A)    He clearly understands that Christ appearing at the end of the age(s) involves both Jesus’ first and second comings and Sproul favors the view that this took place in AD 70.

Dr. Talbot claims friendship with Sam. Good, then he should accept our invitation to convince Sam (and us) from the authority of the Scriptures and sound exegesis that we are heretics. If he is unwilling to do so, then his claim that he is a “friend” is a joke let alone any kind of apologetical source in refuting Full Preterism.

My proposition is very simple:

* Reformed Eschatology FORMS Full Preterism and thus is the “Semper Reformanda” result:

1)  Classic Amillennialism: The NT, (according to the analogy of Scripture) only teaches one Second Coming of Christ to take place at the end of the age and the therefore the imminent time texts cannot point to AD 70 and must be interpreted as Jesus “in a sense is ALWAYS NEAR.”

2)  Postmillennial Partial Preterism: The NT time texts “demands” that Christ returned in AD 70 in which the end of the Old Covenant age, the passing of the old creation and arrival of the new (2 Peter 3/Revelation 21-22), and the resurrection of Daniel 12:2 took place.

3)  Both of the above propositions form ours and cannot be both true at the same time UNLESS Full Preterism is true.

4)  Dr. Talbot whitewashes this – “Yes, we disagree on millennial chronology, but that has been true for 2000 years.”

5)  Nice try. I for one welcome your “logic” and claim of friendship to Sam, and your alleged belief in the authority of the Scriptures to settle this dispute. Dr. Talbot, take your pick. In your appeal to “logic” which do you want to defend – the time texts mean that Jesus is “always near,” they “demand an AD 70 fulfillemnt,” or try and defend that it is alright (for 2,000 years) to believe that both are “true” AT THE SAME TIME. I welcome the debate.

Anyone that was actually convinced that our position is false because of anything Dr. Talbot said, in my mind, never belonged. I’m not trying to be mean. Seriously, Scripture should be our guide not how “Reformed” is defined per anyones opinion (Sam, Talbot, etc…). Sad to see. Sounds like some need to take some “R & R” (“Reformed and Always Reforming”) and get back to reading their Bibles (you know that “By the Scriptures Alone” thing).

In Christ (2 Cor. 1:20),
Mike   

[Dr. Talbot responds:]
> The term ‘idiot’ is universal in its usage, therefore
> it must include me)

Hi Dr. Talbot, 🙂

Sam implied that all idiots can understand the syllogism. It doesn’t follow that everyone who can understand the syllogism is an idiot.

[Dr. Talbot:]
> I am satisfied that the work of the divines, in
> their doctrinal formulas, express the true
> teaching of the Scripture according to their
> exegetical and hermeneutical studies. I have
> examined those texts of Scripture on
> eschatology and believe that they were correct
> in their interpretations. What authority does
> Mr. Frost come forth with and demand that I
> change my views of Scripture? It is Mr. Frost
> that is out of conformity with the Confession,
> and therefore the Scriptures, and not the
> Confession out of accord with Mr. Frost’s
> beliefs.

Your argument:

1. You personally are satisfied and believe that the eschatology of the WCF is scriptural.

2. Sam disagrees with the eschatology of the WCF.

3. Therefore Sam is merely expressing a personal belief, and he has no authority, and he is out of conformity with the Scriptures.

Problem: Your personal satisfaction and belief that Sam is wrong does not indicate, prove, or imply that Sam is wrong. It only proves that you are personally satisfied and believe that Sam is wrong.

[Dr. Talbot:]
> By the way, the use of the term “hyper-creedalist”
> or “hyper-confessionalist” is a false statement.
> The term ‘hyper’ means going ‘beyond’. If I say
> that someone is a ‘hyper’ Calvinist, it means that
> the individual has gone ‘beyond’ the Calvinist
> standard of teaching. How can a person or group of
> persons be called ‘hyper-creedalist’ or ‘hyper-
> confessionalist’ unless they have gone ‘beyond’ the
> standards of the creed or confession?

A hyper-Calvinist is one who goes beyond normal Calvinism (an extreme Calvinist).
A hyper-creedalist is one who goes beyond normal creedalism (an extreme creedalist), not one who goes beyond the creeds.

