• This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every person's position on topics equally. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. We are here to discuss them in a civil political debate. If this is your first visit to our political forums, be sure to check out the RULES. Registering for debate politics is necessary before posting. Register today to participate - it's free!
  • Welcome to our archives. No new posts are allowed here.

Farewell to the Rapture

I

it's just me

Non Bidenary
DP Veteran
Joined
Jul 2, 2014
Messages
21,022
Reaction score
3,209
Gender
Undisclosed
Political Leaning
Undisclosed
I often hear fundamentalist Protestants complain about the "man made doctrines" of the Roman Catholic Church, but I almost never hear about the "man made doctrines" of the Protestant church and it's variants, namely, dispensationalism, and specifically, "The Rapture". In this article the author explains the misunderstood passages Paul wrote that many "Left Behind" types hang their hats on.

Farewell to the Rapture | Preachers Institute
 
"Left Behind" WAS a pretty good series of books, though...even for us non religious heathens.
 
So the moral of the story is **** Christianity as a whole? :D
 
Luftwaffe said:
So the moral of the story is **** Christianity as a whole? :D
Click to expand...

I don't even know what in hell that's supposed to mean. Try it without the profanity so I know what it is you are trying to say.
 
it's just me said:
I often hear fundamentalist Protestants complain about the "man made doctrines" of the Roman Catholic Church, but I almost never hear about the "man made doctrines" of the Protestant church and it's variants, namely, dispensationalism, and specifically, "The Rapture". In this article the author explains the misunderstood passages Paul wrote that many "Left Behind" types hang their hats on.

Farewell to the Rapture | Preachers Institute
Click to expand...


Interesting (I read several related articles as well)... but not a sufficiently exhaustive study to be completely compelling.


I have, however, long suspected that anyone who claims to fully understand end-times prophecy in all details is likely either self-deluded, or selling something. I trust in God, but consider the interpretations of Man to be fallible.
 
I've never heard any assertions that Martin Luther was divinely inspired, so it seems that Protestantism is the one with human created doctrines, isn't it? Do Protestants think that god told him to nail the complaints to the door? If so, I've never heard them say it.
 
it's just me said:
I often hear fundamentalist Protestants complain about the "man made doctrines" of the Roman Catholic Church, but I almost never hear about the "man made doctrines" of the Protestant church and it's variants, namely, dispensationalism, and specifically, "The Rapture". In this article the author explains the misunderstood passages Paul wrote that many "Left Behind" types hang their hats on.

Farewell to the Rapture | Preachers Institute
Click to expand...

I don't dwell much on The Rapture though of course I do wonder how it would be in those times. To me, how it transpires doesn't matter.....what's important is to be ready.
 
Paschendale said:
I've never heard any assertions that Martin Luther was divinely inspired, so it seems that Protestantism is the one with human created doctrines, isn't it? Do Protestants think that god told him to nail the complaints to the door? If so, I've never heard them say it.
Click to expand...

Luther believed and preached justification by faith. That takes "God told him" out of the discussion. He based his actions on his faith.:peace
 
Paschendale said:
I've never heard any assertions that Martin Luther was divinely inspired, so it seems that Protestantism is the one with human created doctrines, isn't it? Do Protestants think that god told him to nail the complaints to the door? If so, I've never heard them say it.
Click to expand...

Do we know that all God-inspired people had to say that they were God-inspired?

What prompt people to do the right thing even at the risk of their own lives? Like Schindler (and all who'd done the same act of kindness and courage), as an example. He may or may not know it.....but imho, I think he's been God-inspired.

Was Martin Luther God-inspired when he nailed those complaints at the door? I think so. He's got valid reasons to complain, and he was trying to protect the people from being misled and at the same time trying to defend the Scriptures.

And look where that act of Martin Luther led to. The name "Protestant" may not sound so appealing in a religious way....but a lot of Protestants are trying to understand the teachings of Christ as accurately as possible. It encourages people to open their Bible and study it for themselves, at the very least.
That in itself should be seen as a blessing. :)
 
Last edited:
Paschendale said:
I've never heard any assertions that Martin Luther was divinely inspired, so it seems that Protestantism is the one with human created doctrines, isn't it? Do Protestants think that god told him to nail the complaints to the door? If so, I've never heard them say it.
Click to expand...

Protestantism is not really a doctrine, per se, and it's probably not even a very descriptive word any longer. Many doctrines have come out of Protestantism, to be sure, but Martin Luther's assertion that the just should live by faith is really universal Christian belief, and is recorded in the scriptures themselves. Dispensationalism is a fairly new idea dating back to the 1800's with flimsy scriptural support.
 
tosca1 said:
I don't dwell much on The Rapture though of course I do wonder how it would be in those times. To me, how it transpires doesn't matter.....what's important is to be ready.
Click to expand...

