Ukraine, Russia and my Faith

By Samuel M. Frost, Th.D.

Many folks, entirely unaware of the Russian Orthodox Church and its very long history, have blasted the Patriarch of Moscow, Vladimir Kirill.  Most in the Protestant West dismiss any form of Orthodox churches with all of their liturgy, fancy vestments, smoke filled incense thuribles, and “icons”.  The West, so they claim, is “spiritual, not religious.”  Yeah.  Whatever.

However, God is not limited to Pentecostals or “mainline” Liberal denominations who seek to go with whatever trend happens to be blowing in the wind.  The “traditional” churches have been around for a long time, and have survived numerous wars that, for me, are unimaginable since I have never been in one.  A bad day for me is that I lost a bid on Ebay, or my internet is not responding.  Besides, I can simply virtue signal, “Pray for Ukraine”, and feel good about my spirituality.

Okay, enough of that.  Kirill, who is in very close ties to Adolph…I mean, President Putin, supports the Russian leader.  And, for this, he is now demagogued as the Antichrist.  Imagine that.  Christians calling Christians names.  Anyhow, since no “real” Christian can be Orthodox, Catholic or Mennonite (as many Reformed think, who have almost no clue as to what “ecumenism” means – anyone not a Calvinist is hell bound), then certainly no Orthodox theologian can be one, right?  Well, this stems from the fact that Kirill wrote a letter to one Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, who is the “acting general” of the World Council of Churches (read, “the beast” in Dispensationalist circles).  Most Protestants would dismiss this guy, too, since he is an Orthodox priest in the Romanian Orthodox Church, an “autocephalous” of Eastern Orthodoxy (don’t ask, I don’t have time to explain in this paper.  It’s complicated).
Anyhow, his Holiness Sauca wrote to Kirill to “condemn” the actions of Putin on March 2nd.  Sauca wrote, “I write to Your Holiness to intervene and mediate with the authorities to stop this war, the bloodshed and the suffering, and to make efforts to bring peace through dialogue and negotiations.”  What could be wrong with that?

Kirill responded, March 10th.[1]  First off, The Russian Orthodox Church is a member of the World Council of Churches – have been since 1961.  As such, Kirill wrote, “it has been one of the WCC’s priorities to engage its member churches in the process of acknowledging their shared responsibility for justice, peace and the integrity of creation within the world community. That is to say, our WCC membership, dialogues, discussions based on the principle of equality, and cooperation with the entire Christendom were not only an expression of our commitment to the cause of reconciliation between people, but also gave us confidence in the solidarity and support of the world Christian fellowship.”  Now, who could disagree with that?

However, Kirill has to bring up that awful thing: history.  You know, the thing wherein “each man shall be judged for the deeds he DID” (“did” – past tense, as in your personal history).  We don’t like going there, do we.  I mean…I have done some pretty bad stuff – one might even dare call me a “hypocrite.”  Anyway, Kirill notes that the issues going on in Ukraine did not begin yesterday.  The Media would like for you to think they did.  The Media (“media” is from Latin for “go between” – the “go between” what actually is happening, and has happened, and what is reported to you as “what really is happening”) wants us to think Putin woke up one day and decided to crack some Ukrainian skulls, and came up with the rather bizarre, insane “motive” of “denazification” and some supposed region in East Ukraine hated by Ukrainians because the majority of them are Russian speaking Ukrainians.  Oh, and some crackpot idea that NATO has broken several promises and has lined up missiles aimed straight at Moscow – ones that can be delivered in a few minutes.  All made up, right?  Putin is an insane, unhinged lunatic, correct?  I mean, Joe Biden’s the man!

Kirill noted that “The origins of the confrontation lie in the relationships between the West and Russia. By the 1990s Russia had been promised that its security and dignity would be respected. However, as time went by, the forces overtly considering Russia to be their enemy came close to its borders. Year after year, month after month, the NATO member states have been building up their military presence, disregarding Russia’s concerns that these weapons may one day be used against it.”  What?  Man, you crazy!  This, of course, is all documented fact.  Every bit of it.[2]

But, the West isn’t buying this (India, Arab Emirates, China, Syria and a few other nations are – ‘cause they know).  Now, remember the true insanity of the Dems, who actually believed Trump was “illegitimately” elected President because Evil Putin “hacked” the elections, and “influenced” the sheep to vote on command for Trump?  Remember that?  For three years we heard nothing but how Trump was a “spy”, planted here by the Russians.  And now, even the Conservatives have bought into the Putin is Satan lie.  Russian racism is now apropos!  The USA has lost its mind (and the intellectuals, from Left and Right, though a minority at this point, agree.  That crowd is growing, though).