[Dr. Talbot:]
> 1st Premise: “Sam Frost is a full (hyper) preterist”
>
> 2nd Premise: “No Full (hyper) preterists are Reformed”
>
> Conclusion: “Therefore, Sam Frost is not Reformed”

That’s not an accurate portrayal of what Sam said. He said that one cannot be “thoroughly,” “the-whole-route” Reformed and a full preterist at the same time. That’s not the same thing as saying that full preterists cannot be Reformed. There are Reformed believers who disagree with Reformed theology in many and significant ways. They may believe in baptism by immersion. They may believe it’s possible to lose one’s salvation. They may err in more serious ways. That doesn’t mean those believers are no longer Reformed or that they are no longer part of the Reformed community. It only means they are not “thoroughly,” “the-whole-route” Reformed, or in full conformity with the WCF.

[Dr. Talbot:]
> 1st Premise: “House Divided is a full (hyper) preterist book”
>
> 2nd Premise: “No full (hyper) preterit book is Reformed”
>
> Conclusion: “Therefore, House Divided is not a Reformed book”
>
> There you have it! The book is not a Reformed response to
> Reformed Eschatology.

To put it accurately:

1st Premise: “House Divided is a full preterist book”

2nd Premise: “No full preterist book is “thoroughly,” “the-whole-route” Reformed because, obviously, full preterism itself disagrees with Reformed, futurist eschatology.”

Conclusion: “Therefore, House Divided is not a “thoroughly,” “the-whole-route” Reformed book,” BUT it MAY nevertheless be Reformed in many or most ways, and, more importantly, it MAY be in agreement with the core principles of Reformed theology, and with the logical conclusions thereof.” :^)

[Dr. Talbot:]
> Remember, the determination about the correctness
> of Confession’s formulation of the Scripture on
> eschatology is not yours to make. That
> determination is mine, along with those ministers
> who subscribe to it.

No one can judge the WCF by means of Scripture except you and other ministers who subscribe to it? I hope you were joking when you said that. 🙂

Dave 🙂

I have known Samuel Frost for over 10 years. We are friends and we do disagree on many theological issues. I am Reformed and he is not. I am covenantal and he is not. However, we are agreed on Apologetics. I was a student of Dr. Gordon Clark, and Samuel was trained in Axiomatic Presuppositionalism. He knows the system well. We are both young earth creationists and I greatly appreciate his defense against the mislabeled ‘covenant creation’ theory. However, when Samuel writes universal statements like this one posted at SGP, I cannot help but respond in kind. Knowing that he is my friend, that we are both looking forward to the ‘debate’ over Preterism, I know he would not mind me responding to his rant on the “Westminster Confession and errant doctrine.”

Samuel Frost, in trying to deal with the issue of the heretical charge for his Hyper-preterism quotes the Westminster Confession of Faith, stating: “The word “may” is subjunctive possibility. It is a logical introduction of possibility. Once that is allowed, the door is thrown open. Here is a statement that has been quoted in every Creed, Council or Synod: “He shall come again to judge the living and the dead.” According to the Westminster Confession, this statement “may” err.

Perfect logical deduction. This conclusion is unassailable.”

Here is the syllogism:

1st Premise: “All Councils….may err.”
2nd Premise: “He shall come again was formed within the Council”
Conclusion: “Therefore, This Council may have erred.”

Perfect logical syllogism. What’s the problem? What idiot cannot grasp this? (Dr. Talbot: The term ‘idiot’ is universal in its usage, therefore it must include me)

Samuel Frost goes on to state:

“They want to say to you, Preterist, that you are not a Christian. That you rail against Christianity. Yet, the above syllogism DENOUNCES this heathenistic charge. I may, and am allowed, to stand AS A CHRISTIAN and charge a Council with having error. Simple as that. MY CHRISTIANITY ALLOWS ME TO DO THIS. IT IS CHRISTIANITY THAT TELLS ME I CAN DO THIS. PRETERISTS DID NOT MAKE THIS RULE UP.”

Dr. Talbot responds:
First, not everything is so ‘simple’ as Mr. Frost would have you believe. We should remember that as a subjective verb, the term “may” is only considered as a hypothetical, not a confession or statement of error. The fact that the Divines did not change their chapter on eschatology, nor has their followers for the past 362 years, clearly mandates that the they are continuing to believe their exegetical and hermeneutical studies over-against those of Mr. Frost and the Hyper-preterist doctrine.