It was a hard thing to exorcise from my thinking. I am not crazy about the possibility of having to stick it out to the bitter end.
 
it's just me said:
Protestantism is not really a doctrine, per se, and it's probably not even a very descriptive word any longer. Many doctrines have come out of Protestantism, to be sure, but Martin Luther's assertion that the just should live by faith is really universal Christian belief, and is recorded in the scriptures themselves. Dispensationalism is a fairly new idea dating back to the 1800's with flimsy scriptural support.
Click to expand...



Do you have further information on this assertion? Preferably scholarly works, or something other than just Orthodox church articles... not that those weren't interesting but I'd like to see some other viewpoints.

This is not a challenge, btw, but out of genuine curiosity.
 
Goshin said:
Interesting (I read several related articles as well)... but not a sufficiently exhaustive study to be completely compelling.


I have, however, long suspected that anyone who claims to fully understand end-times prophecy in all details is likely either self-deluded, or selling something. I trust in God, but consider the interpretations of Man to be fallible.
Click to expand...

That's why we test the spirits and hold fast to that which is true, to coin a phrase...
 
Goshin said:
Do you have further information on this assertion? Preferably scholarly works, or something other than just Orthodox church articles... not that those weren't interesting but I'd like to see some other viewpoints.

This is not a challenge, btw, but out of genuine curiosity.
Click to expand...

One need look no farther than Wikipedia:

Dispensationalism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

If I can think of anything else available on the internet I'll post it.
 
Gringo allstar said:
I dont agree with everything MacArthur says but the guy is fearless and I respect him for that.
Click to expand...

I kinda feel the same way about him as I do Hank Hannegraaff - I don't agree with everything he says but I wouldn't want to argue with him about it.
 
Goshin said:
Thank you. Both MacArthur's words and the following rebuttal were an interesting read.

As is often the case in such complex theological debates, I find myself saying "There's a lot I don't know or can't be sure about; but I trust in Him who does know." :)
Click to expand...

As is often the case, people have a tendency to make Christianity more complicated than it needs to be on one hand, and on the other hand, they make it more minimalist than it needs to be, to the point where they don't even need the body of Christ.

A little bit of knowledge can be dangerous.
 
it's just me said:
I often hear fundamentalist Protestants complain about the "man made doctrines" of the Roman Catholic Church, but I almost never hear about the "man made doctrines" of the Protestant church and it's variants, namely, dispensationalism, and specifically, "The Rapture". In this article the author explains the misunderstood passages Paul wrote that many "Left Behind" types hang their hats on.

Farewell to the Rapture | Preachers Institute
Click to expand...
Let me suggest that you go to Eschatology forums on Christian websites. There you will see how many people believe in the Rapture - not counting the many millions not on websites.
That false doctrine is alive and doing very well.
 
John S said:
Let me suggest that you go to Eschatology forums on Christian websites. There you will see how many people believe in the Rapture - not counting the many millions not on websites.
That false doctrine is alive and doing very well.
Click to expand...

Been there, done that. It's amazing to me how much fundamentalists can sound like Jehovah's Witnesses, the political left, and other ideologues when asked to defend their beliefs.
 
it's just me said:
I often hear fundamentalist Protestants complain about the "man made doctrines" of the Roman Catholic Church, but I almost never hear about the "man made doctrines" of the Protestant church and it's variants, namely, dispensationalism, and specifically, "The Rapture". In this article the author explains the misunderstood passages Paul wrote that many "Left Behind" types hang their hats on.

Farewell to the Rapture | Preachers Institute
Click to expand...

The rapture is not a word that appears in the bible. yet the meaning of rapture means a "taking up of" or something along the same lines.
this came out of i think 1st timothy and it is also taken out of revelation as well.

so while the word rapture doesn't actually appear there is evidence of a great taking up of.
 
ludin said:
The rapture is not a word that appears in the bible. yet the meaning of rapture means a "taking up of" or something along the same lines.
this came out of i think 1st timothy and it is also taken out of revelation as well.

so while the word rapture doesn't actually appear there is evidence of a great taking up of.
Click to expand...

I know that Matthew is referred to about it, here are some more references used:

Biblical References to the Rapture


I'm surprised to see many of them.
 
tosca1 said:
I know that Matthew is referred to about it, here are some more references used:

Biblical References to the Rapture


I'm surprised to see many of them.
Click to expand...

right but it is more of a meaning to what is happening vs the actual word. the word rapture doesn't appear anywhere in the bible but the meaning of the word does often.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom