In an earlier blog
article this month, I mentioned having a theological discussion with my sister.
One of the direct questions she asked me was, “Do you believe in the
Rapture?”
If she had asked me
that question 60 years ago in 1955, which was the year I graduated from high
school and the year after I started preaching, I most probably would have
answered Yes without hesitation. But now I had to say, “No, I do not believe
there will be a literal Rapture.”
My sister, just like some
other family members and friends who hold to a fairly literal interpretation of
the Bible, likely thinks her unchanging view of the Bible and theology means
she is upholding “the faith which was
once for all delivered to the saints”
(Jude 1:3).
The Rapture is
considered very important by conservative Christians—and not believing in the
Rapture is considered a serious matter. In his bestselling book “Four Blood
Moons” (2013), John Hagee declares that “false prophets are now teaching there
will be no Rapture of the church” (p. 76).
Hagee (b. 1940)
also gives this grave warning: “If you are deceived into believing there is no
Rapture, prepare to stand in line to get your personal tattoo from the
Antichrist” (p. 79).
And then a little
later, Hagee, who is the founder and senior pastor of Cornerstone Church in San
Antonio, Texas, asserts, “Satan hates the Rapture teaching and has his deluded
disciples saying there will be no Rapture” (p. 83).
There is not enough space
in a 600-word article to explain all the reasons why I no longer affirm a
literal Rapture. But the linking of Rapture theology to current world affairs
is one reason for not only denying the Rapture as taught by Hagee and many
others but for also seeing it as a dangerous teaching.
Back as far as 2010
Hagee was calling for the U.S. to join with Israel in a preemptive nuclear
strike against Iran. Long a fervent supporter of Israel, he currently is a
strong backer of recently re-elected Prime Minister Netanyahu and opposed to
the President’s stance toward Israel—and toward Iran.
Although he didn’t
say so in those exact words, back in February one website posted this headline
about Hagee’s position: “God Will Destroy America Because Of How Obama Treats
Netanyahu.”
So, all of the talk
about the Rapture and other aspects of the “end times,” often gets entangled
with current political issues. Christians who believe in the Rapture and think
that the apocalypse is near are most likely to support conservative politicians
who support the nation of Israel and are hawkish toward Iran.
Christians (like
me) who do not believe in a literal Rapture and do not think that the end times
are necessarily near are likely to sympathize with the Palestinians, considered
to be unjustly treated, and to think that negotiating with all countries as being
superior to use of military force.
Further, although
the “Left Behind” series of books has been highly popular, I am among the many
Christians who see the mass holocaust portrayed in those novels as highly
troubling.
So, there are
significant differences in the thinking of Christians who believe in the
Rapture (and related doctrines) and those who don’t. But even among those who
disagree, those differences can be talked about in a civil manner.
Theological discussions
rarely change minds, but they help clarify one’s own position. Thus, I
appreciate my sister’s question—and I am thankful that despite our
disagreement, we still have a warm, cordial relationship.
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