What Is Talbotism? Another ISM In the Making | The Kingdom Come

What Is Talbotism? Another ISM In the Making

We must first ask what makes an "ism" within theology? For LuthernISM, CalvinISMⁱ, or ArminianISM. All of the men these "isms" were named after certainly would rather had their names not become an ISM. So, why did they? They didn't use those terms to describe their views; although these terms help us to quickly sum up a perspective or at least get the general idea.

However, the "isms" come along especially when an advocate begins to propose perspectives they often claim are "their" teaching or "their" view.

WHAT IS TALBOTISM?

Talbotism is still in the making but it is a perspective around the teachings and practices of a man named Kenneth Talbot. Talbot and some of his followers like to deride people for pointing out the rise of his own personal "ism" and his own "followers"; who have been called "Talbotites", "Talbotians", and "Talbotists". But the fact remains, Talbot is making his own personal "ism". This is especially evident in the fact that Talbot has created his own denomination, his own seminary, and his own church. This far exceeds what Martin Luther and John Calvin did in personalizing their perspectives; so if those men have had their names turned into "isms", certainly Talbot's name is more a candidate.

Further, Talbot creates entire personalized "ologies"; such as his own personalized eschatology he calls "Realized Preterism". (hear him say it in this 5 second audio clip). If that isn't enough to convince the reader that Talbot is either knowingly or unknowingly creating his own "ism", it should be said that Talbot also produced 89 hours worth of lectures on just his personalized eschatology. Let's put that in perspective. If you read aloud the entire Bible at a normal pace, it would take you approximately 72 hours to complete. However, Talbot has created 89 hours worth of droning monologue on merely one aspect of the Bible. If this isn't evidence of a man creating a personalized "ism" I don't know what is. Only the most devoted of Talbot followers would defend this kind of thing.

Next, if not already through the fact of creating his own denomination, his own seminary and own church, Talbot has declared he is somehow better than the average person when it comes to all things theological.

"I am good at what I do, both in preaching and in apologetics, and even better in debating." (Talbot bragging about himself)-- source

There is clear evidence that Talbot is concertedly advancing a personalized theology; ie. an "ism" of his own making. To respond to this evidence with claims I am trying to "smear" or "slander" Talbot, is simply being blind to the facts of the matter.

WHAT IS A TALBOTITE?

This idea of Talbot being cultish did not originate with me. The first mention I have found of Talbot as the leader of an "ism" as a cultic manifestation was noted by Dr. Thomas Roche, Teacher of Classical Languages at Aquidneck Island Christian Academy (see his impressive credentials here).

Dr. Roche said of Talbot and his behavior:

"This 'denomination' [Talbot's] is also more or less a cult, the personal plaything of moderator-for-life Kenneth Talbot. Avoid...I hold to the existence of two types of cult, following the typology of the late Dr Walter Martin and his successor, Dr Hank Hanegraaff, authors of 'Kingdom of the Cults' and successive heads of the cult research group, 'The Christian Research Institute', in Calif. One type of cult is the theological cult, and to qualify here a group has to claim to be Christian while teaching a false gospel. Clearly this is not the case with Talbot. However, they also recognize the so-called 'sociological cult', groups that have orthodox theology but are cultic in terms of strong-man, authoritarian and oppressive leadership, doctrinaire mind-control attitudes, and extreme in-group/ out-group mentalities that make it very hard to depart, keep members isolated from non- and especially ex- members, etc., and give various special privileges/ status/ rule exemptions to the leadership." (ref#1, ref#2)

In September of 2011 I contacted Dr. Roche to see if he was still of the opinion that Talbot was cultic. His response at the time, without revealing too much of his private email message was:

"KEEP THE FAITH AND DO NOT DEAL WITH THIS CULT"

So, a Talbotite is the person who tends to follow the teachings of Talbot, even to the point of actually listening to 89 hours of lectures (that would be like listening 8 hours a day for 11 days straight). A Talbotite is a person that is somehow beholden to Talbot, via Talbot being a chairman on the board of their "ministry" as Talbot is on several (American Vision.com, NiceneCouncil.com) or having been given free or discounted tuition at his seminary as Talbot offered me before I wised up and began opposing his personalized "ism". Or a Talbotite is a person who spends inordinate amounts of time promoting anything Talbot. For example, as evident from this avid Talbot follower during a promotion of 700 hours worth of audio by Talbot. Look at how it is being promoted:

EXAMPLE OF TALBOTISM'S EFFECTS

"Welcome to the GoodieBox. So what is it? Or better, what’s in it? Christ Presbyterian Church of Lakeland, FL has been sitting on a gold mine of solid, Reformed sermons which have been made available only to members of the church and visitors who happened to asked for a disc. Not anymore. The church [Talbot's church] has partnered with WhitefieldMedia [Talbot's seminary's arm] to make this collection of over 700 sermons available to our [Talbot's main supporter] visitors." -- source

Note first of all, how Talbot's teachings are called a "goodiebox" and a "gold mine". Granted, many deceased persons are so esteemed and a fair amount of living persons as well. But taken along with all the other evidence, this is telling. It is even admitted within this promotion, that the material was only previously available to "members" and people who asked for it. What was it that Dr. Roche said about an aspect of a cult is its "in-group vs out-group" mentality?

But the issue is more profound when you realize that the entire promotion is...cultic. Here we have Talbot partnering with Talbot to promote Talbot; since in fact Talbot's church and WhitefieldMedia, and the website are ALL part and parcel an arm of Talbot.

CONCLUSION
While I could go into some of Talbot's personalized theology, such as his admitted NEW eschatology he is calling "Realized Preterism", such an endeavor at this point would be met with claims of "personal attack" on Talbot, even though it is apparent that Talbot is indeed promoting himself as a purveyor of his own "ism". So, despite whatever protestations Talbot or his followers might offer against the idea that he and they are promoting an "ism" of Talbot, the evidence is clear.
I leave it to the reader to use discretion with any man who would go through these lengths to promote himself; under the banner of "Christian" or otherwise.

via thekingdomcome.com