Download or read book The Pretribulation Rapture Doctrine and the Progressive Dispensational System written by John A. Alifano and published by Universal-Publishers. This book was released on 2004 with total page 144 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Since its inception in the early nineteenth century, the basic tenet of dispensationalism (a school of Protestant theology which holds that God deals with humankind in different ways in different periods of time called dispensations) has been that the church and Israel are two sharply distinct peoples of God. The distinction is theological in nature; specifically, anthropological (pertaining to humanity), soteriological (pertaining to salvation), and eschatological (pertaining to last things). The tenet of theological distinctiveness has always been the cornerstone for the dispensationalist's belief in the pretribulation rapture of the church: the belief that at the first stage of Christ's two-stage second advent he will endue all who comprise the true church with a resurrected body like his own, and transport; i.e., rapture, all to heaven before the seven year period of turmoil known as the Tribulation begins on earth. The rapture marks the end of one dispensation when God focused his attention primarily on the church, and the start of another when God will focus his attention primarily on Israel. Today, almost two centuries later, progressive dispensationalists have rejected the view of a sharp theological distinction. From their study of Scripture they observe a soft non-theological distinction. They describe the church and Israel as different redemptive dimensions of the same humanity that share in a holistic and unified eternal salvation. An already and not yet eschatological framework is the cornerstone of their system. This thesis will argue that progressive dispensationalism cannot integrate the pretribulation rapture doctrine into its reconstructed dispensational system on any basis of theological distinctiveness between the church and Israel. This will be accomplished by first setting forth the theological systems of the three major forms of dispensationalism that have existed during its history, namely, classical, revised, and progressive dispensationalism, and second, by showing that each of three kinds of theological distinctiveness, namely, anthropological, soteriological, and eschatological distinctiveness, are present in the classical and revised systems and therefore these systems can support the rapture's integration, but are not present in the progressive system and therefore this system cannot support the rapture's integration. The thesis closes with an explanation as to why progressive dispensationalism is more compatible with amillennialism than with premillennialism.
Download or read book The Pretribulation Rapture Doctrine and the Progressive Dispensational System written by John Anthony Alifano and published by . This book was released on 2002 with total page 422 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book The Pretribulation Rapture Theory and Dispensationalism Revisited written by J. Mike Byrd and published by WestBow Press. This book was released on 2014-08-15 with total page 199 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Pretribulation Rapture Theory and Dispensationalism Revisited reviews and critiques a confusing array of popular theories that address the return of Jesus Christ and the churchs rapture. It proposes that a clarifying approach rests in letting Scripture interpret Scripture, which yields a simpler, more natural, and consistent explanation of the pretribulation rapture and dispensationalism. Drawing upon thousands of hours of Bible study, J. Mike Byrd presents an analysis and a related proposal that avoid both unthinking conformity to popular notions and oversimplification for the sake of palatability. The Pretribulation Rapture Theory and Dispensationalism Revisited addresses methods of interpretation, defines dispensationalism and the Dispensational Principle, examines the scriptural testimony surrounding the day of the Lord and the day of Gods wrath, surveys the issues regarding imminence, and discusses the rapture, the resurrection, and Christs second coming. If you wonder what Scripture clearly teaches about the this worlds demise, the end of human existence, and the onset of Gods sure and certain work to establish his reign, then The Pretribulation Rapture Theory and Dispensationalism Revisited should offer you the scripturally grounded review, analysis, and explanation you need to understand the Scriptures teachings on these ultimate issues.
Download or read book Reflections of a Recovering Dispensationalist written by S. P. Sammons and published by Createspace Independent Pub. This book was released on 2012-04-01 with total page 208 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: What is the secret to the pretribulaition rapture? Were you taught that dispensationalism and the pretribulation rapture are based on a literal interpretation of the Bible? Were you taught that the Bible makes a distinction between spiritual Israel and the Church? So was I. I invite you to read the story of my journey. Dispensationalism and the pretribulation rapture are exposed as theologies which are based on extra biblical criteria and philosophies, not on a plain, normal interpretation of the Bible.Gordon Fee – Since Dispensationalism was a nineteenth century invention that doesn't have a single biblical leg to stand on -- if by "biblical" one is referring to what the Bible itself actually teaches -- then this book by one who has had to work his own way out of the system by way of a better reading of the biblical text is well worth the time to read and make available to others.Stephen P. Sammons graduated from Gordon-Conwell with a Doctor of Ministry. He is an EFCA ordained pastor of Lake Murray Community Church.
