Graves (1820-93), born in Chester, Vermont, originally was a congregationalist but later became a Baptist. He completed the equivalent of a college degree on his own in four years, learning four languages in the process. He then began a long study of the Scriptures on his own. Before the Civil War, Graves planned and organized the Southwestern Publishing House and the Southern Baptist Sunday School Union. He became an accomplished writer and editor and was also recognized as a popular preacher and skilled debater.
Graves was deeply involved in the landmark movement and became a key spokesman for this group within Southern Baptist circles. Landmarkism argued that Baptist churches had existed in unbroken succession since the apostolic era. He argued this point in almost everything he wrote.
Graves held to a strong premillennial position that he felt was evident in the early church from at least the second century. Many believe he should also be labeled a dispensationalist who had embraced the hermeneutics of Darby. Graves's magnum opus was The Work of Christ Consummated in Seven Dispensations. To prove his point as to how important Bible prophecy was, Graves was familiar with, and could quote from, a great number of well-known and unknown premillennial scholars.
In 1859 Graves came out against a postmillennial article in the Family Baptist Magazine. He pointed out that postmillennialists could not give a single prophecy to support their belief. He boldly asserted that if his stance on premillennialism placed him in the chiliast camp, then he was proud of it because the Lord and all the prophets were chiliasts!
Graves held two very successful prophecy conferences in 1878 (New York) and 1886 (Chicago). The New York Tribune called the lectures at the first even "refreshing and inspirational." The paper noted that the subject of prophecy was gaining interest and pastors should study the issues and share with their people. At these conferences Graves gave a complete dispensational scenario. Literal interpretation was attacked by his many critics. He also argued strongly at these conferences for the restoration of the Jews to Palestine. The magazine The Baptist noted the "profound impression made in California and else where with Graves's premillennialism." In 1891 The Baptist ran a series of articles pushing for the Jews' return to Palestine. Graves wrote that the Jews' "dispersion is literal, so will their restoration be literal."
Graves has had a profound premillennial influence on Baptists through the decades. He wrote and lectured continually in conferences and churches. He influenced many Southern Baptist teachers and also kept company with many like-minded preachers and pastors. He came along at a time when premillennialism was gaining ground and during the period of great discussion about the Jews returning to the land.
Graves was deeply involved in the landmark movement and became a key spokesman for this group within Southern Baptist circles. Landmarkism argued that Baptist churches had existed in unbroken succession since the apostolic era. He argued this point in almost everything he wrote.
Graves held to a strong premillennial position that he felt was evident in the early church from at least the second century. Many believe he should also be labeled a dispensationalist who had embraced the hermeneutics of Darby. Graves's magnum opus was The Work of Christ Consummated in Seven Dispensations. To prove his point as to how important Bible prophecy was, Graves was familiar with, and could quote from, a great number of well-known and unknown premillennial scholars.
In 1859 Graves came out against a postmillennial article in the Family Baptist Magazine. He pointed out that postmillennialists could not give a single prophecy to support their belief. He boldly asserted that if his stance on premillennialism placed him in the chiliast camp, then he was proud of it because the Lord and all the prophets were chiliasts!
Graves held two very successful prophecy conferences in 1878 (New York) and 1886 (Chicago). The New York Tribune called the lectures at the first even "refreshing and inspirational." The paper noted that the subject of prophecy was gaining interest and pastors should study the issues and share with their people. At these conferences Graves gave a complete dispensational scenario. Literal interpretation was attacked by his many critics. He also argued strongly at these conferences for the restoration of the Jews to Palestine. The magazine The Baptist noted the "profound impression made in California and else where with Graves's premillennialism." In 1891 The Baptist ran a series of articles pushing for the Jews' return to Palestine. Graves wrote that the Jews' "dispersion is literal, so will their restoration be literal."
Graves has had a profound premillennial influence on Baptists through the decades. He wrote and lectured continually in conferences and churches. He influenced many Southern Baptist teachers and also kept company with many like-minded preachers and pastors. He came along at a time when premillennialism was gaining ground and during the period of great discussion about the Jews returning to the land.