Further, it should be pointed out that Mr. Frost does not understand the difference between ‘submission’ to the confession, verses, ‘belief in the Bible.’ Let me point out for the record that the Reformers, Puritans, and Presbyterians, believe that the creeds and confessions are good for the establishment of the Church, but they are not the replacement to Scripture, only a doctrinal formula that was developed as a result of their exegetical and hermeneutical studies of the Scripture. The Reformed subscribe to our doctrinal statements in our confessions as the purist expression of the teaching of Scripture. We maintain that Bible alone is the Word of God, inerrant, infallible, and authoritative Word of God. Therefore, as true to the Scriptures as our doctrinal formulas are expressed, they are a ‘subordinate’ standard to the Bible, yet, ‘authoritative’ if they convey the same teaching as the Scripture. We argue that is true on a personal level of one person stating, “I believe that the Bible teaches….,” or a minister when preaching says “I believe that the Bible teaches….,”, or when a denomination writes their confession saying, “We believe the Bible teaches…,”. If that is not the case, then at every point, in any propositional form of communication, no one person, or group of persons may speak about what the Bible teaches. Such a position is sheer absurdity! Listen to the vows taken by those who assembled at Westminster to examine the scripture in order to formulate the correct and pure teaching of the Word of God for His Church: “I (name) do seriously promise and vow, in the presence of Almighty God, That in this Assembly, whereof I am a member, I will maintain nothing in point of doctrine, but what I believe to be most agreeable to the Word of God; nor in point of discipline, but what may make most for God’s glory, and the peace and good of this church” (WCF, Free Presbyterian Publications, pg. 13). It is also worthy to note the Foreword of the Free Presbyterian Publications, what John Walter Ross, the Convener of the Publications Committee wrote about the Confession. “In every age a Confession is necessary; how much more in an age of doubt such as ours. In the Westminster Confession of Faith we have the ‘entire doctrinal process of Protestantism making itself confessionally manifest.’ It give expression to divine truth in a manner which meets with surprising fitness the issues and questions of the present day. The charge that creeds usurp the place that belongs to Scripture cannot be brought against the Westminster Confession of Faith. The seal which the Westminster divines adopted took the form of an open book with the inscription The Word of God upon its pages. This badge fitly symbolized that unique place that Scripture was to be given by the formulators of the Confession. Indeed one of the first rules of the Assembly was: ‘What any man undertakes to prove as necessary, he shall make good ‘out of the Scripture.’ It is not surprising, therefore, when one turns to the Confession itself to find that it begins by asserting the authority of Holy Scripture as the supreme and final rule of faith and conduct. Having thus affirmed that the ‘source and foundation of all belief’ is the Bible it proceeds to present the fundamentals of our Christian religion.” I am satisfied that the work of the divines, in their doctrinal formulas, express the true teaching of the Scripture according to their exegetical and hermeneutical studies. I have examined those texts of Scripture on eschatology and believe that they were correct in their interpretations. What authority does Mr. Frost come forth with and demand that I change my views of Scripture? It is Mr. Frost that is out of conformity with the Confession, and therefore the Scriptures, and not the Confession out of accord with Mr. Frost’s beliefs. Further, why is he going to infer that I am an idiot?

Now as to the syllogism, it is logically consistent. Yet, we must not forget that logical consistency does not prove the truthfulness or falsity of the argument, only that it is argued consistently. Logic is, as Dr. Gordon Clark stated: “the negative test for truth.” If something does not contradict itself, it seems it is a valid argument, but may still be false. The Divines, along with 2000 years of exegetical and hermeneutical studies have continued to state and show Mr. Frost that he is wrong in his views! So, let’s look at another syllogism.

To quote Mr. Frost: “This conclusion is unassailable.”

Here is the syllogism:

1st Premise: “Sam Frost is a hyper-preterist”
2nd Premise: “all hyper-preterists are heretics”
Conclusion: “Therefore, Sam Frost is a heretic.”

What can I say? I know, let me quote my friend Mr. Frost: “Perfect logical syllogism. What’s the problem? What idiot cannot grasp this?”

Dr. Talbot continues:

“Now what is the difference between “may” as an hypothetical subjunctive verb, verses the ‘absolute certainty’ that Samuel Frost is a heretic or even worse a ‘damnable’ one at that? It is the confessions of Mr. Frost and Mr. Green, two hyper-preterists.”

