The study of the church is referred to as “ecclesiology”. This week we have begun conversation about Preterism and The Church on the Preterist Power Hour. There have been polls, there is a Facebook group, and there have been books, articles, and sermons published detailing the importance and efficacy of the Church, especially from the Preterist view. We hope to highlight importance conversation and resources to “do all things for the edification of the church” (see, 1 Corinthians 14:26).
We had Daniel Rogers from North Broad Church (www.northbroad.church) join with us to this morning to kick off the conversation. You can listen to the podcast at the following link, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhxARkhgQXs
Daniel highlighted the Church as synonymous with the Kingdom of God. He mentioned a kingdom “revolution” we are called to make known (see, Ephesians 2:4; 3:10), a “revolution you cannot do at home”. Emphasizing “Christian fellowship”, Daniel marked out that churches should not be doctrinal prisons, but rather a place where we are afforded opportunity to see things from other people’s perspectives (doctrine, politics, lifestyle, etc..) and to use and benefit from our individual giftings. Daniel told us a bit about the congregation he serves in, and in what capacity, as well as shared details from this recent sermon, “Making God in Our Image”, which you can review at the following link, https://www.facebook.com/northbroadcofc/videos/284252953834082
Michael Miano, pastor of The Blue Point Bible Church (www.bluepointbiblechurch.org) shared thoughts on the church and discipleship on Wednesday, 3/2. You can listen more to Pastor Mike’s pastoral theology of self-examination, review, and immersion into a life of worship, with the inclusion of gather together for “worship service” and missional discipleship at the following link, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOQwiX2I0pQ
Also, consider the folloing links that will encourage you in applying some of the things that Pastor Mike shared (included with the links further below as well):
Here is a link to the webinar mentioned in the blog above (followed by a link to a study outline), https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NnPrpy9rlMmzNdGlz-qN4qsJ_hDBlERE/view
https://drive.google.com/file/d/19K8jFUisbRvVWynZv9iMkg2yc8TO5e-D/view
On 3/2, Jonathan Buttry of Holston PBU Church joined us to talk through details of and his recent teaching series on “healthy churches”. Jonathan not only serves at Holston PBU, but also serves on The Power of Preterism Network’s cooperative board, and has labored successfully to network other like-minded churches in his area and surrounding areas. You can listen to the podcast at the following link, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-47yGzQanw
As Jonathan detailed “healthy church”, he explained 5 essential elements – safe, supportive, inclusive, engaging, and challenging. You can listen to his “healthy church sermon series” at the list below (which will be updated as he goes along):
Pt. 1 – Safe – https://www.facebook.com/111919546943786/videos/1004153577117125
Pt. 2 – Supportive – https://www.facebook.com/111919546943786/videos/693718291803793
Pt. 3 – Inclusive – https://www.facebook.com/111919546943786/videos/500373634755779
Pt. 4 – Engaging – https://www.facebook.com/111919546943786/videos/4847225728707116
Pt. 5 – Challenging – https://www.facebook.com/111919546943786/videos/706939803671429
We summarized a week of talking through Preterism & The Church by talking about and defining details of what we mean by Preterism, Church, worship, and worship services. We had discussion with a regular PPH listener and participant Zack. Zack had provided a write up with great thoughts (some of which will be shared below). Listen to this podcast at the following link, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPka5kjc5oI
Pastor Mike mentioned a sermon he preached where he outlined what is necessary in a truly God-glorifying worship service. Listen here – https://www.buzzsprout.com/11630/444529-yadah-yadah-yadah-shachah-a-sermon-series-on-praise-worship-part-3?fbclid=IwAR04hwhfxa8eB6ac_P_raCyY4vHqy4rpmmYzUA9qkgwVK54b3qysIqVCVyw
Some thoughts from Zack:
“We, as the church, are the fulfillment of God’s eternal purpose and plan to make his manifold wisdom known. We are not a placeholder or a Plan B (as the dispensationalists would claim). Instead, we are the climax of the biblical story. But how is it that we, the church, make known the manifold wisdom of God?
Its important to point out that our English word “church” is a translation of the Greek word “ekklesia,” which literally means “assembly.” So, the word itself comprehends the people of God as an assembled whole rather than rather than as individuals. The church is obviously composed of individual Christians, but the emphasis here is on Christians assembled into a whole.
Scripture also uses several related metaphors to explain the church:
- The church is the body; she is organic with each of her parts functioning together to animate the whole. This body is Christ’s body; he is the head (Col. 1). This metaphor is also related to the metaphor of the church as bride/wife.
- The church is the temple; she is the covenantal dwelling place of God and the locus of public worship. The importance of public worship can’t be overstated. God wants his glory (including manifold wisdom) to be proclaimed and known among the nations throughout all generations. This metaphor is related to the metaphor of the church as the body. (Jn.; Rev. 21.)
- The church is the bride/wife; she is the intimate, covenantal helpmeet of Christ whith whom she produces covenantal children throughout all generations. Genesis 1’s description of the male and female imaging God can be seen as pointing typologically to Christ and the church in this covenant relationship. (Theologians throughout history, including Tertulian, Bernard of Clairvaux, and John Wyclef, have identified the church as mother of all Christians. I think this connects with what Ward was talking about a few weeks ago.) If Christ is king, is the church his queen?
- The church is the heavenly city (Jerusalem): she is the covenantal mountain stronghold where the community of believers may dwell in peace and safety. The emphasis here may be on the church as an organized, orderly community in which the people of God dwell together (with God and Christ) for mutual benefit. Also, earth and heaven (the visible and the invisible) meet in this city (and its temple). The city metaphor is related to the metaphor of the church as bride/wife (Rev. 21; Gal. 4.)
- The church is the kingdom. (Sorry, I didn’t have time to get into this one.)
These metaphors are just the most obvious to me, and there are probably more that can be found in Scripture.
The local church is the natural and intentional manifestation of the universal church in a specific geographical location. (In Eastern orthodox theology and for some Anglicans, the church is seen as the first and most important sacrament: she is the visible sign/symbol of the spiritual reality of Christ and his kingdom. With regard to the local church, I think I agree with this.) The local church is intentional in that Gathering together “as a church” (1 Cor. 11:18) and in the name of Christ (Mat. 18) is a specific, purposeful act; the intent and purpose are, among other things, to manifest the various metaphors discussed above. To this end, the local church necessarily undertakes public worship; fellowship in Love; Discipleship, both corporate and individual; and Acts of service (good works), done both for beleivers and unbelievers. Ultimately, I think we need to combat the prevalent attitude in our culture that the local church is entertainment, or a social club, or a lecture series. It should be (and is) far more meaningful than these things; it is the power and glory of God made manifest.”
Read more of Zack’s thoughts below:
There are a bunch of resources listed below for your edification and of which will be continually mentioned on PPH as we entertain the conversation of Preterism and The Church:
Tony Denton’s ongoing Preterist Network Registry – tedenton64@gmail.com
Dr. Cindye Coats Facebook page – “Preterist Churches” – https://www.facebook.com/groups/313449335372316
March 2022 – “Preterist Pastors” Conference Call – https://thepreteristpastorblog.wordpress.com/2022/03/17/march-2022-preterist-pastors-conference-call/
POWER OF PRETERISM 
Are u still going to try and get Tim Martin old sermons from his formal fellowship
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