Preterism and 2 Peter 3

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