Download or read book The Last Days of Dispensationalism written by Alistair W. Donaldson and published by Wipf and Stock Publishers. This book was released on 2010-10-28 with total page 194 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: How we understand God's future purposes for the world must shape, to a significant degree, how Christians live life in the present. The decades since the publication of Hal Lindsey's, The Late Great Planet Earth, have seen a great deal of "end-times" speculation. Signs of the end-time apocalypse occurring soon have been heralded across our radios, televisions, the internet, and through written forms of media, urging people to either be ready for the rapture or be left behind to endure the horrific suffering of the tribulation as God's end-time program unfolds. Is this really what the Bible teaches about the purposes of the God of whom our Bible declares "so loved the world" that he gave his only son in order that all things be reconciled. The Last Days of Dispensationalism carefully examines this popular understanding known to us as dispensationalism and urges us to think again and to see within the Bible's grand salvation narrative and in the person of Jesus Christ a better message of redemptive hope for the future and a greater sense of meaning and purpose for the present.
Download or read book Three Views on the Rapture written by Craig A. Blaising and published by Zondervan Academic. This book was released on 2018-06-26 with total page 304 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The rapture--or the belief that Jesus' living followers will, at some point, join him forever while others do not--is an important but contested doctrine among evangelicals. Scholars generally hold one of three perspectives on the timing and circumstances of the rapture, all of which are presented in this important volume of the Counterpoints series, Three Views on the Rapture: Alan D. Hultberg (PhD, Trinity International University and professor of New Testament at Talbot School of Theology) explains the Pre-Wrath view. Craig Blaising (PhD, Dallas Theological Seminary and president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary) defends the Pre-Tribulation view. Douglas Moo (PhD, University of St. Andrews and professor of New Testament at Wheaton College) sets forth the Post-Tribulation view. Each author provides a substantive explanation of his position, which is critiqued by the other two authors. A thorough introduction gives a historical overview of the doctrine of the rapture and its effects on the church. The interactive and fair-minded format of the Counterpoints series allows readers to consider the strengths and weaknesses of each view and draw informed, personal conclusions.
Download or read book Dispensationalism and the Pre Tribulation Rapture of the Church written by Paul Grafton-Holt and published by . This book was released on 2019-06-22 with total page 102 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book explores the subject of the tribulation from a dispensationalists' point of view. They believe that Christians will be spared from going through the great tribulation, as outlined in the book of Revelation. The tribulation period is one of 7-years duration with the last three and a half years being the most significant. During this event it will be a difficult time to be a Christian as the Antichrist will have been revealed to the world and he will be persecuting those who refuse to take the mark of the beast. They will not be able to trade and will be forced underground if they are to survive. The Antichrist will seek to kill all Christians who refuse to bow down to him and thus the final persecution will begin.The Bible does make it clear that there will be a rapture of Christians during this period before Christ returns to establish His kingdom on earth. Some posit, like dispensationalists, that the rapture will take place before the tribulation, others that it will be afterwards and yet more still that it will be around the mid-point. There is no doubt there will be a rapture, that is well established in the biblical accounts. Beatty, however, refutes this when he says:'No doubt the twentieth chapter of Revelation validates the teachings of Jesus that only two resurrections will occur. The third resurrection theory does not stand up to scriptural scrutiny. Since this is the case and we have established that the rapture is a resurrection, then we must conclude that the rapture is the first resurrection found in Revelation 20.' However, there does not have to be three resurrections, but two. There is a rapture of the saints part-way through the tribulation. These are heaven-bound after their being raptured and remain so until Christ descends to earth with them, and the resurrected saints in tow, to conquer His foes in the battle of Armageddon. The second resurrection is that of the reprobates to face judgment at the Great White Throne before their banishment to the fiery pits of hell. Thus the rapture is not a resurrection per se. The Church is raptured to heaven and then resurrected in their new imperishable bodies, with the rest of the dead saints, to follow Christ back to earth.The question this book addresses is whether dispensationalists have the correct view in that the rapture of the church will precede the 7-year tribulation. This will be done, essentially, through an exegesis of the texts they cite in favour of this view.
Download or read book Evangelism and Christian Apologetics written by Steve Urick and published by AuthorHouse. This book was released on 2012-03-09 with total page 449 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Evangelism and making disciples of Christ go together and make up the most important work on earth. Why? Because the eternal destiny of people depends upon hearing the gospel of Christ. But many Christians lack basic training to be able to do soul-winning work, defend the faith, and refute false teachings. Evangelism and Christian Apologetics contains vital information that can give any Christian the knowledge and confidence to effectively explain the gospel, one-on-one, and gives clear answers to questions most commonly asked by skeptics and truth-seekers alike. Whether you are an older Christian, or a new believer, this powerful book will give you the “nuts and bolts” of evangelism training needed to equip and motivate you to go out and labor in the great harvest of souls while there is still time.
