Journal: Pneumatikos
Volume: PNEUMATIKOS 16:1 (Spring 2025)
Article: Rose-Colored Blinders: A Look At Greg Bahnsen’s Postmillennialism
Author: J. Morgan Arnold

Pneumatikos 16:1 (Spring 2025) p. 59

Rose-Colored Blinders: A Look At Greg Bahnsen’s Postmillennialism

J. Morgan Arnold

Cedar Creek Bible Church
True Grace Books
Chafer Theological Seminary
Gun Barrel City, Texas, USA

Keywords: postmillennialism, Greg Bahnsen, preterism, book of Revelation

Abstract: This article offers a critical evaluation of Greg L. Bahnsen’s postmillennial and preterist theology as presented in Victory in Jesus: The Bright Hope of Postmillennialism, a posthumous compilation of his lectures and writings first released in 2015. Through a close examination of his biblical interpretations in eschatology, ecclesiology, and Satanology, this article demonstrates that Bahnsen’s views are compromised by theological presuppositions and an inconsistent hermeneutic approach. While Bahnsen is widely acknowledged for his formidable intellect and contributions to Christian apologetics, his egregious postmillennial concepts are difficult to defend.

Introduction

Reformed philosopher, apologist, and Presbyterian minister Greg L. Bahnsen (1948–1995) was one of postmillennialism’s leading voices in the last half of the 20^th century. His influence on the

Pneumatikos 16:1 (Spring 2025) p. 60

modern-day resurgence of postmillennial thought cannot be overstated. Three of his seminary students at Reformed Theological Seminary have since carried his torch and become prominent voices for the movement: Kenneth Gentry, Gary DeMar, and David Chilton. Gentry states, “I believe it safe to say that Dr. Bahnsen is largely responsible for the recent resurgence in evangelical preterism in general and the preterist approach to Revelation in particular.”1 The book Victory in Jesus: The Bright Hope of Postmillennialism, first released in 2015, is a collection compiled by Robert R. Booth of three of Dr. Bahnsen’s transcribed lectures from the late 1970s and two published works from the Journal of Christian Reconstruction.2

This paper will critique Bahnsen’s views in three areas of systematic theology: eschatology, ecclesiology, and Satanology. Afterward, an assessment will determine whether Bahnsen’s rose-colored glasses, by which he views this current age, are actually rose-colored blinders that have kept him—and others who share his views—from seeing the truth of Scripture.

Bahnsen’s Eschatology

Bahnsen identifies seven eschatological essentials that characterize postmillennialism, which are as follows:

1. Christ ...