David Green wrote: “Keith Mathison was correct on this point: If futurism is true, then preterism is definitely a damnable doctrine. (http://www.preteristcosmos.com/matresponse.html)

Samuel Frost also wrote: “Preterism, the word I choose to call this doctrine and movement, is a risky venture. Two millennia of Church tradition on the Second Coming of Christ is now seen as an error. This was not a minor theological dispute, either. The Second Coming of Christ was and is a major tenet of Christianity. Most Christians that have come across preterist material immediately scoff at its views. Some have undertaken to wipe it out completely if possible as a damanable heresy. …Preterism is an interpretive system that is locked on the vents of 66-70 A.D. It views this as the decisive eschatological event. The Second Coming, Resurrection of the Dead and Great Judgment are seen as having taken place in and around these years. This is a contradiction to Christian orthodoxy and its Creeds, Councils, and all the Reformed, Baptist, and Methodist Standards (and we wonder why preterists are called “heretics”!)” (Observations, pg. 7, from articles: Reign of Grace)

Dr. Talbot responds:

Here Mr. Frost acknowledges himself as rightfully being a ‘heretic’ in light of Reformed theology. We also read in: The Constitution of Christ Covenant Church, Organized by Samuel Frost, in Section 1:A 1:2, Frost and others where they wrote:
“We are fully aware of the opinion by many that preterism is regarded as a “damnable heresy.”

Dr. Talbot continues:

Again, Mr. Frost clearly understands the implications of his doctrine in light of both Reformed and Evangelical Christianity. Why would he acknowledge that he is rightfully being called a ‘heretic’ and a ‘damnable heretic’ (not my words, but Mr. Frost’s and Mr. Green’s), and then complain about being called a ‘heretic’ and a ‘damnable heretic’ at that? Let’s see if this is logical.

Here is the syllogism:

1st Premise: “By confessional standards Sam Frost is an unrepentant heretic”
2nd Premise: “By confessional standards an unrepentant heretic is damnable”
Conclusion: “By confessional standards Sam Frost is damnable”

Quoting Mr. Frost again: “This conclusion is unassailable. Perfect logical syllogism. What’s the problem? What idiot cannot grasp this?”

Dr. Talbot Continues:

Now this is a lesson about logic. Is Samuel Frost a heretic and damned? According to David Green and Samuel Frost, he most certainly is! I did not say it, Mr. Green and Mr. Frost said that and that is what supports the validity of the 1st premises. Their statements also included all full (hyper) preterists. I don’t understand Mr. Frost, having made such a confession, why you are frustrated with being called what you have already acknowledge you are by Reformed confessional standards.

What is more important though, is that Mr. Frost has admitted that NO FULL (hyper) PRETERIST can be Reformed in their theology. That statement alone is worth all his ranting about creeds and confessions. By the way, the use of the term “hyper-creedalist” or “hyper-confessionalist” is a false statement. The term ‘hyper’ means going ‘beyond’. If I say that someone is a ‘hyper’ Calvinist, it means that the individual has gone ‘beyond’ the Calvinist standard of teaching. How can a person or group of persons be called ‘hyper-creedalist’ or ‘hyper-confessionalist’ unless they have gone ‘beyond’ the standards of the creed or confession?

On Sovereign Grace Preterism Mr. Frost wrote:

“…you cannot be “thoroughly” Reformed if, in fact, you posit the fulfillment of I Corinthians 15 in A.D. 70!!! That is THE resurrection passage sine qua non! You cannot maintain a fulfilled eschatology, and then turn around and maintain a Reformed soteriology. It cannot be done since the Reformed soteriology is BASED on the looked-forward-to Second Coming of Christ (all futurist soteriology is based on this) … One thing I do know is Reformed theology, and I have tried to square them. But, from Calvin to Berkhof, from Clark to Reymond, it can’t be done. So, when you say, you are coming from a Reformed perspective and that it disagrees with FP, SURE IT DOES! … You can’t have our cake and eat it, too. That’s why I would become Roman Catholic and Premillennial (adopting Justin, Irenaeus and a host of others). (http://preterism.ning.com/forum/topics/typological)

Mr. Frost continues in another post:

“Since you are Reformed, you cannot adhere to a Full Preterist eschatology. There is not one example from Reformed commentaries, creeds, synods, authors, preachers, puritans, etc. that would show me 1 Corinthians 15 as fulfilled. If you are going to be Reformed go the whole route.” (http://preterism.ning.com/forum/topics/typological)