Download or read book Reflections on Dispensationalism written by S. P. Sammons and published by Createspace Independent Pub. This book was released on 2012-08-01 with total page 208 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "This volume is must reading for anyone who thinks a "literal" reading of Scripture inevitably results in a dispensational system of theology." Mark L. Strauss, PhD The author was raised and educated in a dispensational pretribulaition rapture circle. He often heard that all those who took the Bible literally came to dispensational and pretribulation rapture conclusions. Those who did not reach these conclusions were considered "liberal heretics" who interpreted the Bible to meet their own agendas. Imagine the surprise of the author to discover that a literal interpretation of the Bible does not actually support dispensationalism or the pretribulation rapture. We challenge you to read the story of his journey. "This book by one who has had to work his own way out of the [dispensational] system by way of a better reading of the biblical text is well worth the time to read and make available to others." Gordon Fee "The real value of this book is that is written by an insider who knows the intricacies of the dispensational system and has changed his mind." Dr. Ben Witherington, III
Download or read book A Case for Historic Premillennialism written by Craig L. Blomberg and published by Baker Academic. This book was released on 2009-02-01 with total page 174 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Many evangelical readers who have learned the basics of eschatology from popular authors and more recently from novelists assume that dispensational premillennialism, with its distinctive teachings about the pretribulation rapture of the church, is the only reliable view of the end times and the return of Christ. This volume, however, offers a compelling case for an alternative perspective--one that was widely prevalent throughout church history. The contributors, all respected scholars in their respective fields, suggest that classic premillennialism offers believers a more coherent and viable approach to understanding eschatology. Their studies, which examine eschatology from biblical, theological, historical, and missiological approaches, provide a broadly accessible argument for returning to the perspectives of historic premillennial eschatology.
Download or read book Understanding Dispensationalists written by Vern S. Poythress and published by P & R Publishing. This book was released on 1993-12 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Revelation written by and published by Canongate Books. This book was released on 1999-01-01 with total page 60 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The final book of the Bible, Revelation prophesies the ultimate judgement of mankind in a series of allegorical visions, grisly images and numerological predictions. According to these, empires will fall, the "Beast" will be destroyed and Christ will rule a new Jerusalem. With an introduction by Will Self.
Download or read book Dispensationalism Before Darby written by William C. Watson and published by . This book was released on 2015-04-02 with total page 373 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: For years, critics of premillennialism have argued that John Nelson Darby was the source for the doctrine of the rapture and dispensationalism. Building upon years of research in seventeenthcentury and eighteenth-century English theological writings, William Watson argues that dispensationalism and the ideas associated with it were long part of British theological discourse. Drawing upon hundreds of early printed English books and years of archival study in primary sources and British libraries, Watson demonstrates that Darby's thought was neither aberrant nor original. To the contrary, he was following a long line of British clergy who anticipated the restoration of Jews to a national homeland and the imminent return of Jesus Christ.
Download or read book The Pretrib Rapture written by Paula Martin and published by Xulon Press. This book was released on 2008-03 with total page 178 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Jesus told His disciples (that includes us) to Watch for His return (Matt. 24:42) The rapture is a subject of much controversy. Since scholars cannot agree on the timing of the rapture, how can we know what to believe? ? Is the rapture "pie in the sky" theology? ? This book does not tread a well-worn path. The Bible has more to say about the rapture than has been previously realized. ? This oft-surprising, ground-breaking book reveals the choreographed, pretrib answer from none other than Jesus Himself. While we in the church have been arguing amongst ourselves about the timing of the rapture, some no longer look for it. Others rip the spirit from the imminent return of the Lord, teaching that He only returns at the end of human history. The Pretrib Rapture Choreographed in the Gospels can resolve doubt, bring back hope, and instill confidence in the pretrib rapture. "Paula is a penetrating thinker. What she has put together here is biblically based, well written and thought provoking. It's enlightening and well worth reading." Dr. David R. Reagan, Prophecy Teacher Founder of Lamb & Lion Ministries Host of Christ in Prophecy TV Program "As her pastor for many years, I know Paula has a great passion for the Lord's return. She has studied the Olivet Discourse for over 30 years. In this work, she respectfully challenges assumptions associated with it as she has challenged her own assumptions concerning it. The fresh insights she presents will have us all doing our homework." Jerry McAnulty, Senior Pastor Calvary Chapel, Rivergate Paula Martin, married to Allen for 47 years, is the mother of four, grandmother of 13. She graduated from Rancho Santiago College with Honors, and Department Honors in Journalism. She is the author of The Simplicity of Faith.
