Afraid You’ll be Left Behind? The Rapture Trap.

The National Review ^ | November 18, 2002 | Rod Dreher

[Slyfox]

I, too, read Hal Lidsay's book at the impressionable age of 23. This was during the Carter administration. I had lots of reasons to fear, eh?

The 'rapture', as it is being advertised, makes absolutely no sense to me. The only way we are going to be whisked from this earth is to die suddenly.

The word 'rapture' is meant to be understood in its spiritual context, meaning a spiritual lifting of our hearts and mind to God. NOT a lifting of our physical bodies.

One of my evangelical protestant friends told me that her pastor told her that belief in the 'rapture' is uniquely American and that the term was begun by a girl having a dream about it. If that is true then I believe I am way justified in believing in purgatory, which is actually an Old Testament-based belief.

[Aquinasfan]

Thigpen says. "Ideas have consequences. One, the Rapture doctrine ignores the redemptive power of suffering, which is a powerful Christian theme. Two, the Bible also shows that God chastises His people as well as their enemies; believers share in suffering as well. Three, if people wrongly believe Christians won't be around for the persecution that Scripture tells us will precede the Second Coming, they won't prepare themselves spiritually or otherwise."

Great points all.

[drstevej]

***Two, the Bible also shows that God chastises His people as well as their enemies; believers share in suffering as well. ***

Agreed. But sometimes in the Bible chastisement has a directed focus (i.e. Israel, Nineveh, Sodom). In this case the focus is Abraham.

[ksen]

Over here, you're being bashed. :)

That can't be. My belief in the Rapture tells me that Christ will return for me before I can be bashed. ;^)

[drstevej]

***Three, if people wrongly believe Christians won't be around for the persecution that Scripture tells us will precede the Second Coming, they won't prepare themselves spiritually or otherwise.***

Hose puckey times ten. If this is true than there are no persons who believe the rapture striving to live godly obedient lives. The higher motive for obedience is love fopr the Savior not fear of the woodshed.

Now if the "otherwise" prepare means stockpiling water, food and weapons, you may have a point!

[american colleen]

Plus it's confusing.

An overview of the different Rapture positions

Pretrib -The rapture will take place before the 7 year tribulation starts
Midtrib - The rapture will take place at the mid point 3 1/2 years into the tribulation
Prewrath - The rapture will take place during the second half, and before the Day of the Lord (Distinguishes some judgments to be directly from God)
Posttrib - The rapture will take place at the end of the 7 year tribulation, at the second coming of Christ.

[Polycarp]

See Starwind's comments in post 34. Frankly, The Rapture is a poor joke, and I don't care to debate it.

[ksen]

By the way, Irisshlass was wrong. We're not trying to get anyone banned. She was a disruptor who did a fine job driving a wedge not only between Catholics but also between Catholic and non-Catholic friends.

Huh? Was Irishlass banned? What for?

[ksen]

Frankly, The Rapture is a poor joke, and I don't care to debate it.

Then why are you here?

[ksen]

I wonder who has the lower contraception rate: people who believe in the Rapture, or the general Catholic?

[Codie]

Now if the "otherwise" prepare means stockpiling water, food and weapons, you may have a point!

What good would these things be when Christ returns?

[patent]

Over here, you're being bashed. :)

That can't be. My belief in the Rapture tells me that Christ will return for me before I can be bashed. ;^)

LOL. That was good.

patent  +AMDG

[Thomas1066]

great article, well written.

[patent]

I wonder who has the lower contraception rate: people who believe in the Rapture, or the general Catholic?

What do you mean by "general Catholic?"

Anyone who claims to be Catholic, regardless of what they actually believe? If so, the comparison is invalid, as you are contrasting people who believe (“people who believe in the Rapture”) with those who don't believe, as the term would include a great number of people who don’t even bother to attend Church (a large number of self identified Catholics long since stopped practicing the faith, they are secular catholics, and only call themselves Catholic because that is what their parents were).

If you limit it to practicing Catholics, those who attend Mass weekly, I’d bet the comparison would be very different.

patent  +AMDG

[ksen]

I was just giving Dr. Brian a poke. I didn't mean for the question to be taken seriously. ;^)

[patent]

Sorry, fair enough.

[Polycarp]

I didn't mean for the question to be taken seriously. ;^)

Good. I just deleted my series response ;-)

[ksen]

Whew! I guess I can get out of the shower now. ;^)

[ksen]

Sorry, fair enough.

No prob...

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

I don't believe you're a part of the underground Catholic kabal on FR, and believe your intent is good, I have no problems with talking about what we believe, I do have a problem with others bating others for the intention of getting them banned. And if you think that is not going on here, ya haven't been paying attention.

BigMack