CCR 118: Is Brian Godawa a Heretic?

HERETIC! It’s a label we throw on anyone who declares doctrine contrary to yours. But when it comes to Biblical Eschatology, there are many ways to explain the obscure and often confusing text of places like Matthew 24, the Book of Daniel, and the Book of Revelation. On this episode, we speak to our good friend Brian Godawa, who timidly asked to be back on the show to discuss his new book, ‘Tyrant! Rise of the Beast – Chronicles of the Apocalypse, Book One’. His hesitation was due to the fact that the book supported a view of eschatology called Preterism; that is a view that most of the things described in Matthew 24 and the Book of Revelation were fulfilled back in 70 AD, with the destruction of the second Jewish Temple. The arguments that support this thesis range from good ones to the more fantastical, sometimes making the alleged accounts of Nero the Roman Emperor sound as supernatural as the Bible itself. Still, as a non-salvation issue, the interpretation of eschatological passages ought to be something we can discuss openly even if we wholeheartedly disagree with one another. And while we jokingly titled this episode, “Is Brian Godawa a Heretic?” the reality is, more discussion about various views on biblical end times is important for us as a church to fully grasp the depth of the Word and how it might apply to us.

Synthesis?

Some folks believe that Bible prophecy happens cyclically where all events ultimately leads to the fulfillment of every yod and tiddle. There are times in history where political, military and religious leaders and their institutions conduct acts that echo what was written down in the Scriptures hundreds or thousands of years prior. Such events, might be mere archetypes or perhaps even partial or fragmented fulfillments leading to an ultimate fulfillment. It is the opinion of one of the hosts here, that such a theory is true because God ordained the end from the beginning.

Isaiah 46:8-11

Remember this and stand firm,

recall it to mind, you transgressors,

remember the former things of old;

for I am God, and there is no other;

I am God, and there is none like me,

declaring the end from the beginning

and from ancient times things not yet done,

saying, ‘My counsel shall stand,

and I will accomplish all my purpose,’