Postmillennialism Resurgence: A
False Hope of Bettering the World?

Postmillennialism is the belief that the Church Age will percolate through the various societies ushering in a glorious age of peace throughout the world. This view competes with Amillennialism, belief all things continue as they have also had until Christ returns, for dominance in mainline denominations. The 20th century opened with many Christians believing in Postmillennialism, until it was crushed by the slaughter of the Great War (Part One) otherwise known in America as World War One. Postmillennialism is one of those beliefs that simply will not go away. It is a case of, hope springs eternal.

This post is not a critique on eschatology, study of end times, and its various views. This post is an observation of the effects that can be described as postmillennial characteristics even though the label, Postmillennialism, may not be used or ascribed. The majority of denominations, churches, believe in Amillennialism including the Roman Catholic Church. The difference between the two beliefs is one of degree, in my opinion. The Ammillennialist believes the church will struggle in the world until Christ comes to judge everyone and inaugurate the New Heaven and New Earth forever. However, since these two views differ simply in degrees it is very easy to slip from one to the other without deliberate intention. First, let us discover what the Bible says about the condition of the world over time until He returns.

Unstable View of Eschatology
Results in Unstable Theology

During Christ's last week on earth, His disciples asked Him about the sign of His return (Mt 24:3-12). He did not paint a rosy picture of success in evangelizing the world. He spoke of a darker future with ever increasing violence, depravity and false teachers leading many astray. Paul echoed these thoughts saying many that in the last days it will be times of difficulty with people trying to have the appearance of godliness but denying the Christ and His gospel (2Ti 3:1-5). Further, he wrote that the time is coming when people will not endure sound doctrine but will seek out teachers of myths to tickle their ears (2Ti 4:3-4). Even Peter spoke of false teachers arising from among the people bringing in destructive heresies, denying Christ, and blaspheming the way of truth (2Pe 2:1-2). James wrote that those who are friends with the world are enemies of Christ (Ja 4:1-4). Jude wrote that there will come a time of grumblers, malcontents who follow only their own sinful desires and show favoritism to gain advantage. He also recalled to mind that Christ said that in the last times there will come scoffers, following their own ungodly passions (Jude 16-18). Finally, John wrote about the churches. He began with the church that lost its first love; i.e., substituted love for self over love for Christ:Ephesus (Re 2:1-7). He ended this section with the church that thought itself wise, rich and covered with Christ's righteousness; however, it had wandering so far from the truth that in fact it was blind, naked, poor and on its way to complete apostasy: Laodicea (Re 3:14-22).

One's view of eschatology matters greatly as all doctrine in intimately interdependent forming a coherent theological understanding. If one's eschatology is not congruent with Scripture then one's theology is skewed to compensate. Since all Christians discern truth as through an enigma, no one's understanding of truth is complete (1Co 13:12). However, this is not an excuse not to mature in the faith but a challenge to mature in spite of having this sinful body of rebellious flesh (Ro 8:12-13). The purpose of this ministry is to grow in grace and discernment together in order to digest the meatof the Word rather than suckle on the milk of basic doctrines because of refusal to grow in grace (He 5:11-14).

While the Great War, Part One, nearly destroyed Postmillennialism, it began making a resurgence in the 1960s; especially with the television ministry of the very popular, Billy Graham. However, Billy Graham only preached an acceptable gospel when the cameras were on; behind the scenes he believed something quite different and totally umbilical {Billy Graham Universalist-Youtube}. With the election of President Regan and the establishment of Jerry Falwell's Moral Majority, many Evangelicals advocated for government force {Laws} to force people to live pious lives. This was actually a resurgence of Postmillennialism; the belief that churches can usher in an age of pious, moral living throughout the world until Christ returns. The reality was very different. The lost American society refused to accept pietism and deliberately moved away from so-called Christian values ushering in Postmodernism.

Mirror of One's Worldview Gives
A False Sense of One's Depravity

Postmodernism morphed into the Social Justice Movement spawning a slew of other movements based on lies promoted by Reflexivity and Fallacious Fallacies. Behind them all was the specter of Critical Theory; the philosophy that only criticizes for the sake of destroying what does not agree with its end goal: remaking the world into a globalization of serfs commanded by a few elitists. The candy making this palatable to the masses is the promise of unfettered sexual expressions legitimized by the LGBTQ+ movement. Before this onslaught Christians movements have again risen, not simply to enlighten Christians about the dangers of these movements; which is a positive. Groups have arisen again seeking government force to enforce pietistic morality on the lost thinking this will make a better society. In essence, Postmillennialism again unchained to better society.

I am all for making society better, if that were possible! But, it is not possible because societies are primarily composed of Lost people who are ungodly by nature, rejecting God and any truth regarded as His (Ro 1:18). Unless they are saved and receive His new nature, they will never consent to live according to His Moral Law as it condemns them in their lost state (Ro 6:6; 7:7-14; 2Co 5:17). Seeking to remake societies puts oneself at odds with Christ! If this were not enough, some Christian movements partner with the Lost to work against these Postmodern movements! Christ said that one cannot use the elements of the world to destroy the works of the world as Satan does not fight against himself (Mt 12:24-28). Christians cannot join with the world to christianize the world; the reverse will occur, Christians will be lulled back into the world (2Pe 2:20-22)! These are well intended people and the elements of the Lost do have some appreciation of the dangers of these current movements. However, the Lost are openly hostile to the Gospel and will enter an alliance only if they can change the Christian rather than the Christian change them (1Jo 3:13). We cannot merge with them but are to remain distinct majoring in the Gospel and not in the current empty philosophies of the World which continually change (Ep 2:1-10).