Look.  War is an awful thing.  Always has been.  Always will be.  Hiroshima and Nagasaki was god-awful.  Close to two-hundred thousand Japanese lives – civilians – shattered forever.  I can go down the list of American atrocities around the world.  Coups.  Covert ops.  Media disinformation hacks.  Plants.  Staging “revolutions”.  Torture.  Lies.  Lies. Lies.  A Nation built on sin.  A Nation that is not the New Heavens and the New Earth. And, neither is Russia, and neither is Ukraine.  All of these nations will perish.  None shall stand.  I take “no sides” here.  I remain “neutral.”  I “see” the angles from both sides.  I see what we are doing to Russia is deplorable, too.  I am not alone, either.  Many very well respected Economists are foretelling doom.  You don’t “cut off” an entire super-nation like Russia in a week and a half and expect no massive consequences in the financial sectors.  Folks, we have not even begun to see them, yet.

So, what I am I for?  The Kingdom of God.  The nations “rage”.  They “plot in vain”.  They think that by their moves, they are making “good decisions” for the “good of the people.”  Biden is not concerned just for himself.  Putin is not out to destroy the world (more Media hype and lies).  The Ukrainians – the normal, everyday ones – not the White Aryan ones – are going through hell right now.  My heart and prayers are with them, and God is with them – and many of them I will be with for eternity in the New Heavens and New Earth.  My Russian brothers and sisters in Christ, these, too, will I live forever with as we explore the endless cosmos together because of what Christ has done for us.  The “wicked” (and God knows who they are), the Nationalists, the Liars, Thieves, Warmongerers, Profiteers, Puppet Masters, and those who lie in wait for blood, for those who cause is not Christ, but Power, Greed and Flesh – they will be dealt with.  Ecclesia Christi est quam ad me attinet!  It is with the Church of Christ who I am concerned.  The “nation” given to Christ – from Ukrainians, Russians, Africans, Cherokee, Miami, Arapaho, Asian, and all the rest of the “peoples, tongues, and nations” who are “in Christ.”  Will I cheer for Putin’s death?  No.  Jesus said, “bless your enemies”.  Will I cheer for the deaths of Russian soldiers?  Will I smile when Russian families are spit on and beaten?  Is this my “Christian” response to cheer on a Nation that sheds the blood of infants while still in their mother’s wombs?  No.  Sorry.  I can’t.  Hope you understand.  With all of this, my “patriotism” has died.

[1] Letter

[2] Declassified Documents

Author: Samuel M. Frost, Th.D.

