Three Views on the Rapture: Pre; Mid; Or Post-Tribulation

This book presented great arguements by great scholars. Personally, I was impressed with Douglas Moo (Post-Trib. view) arguement. The only real arguement within the three views is between the Pre and Post Trib. The Mid-Trib. scholar, Archer, tries to present a valid arguement but really doesn't stand weight with the others. This book is not really for a beginner in theology due to the in depth discussions on Greek terminology and some Hebrew, but there is still some simple and basic arguements that even a Bible reader could understand.

I'm going to apply this commentary for the entire Counterpoint Series published by Zondervan Publishing Company. My compliments to that company for creating this series. I initially purchased "Four Views on the Book of Revelation" but soon realized it was only one in a series. I got so much out of that volume, that I decided to purchase the entire set to study and keep for reference. My spiritual growth has been remarkable as a result. Seminary students and professionals would probably enjoy this series, which seems geared for them. But this series is also excellent for those college-educated laypeople who feel inclined to enhance their understanding of Christian theology. That is, with one caveat: Buy a decent theological dictionary to refer to at first. It probably won't get used much after about the third book you choose to read, but initially you will be need it to be confident of some of the terms used among advanced theologians. Then, the Counterpoint series will give you a full understanding of many different concepts and concerns of the Christian faith which have been applicable from early on until the present. I've learned a lot, and the only way I think I could do better is if I were enrolled in Seminary. A list of all the titles I am aware of from this series is: Are Miraculous Gifts for Today? Five Views on Law and Gospel Five Views on Sanctification Four Views on Hell Four Views on Salvation in a Pluralistic World Four Views on the Book of Revelation Three Views on Creation and Evolution Three Views on the Millennium and Beyond Three Views on the Rapture Two Views on Women in Ministry

The timing of the rapture is a matter of much debate these days, and in order to have a discussion in what I call "the James 3 tradition" (respect, love, humility, and grace), it helps to have an accurate understanding of what the other positions are and why others hold to them. As such, this book does a good job of describing three of the four main premillennial positions on this topic. I believe the omission of the emerging and rapidly mainstreaming prewrath position, however, was an unfortunate oversight that I hope will be corrected in future editions. One of the most fascinating aspects of this book is its introduction that discusses the development of the pretrib, midtrib, and posttrib positions. When one understands how these positions developed and why one gained more steam and notoriety than others, one begins to understand why popularity alone does not determine orthodoxy. Interestingly, the origination of the pretrib concept in the early 1800s and its rapid deployment throughout the evangelical circles in the 1900s had less to do with good practices of scriptural interpretation than a response to the amillennial interpretations that had dominated for centuries, combined with popular exposure to this position due to power and resources of its defenders during a time of relative scriptural ignorance among the general population. The midtrib and posttrib positions developed in the academic circles in response to the perceived error of rapidly popularizing pretrib position, but they came too late; pretrib had already become entrenched. Such background is fascinating and necessary for any student of the rapture and helps to put the positions themselves into perspective.The presenters of each of the three positions covered in this book are well chosen, and they provide good, overall assessments of the academic proof-texting of each of these three views. The back-and-forth debates between the holders of each position expose the reader to the basic reasoning behind them, as well as the strengths and flaws in each argument. They also expose the fact that none of these positions can stand strong against critical scrutiny and holds firm only in isolation. Hence, my disappointment that the prewrath view was not included in this discussion. I think this is a terrific book for anyone wanting to gain grace and understanding in the rapture debate. I do not recommend it because any of the three presentations are, in themselves, convincing (they are not). Rather, I recommend it as an important backgrounder and primer on three of the four primary positions from an academic (rather than popular) perspective and a good sense of how and why they developed. -- H. L. Nigro, author of Before God's Wrath: The Bible's Answer to the Timing of the Rapture

The most exciting thing about this book is the way that the contributors can disagree about this topic and yet not let it hinder their fellowship or their love for one another. I have seen schools and churches that would not allow more than one view to be taught because it would "cause confusion and division." This book blows that idea out of the water. Regardless of where you end up in your own view, every believer should mirror the attitude of these gentlemen. It's not a watershed doctrine, so let's talk about it and then go have a cup of coffee and share our love of the Lord!

Three Views on the Rapture assumes a premillennial eschatology and contrasts the three primary rapture views. It is scholarly and probably not for the average reader. For the student of eschatology it is a very interesting work. The authors are quite respectful of one another, yet not fearful to mix it up. I recommend it only for those who already have some knowledge of issues concerning premillennial eschatology.