Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

About Preterism: The End is Past

Rate this book
Honest and direct presentation of the theological view and movement called Preterism. Preterism advocates that the end times occurred in the year AD70. Often called by different titles such as Covenant Eschatology, Full Preterism, or Hyper-Preterism; this view is unpacked for the reader not only to see but understand its adoption and effects.

84 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 10, 2019

32 people are currently reading
18 people want to read

About the author

Roderick Edwards

106 books23 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
16 (42%)
4 stars
10 (26%)
3 stars
9 (23%)
2 stars
2 (5%)
1 star
1 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
Profile Image for Rick Mitchell.
212 reviews3 followers
December 21, 2022
Needs much work.

I am a retired teacher, and a partial preterist in the mold of Gary DeMar and Ken Gentry, and was therefore interested in the title and the promise of this book. Sadly, the more I read, the more this book reminded me of a poorly written high school English paper. To say the book needs an editor doesn’t begin to cover it.
The author has a valid topic in discussing his experiences and opinions from the years he spent in Preterism. That is what drew me to the book. However his information is covered up with rambling, disorganization, and lack of clarity. I come away knowing very little about he sees as wrong with what he used to believe, or what he believes now, and how he got there. I was disappointed, to say the least.
Profile Image for Christy Mann.
Author 21 books26 followers
March 22, 2022
Just the premise of this book intrigued me. As a what I call a Universal Witch, I gave this a read to compare it's contents with my beliefs and practices, expecting there to be at least one point that I could argue against. I was pleasantly surprised to find that this book just doesn't work that way.

It isn't written as an argument for or against anything. It just is. More a food for thought. Things to consider that I hadn't thought about before and I found that I read it, in it's entirety, in a single sitting, with a smile on my face the whole time. I even chuckled a time or two. Highly recommend!
Profile Image for Janalyn, the blind reviewer.
4,767 reviews146 followers
March 17, 2021
Before listening to this audiobook I had never heard of Predarism, but the author Roderick Edwards has and was and was also a member of this church for years and through a story you learn all about the religion and the interesting exit that he would eventually made. It isn’t an autobiography at all but he did leave the religion through the book and you can understand why. I love the book, but I olove all books written by this author.
Profile Image for Lance Conley.
72 reviews3 followers
July 26, 2019
Great read!

I really enjoyed the at length historical piece in this book. I plan to be quoting this in my future book because it was done quite well.
Profile Image for Fred Kohn.
1,475 reviews27 followers
March 22, 2026


I was excited to receive this book in a shipment of preterist material I received recently from Sam Frost. Frost is mentioned several times in this book. He used to be a prominent spokesperson for full preterism, but has since changed his position and just as vigorously now opposes it.

In a similar fashion, Roderick Edwards is a former full preterist who has since changed his mind. He has written a series of five books about full preterism. These books have been collected into one in a book called *The Complete Guide on Preterism*. I don’t know how complete it is. I was hoping *About Preterism* would have more on the historical roots of preterism. In fact, it is more an outline of the roots and subsequent history of *modern* preterism, which many place as starting with the writings of Max King, most notably with the publication of *The Spirit of Prophecy* in 1971

Edwards includes a list of sixteen influential modern day full preterists (including Sam Frost, who is no longer a full preterist but whose earlier books can still be found). Of course there are others not mentioned. One of these is Alan Bondar, who before abandoning full preterism wrote *The Journey Between the Veils: Unveiling the Glory of Christ* Bondar, who has since become an atheist, is probably better known for his book *How to Kill God the Easy Way*. I have read Bondar's atheist book, but I haven’t read his preterist book. There is some discussion in the anti-preterist community about whether preterism is a last step before exiting Christianity altogether. There is a form of preterism called Israel Only, whose advocates are mostly atheists or agnostics.

Most books I read lead me to other books that I become interested in reading. In this case I put four books on my to-read list. Two in particular interested me. The first one is *The Death of Death in the Death of Christ*, by John Owen. Edwards said that this was the book that led him into full preterism. The second one is *A.D. 79, A Prophecy Paradox*; by Lynn Louise Schuldt. This book connects the Second Coming with the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. Another book which connects the Second Coming with Mt. Vesuvius is * The fire fell from heaven: Mount Vesuvius, Pompeii and the awesome day of the Lord*, by Alfred Sandison Hutchison.