Samuel M. Frost has gained the recognition of his family, peers, colleagues, church members, and local community as a teacher and leader.  Samuel was raised in the Foursquare Gospel tradition and continued in the rising Charismatic Movement of the early 1980’s.  While serving in local congregations he was admitted to Liberty Christian College in Pensacola, Florida where he lived on campus for four years earning his Bachelor’s of Theology degree.  It was there under the tutelage of Dr. Dow Robinson (Summer Institutes of Linguistics), and Dr. Frank Longino (Dallas Theological Seminary) that he was motivated to pursue a career in Theology.  Dr. Robinson wrote two books on Linguistics, Workbook on Phonological Analysis (SIL, 1970) and Manuel for Bilingual Dictionaries: Textbook (SIL, 1969).  It was under these teachers’ guidance that Frost entered into his Master’s studies, being granted a scholarship for Greek I and II at Pentecostal Theological Seminary, accredited, in Cleveland, Tennessee (adjunct of Lee University).  Frost completed his study under Dr. French Arrington (The Ministry of Reconciliation, Baker Books, 1980), who used the text of J. Gresham Machen, New Testament Greek for Beginners. Frost studied Hebrew for two years under Dr. Mark Futato (author, Beginning Biblical Hebrew, Eisenbrauns, 2003) and Dr. Bruce K. Waltke (author, An Introduction to Biblical Hebrew Syntax, Eisenbrauns, 1990) at Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando, Florida. With combined credits from PTS and RTS, Samuel completed his Master of Arts in Christian Studies and Master of Arts in Religion from Whitefield Theological Seminary in Lakeland, Florida under the direct tutelage of Dr. Kenneth G. Talbot, co-author of the well reviewed work, Hyper-Calvinism and Arminianism (Whitefield Media, 2005) with Dr. Gary Crampton (and Foreword by the late, Dr. D. James Kennedy).  Dr. Talbot also oversaw Samuel’s Dissertation, From the First Adam to the Second and Last Adam (2012) earning him the Magister Theologiae (Th.M.) degree.  He also helped put together A Student’s Hebrew Primer for WTS, designed and graded exams for their Hebrew Languages course. Samuel’s studies lead him into an issue in the field of Eschatology where his scholarship and unique approach in Hermeneutics garnered him recognition.  Because of the controversial nature of some of his conclusions, scholars were sharp in their disagreement with him.  Frost’s initial work, Misplaced Hope: The Origins of First and Second Century Eschatology (2002, Second Edition, 2006 Bi-Millennial Publishing), sold over four thousand units.  While arguing for the Reformation understanding of sola Scriptura as defined by the Westminster Confession of Faith, Frost’s book launched a heavily footnoted argument for a total reassessment of the doctrine known as the Second Coming of Christ.  The conclusion was that the events of the war of the Jewish nation against their Roman overlords in 66-70 C.E. formed the New Testament authors’ eschatological outlook, and went no further than their own first century generation; a view otherwise known as “full” or "hyper" Preterism.  Internationally recognized Evangelical author and speaker, Steve Wohlberg remarked, ‘On the “preterist” side today…we have such influential leaders as Gary DeMar, Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr., David Chilton, R.C. Sproul, Max King, James Stuart Russell, Samuel M. Frost, and John Noe.  To these scholars…the beast is not on the horizon, he’s dead” (Italics, his)” (End Time Delusions, Destiny Image Publishers, 2004, page 133).  It should be noted that only Noe, King and Frost supported the “full” Preterist position. Thomas Ice and co-author of the best selling Left Behind series, Tim LaHaye, quote Frost’s work, Misplaced Hope, as well in their book, The End Times Controversy: The Second Coming under Attack (Harvest House Publishers, 2003, page 40).  Dr. Jay E. Adams, who single handedly launched “a revolution” in Christian Counseling with his work, Competent to Counsel: An Introduction to Nouthetic Counseling, (1970, Zondervan), also wrote an analysis of Frost’s work in Preterism: Orthodox or Unorthodox? (Ministry Monographs for Modern Times, INS Publishing, 2004).  Adams wrote of Misplaced Hope as a "useful, scholarly work" (p.6 - though he disagreed with the overall thesis).  Dr. Charles E. Hill, Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando, wrote of Misplaced Hope that Frost, “attacks the problem of the early church in a much more thoroughgoing way than I have seen” (When Shall These Things Be? A Reformed Response to Hyper Preterism, Ed. Keith Mathison, Presbyterian & Reformed Publishing, 2003, ‘Eschatology in the Wake of Jerusalem’s Fall’ p. 110-ff.).  There were several other works as well that took the scholarship of Frost seriously, like Ergun Caner in The Return of Christ: A Premillennial Perspective, Eds., Steve W. Lemke and David L. Allen (B&H Publishing, 2011). Because of the controversial nature of Frost’s conclusions on these matters, it was difficult to find a denomination within the Church-at-Large to work in terms of pastoral ministry.  That situation changed when Samuel was called by a Bible study group in Saint Petersburg, Florida to found a congregation.  