Dr. Talbot responds:

Let me see if I have this correct. If you were not a full (hyper) preterist currently, you will be a Premillennial Roman Catholic? Now is that not jumping out of the frying pan into the fire? Roman Catholics are already considered ‘damnable heretics.’ I guess you would be complaining about that designation also as a Romanist. However, this is a telling statement! Mr. Frost is “not” by his own implications a protestant evangelical since there is no theological difference currently between Roman and Mr. Frost. Once could say that maybe Mr. Frost is a closet Premillennial Romanist! Wait just a second! The other implication is that you can not be “Reformed” or “Evangelical” if you are a full (hyper) preterist. WOW and OUCH! I didn’t see this coming! What a confession! Some nice fellow tried to help Mr. Frost by stating that maybe he was not really ‘Reformed,’ but a ‘Calvinist.’ However, in light of Mr. Frost’s confession, that is no help at all. I seriously doubt that John Calvin would claim Mr. Frost as his follower, and every Calvinist I know would deny him standing as being Calvinistic. I would suggest, that at best Mr. Frost is an ‘inconsistent Arminian’ with a truncated ‘dispensational’ eschatology. However, in light of the statement above, I believe the term better suited would be ‘semi-pelagian.’ Nevertheless, let us just consider the former issue at this time. Let’s see if this is logical.

Here is the syllogism:

1st Premise: “Sam Frost is a full (hyper) preterist”
2nd Premise: “No Full (hyper) preterists are Reformed”
Conclusion: “Therefore, Sam Frost is not Reformed”

Let’s try it again:

1st Premise: “House Divided is a full (hyper) preterist book”
2nd Premise: “No full (hyper) preterit book is Reformed”
Conclusion: “Therefore, House Divided is not a Reformed book”

There you have it! The book is not a Reformed response to Reformed Eschatology. According to Mr. Green and Mr. Frost, it is a heretical book, by damnable people who are full (hyper) preterists and are not Reformed at all. So the Reformed community is not divided after all on ‘general’ eschatological issues. Yes, we disagree on millennial chronology, but that has been true for 2000 years.

What can I say? I guess I will have to quote Mr. Samuel Frost one more time: “This conclusion is unassailable. Perfect logic. What’s the problem? What idiot cannot grasp this?”

Dr. Talbot continues:

Perhaps Mr. Frost, those who wrote the book just don’t get it! Hey, wait just a second! You can’t call those men idiots who wrote this book with you! I think you owe them an apology. Folks, I apologize for my friend’s transgression. He was angry when he posted his original thoughts on this issue.

Apologetically speaking, I would say my “A” game is in play. Remember, the next time you decide to call ‘me’ an idiot, stop and think it over. I am your friend, but I will respond in kind when you make unfounded allegations that include me.

Key phrase for today’s lesson: “Subscription to the Confession is different than believing the Bible The Bible is the ‘supreme’ authority while the confession is a subordinate authority as long as it teaches the same as the Bible. It derives its authority from the Bible.”

Remember, the determination about the correctness of Confession’s formulation of the Scripture on eschatology is not yours to make. That determination is mine, along with those ministers who subscribe to it. Besides, I have read your doctrinal statement on eschatology and you are absolutely wrong. Repent and sin no more my friend.

P.S. I forgot to answer the whole point of your rant Samuel. You wrote: “I may, and am allowed, to stand AS A CHRISTIAN and charge a Council with having error. Simple as that. MY CHRISTIANITY ALLOWS ME TO DO THIS. IT IS CHRISTIANITY THAT TELLS ME I CAN DO THIS. PRETERISTS DID NOT MAKE THIS RULE UP.” Yes, Samuel, please feel free to make all the charges you want to make. You have my permission. You can tell anyone that I said so. LISTEN up all you Reformed and Evangelical Confessionalists! My friend Samuel Frost wants to make charges against the Westminster Confession of Faith and every other confession and creed written or held by our Reformed and Evangelical denominations. I have given him permission to write and complain all he wants. He has my permission to yell, scream, shake his fist, stomp his feet, and curse at us to his heart’s content on the internet.

Lastly, it is a rule that the Divines intended that you do from within the Church, and not from without. Anyone can stand outside of the building and throw rocks, it is another matter to work within and under the authority and accountability of other ministers.

I love you Sam! Now, you owe me lunch next time we meet. And remember, “Put on a happy face!” ☺