Information
The book The Meaning of the Millennium: Four Views was edited by Robert G. Clouse. It was originally published in Downers Grove, Illinois in 1977 by InterVarsity Press. Clouse combined writings from George Eldon Ladd, Herman A. Hoyt, Loraine Boettner, and Anthony A. Hoekema to produce this book. "George Eldon Ladd (Fuller Theological Seminary) present[ed] historic premillennialism. Herman A. Hoyt (Grace Theological Seminary) [wrote] on dispensational premillennialism. Loraine Boettner (theologian and author of The Millennium) discuss[ed] the postmillennial view. And finally Anthony A. Hoekema (Calvin Theological Seminary) describes the amillennial position."
Sketch of the Editor Clouse obtained a B.A., Ph.D., and a B.D. from Bryan College, the University of Iowa, and Grace Theological Seminary respectively. In addition, in both Iowa and Indiana he serves as an ordained Brethren minister. He is currently a history professor at Indiana State University and "is a student of the history of Christian thought." Clouse has also coedited Protest and Politics and Women in Ministry: Four Views. Summary of the Contents
Introduction
This chapter began with a very helpful introduction section written by Clouse. It provided some brief definitions on the four views that were discussed in the book. Furthermore, it described the differing time periods in which each of the four views of the millennium discussed in this book were predominant.
Chapter One: Historic Premillennialism
According to Ladd "premillennialism is the doctrine stating that after the Second Coming of Christ, he will reign for a thousand years over the earth before the final consummation of God's redemptive purpose in the new heavens and the new earth of the Age to Come." In this initial chapter on historic premillennialism, Ladd addressed three topics. First, he addressed the question of hermeneutics because the historic premillennialist view "is based upon the hermeneutic
Bibliography: Clouse, Robert G., ed. The Meaning of the Millennium: Four Views. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1977. Elwell, Walter A., ed. Evangelical Dictionary of Theology. Grand Rapids: Baker Academics, 2001. Erickson, Millard J. Christian Theology. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2004. Grudem, Wayne. Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994.