Download or read book The Posttribulational Rapture of the Church written by Bruce Tucker and published by Xlibris Corporation. This book was released on 2001-12-17 with total page 358 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: There are numerous texts written about the rapture and the end times. A brief excursion to your local Christian bookstore will provide ample evidence of the interest in this topic. From time to time people will attempt to give their text a twist or a slant in order to make their text different from the others. Nevertheless, most books about the rapture present the standard pretribulational argument, and their unique nesses rest primarily in the contemporary issues which have stimulated the renewed discussion. New developments in the Middle East will usually generate a new set of books. Today the New World Order, Y2K, and even El Nino have provided fresh grist for predicting an imminent rapture. The interest, enthusiasm, publications, and even movies about the rapture are still increasing. A series of fictional novels about the tribulation period are cranked out monthly. Recent Hollywood motion pictures, including "Left Behind", are based upon this. This book is different for several reasons. It does not emphasize any contemporary issue or current events which relate to the pretribulational scenario. Instead, it will spend its energies on specific biblical principles and doctrines, and leave the application of those doctrines to the reader. What is more unique is that this book promotes a posttribulational rapture, a position which is different from most of the other books, and it critiques the theology of the pretribulational rapture which is the foundation for most of the other texts. Books which promote a posttribulational rapture are few, indeed, and they are often too technical for the average lay-person. There is a need for a book which is a comprehensive look at the rapture question, and yet attempts to keep the language more understandable. To achieve the goal of being comprehensive, this book is divided into three parts: 1.) a critique of the major arguments for a pretribulational rapture, 2.) an analysis of the major biblical sections which discuss the rapture, and 3.) a selective commentary on the Book of Revelation. The first section defines and evaluates the major pretribulational arguments. These arguments are repeated time and again in books promoting a pretribulational rapture. They are significant because they either help sustain a pretribulational rapture if justified, or they weaken it significantly if not. " The church is not destined for wrath." "The rapture must be imminent." "The distinction between the church and Israel." "The posttribulationists spiritualize the Bible." "The types and parables teach a pretribulational rapture." "The differences between the rapture and second coming." The second part of the book is an exposition of the major sections of the Bible which discuss the rapture. As the first part writes from the perspective of systematic theology, the second part deals with biblical theology. The Bible is evaluated independently from a system of theology, and attempts to interpret the major texts on the rapture. Here are the passages to be addressed. "The rapture passages in the Gospels." "The rapture passages In First and Second Thessalonians." "The rapture passages in First Corinthians." "The rapture passages in Second Peter". The third part focuses upon the Book of Revelation. No discussion of the issue of the rapture or eschatology could be complete without including a discussion on this book. This book is both complicated and controversial, and my intent is not to write a complete commentary about Revelation, but only to discuss what is necessary to
Download or read book Christ Jesus the True Israel written by Brent E. Parker and published by Wipf and Stock Publishers. This book was released on 2024-01-11 with total page 449 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: What is the relationship between the nation of Israel, Jesus Christ, and the church? Pastors and theologians come to significantly different conclusions. The reigning systems of evangelical theology, covenant theology, and dispensationalism answer this question by stressing the continuity of the Israel-church relationship (covenant theology) or emphasizing discontinuity (dispensationalism). In more recent times, progressive covenantalism has emerged as a via media between these two theological approaches by providing a different proposal for unpacking the biblical covenants, and by highlighting that to rightly understand the people of God in biblical theology, the person of Jesus Christ must be the focal point. In Christ Jesus, the True Israel, Brent E. Parker presents the case for the importance of typology in this debate, arguing that national Israel is a type, not unlike other Old Testament types (e.g., the sacrificial system, the temple, etc.), that reaches its antitypical fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Moreover, the Israel-church relationship is also typological, but only through Christ. Parker demonstrates that the progressive covenantal approach is a viable system of theology that seeks to preserve what the whole Bible says regarding the people of God, from Israel to Christ and from Christ to the church.
Download or read book Evangelical Hermeneutics written by Robert L. Thomas and published by Kregel Academic. This book was released on 2002 with total page 528 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A thorough and competent examination of divergent hermeneutical methods widely used by evangelicals today.
