I am offering this work, The Parousia of the Son of Man, for free in PDF form. The ideas within it, drawn from being raised in Dispensationalism, going through a stage of Preterism into Full Preterism, then coming out of these interpretations with a robust understanding of them, lets me theorize from within the problems/issues of Eschatology (over thirty years of active study). The solution is not Preterism, or Dispensationalism, and certainly not Full Preterism, though each have their strengths, they have far too many weaknesses. In a way, drawing heavily from current New Testament scholarship, all of these views operate within a more or less agreed upon framework. The issues are the definitions given to the terms all these views have in common; terms like, “end of the age,” “resurrection of the dead,” “last day,” “body,” “the latter times,” etc. There is also considerable agreement among them as to the so-called “time texts” of the New Testament. That is, in Dispensationalism, “near” means what it ordinarily means in English when used with respect to time, but since the “offer” was rejected by Israel, the kingdom was “postponed.” This is true for Preterism, and New Testament critical scholarship. For the latter, Jesus announced that the kingdom was “at hand.” However, for many, if not most NT scholars, Jesus was simply wrong. For the Dispensationalist, Jesus’ offering was “at hand,” but was rejected by Israel, and therefore “postponed.” For the Full Preterist/Preterist, the term “near” carries the same meaning, but for them, everything/most was “fulfilled” in 70 AD (a view both New Testament scholars, and Dispensationalists, as well as mainstream Christianity would, rightly so, utterly reject).
Let me restate this: for Dispensationalists, and New Testament scholars, “near” means what it does in ordinary language: imminence; right on the verge of happening. Jesus fully expected his kingdom to arrive within the years of his ministry. That is the force of “imminence.” For the Preterist/Full Preterist, Jesus meant 70 AD, which was 37 years away from his own time. This is hardly in keeping with what “near” means, and how it was normally used and understood.
This book is very aware of the issues, and attempts to deal with them in a way that offers a focus on the Ascension of Christ, which is called “the coming of the Lord” to the Father in heaven.
This is a thoroughly revised edition from its original hard copy publication.
For a free PDF, send me your email, and I will attach a copy. My email is samuelmfrost@yahoo.com – I do accept donations on PayPal for my work, whatever may be prompted in your heart to give, or not. To donate on PayPal, my user name is samuelmfrost@yahoo.com
“The book of Daniel has a reputation of being difficult and sometimes inscrutable. Sam Frost writes a concise, easily-read meditation on the text that incorporates scholarship without being complex, and brings a contagious passion for the spiritual lessons beyond the prophecies. He will challenge your assumptions to see the unity of Daniel’s message in a way you may not have considered before. This book is solidly written, informed and scholarly, yet not too academic. It’s very readable for any serious Bible student” – Brian Godawa, award-winning Hollywood screenwriter (To End All Wars, The Visitation), and best selling author.
Frost offers a new, fresh translation from the Hebrew/Aramaic texts of Daniel as well as challenging Evangelical interpretations by utilizing creative reconstructions drawn from historical and present scholars.This can now be purchased here.
“For several years, Sam Frost was the academic voice of so-called full preterism. He wrote numerous books, articles, and blog posts in support of it, gave lectures defending it, and responded in print to those who were critical of it. By God’s grace, his eyes have been opened to the truly unbiblical nature of this novel doctrine, and he has rightly renounced it. In this work, Frost provides a point-by-point account of his theological journey. In the last several years, we have witnessed several prominent full preterists renounce this heresy and embrace Christianity. May our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ use Frost’s work to open the eyes of many, many more.” —Keith L. Mathison, Professor of Systematic Theology at Reformation Bible College in Sanford, Fl.
This work is the bane of Full Preterists everywhere. As a former teacher, leader, and nationwide conference speaker in that persuasion, those still entrenched in it know who Samuel M. Frost is, and they know the damage this book has done. Acclaimed researcher and scholar Kenneth L. Gentry, Th.D., writes the Foreword. This can be purchased here.
