Posted on 07/27/2002 6:23:11 AM PDT by marshmallow
Contact: Christine Valentine-Owsik Valentine Communications For: Ascension Press 215-230-8095
WEST CHESTER, PA, July 9, 2002 - Responding to the confusion many Catholics have regarding Christian teaching about the "end times" - especially in light of the recent publishing phenomenon of the Left Behind book series and its new release of The Remnant - Ascension Press announces today that its recent release of The Rapture Trap (Paul Thigpen, PhD) has received the Imprimatur, the official recognition from the Catholic Church that the book accurately reflects Catholic teaching.
The provocative "end times" industry - most recently personified in The Remnant - puts forth ideas about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ that are contrary to the historic Christian tradition. These teachings are explained and charitably debunked in this new book by Paul Thigpen. The Rapture Trap was released last November to Catholic bookstores and educators around the country.
Thigpen lays out in clear, simple terms the biblical foundations of Catholic teaching on the "close of the age." As well, he draws upon Catholic Tradition, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Church history and contemporary experience to reveal the shortcomings of the rapture doctrine. He shows where the rapture idea comes from - and the large body of unfounded beliefs to which it's tied.
A renowned author of 25 Catholic and Christian books, and more than 500 published articles, Thigpen holds a Ph.D. in historical theology from Emory University and currently serves as a senior editor for Servant Publications and associate editor of Envoy Magazine. A Catholic convert, he is also a former Protestant pastor and college professor who writes and speaks on contemporary apocalyptic movements, among many other topics. His work has been translated into half a dozen languages and appears in academic and popular publications around the world.
Why a book for Catholics that refutes the rapture?
“I had a number of reasons,” says Thigpen. “Many Catholics have been ensnared by the rapture deception, and for those who aren’t as familiar with Catholic teaching, it has led them to misread Scripture, has undermined their Catholic faith, and ultimately, has often seduced them to leave the Catholic Church.” A number of “due dates” for Christ’s return –- all put forth by end-times enthusiasts -- have come and gone over the years, “and I know all too well about Our Lord’s attitude toward command performances,” says Thigpen. “He doesn’t show.”
How well Catholics prepare for the sobering occasion of the Second Coming depends on their knowledge of Church teaching about eschatology, the study of the “end times.”
As well, Catholic teaching says that rather than hoping to be snatched up early to escape whatever trials and tribulations await the Church, the Church can look to “enter the glory of the kingdom only through this final Passover, when she will follow her Lord in His death and resurrection” (CCC, 677). Contrary to the secret rapture doctrine, Christians will not be spared the great tribulation foretold for the end of the age, but must be prepared and strengthened to endure it.
“As Catholics, we’re taught that the value of suffering is indeed great,” says Thigpen, “but many non-Catholics believe several fallacies about suffering –- first, that it can’t be redemptive; second, that Christians have no share in the sins that merit divine chastisement; and third, that the innocent do not suffer for the sake of the guilty. All these notions are mistaken,” says Thigpen.
“We think this is a topic of critical importance to Catholics today, especially in light of the release of The Remnant, because so many people are being taken in by this spiritual propaganda, which often masquerades as entertainment,” says Matthew Pinto, president of Ascension Press. “We hope that this much-needed Catholic response will help to expose this provocative but flawed theory and point Catholics back to the Church’s timeless teachings about the end times.”
Just like the whole evolution/creationism debate, God worries about these things so I don't have to.
Love it!
This is a lengthy but thorough explanation. The Rapture - Catholic Position
I have found this to also be true amongst the Medjugorje followers. They seem to have organized themselves into an underground society that feeds off of supposed apparitions of the BVM to various adults in Canada and the USA. Like their protestant counterparts, they too await the end times, however, they anticipate being part of the tribulation. Many of their dates have come and gone, and still they believe it is soon.
Exactly.
. . .many non-Catholics believe several fallacies about suffering – first, that it can’t be redemptive; second, that Christians have no share in the sins that merit divine chastisement; and third, that the innocent do not suffer for the sake of the guilty. All these notions are mistaken,” says Thigpen.
Is this saying what I think it says? Catholics believe that all will suffer for the actions of a few pediphile preists? Hogwash.
That isn't what Mr. Thigpen said directly, but I would suggest that that's obvious truth, not "hogwash".
But I can give you a better, and indeed, irrefutable example.
Thousands of innocent Americans suffered on 9/11 and since because of the national sin of the US in electing Bill Clinton, a sin which directly flowed from another national sin, abortion. If you don't believe that, you need to look around this website, because the evidence here is abundant.
Mr. Thigpen (a former Presbyterian minister, BTW), said "many non-Catholics believe several fallacies about suffering" and goes on to list these:
I like that. You don't need to know how your
microwave works, just keep the cat out of it.
Apply that to politics, and you get America today.
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