Expert: Dr. Tim Gladu - 5/1/2007

Question
QUESTION: Dear Dr., Is it true that before Margaret MacDonald's vision the church accepted a post-trib teaching?  I can find no writings from Calvin, Luther, M.Henry, C & J Wesley that support a pre-trib view.  Have only found one ancient statement about 300 AD from "pseudo-Ephraem".  Have you documentation that Baptists have always held this doctrine?  Thanks.
ANSWER: Martha,

I have looked into this at length and I can find no where that there was any serious thought of a pre-trib doctrine before Margaret. I also do not believe that all Baptist believe there is a Pre-trib Rapture. I believe that this doctrine is literally what the Bible says and that the Church will be Raptured before Tribulation. The classes I had on Eschatology and end times, had the Pre-trib view and it is what I believe. I do not have documentation that Baptists have always held this belief. I also can not speak for all Baptists because I know that there are still some Calvinists that believe that God chooses who will be saved and we are not saved by our choice. I am Souther Baptist and I have always taught about the 3 views and given reasons why each was believed. The only thing that all scholars can agree on is that God will bring about the end in His own time. The mistake that we make so many times is trying to second guess God and when He will bring about the Rapture. I have done the research and discovered that the Rapture of the church will be the event that sets off all the rest of the end time prophecy. I hope this helps and does not further confuse you.

God Bless and keep on studying

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dear Sir, thanks for the answer.  I am finding Pentecost's book, "Things to Come" very helpful in this area.  I suppose the question to ask is, "Does what one believes affects how one lives?"  If it doesn't, maybe one ought to try something else!
MB  

Answer
Martha,

What we believe is critical to how we live our lives and how we interact with other people. Look at it this way. If there is not God we could do anything we want to do and there is no punishment. I do agree that if you do not feel that what you believe is right then maybe you should switch to something else that you can believe in. I have found that there has been times in my life that I have really looked at what I believe and wonder if I was right. The Lord is real and I know this because of what He has done in my life. I have also come across people that do not believe there is anything. They live their lives as thought when they die that is it they go no where. I know that sometimes our faith can be tested because of things that happen to us and to people that we love.

Keep the faith and God bless