Samuel M. Frost wrote two books well received within the Full (“Hyper”) Preterist community. Misplaced Hope (Bi-Millennial Publications, 2002, 2nd Ed., 2004) was hailed by Max King (and published by his son, Tim King), whose work, The Cross and the Parousia of Christ (1987, Warren, Ohio), was highlighted by R.C. Sproul’s book, The Last Days According to Jesus (Baker Books, 1998). King’s book is regarded as the foundation of Full Preterism today. Frost also wrote, Exegetical Essays on the Resurrection (2007 TruthVoice, 2nd Ed., 2010, JaDon Publications), which is still popular among Full Preterists and endorsed by one of the main teachers of Full Preterism, Don K. Preston, as a “must read” (see here. Frost is frequently cited in many of Preston’s books as well); Frost also co-authored, House Divided: A Reformed Response to When Shall These Things Be? (Vision, 2009).
Frost has also been cited in these books where his work was noticed among those who opposed Full Preterism while he operated as one the main teachers with Ed Stevens, Jr., Don K. Preston, John Noe, Michael Miano, Alan Bondar, Tim King, Max King and Dave Curtis.
Lance Conley has also put out a massive work dealing with the Hyper Preterist movement, of which he also is a former adherent. I was asked to write the Foreword. This can be purchased online here
Frost was asked to write the Foreword to Steve Gregg’s newest book (2022). This can be purchased here.
Published by Wipf&Stock, Frost wrote a recommendation to Bryan C. Hodge’s newest book (on back cover), and powerful presentation of exegetical arguments against Full Preterism. Select here for purchase.
There are two other books written by Ex Full Preterists, Brock Hollett, and a fine work by Stephen Whitsett (Amridge University); Frost is noted in these works as well. All are available from Amazon.
This will involve a few parts in a series concerning Aerosmith and their records. First record, Aerosmith: Featuring Dream On (Columbia, 1973). Strange to name a single for an album, but they did. “Dream On” didn’t become a hit until 1975. This album features a starving, hard working quintet living in practical squaller. There was no plan B. Plan A for the “boys from Boston” was make it, or nothing. Indeed, that’s one of their songs on this album.
Recording virtually “live” in the studio, you can hear a very tightly packed band that had refined these tunes to perfection. There’s your “10,000 hours to get good” theory lost on our current generation. Aerosmith was a blue-collar band. Guts, grit, blood, hard work, countless hours of repetitive playing and gigging. This was the work ethic of the past, and these boys had it. Have a dream? A vision? That’s going to require work, and not 40 hours a week, either. Stamina, stick-to-it-at-all-costs. You hear this in every tune on the record.
Steven Tyler, the front man, who admittedly copied the likes of Plant and Jagger, nonetheless bravely attempts his own crooning to be heard as a stand out performer. As mentioned, they start their debut with, “Make It,” which echoes the feature song, “Dream On.”
Good evening people, welcome to the show Got something here I want you all to know When life and people bring on primal screams You got to think of What it’s going to take to make your dreams
This is pure Cognitive Behavior Therapy. You have to think of what it takes to make your dreams:
Better weather, pull yourself together Don’t be catching the blues Better weather, pull yourself together What have you got to lose You’re only paying your dues
That has the stink of hard work all over it. There’s a bit of humiliation in those words as well. You could go down the rabbit hole that you are useless, a good for nothing, a train wreck, but why “catch those blues” (slips into depression) when you can “pull yourself together”? After all, since you have nothing, what have you got to lose? Pay your dues, and “make it.”
Returning to this theme, in the featured song, “Dream On,” we hear this:
Every time that I look in the mirror All these lines on my face getting clearer The past is gone Oh, it went by like dusk to dawn Isn’t that the way?
