Customer Reviews

The Rapture Trap: A Catholic Response to "End Times" Fever

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Dr. Paul Thigpen has written a helpful book that is clear, concise, and charitable. And that is quite a feat considering the subject matter. As a former evangelical Protestant Dr. Thigpen understands both the inner logic (so to speak) and the strong appeal of the belief in the pretribulational Rapture. The Rapture Trap emphasizes the Big Picture: Why did Jesus come the first time? Why will he come again? What are Christians to be doing in the meantime? What is the purpose of suffering and tribulation? Who has the authority to rightly interpret Scripture? These and other crucial questions are handled adeptly and with a firm foundation in Scripture and Church teaching.

The Rapture Trap exposes the overt anti-Catholicism of Tim LaHaye, creator and co-author of the wildly successful Left Behind books. Dr. Thigpen documents LaHaye's ridiculous and laughable attacks on the Catholic Church and shows how this anti-Catholic bent is not simply compatible with "left behind" beliefs, but is a natural outgrowth of those misguided notions.

As an added bonus the book contains a chapter about private revelations and Marian apparitions. Dr. Thigpen provides a commensensical list of questions to consider in evaluating the validity and importance of apparitions.

Highly recommended for both Catholics and non-Catholics who are looking for an introduction to this important topic.

This book was a pleasant surprise to me. Having witnessed many emotional, heated, unproductive discussions about the Left Behind series, I am grateful and relieved to find a resource that presents a critique of Mr. LaHaye's books in a calm, balanced, well-researched manner. I especially appreciated the way Dr. Thigpen refrained from personal attacks on Mr. LaHaye, instead using historical facts and scripture to make his points. The result is that I came away feeling genuinely educated about the whole topic, not just caught in the crossfire of dueling authors.

Another thing I like about this book is that it is easy to understand. Dr. Thigpen has a knack for taking complicated theological ideas and making them easy to understand. (I'm just an average Christian reader, with no formal theological training.) He writes for real people! Thanks to this book, I now understand why my LaHaye fan/friends think the way they do, and how to kindly and logically present a different perspective.

As much as I appreciated the historical and scriptural research to share with my "Left Behind" friends, I especially thank Dr. Thigpen for including a special section "just for me": a series of questions to help me evaluate end-times teachings and other kinds of private revelations (and there seem to be a lot these days!). After reading about the many earnest Christians who have been misled by false teachings in the past, Dr. Thigpen's guidelines for discernment were a fitting and helpful close to this excellent, timely book.

I recently completed The Rapture Trap, and I thought it was excellent. I want to say thank you to Paul Thigpen for writing a succinct, informative and well-documented refutation of the rapture theory. Finally there is an answer to all those Fundamentalists who refuse to open their eyes to the truth of the written word and sacred tradition.

I have been searching for this type of book for years, and now Paul Thigpen has written a work that demolishes the rapture theory. I have cringed through books by such authors as Hal Lindsey, Chuck Smith, John Walvoord, Dave Hunt, the "Left Behind" characters, and a host of others. None of these authors completely agree on anything, but they all have one thing in common - to satisfy their own agenda, rather then God's agenda. If they read Mr. Thigpen's book, perhaps they would retract their Catholic attacks and embrace the truth he so skillfully communicates.

Mr. Thigpen exposes the dangers of private scriptural interpretation and the complete lack of evidence of any rapture teaching prior to the eighteenth century. He provides interesting insights into the errors of the Scofield Bible. He also reminds readers why such a "Rapture" teaching is so popular - it allows people to avoid punishment and consequence for their actions.

Leave behind "Left Behind", and venture into Paul Thigpen's work; you'll do yourself a great spiritual credit, and keep the second coming of Christ in balance with the truth. Thanks again, and thanks to Ascension Press.

I was planning, somewhere in the back of my mind, on writing a review of Dr. Paul Thigpen's "The Rapture Trap" when I got around to it. Then I happened to read David Lesniak's one-star review along with the ridiculously childish commentary by "A Kid's Review" urging us to accept the rapture "because Jack Van Impe said so." Now, I must speak. I realize the purpose of this forum is to review the work in question, not comment on other reviews. But these two reviews are part of a larger problem as will be quickly evident. So, I will focus on the former and incorporate the later in my review.

First, and most importantly, I was particularly intrigued with Dr. Thigpen's work because he and I came from similar backgrounds. He's a former evangelical Protestant. So am I. He converted to the Roman Catholic faith. So did I. Therefore, I feel uniquely qualified to comment on "The Rapture Trap."

The book is extremely well written, well documented with footnotes and an excellent "For Further Reading" appendix. The book may be divided into three parts, (although Dr. Thigpen himself doesn't come right out and make such delineations). The first part of the book states the problem, i.e. the "rapture" belief itself followed by an in-depth examination of the theology behind not only Christ's second coming, but his first, from the Catholic perspective. In fact, this makes up the majority of the book. In beginning his work in this manner, Dr. Thigpen lays an important foundation for his discussion. A lesser author or apologist could've easily fallen into the trap of coming out like gang busters with both guns blazing away at his opponents' theology. Instead, he patiently develops his thesis by devoting the first five chapters to laying down indispensable groundwork for discussing the entire issue.

