Gary DeMar: An Overview and Analysis of "Prophecy Wars" By Jack Kettler
Biographical Background:
Gary DeMar is a significant figure in Christian theological scholarship, particularly noted for his contributions to eschatology and Christian worldview studies. Born in 1950, DeMar graduated from Western Michigan University in 1973 and later earned his Master of Divinity from Reformed Theological Seminary in 1979. He further pursued his studies, obtaining a Ph.D. in Christian Intellectual History from Whitefield Theological Seminary in 2007. DeMar is known for his role as an author, speaker, and president of American Vision, an organization focused on promoting a comprehensive biblical worldview.
Thematic Focus:
DeMar’s scholarly work predominantly explores themes of eschatology, biblical prophecy, and Christian reconstructionism. His approach often contrasts with popular interpretations of the end times by emphasizing preterist views, which assert that many biblical prophecies, especially those related to the end times, were fulfilled in the first century AD.
“Prophecy Wars: The Biblical Battle Over the End Times” – Overview:
"Prophecy Wars" represents a pivotal work in DeMar’s oeuvre. It was published following his participation in a symposium titled "Revelation: An Evangelical Symposium" in Reno, Nevada, on February 23, 2013. This book serves as a response to the presentations and discussions from this event, where DeMar, alongside theologians Sam Waldron and James Hamilton, debated the interpretation of eschatological texts, particularly from the Book of Revelation.
Content and Structure:
· Time Texts and Audience Reference: He dissects the temporal indicators in the Gospels that suggest prophecies were directed at the first-century audience, specifically concerning the Olivet Discourse in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21.
· Prophetic Signs: DeMar argues that the signs Jesus described were fulfilled in the context of the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70.
· The Use of "This Generation": He challenges interpretations that extend this term to future generations, proposing instead that it refers specifically to the generation contemporary with Jesus.
· Critique of Contemporary Eschatology: DeMar counters common misinterpretations by engaging with theological arguments from both historical premillennialism and amillennialism, as presented by his symposium co-participants.
Engagement with Critics:
DeMar directly addresses the criticisms and claims made by scholars like James Hamilton, particularly the contention that preterism (the view DeMar advocates) relies heavily on post-event historical accounts by Josephus rather than scriptural exegesis. DeMar defends his position by returning to the biblical text, emphasizing its internal evidence for first-century fulfillment.
Theological Implications:
The book not only attempts to clarify and defend preterist interpretations but also aims to encourage a re-examination of how Christians understand and apply eschatological teachings. DeMar’s critique extends to the broader implications of eschatological beliefs on Christian living and political involvement, advocating for an active, transformative presence of Christians in society rather than a passive wait for apocalyptic events.
Critical Reception:
While "Prophecy Wars" has been received positively by those within the preterist and Christian Reconstructionist communities, it has spurred debate among those holding to dispensational premillennial views of eschatology. Critics often question DeMar's hermeneutical approach, particularly his handling of the term "generation" and his dismissal of future-oriented prophecy. Conversely, supporters applaud the book for its scholarly rigor and its challenge to what they see as overly speculative end-times theology.
Conclusion:
Gary DeMar's "Prophecy Wars" is not merely a defense of preterism but an academic call to revisit biblical prophecy with an emphasis on historical context. It serves as a significant contribution to the ongoing scholarly debate on eschatology, urging a reconsideration of long-held interpretations in light of textual evidence and historical events. Through this work, DeMar continues to shape discussions on how Christians interpret the end times and engage with the world from their theological stance.
For more study: The meaning of “this generation:”
“Verily I say unto you, this generation shall not pass till all these things be fulfilled.’ (Matthew 24:34) (Bolding and underlining mine)
To exegete Matthew 24:34 using the grammatical-historical method, particularly in light of Preterism, one must consider the text's linguistic, cultural, and historical contexts:
Textual Analysis:
Translation: "Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled." (KJV)
Greek Text: "Ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, οὐ μὴ παρέλθῃ ἡ γενεὰ αὕτη ἕως ἂν πάντα ταῦτα γένηται."
Ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν (Amen legō hymin) – "Truly I say to you," a phrase used by Jesus to emphasize the truth and certainty of what follows.
οὐ μὴ παρέλθῃ (ou mē parelthē) – A double negative construction ("not, not"), indicating a strong negative assertion, "will certainly not pass."
ἡ γενεὰ αὕτη (hē genea hautē) – "This generation," where "γενεὰ" (genea) is the focal point.
ἕως ἂν πάντα ταῦτα γένηται (heōs an panta tauta genētai) – "until all these things happen," with "πάντα ταῦτα" (panta tauta) referring back to the events described earlier in the chapter.
Grammatical Considerations:
Genea (γενεὰ): This Greek word can mean:
· A single generation in time (about 40 years, based on human lifespan).
· A race or family line.
· A class or kind of people.
In Matthew, "genea" is consistently used to refer to the contemporary generation, those living at the time of Jesus' ministry:
· Matthew 11:16 uses "genea" to describe the people Jesus was speaking to.
· Matthew 12:41, 42 contrasts the current generation with those of Jonah and Solomon.
· Matthew 17:17 and 23:36 also imply the generation contemporaneous with Jesus.
· Contextual Use: In Matthew 24, Jesus directly addresses His disciples about signs and events leading up to the destruction of the temple, which historically occurred in AD 70.
· The use of "this generation" here would naturally refer to those alive during His discourse.
Historical Context:
· Audience and Timing: Jesus' audience included His immediate disciples and others who would have understood "this generation" as their own. The discourse in Matthew 24 responds to questions about the temple's destruction and His coming, events that, from a Preterist perspective, were fulfilled within the first-century context.
· AD 70 Destruction: Preterists see the Romans' destruction of the temple as the fulfillment of "all these things." This historical event aligns with the timeframe of "this generation," if one interprets "generation" as the period from approximately 30 AD to 70 AD.
Support from Matthew's Usage:
· Consistency: Matthew uses "genea" in contexts where it undeniably refers to the contemporaries of Jesus (e.g., Matthew 11:16, 12:41-42, 17:17, 23:36). This consistent pattern supports the Preterist view that "this generation" in Matthew 24:34 refers to the generation of Jesus' time.
· Prophetic Fulfillment: Preterists argue that the signs and events described in Matthew 24 (false prophets, wars, famines, etc.) were all witnessed by that generation, culminating in the fall of Jerusalem, thus fulfilling the prophecy within the lifetime of those to whom Jesus was speaking.
Conclusion:
Applying the grammatical-historical method to Matthew 24:34, the term "this generation" aligns with Preterist interpretations by focusing on the immediate historical context and the consistent use of "genea" in Matthew's Gospel to refer to Jesus' contemporaries. This interpretation sees the fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy within the first century, specifically with the destruction of the Jerusalem temple in AD 70, rather than projecting it into a distant future.
The above study was Groked, under the direction of Jack Kettler, and perfected using Grammarly AI.
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)
Mr. Kettler is an author who has previously published articles in the Chalcedon Report and Contra Mundum. He and his wife, Marea, are active Westminster, CO, RPCNA Church members. Mr. Kettler’s extensive work includes 18 books defending the Reformed Faith, which are available for order online at Amazon.