Everybody’s got their dues in life to pay, I know nobody knows Where it comes and where it goes I know it’s everybody’s sin You got to lose to know how to win
There is a biblical bases for this New England, Protestant “work ethic” mentality (Max Webber, anyone?). The Ozark Mountain Daredevils had a song, “If You Wanna Get to Heaven,” then you have to “raise a little hell,” which, interestingly enough, came out in 1973 as well. The idea of being at the bottom, where the only way is “up,” is the stuff of dreams and visions. Or, you can just wallow in the muck, play the victim, blame “the man” and such as your life spins pathetically out of control. Choice is yours, and yours alone.
There are some folks who love to point out “what’s wrong” with everyone. These are people who think they have it all together (even though they obviously don’t). They think they have a keen insight of others. As these “others” actually go on to accomplish their dreams, these ever-gloomy pessimists never accomplish anything except for constant arm-chair criticism.
Tyler and the band have a word for a person like this:
Whole earth lover, keepin’ undercover Never knowin’ where you’ve been You’ve been fadin’, always out paradin’ Keep in touch with Mama Kin
Indeed. Your life is fading, but you are out there parading, becoming the very thing you despise in others. Jesus called it, “hypocrisy.” For Steven Tyler, “Mama Kin” was life’s energy. If you fail to keep in touch with it, then you will fade. Dreams lost. Constantly decrying the accomplishments of others success, while you are fading in your own, isn’t keeping in touch. It’s a loser pointing out the winners and complaining about their earned winnings. Let that sink in. Life never gave you a break? Is that your excuse? You ain’t knowin’ where you’ve been.
Being painfully brief, let me switch to another aspect of this record. It’s a tight rhythm and blues recording. Whitford, Kramer and Hamilton keep a near perfect beat, while Perry, at least at this point, plays a clean guitar. There isn’t any high production here. This has “debut album” written all over it. You won’t hear anything on the wax that would become Aerosmith in the nineties in terms of production. Nevertheless, this was their first issued statement even though it fell flat on the critics’ ears. We heard it, the tee-shirt and blue jean mid-west heard it. The kids whose dads worked in the factories and farms heard it. And we liked it. I remember a friend of mine who related a story to me about showing his dad the album cover, which featured all five members. His dad’s response: “these people look like bums.” Bums with a mission, a dream, and a vision.
In the song, “Movin Out” we find this little repose:
Level with God and you’re in tune with the universe Talk with yourself and you’ll hear what you want to know Got to rise above ’cause below it’s only getting worse Life, in time, will take you where you want to go.
Here, again, we find the idea of “rags to riches” based on natural law. If you want something, then move and get it. What’s stopping you is only yourself. Of course, Aerosmith, having this work-ethic in mind (a Christian one, mind you), would become one of the worst examples of excess and indulgence ever imaginable. It’s one thing to work hard to get where you want to get, and another to reward yourself with the indulgences of sin once you get there. Start humble, remain humble. That’s the key. The Book of Ecclesiastes explores this all too human theme in spades (Al Pacino’s character, Tony Montana, blissfully displays it in Scarface). We work hard, we get what we want, then we blow it.
You can already hear this in the song, “Write Me A Letter”:
Well I’ve been away forever Suicide’s crossing my mind Well I’ll never, never, never, never, never Get so far behind
I said, the ways of the night are evil Without that Lord of Day But I’ll never, never, never, never, never Get so far away
Solomon, anyone? Already, Tyler’s “high” minded lyrics are foretelling what would become of the band within 6 years of this record. Abandon the “Lord of the Day” and you get what you get. “Level with God and you are in tune with the universe.” Indeed. But, this is what we forget, isn’t’ it? We need God to get there, we just don’t need God once we are there. We got it from here on out. Right? Wrong.
Final score for old time rockers like myself? Great record if you like early skip-on-the-digital-details music. Want to practice your chops? Definitely a metronomic practice record. Joey Kramer, the drummer, is as firm as any skin player can get. If you can play along with this on a guitar, a bass, or on drums, then you might “make it.” Just remember, you got to pay your dues. There are three “P’s” to success: Practice. Practice. And Practice. 10,000 hours. This is true in whatever you pursue.
Vigilate et Orate 