preterisme

Preterisme is a Christian eschatological position that interprets certain biblical prophecies as having already happened in the first century CE. In its broad sense, it seeks to explain passages in the Gospels, Daniel, and Revelation as fulfilled by events such as the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE and the early development of the church. The term is used in several languages; in English, preterism is the common form, while some languages render it as preterisme.

There are two main forms. Partial preterism (also called orthodox or moderate preterism) holds that most prophecies were fulfilled in the first century while still affirming a future resurrection and the future, visible Second Coming. Full or consistent preterism argues that all biblical prophecies, including the Second Coming, the resurrection of the dead, and the final judgment, were fulfilled by the end of the first century, thus denying any future fulfillment of those events. Most contemporary churches reject full preterism as inconsistent with historic creeds, while some evangelicals accept partial preterism as a legitimate interpretive approach.

History and reception: Modern preterist ideas began to take shape in the 19th century, with scholars such as J. Stuart Russell contributing to its development. In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, a branch known as full or “new” preterism gained attention through authors and publishers advocating complete past fulfillment. The doctrine remains controversial within Christianity, with substantial contrast to futurist and historicist approaches to biblical prophecy.

Overall, preterisme emphasizes past fulfillment of many prophecies, particularly regarding Jerusalem’s fall, while leaving room for ongoing eschatological hope in some formulations.