I remember in 1996 going to a Christian bookshop in Armagh, Northern Ireland and buying an interesting looking novel called 'Left Behind'. It tells the story of how Christians will be raptured by Christ so that believers don't have to face all the catatrophes waiting for humanity as described in Revelation. I remember thinking that there would be a sequel. I own all 11 sequels.
The Rapture is a particular interpretation of Revelation called Premillennial Dispensationalism, there are many others. If PreDip is correct then what are the implications for witness, evangelism, Christian living? Does it motivate us to share our faith or does it get us off the hook because Jesus will sort it? Also think about why such thinking is popular in Western culture and not as popular in areas where Christians are persecuted?
"So teach us to number our days..."
2 years ago
I never knew you'd been to Armagh, Ronnie!
ReplyDeleteAs you know, I've not read the LB books, but I think there is a strong influence of this thinking in the Christian Right in the US - for example the attitudes of, "let's not do anything about climate change cos, hey, Jesus is coming back", or, even worse, "nuculear [sic] war, bring it on!".
Like you, I wonder why this thinking emerges from such a political and social context and not from others. Would be an interesting study in itself. And how different are they from the Da Vinci books?
But please don't base your entire series on Revelation on the LB books - I'd like to see how we in 21st century Glasgow can understand for ourselves John's message to his 1st century contemporaries.
And when I visit Armagh I'm quite glad to have been raptured away from the place!
ReplyDeleteFor a stunning pre-Halloween shock be sure to visit the "Powered by Christ Ministries" site and click on "Pretrib Rapture Dishonesty." It can easily turn certain types of bodies inside out!
ReplyDeleteI hear there are a lot of people who look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Allegedly well over a billion. Maybe even 2 billion.
ReplyDeleteWhen people take that thinking to heart and don't just 'look', but seek... Suddenly calamitous events become things to be encouraged (as fulfilment of prophecies in Revelation).
Hi. just stumbled onto your blog. I've read most of the LB series and I don't agree with most of the interpretation in the series.
ReplyDeleteAnd I do like your question... "Also think about why such thinking is popular in Western culture and not as popular in areas where Christians are persecuted?" I live in America and I wonder why so many around here follow the who pre-trib rapture. Here's an interesting blog that I just started to follow(new one) that you may want to check out about ones interpretation of the end times...
modernhubris.blogspot.com
carolg