Thoughtful Reflections on Faith and Life
When I came back to faith in my early 20s, I began attending a Pentecostal church. This church was extremely interested in the end-times, especially the rapture. This is not just my impression. At one point, while I was in seminary, I looked into getting credentialed with that denomination. One of the requirements was to … Read More “Should We Be Watching For the Rapture?” »
This episode of the podcast looks at my changing views of Christian theology. There is room for disagreement as people have had different opinions right from the beginning. You can support this podcast at Patreon or by downloading a free audiobook with a free trial of Audible. This episode is the audio for the following video:
I spent much of my 20s in a Pentecostal church which stressed the rapture. What is the rapture? It is the belief that God will rescue his people from earth. I will get into the biblical evidence later in this post. The church I attended also emphasized the book of Revelation. But the problem I … Read More “Where is the Rapture in the Book of Revelation?” »
Winston Churchill once said, “Those who never change their minds, never change anything.” A change of mind is not a sign of weakness but of strength. There have been a number of areas related to theology that I have experienced a change of mind. Here are five areas where my beliefs have changed: Belief in … Read More “5 Theological Positions I Have Changed Over the Years” »
When we speak of eschatology, we must remember that there are a couple of aspects to this doctrine. It both refers to what will happen to the world when Jesus returns and what happens to individuals when we die. My eschatology has developed in both areas. Growing up Anglican, I had no beliefs about the … Read More “My Eschatology Has Changed (But It’s Not the End of the World)” »
I came across an internet meme with the following message, “The Rapture in the Book of Revelation: Revelation 3:10,11.” Does this passage really teach the rapture? “Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who … Read More “Does Revelation 3:10-11 Teach the Rapture?” »
Steve McSwain wrote an article in the Huffington Post titled 6 Things Christians Should Just Stop Saying. While I can think of plenty of things that Christians say that I disagree with or find annoying, I could ask: Why should Christians stop saying these things? Based on what authority? Even if I agreed with everything … Read More “Six Things Christians Say” »
There was an interesting conversation at our most recent class on Romans. We were looking at a number of passages on suffering. “More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance.” (Romans 5:3 ESV) “And if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him … Read More “Suffering, Protection and the Pre-Trib Rapture” »
With claims a number of months ago about a predicted rapture and the hugely popular Left Behind series from a few years back, the concept of the rapture has hit the mainstream. What are we to make of the rapture? I grew up Anglican and we never talked about anything about the return of Jesus … Read More “Will There Be a Rapture?” »