Edwards claims that one mark of full preterists is their smug martyr mentality, and belief that they are just too smart for everyone else. Ken Gentry seems to affirm this, writing, "I have experienced full preterism's tenacity and arrogance in several settings. When I spoke at Ligonier's 1999 National Conference on Eschatology I learned that the organizers were forced to deal with obnoxious full preterists roaming the halls. The organizers had to pull aside these full preterists who were bedecked with tee-shirt logos. So many conferees were complaining, that conference officials ordered them to cease-and-desist from badgering folks."—Kenneth L. Gentry, quoted in Samuel M. Frost, Why I Left Full Preterism

Since I left the church years ago, I thankfully only experience arrogant Christians online, so I don’t know whether full preterists are exceptionally arrogant compared to other types of Christians. My experience with preterism started when I was invited to join my friend Barry Isaacs' Facebook group Preterist Perspectives, Biblical Discussions & Debate. Compared to other religious debate groups I’ve participated in, the preterists don’t seem more obnoxious than other people, however, online persona often differ from face-to-face persona.
Profile Image for kingneb.
1 review1 follower
July 7, 2023
Consider the reviews carefully. A significant portion of the 5-star reviews for this author, more than half (7 out of 13), are written by the author himself. This fact alone speaks volumes.

About Preterism: The author's initial claim that his strained relationship with certain movement leaders was due to his dedication to pushing preterism to its logical extremes is simply untrue. The hyper-pret community has always had individuals who took ideas to extreme and irrational conclusions, but that is not the reason for the author's rejection. Rather, he was rejected because of his unhealthy preoccupation with specific individuals and his tendency to create defamatory pieces.

If you are familiar with the history, you can read between the lines and understand the underlying implications. Furthermore, this so-called "book" demonstrates the author's lack of depth. After spending numerous years on it, this is the best he could come up with? It's quite laughable.

The author's definition of "preterism" is muddled and inconsistent. He wavers on the concept and uses it as a means to involve and criticize certain individuals such as Sproul and Gentry. He has not changed his fundamental approach of disregarding exegetical analysis and instead starting with an argument about the sovereignty of God. It's illogical to begin with such a general notion of theism. Which specific god is he referring to? And what does sovereignty entail? What is its scope and extent?

As for the author's conclusion, he goes through all this discussion only to ultimately claim that "preterism is neither good nor bad" and is merely part of a journey. It's ironic considering his previous criticisms of individuals like Virgil for promoting a similar "kumbaya" attitude. There is much more that could be said, but overall, this "book" is nothing more than a joke. While the author asserts that it is not meant to be defamatory, the historical context cannot be ignored. Although the tone is relatively subdued compared to his usual style on his blog, the speculative nonsense still persists. I agree with the reviewer mentioned above who states that the author's information is overshadowed by rambling, disorganization, and a lack of clarity. It seems as though the author gathered a handful of blog posts and compiled them into a booklet.
118 reviews3 followers
May 18, 2024
"Togethermore" est une perputuation de l'amour ! Ce poignant récit nous livre l'essence même de la vie telle que nous la concevons. Tragique et profondément émouvant, il m'a boulversé ! LIsez-le !

Roderick Edwards alias Rodney dans le livre, narre sans concessions aucune, l'histoire véridique de sa famille dispersée lors de la grande guerre, mais, pas pour les raisons qu'on croit... Abandonné littéralement à cause d'une malformation de naissance, lui et la cadette d'une nombreuse fratrie, sa quête insensée et déchirante nous emmène de l'autriche vers l'Allemagne, puis aux US à travers un douloureux périple.

Retrouver ses origines est son leitmotiv, son moteur de survie, et étapes par étapes, il réussit à regrouper les siens disparus depuis des décennies !

Un mémoire assourdissant qui vous laisserera sans voix et qui hurle son indignation d'avoir été rejeté.
Roderick, devenu le Phénix qui renait de ses cendres, a atteint son but ultime de recréer Sa famille.

Une force intérieure exceptionnelle, son cri du coeur est celui d'un homme qui jamais ne cède sur ses convictions que tout est possible. Une histoire vraie tirée d'un drame saisissant qui m'a fasciné ! Merci Roderick.
Profile Image for Bill Hooten.
924 reviews6 followers
February 27, 2021
This book is not for full preterism, nor against full preterism -- it is a short treatise to give some of the history of preterism and the implications of what it means. I remember seeing Max King at a lectureship in 1973 or 1974, and hearing about what he believed. I have had more than a passing interest in the full preterist "movement" since, because I have known a lot of people that have fallen into that doctrine. I think that Edwards did a more than adequate job of introducing the doctrinal system, and who the movers and shakers are in that group. It would be a good beginning point for someone that wants to learn more about what "realized eschatology," or "full preterism" is all about.
Profile Image for Juan Brignoni.
11 reviews
February 24, 2023
Tesis, antítesis y dónde está la síntesis?

