First-hand Information
Hello,
My name is Roderick Edwards, for 15 years until 2007 I
WAS a hyperpreterist. Further, I initially was a contributor to the hyperpreterist book of topic until I renounced the heresy of hyperpreterism & left the movement (
ref 1). With such background, I'd like to offer first-hand information about the book & the authors behind the book. I encourage readers to follow the reference links as I want to make sure I am accurately representing things.
First the men behind it.
Dave Green, the editor. Green has been a hyperpreterist since the early 1990s, perhaps longer. He advocates under hyperpreterism that there is no more need for people to be baptized (
ref 2) or take the Lord's Supper (
ref 3). Therefore, Green is perhaps one of the more "consistent" hyperpreterist, besides perhaps the universalists hyperpreterists.
Ed Hassertt, not much can be said for Hassert. He has been fairly low-level within the hyperpreterist movement. He mainly frequents a few message boards & has a reputation of being harsh. I know some important points about his personal life but that is not appropriate at this time.
Mike Sullivan, Sullivan is also a low-level hyperpreterist though he fancies himself some sort of scholar. He runs a one-man "ministry" devoted to promoting hyperpreterism. He has a reputation for horrible grammar & spelling abilities, but is better known for his brash comments. He advocates polygamy as being acceptable (
ref 4), though Jesus specifically in
Mt 19:1-8, makes God's original intent known -- one man with one woman. Making arguments that the patriarchs had multiple wives doesn't change the original intent God has for husband & wife.
Sam Frost, is the only one of the group that has any real formal training & he is sure to let you know it. He has a reputation as a braggart & a narcissist. He was kicked off another hyperpreterist effort to produce a response to WSTTB & he left yet another one so he could ask to be part of this one -- since only the first response would be considered. (
ref 5) Frost came on at the last minute after I left the project.
Now, I have not read the book that was produced, yet I WAS privy to parts of it as it was being produced & one factor that helped me leave hyperpreterism was a question I asked of the authors while we were considering the book. The question is as follows:
“How do they deal with the fact that early post-AD70 Christians didn’t seem to see in the AD70 event, the things full preterists claim?”
At the time, Sullivan was really the only one to respond & his response told me all I needed to know:
“I am the last person to ask that question. I just haven't given myself to a deep study of that subject yet.” (Hyperpreterist Michael Sullivan on the question of how the early Christians didn’t seem to see the hyperpreterist premises & conclusions)
I thought to myself, even as a hyperpreterist; then this guy is the LAST PERSON who should be writing a book on this topic. This is pivotal since before you even get to the proof-texts that hyperpreterists use, you should understand that their overarching premise is that God/Jesus/the apostles/Holy Spirit were either unwilling or unable to maintain within the community of saints, even a small group that supposedly would hold to the "true eschatology" of hyperpreterism. This is significant. Hyperpreterism MUST see God as a failure. It MUST see 2000 years of Christians as either dumb or distorters. Hyperpreterism MUST replace the faith that has been lived, believed & for which Christians have died, with the lie of hyperpreterism.
Now, as for the book. You have heard the expression;
"don't judge a book by its cover" -- but in this case I urge you to judge this book by how it is being promoted. First, on the backcover of the book is the phrase, "A Must Read!" & 5 stars. When someone asked Dave Green where this quote came from, Green admitted:
"The "A Must Read!" blurb is just a marketing gimmick. I've seen it on other books. Our cover guy (Mark Chiacchira) put it there. He was quoting himself. " (
Hyperpreterist Dave Green admitting the recommendation on the back of his book is a marketing gimmick -- a lie --
ref 6)
These quotes usually come from a credible source or a third-party source that has reviewed the book -- not from the participants of the book itself.
Further, if you go to the Amazon link where the book is posted, you will see that 3 of the authors reviewed their own book (
ref 7). Pure arrogance to go along with the arrogance of hyperpreterism in general, which must see Christianity as wrong & themselves as bringers of a supposed lost/hidden "truth".
The content of the reviews from the authors is even more revealing. Mike Sullivan says:
"This book marks the official commencement of the debate between the declining and crumbling futurist position and the rising and coherent preterist position within church history. This is a theological statement equivalent to that of Luther's Ninety-Five theses." (
Hyperpreterist Mike Sullivan arrogantly reviewing his own book --
ref 8)
Really?? This guy actually thinks his self-published book is equal to Luther's 95-Theses? Luther's Theses began a momentous reform not just in theology but in the civil & social realms. Do these hyperpreterists really think that highly of themselves??? Again, hyperpreterism is sheer arrogance before you even get to the proof-texting. I have not bought the book, nor will my conscience allow it. If a hyperpreterist wants to send me an e-copy of it, maybe I'll read it & give more details but 15 years within the movement & knowing these men first-hand, I'm not certain what I would find that is not already known about them & their views.
Lastly, beware. I know for a fact that hyperpreterists are on PB, though according to the rules they shouldn't be. Yet, that is how they operate, in darkness & always trying to come in unawares.