As a follow-up to his Reformed Academy course, Exploring 2 Peter: The Promise and the Path, Dan Ragusa joins Camden Bucey and Ryan Noha to discuss preterist views of 2 Peter 3 concerning the promise of new heavens and a new earth. After establishing the future orientation of the epistle, Dan provides a sketch of the history of preterist interpretations beginning with John Owen’s “Oriental” reading, noting the influence of Joseph Mede in the context of seventeenth-century Puritanism. He then turns his attention to modern-day exegesis of this chapter from leading partial preterists, exemplified by Peter Leithart’s commentary, The Promise of His Appearing: An Exposition of 2 Peter. Dan responds to Leithart’s “knock down arguments” by applying the eschatological pressure of the letter as a whole, all while directing listeners to the consummate, cosmic hope of the eternal kingdom that cannot be reduced to passing of the old covenant order in 70AD.
Links
- Jeffrey Jue, Heaven Upon Earth: Joseph Mede (1586–1638) and the Legacy of Millenarianism
- Jeffrey Jue, The Eschatological Views of the Westminster Divines (Christ the Center, episode 31)
- Peter Leithart, The Promise of His Appearing: An Exposition of Second Peter
- John Owen, “Sermons X–XII: Providential Changes, An Argument for Universal Holiness,” in The Works of John Owen, vol. 9, Sermons to the Church)
- Douglas Wilson, The New Heavens and the New Earth
- Dan Ragusa, The Day of the Lord (2): New Heavens and a New Earth (2 Pet. 3:8–13)
Chapters
- 00:00:07 Introduction
- 00:03:21 Updates about Reformed Forum
- 00:09:51 Preterism and 2 Peter 3
- 00:19:30 Our Blessed Hope
- 00:22:21 Preterist Interpretations of 2 Peter 3
- 00:31:22 Joseph Meade, John Owen, and the “Oriental Reading”
- 00:43:03 John Owen’s Other Interpretation of 2 Peter 3
- 00:47:46 Peter Leithart’s View
- 00:56:54 Vos’s Definition of Eschatology
- 01:07:32 The Imminent Language about Christ’s Return
- 01:17:11 Conclusion
Participants: Camden Bucey, Dan Ragusa, Ryan Noha
Christ the Center focuses on Reformed Christian theology. In each episode a group of informed panelists discusses important issues in order to encourage critical thinking and a better understanding of Reformed doctrine with a view toward godly living. Browse more episodes from this program or subscribe to the podcast feed.
