple will be perfected, and [rendered] like the householder, “who bringeth forth from his treasure things new and old.” Irenaeus 4.26.1

It is the man of God who inherits "holy Jerusalem." (Cf. Heb 12:22) There is no mention of national Israel. Overall I liked the book and I think it makes many good points.

[Lance Conley · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I don’t completely agree with the premillennialism view Hollett comes to the conclusion with this book is top notch and he does an excellent job refuting preterism. Preterist should read this and consider some of his claims at the very least.

[Harley · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s interesting and well written. I don’t think anything is being debunked here. There is a lot of disagreement in the world of eschatology, and the arguments are old. The author says God put it on his heart to write this book. Well, every man who writes a book on eschatology, whatever the position, thinks God put it on his heart to write it. The more theological books I read, the more I’m convinced God doesn’t care about our theology as much as we think He does.