Christ and These Last Days...in Greenville

In just a few short weeks, the Philadelphia Conference on Reformed Theology will return to the lovely Upcountry of South Carolina.  We're going to give you a preview of what to expect when you come to Greenville here at Reformation 21 over the next couple weeks.

On Friday April 16, Cornel Venema, Presdient and Professor of Doctrinal Studies at Mid-America Reformed Seminary, will open the pre-conference time looking at what he has called "Texts of Christ's Triumph."  Dr. Venema will look at Matthew 24:1-35, Revelation 20 and 2 Thessalonians 1.  So, as you can see, he has chosen very easy, very mangageable texts to begin with!

Many readers will be familiar with Dr. Venema's work.  However, if you're not, here's a good place to start: he has written a comprehensive (475+ pages!) and engaging treatment of eschatology entitled The Promise of the Future.  If you are (or have friends who are) interested in a balanced treatment of all millennial views and a serious exegetical study of the eschatology of the Bible, look no further than this book. 

The texts that Dr. Venema is addressing are critically important to a right understanding of the end times.  Many times these passages are given exegetical priority that make some wonder if the Bible is really a book only about the end times or they are nervously avoided in the hope of dealing with them someday during the oft-anticipated (and usually never arrived at!) "End Times series" that we preachers are expected to do on a regular basis!

With Dr. Venema, one can expect the warmth of a well seasoned pastor (and shepherd of future shepherds) coupled with the depth of scholarship that marks the PCRT.  In short, this year's preconference promises to be vintage PCRT.

The Friday pre-conference sessions at PCRT are some of my favorites.  Why? There's an air of excitement and anticipation for the Friday evening session but, like your favorite appetizer, the pre-conference perfectly whets the appetite for the opening course.  However, as you can see by the texts that Dr. Venema has selected, this appetizer may be enough for a main course!  Either way, and using whatever metaphor you choose, you will want to attend these sessions if you are in or near Greenville.

Interested in coming? Register here