No such reaction came to mind when I read the book WSTTB, which is the target of “House Divided”. Within the pages of WSTTB, I discovered conflicting views and weak attempts to refute a realized preterism. Fortunately, the authors of “House Divided” have exposed the confusion of thought pervading WSTTB by their eloquent and strongly exegetical response found in this book, “House Divided.”

First, as I’ve already hinted at, the book flows quite nicely from one chapter to the next. I appreciate the footnotes at the bottom of the pages, rather than in a separate section in the back of the book, and it’s worth noting that Mike Sullivan provided more than a good handful of very handy charts to help elucidate his points. The cover art is beautiful, not to mention more than appropriate to the subject matter at hand.

All I can say about the first Chapter, “The Arbitrary Principle of Hyper-Creedalism”, by David Green is, read it. Read it again. Then read it once more. Absorb it. There are powerful arguments that you will not want to miss. If there is any doubt in your mind after reading this chapter, then read it again!

In Chapter 2, “If Preterism Is True”, also by David Green, on page 38 he states that “Despite futurist errors regarding various and major prophecy-texts, the church has been, in a very real sense, teaching preterism for nearly two thousand years now.” Doesn’t THAT pique your interest? How can this be? Well, Mr. Green explains this comment of his and it is a compelling argument. One you don’t want to miss. Along with other, just as compelling arguments, this chapter is one you don’t want to miss.

In Chapter 3, “Open Futurism”, Edward Hassertt deals with the arguments put down by Dr. Richard Pratt. I’m left to wonder why Pratt was included in the book WSTTB since he seems so off point from the other authors. But nonetheless, Hassertt deals fairly and effectively with Pratt. On page 67, Hassertt makes a stunning statement: “Preterist, in contrast {i.e. to Pratt’s claim that prophecy in the Bible are not necessarily going to happen as predicted], walks by faith. If it appears that a divine prediction was not fulfilled when and how God said it would be fulfilled, then it is our interpretation of the predictions, not its fulfillment, which must be called into question.” I say, good advice! Amen and Amen!

In Chapter 4, titled “The Eschatological Madness of Mathison or How Can These Things Be?”, Michael Sullivan provides extremely powerful exegetical work and is worth the time to move slowly and methodically though so you don’t miss a thing. Sullivan boldly confronts Keith Mathison’s `dual nature’ on his interpretation of time statements by pointing out the contradictory comments he has written, depending on his audience of futurists or preterist. Sullivan is adept at bringing to the forefront Mathison’s Jekyll and Hyde exegesis.

Sullivan’s commentary on 2 Timothy 2:17-18 and related verses, on page 123ff throws a huge wrench into the gears of the “Hymenaean Heresy” which is so often used against the preterist. He concludes with the statement that, “… it is more than ironic that the one passage in all Scripture that can conceivably be perceived as anathematizing preterists is in reality applicable to the implications of futurism.” You’ll have to read the book to learn how Sullivan’s argument supports this statement. You will not be disappointed.

My hat is off to Sullivan for his critique of Dr. Simon Kistemaker’s arguments as presented in WSTTB. Mr. Sullivan displays great patience dealing with Dr. Kistemaker’s confusing and `tired’ arguments. You will enjoy scholarly and solid exegetical rebuttals from Mr. Sullivan to Kistemaker in chapter 5 of “House Divided.”

Edward Hassertt makes another appearance in Chapter 6. On page 153 he writes, “… only those who were already convinced that preterism was wrong would find anything resembling a unified exegetical refutation of preterism within WSTTB. Using a multitude of contradictory arguments, the authors had such a wide difference of opinion on eschatology as to make a “unified” response impossible”

I whole heartily agree. As I noted earlier, this was a characteristic I had noticed when I read WSTTB. What I didn’t realize was just how confusing and contradictory they were. “House Divided” provided more proof of this confusion, as I’m sure it will you, the reader, too.

Hassertt, a bit further along, goes on to say, “If the writers of WSTTB, along with the historic church, are unable to agree on what the creeds mean in their eschatological statements, how can Wilson make a universal announcement that the creeds have settled eschatology for the church?”

That is a good question! After reading the book, you will further understand the implications of this question. Also in this chapter, look for the “The Beam in Wilson’s Eye” for a powerful proof of the hypocrisy of Wilson. If justification by faith is important to you, you won’t want to miss the revelation about Wilson that Hassertt brings forward.