Me ha gustado el libro porque te saca de las nubes y pone tus pies sobre la tierra. Te das cuenta que no hay un sistema perfecto y que cada posición teológica y escatológica tiene sus puntos fuertes y sus puntos débiles. Digamos que la tesis es preterista y la antítesis es el futurismo. Pero me preguntó dónde está la síntesis? Si el propósito del libro es quitarte la infatuacion o el fanatismo religioso hacia el preterismo en particular creo que logra bastante. Criticar algo es fácil, proponer soluciones o alternativas es otra cosa. Desarrollemos la actitud de los hermanos Bereanos y sigamos el consejo Paulino: escudriñadlo TODO y retened lo bueno. Gracia y Paz
27 reviews
December 27, 2021
Good information

This was a good easy to read book but I would like to know more about the teachings of preterism. It does seem in the Olivet Discourse Jesus is speaking of the destruction of the temple in 70 AD. But Revelation depicts a future time and events yet to happen. This is a good book but it didn't answer all my questions.
2 reviews
February 15, 2021
Good and Fair.

A good book that is by no means a comprehensive summary of Full Preterism but touches on most of the major doctrines that Full Preterists hold to. As someone coming out of that movement, I found the book to very helpful.
Profile Image for Alan Fuller.
Author 6 books36 followers
February 9, 2023
The full-preterist movement of the 1990's and 2000's is described by a former full-preterist.

"Preterism by nature is a private interpreter’s paradise where you can question everything; after all, one of the main premises of preterism is that 2000 years of Christian eschatology is wrong." p.52
Profile Image for Roderick Edwards.
Author 106 books23 followers
April 3, 2020
Autobiographic of an adoptee that finds his birth family after 50 years. Follow the heartbreak and joy as he disconnects from his constructed life and tries to fit back into his origins.
Profile Image for Deedra.
3,933 reviews40 followers
September 15, 2020
Interesting concept that I had never heard of before. It isn't really something I can get behind.Decent narration by Devon Daltry.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.' 
Profile Image for Roderick Edwards.
Author 106 books23 followers
April 3, 2020
A book about a group that reads the Bible, especially the "end times" verses such as Mt 24/Mk 13/Lk 21 where Jesus disciples ask him SPECIFICALLY "when will the end come?" and Jesus' answer is that when the Temple they were standing in is destroyed, then the great tribulations and end will come.
Preterism advocates that when the Romans destroyed the Jewish Temple in the year AD70; "great tribulation" came and so did the end...of the Jewish Age
4,031 reviews15 followers
December 1, 2024
( Format : Audiobook )
"Chasing after rabbits."
A short (only one and one half hours)book suggesting a refreshing reconsideration of the way in which we observe the universe, rather than to slavishly follow rules, to look for patterns and accept the internal linkages each one of us has with everyone and everything. And to accept that things are happening as they are supposed to happen, to resist an urge to push the universe in directions of our own desires realizing that the universe just is, nothing ends, and is the sum of everything.

For so brief a piece, this work is erudite and well worth considering. Although suggesting we look beyond religious organisations, the author does not deny them, indeed using brief quotations from religious books, and, in particular, the Bible. But it suggests that we should look beyond the lists of rules. Equally as well read by John Ashton Nickerson, as it is written by Roderick Edwards, this is a book well worth considering. My thanks to the rights holder who, at my request, freely gifted me with a complimentary copy.

A second reading, as we approach Christmas, 2024, and i was equally as i.pressed as first time around: .
Justice - just is.

The Universe is not the Planet Earth

The Universe just is.
It doesn't card what you think of it.
The Universe is the sun of everything.
Profile Image for Roderick Edwards.
Author 106 books23 followers
February 29, 2020
An adoptee finds his birth family after 50 years. This sets into motion a dramatic life-changing experience for everyone around him. It is a book of happiness, sadness, and anger all at the same time.
2 reviews
May 2, 2022
This book gives a nice introduction of preterism. However, it does little to refute the preterist position. It is basically an autobiography on why the author no longer subscribes to the idea of preterism. His only polemical attempt is to discredit the characters of those that hold the position.
Profile Image for Roderick Edwards.
Author 106 books23 followers
February 29, 2020
It isn't really about religion as much as it is about the living of life and how patterns makes apparent coincidences more meaningful and useful.
Profile Image for Roderick Edwards.
Author 106 books23 followers
February 29, 2020
Short foray into the idea of being an individual in a world full of group-thinking.
Profile Image for Roderick Edwards.
Author 106 books23 followers
February 29, 2020
A short yet riveting account of one man's life on a strange planet filled with dinosaurs.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews