Expert: Joe Norman - 2/17/2008

Question
QUESTION: Why do some some people believe so strongly in the pre-tribulation rapture theory? I have debated this subject and have presented many scriptures showing this to be a false doctrine. The person I've debated this with gives I Thes.15-17 and Rev. 19 as support for their belief. There is nothing that I can find in any any of these scriptures that even vaguely supports the pre-tribulation rapture theory. So many people believe this false doctrine today. I think most of their information supporting this doctrine came from either the "Left Behind" series of books or something written by Hal Lindsey years ago. I think this doctrine is dangerous, because it may give people false hope - that they have 7 years to get their life in order, when in fact we only get one chance in this life. Can you give me your thoughts on this subject?

ANSWER: Hi Brenda and thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my thoughts with you regarding the false doctrine of "pre-tribulation rapture". I agree with you regarding the danger in this false doctrine. It is unfortunate that the majority of people who consider themselves to be Christians are in complete error regarding what is called the "end times". The "pre-tribulation rapture" false doctrine is but one error of many. Yet, you only asked for my thoughts on this one area and so I will limit myself to this topic.

Hal Lindsey was very influential in his teachings on this and "pre-millennial" teaching in general. Yet, he was not the first. The "Left Behind books have really fueled the flames of the false doctrine over the past few years.

It is important to point out that the word, "rapture" is not found anywhere in the Bible. The origin of "rapture" comes from the Latin word "raeptius", which is taken from the Vulgate. Of course the Latin Vulgate word is a translation of the Koine Greek word, "harpazo" which is found in the Greek manuscripts of I Thess.4:17.

Here is the Strong's definition:

harpazō
har-pad'-zo
From a derivative of G138; to seize (in various applications): - catch (away, up), pluck, pull, take (by force).

The popularization of the term "rapture" is associated with the teaching of John Nelson Darby, prominent among Plymouth Brethren, and the rise of premillennialism and dispensationalism in English-speaking churches at the end of the 19th century. In 1908, the doctrine of the rapture was further popularized by an evangelist named William Eugene Blackstone, whose book, Jesus Is Coming, sold more than one million copies. The first known appearance of the theological use of the word "rapture" in print occurs with the Scofield Reference Bible of 1909.[12]

In 1957, Dr. John Walvoord, a theologian at Dallas Theological Seminary, authored a book, "The Rapture Question," that gave theological support to the Pre-Tribulation rapture; this book eventually sold over 65,000 copies. In 1958, J. Dwight Pentecost authored another book supporting the Pre-Tribulation rapture, Things to Come: A Study in Biblical Eschatology, that sold 215,000 copies.

The bottom line is that this teaching of a pre-trib rapture is not very old and so obviously incorrect to the careful student of God's Word. I am confident that I understand Revelation and all the Bible reveals about the second coming of Christ, but it is not an area that I am confident in teaching or debating yet.

I do have a good Christian brother and friend who is an expert here who is very solid in his presentation and understanding of the books of prophecy and he is also very experienced at debating the false teachings of all the different "millennial" false teachings. His name is Ernie Lawrence. If you would like a more in depth and thorough response, I recommend him highly for this topic. I have read his teachings on Revelation and all the New Testament passages that many think are speaking of Christ's second coming. He and I are on the same page as to our understanding of them, but he is more experienced at teaching it and debating it as well.

I am more than happy to help you with any other future questions and look forward to hearing from you again. Please feel free to ask me any follow up questions if my response has caused any need for elaboration. May God bless you. Please always remember that no one alive today is divinely inspired of God and so no matter who you turn to for answers, check what is taught with God's Word. We must always prove what is true. It is good to know you have a deep desire to correct false teachings and seek the truth as well.

       Immersed Into Christ, Joe Norman

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

QUESTION: Thanks for your prompt response to my question! I knew a little about the beginning of the pre-tribulation rapture theory, but you have provided me with a much broader view of where this false doctrine actually came from. I appreciate your time and effort in this regard.

I failed to mention that I also debated this same person about the ultra-dispensation false doctrine too. This person is so brain-washed to the teachings of both hyper-dispensation and the rapture false doctrines that I don't think anyone could ever convince them other-wise.

I also presented many scriptures disproving the ultra-dispensation doctrine to this person as well as the pre-tribulation rapture theory. However, the scriptures I presented did not seem to register with this person at all. It seems that the ultra-dispensation doctrine only believes the "Pauline epistles" were written to us. From what I've learned these people just discount the teachings of Jesus and the other apostles in the other books of the bible altogether regarding salvation.  They follow the teachings of the apostle Paul, and they claim Paul taught a different gospel that the other apostles.
The 13 Pauline epistles are: Romans through Philemon. The 14 other books of the New Testament these people don't feel were even written to us "Gentiles". This is a very weird and confusing belief which I had never even heard of until recently.

I would like to communicate with your friend Earnie Lawrence to see if he might be able to show me further evidence in the bible (that I might have overlooked) to show that these two doctrines are nothing but heresies.
How would I go about contacting Mr. Lawrence?

In Christian Fellowship
Brenda Roberst

I am a 65 year old wife, mother and grandmother. I was baptized at the Church of Christ in Caruthersville, MO when I was 16 years old. I now live in Rolla, MO.

Answer
I mispelled his last name in my last response. His name is Ernie Laurence and he is listed with me and others here in the "allexperts" churches of Christ category. He and Marvin are very good friends of mine. Ernie is more than happy to assist you and is probably better equipped to do so with these areas in which you are need of assistance. He is very strong in his knowledge of the apocolyptic writings of the Bible. Marvin Howard might also be able to help you, but this is one area that Ernie excells. He is much younger than I am. He is only in his early 30's I think and I am 43 years old, but he has done deep and careful study. He is also very experienced with debates. If you would prefer to contact him directly, I can forward your email address...if you are okay with that and you can send it to me via a private question. Or you can just choose him to ask in the allexperts churches of Christ category.

         God bless you in defending the Truth, Joe Norman