Dave Green’s must read Chapter 7, “The Resurrection of the Dead” deals quite effectively with Stimple’s thirteen arguments. As an added bonus, Green offers up a brief exposition of 1 Corinthians 15 – a must read for the Bible student seeking the truth. Gems of enlightenment await the reader in this section.

While you are in Chapter 7, take a hard look at Strimple’s argument number 11 and Green’s logical and detailed response. You will enjoy this material, no matter what you personal view may be.

Chapter 8, is written by Samuel Frost. In “Inconsistent Orthodoxy” Frost does an excellent job of adding even more scholarly insights to the arguments presented in WSTTB, rounding out the arguments presented in the earlier chapters. On page 231 he gives this advice. “You now have a choice, dear reader. I strongly urge you to examine WSTTB, study it, and look up its references. Do the same with this book you now have in your hands. I believe that if you honestly ask yourself who has presented a more consistent representation of eschatology as it is taught in the Bible, you will come down on the side of preterism.”

What more could be added to that?

A concluding chapter by Edward Hassertt closes the book with an excellent, pithy summary of the arguments presented in “House Divided”. This will be a great tool for the reader for future, quick reference.

Whether you agree or don’t agree with the conclusions of the authors of this book, it must be admitted by the honest critic that the only acceptable way to refute preterism is exegetically, using the Reformed Standard of Truth, Sola Scriptura. As Edward Hassertt so eloquently explains in his chapter dealing with creedalism, Scripture alone carries the truth to the world, not the creeds. Creeds were developed FROM the Scripture, not the other way around. Hold this Reformational doctrine close to your heart and you won’t go wrong.

Buy the book. Read it. Absorb it. You will not be disappointed.”

I am having to go back and re-read the chapter on the resurrection of the dead as I was completely lost at times. I think I understand it in a broad sense when talking about a corporate body resurrection but I think it’s in the details that I get lost. I’m planning on writing down the questions that come to mind while reading it in hopes that I can post them here and get some better understanding of it all.

I am very appreciative to the authors of House Divided for first of all taking the time to fervently study the Scriptures and secondly to write a book that faithfully presents a consistent interpretation of Scripture. I think this book will go a long way towards showing that God’s word truly is infallible and that he said what he meant and meant what he said.” 

“We also learn from Gentry that when Christians today are first confronted with preterism, it is ‘crucial’ that they first go to the ecumenical creeds (orthodoxy) before they go to the Scripture. And ‘only after’ Christians decisively establish the fact (by means of the creeds/orthodoxy) that preterism is anti-biblical, may they then rightly go on to ‘consider’ preterism exegetically and theologically in the in the light of Scripture (When Shall These Things Be? 2, 60).  We also learn [from Gentry] that the doctrine of futurism, as contained in the ecumenical creeds, is ‘infallibly certain’ (When Shall These Things Be?, 44) and that it is thus unthinkable that Mother Church could have been mistaken on creedal eschatology.”

After establishing the striking fact that the anti-preterist authors of When Shall These Things Be? would rather put Mother Church over the Bible, instead of the other way around, Sam Frost ends his chapter by sharing:

“The book you have in your hand is a strike against what has divided our house for far too long. It is time to rebuild the edifice, heal the divisions, and bring back into focus what it means to be followers of sola Scriptura.”

You will never forget this book.  After reading it, you’ll never again see Preterism in the negative light in which it has been cast, for it will be the Scripture that guides you instead of a mere tradition of “Mother Church.”

Every point of the (WSTTB) book was answered with biblical accuracy.

I am very happy with the result.

There are many issues around realized eschatology and each author of House Divided did a fine job refuting the false accusations of the confused futurists.

It is truly incredible that people take Matthison and the gentelmen who wrote that book seriously. Really…it’s a joke; and if you didn’t think so before, you will after reading “House Divided.”

“House Divided” brilliantly points out the inherent problems and inconsistencies many of us see within the partial preterist position. In fact, the inconsistencies were worse than I even imagined. The very words of the authors of “When Shall These Things Be” are used to point out this very problem. Not only do the authors of “When Shall These Things Be” contradict each other, they many times contradict themselves in their own writings. Do honest students not see a problem with this?? I now understand why those who authored “When Shall These Things Be” and other leading Reformed partial preterist refuse to debate these issues in a open and formal debate. Their own writings condemn them!

For those, who like me, are searching for truth and a proper understanding of Biblical eschatology this is a must read. I hope the authors of “When Shall These Things Be” will get their act together and write a consistent, clear and Biblical response the the issues and objections raised in “House Divided”. This is a “problem” that is not going away for those who care about consistency and Truth.”