Christ Covenant Church was established in 2002 operating under the principles outlined by Presbyterian historian James Bannerman’s work, The Church of Christ: A Treatise on the Nature, Powers, Ordinances, Discipline, and Government of the Christian Church (Banner of Truth Trust, 1974, original, 1869).  By-Laws and a Constitution were drawn up in the strictest manner for what was considered an “Independent” establishment of a Presbyterian Church, granted that a “call” was received and recognized by Presiding Elders duly ordained from existing and recognized denominations.  Two Elders, one ordained in the Reformed Presbyterian Church (Mike Delores), and another ordained in the Presbyterian Church of America (Dr. Kelly N. Birks, now deceased) tested and reviewed the call, ordaining Samuel on October 20th, 2002, the Twenty Second Sunday after Trinity.  Proper forms were submitted to Tallahassee, Florida with the stamp of a Notary Public Witness.  Christ Covenant Church (CCC) functioned as a local church for five years with a congregation as large as 30 members.  Frost was gaining recognition after Misplaced Hope had been published in January of that year, and conferences were hosted that included debates with another prominent "full" Preterist educator, Don K. Preston.  CCC hosted best-selling authors, Thomas Ice, and Mark Hitchcock from Dallas Theological Seminary; and Dr. James B. Jordan (Westminster Theological Seminary), well-known author/pastor in Reformed theological circles.  Frost was invited for the next several years to speak at over 25 conferences nation-wide, was featured in articles and an appearance on local news in Tampa for one of CCC’s conferences.  The Evangelical Theological Society also invited Samuel to speak at the Philadelphia conference (Frost is currently a Member of ETS as well as Society of Biblical Literature). During this time Samuel had submitted one more book, Exegetical Essays on the Resurrection of the Dead (TruthVoice, 2008; repr. JaDon Publishing, 2010); and co-wrote, House Divided: A Reformed Response to When Shall These Things Be? (Vision International, 2010).  Frost also wrote several Forewords for up and coming authors who were influenced by his teaching materials, as well as cited many times in books, lectures and academic papers.  However, because of certain aspects of Hermeneutics and Frost’s undaunted commitment to scholarship (with always a strong emphasis on the personal nature of devotional living to Christ), several challenges to the "hyper" Preterist view he espoused finally gave way, largely due to the unwavering commitment to Samuel by the Dean of Whitefield Theological Seminary, Dr. Kenneth G. Talbot, who continually challenged him.  In what shocked the "hyper" Preterist world, Samuel announced after the Summer of 2010 that he was in serious error, and departed the movement as a whole, along with Jason Bradfield, now Assistant Pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church, Lakeland, Florida .  Christ Covenant Church had dissolved after 2007 while Samuel continued as a public speaker and writer, largely due to reasons that would unravel Frost’s commitment to "hyper" Preterism as a whole. The documentation of Frost’s departure was published by American Vision’s Founder, Gary DeMar, with a Foreword by Dr. Kenneth L. Gentry.  Why I Left Full Preterism (AV Publishing, 2012) quickly ran through its first run.  The book was later republished under the arm of Dr. Kenneth L. Gentry and is sold today (GoodBirth Ministries Publishing, 2019; though still available in Kindle form from American Vision).  Dr. Gentry also gave mention to Frost in his book, Have We Missed the Second Coming: A Critique of Hyper Preterism (Victorious Hope Publishing, 2016), noting him as "one of the most prominent" teachers within Full Preterism (135).  Dr. Keith Mathison, Professor of Systematic Theology at Reformation Bible College in Sanford, Florida, endorsed the book as well.  Samuel has gone on to write, Daniel: Unplugged (McGahan Publishing House, 2021); The Parousia of the Son of Man (Lulu Publishing, 2019); God: As Bill Wilson Understood Him, A Theological Analysis of Alcoholics Anonymous (Lulu Publishing, 2017).  He is also active as a certified Chaplain with the Henry County Sheriff’s Department, Indiana, and enrolled with ICAADA (Indiana Counselor’s Association on Alcohol and Drug Abuse), and worked directly under Dr. Dennis Greene, Founder of Christian Counseling and Addictions Services, Inc., for a year.  Frost’s passion is in the education of the local church on various issues and occasionally works with Pastor Alan McCraine with the First Presbyterian Church in Lewisville, Indiana, and Bethel Presbyterian Church, Knightstown, Indiana, where he periodically is called upon to give the sermon. Samuel, with his wife, Kimberly, helped to establish Heaven’s Bread Basket food pantry that donates food items to local families in need once a month – a ministry of the Session of First Presbyterian Church, Lewisville, Indiana. Samuel also works part time at Ace Hardware in New Castle, Indiana for several years.  He has a solid, family reputation in the community, and has performed local marriages and funerals.  He also sits on the Board of the Historical Preservation Committee in New Castle. Recently, he has completed his two year quest for a Th.D from Christian Life School of Theology Global, Georgia.

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