The second, and in my opinion the best, part of the book is chapter six, where he traces the origins of the "secret rapture" teaching. And no, it's not the Bible as Mr. Lesniak's review suggests. The simple truth of the matter is the "secret rapture teaching" didn't become solidified until the 1800s under John Nelson Darby founder of the Plymouth Bretheren. None of the Protestant reformers mentioned the "secret rapture teaching." Lesniak doesn't explain that. None of the early church fathers mention it. Lesniak doesn't mention that either. Lesniak also conveniently leaves out the fact that the belief isn't even widely held among all Protestants. It's almost exclusive to the Pentecostal, fundamentalist, evangelical branch of Protestantism, particularly those that hold dispensationalist views.

The third part consists of chapters eight and nine, the last two chapters of the book. Chapter eight informs the reader what the Catholic church does, and does not, teach about the "end times." The last chapter deals with the problem of "private revelation" of God's word, which has its origins in sola scriptura, and the inherent problems with both, as evidenced by Mr. Lesniak's review. Mr. Lesniak left his Catholic faith because he said he had questions after reading the Bible at the urging of a nun. If he had questions after reading the Bible, he could've asked a priest, a bishop, a cardinal, or a qualified Catholic youth counselor. He could've even asked to attend RCIA for a "refresher course" in his faith and studied the catechism or corresponded with Catholic apologists. Instead, he asks questions, doesn't get the right answers, then turns his back on his faith, then joins with countless others who've accepted what amounts to someone else's "private revelation" apart from the teaching authority of the church. In short, Mr. Lesniak became part of the problem that necessitates the work of people like Dr. Thigpen.

Two outstanding points made by Dr. Thigpen need referencing:

The first is a simple mathematical truth that as far as I can tell hasn't occurred to anyone else before. If the "secret rapture" teaching were true, that would mean Jesus comes back twice, not just once, as is the standard Christian belief. If Jesus comes to "snatch away the church" prior to the "tribulation period," then comes again in glory to reign at the end of the "tribulation," that's not one instance of his return, but two. Nowhere in the scriptures or in the sacred tradition (as opposed to the "traditions of men") does it mention that Jesus returns twice.

The second is the fact that the belief in the rapture is closely entwined with anti-Catholicism. Dr. Thigpen points out on page 19 those who believe in the "rapture" are quick to warn Catholics that unless we renounce our beliefs, we too, can be "left behind." Dr. Thigpen alludes to the fact that one of the authors of the "Left Behind" series, Dr. Timothy LaHaye, holds very anti-Catholic views (Dr. LaHaye graduated from Bob Jones University, an institution that doesn't hold charitable views toward Rome). But to Dr. Thigpen's credit, he simply points this out, doesn't dwell on it, and is in no way uncharitable toward Dr. LaHaye, other than to point out his beliefs are in error.

Dr. Thigpen graduated with a B.A. suma cum laude from Yale University where he began his studies in eschatology and went on to earn his M.A. and Ph.D. in historical theology. When a former evangelical Protestant with Dr. Thigpen's credentials writes a 261 page book that seriously calls into question the belief in the so-called "rapture," we should at least seriously examine his arguments. Instead, all Mr. Lesniak and "The Kid" do are fall back on personal conversion experiences, personal Bible interpretations and because a noted televangelist "says so."

That's not good enough!

As a former evangelical/fundamentalist Protestant, I've read many books by Catholic apologists. I've read the Amazon reviews and commentaries on those reviews. I've noticed that the negative reviews written by anti-Catholic fundamentalists on works by Catholic apologists tend to follow a pattern. They're usually A) short, B) use the same catch-words and phrases ("apostasy," "blasphemy," "read the Bible.." etc.) and C) fail to address the salient points raised by the Catholic authors. Mr. Lesniak's review fails to address a single relevant point raised by Dr. Thigpen (save for the one respecting the origins of the rapture teaching, which I've already refuted). Instead, he lists five scriptures which he purports "proves" the rapture. Four of the scriptures he cites has nothing to do with anything even remotely resembling the rapture teaching. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 is the one some Protestants have used to supposedly "prove" the rapture but this is but one interpretation, one which is not shared by Catholic and mainline Protestant Christians. Don't take my word for it. Read them for yourself. How Mr. Lesniak gets the "rapture" out of Isaiah 26: 19-21, for example, is beyond me.

I cannot recommend Dr. Thigpen's book more highly.

When I first starting seeing bookshelves full of "Rapture" books at local bookstores, I suspected it was sort of fad. After being rebuked by my evangelical sister in law, I read one of the "Rapture" series. From a fictional perspective, they're not bad. But since there's zero biblical or theological basis for the rapture, these books should be in the Fiction section, not religion.

So when I came across Mr. Thigpen's book, I knew I needed no convincing. However, Mr. Thigpen provides a solid argument on why the whole "Rapture" series makes for entertaining reading, but poor basis for fact in Christianity.

The one thing I did enjoy is the lack of Protestant-bashing on the part of Mr. Thigpen. I feel that debate is fine, mud slinging is not. Unfortunately, as can be seen by the comments on this web site, Protestants, I suspect of the more fanatical evangelical sects, need a lesson or two on humility and that we should love our fellow man, even Catholics. What evangelicals seem to miss that it is not okay to love Jesus yet hate your fellow man, even us Catholics.

This book doesn't cover every argument for the Catholic understanding of eschotology, but it does a great job of dispelling the rapture doctrine, which was invented in the 19th century. Paul Thigpen also lists Protestant resources within this book to explore. This resources are against this dangerous doctrine as well.

...

Dr. Thigpen DOES give clear information using scripture and history of why the rapture is never going to happen. If you don't believe me, read it for yourself.

(And by the way, if you would like an idea of what fundamentalists really think about who will be raptured, glance through Mark Hitchcock's book "Is America in Bible Prophecy?" Mr. Hitchcock says that only evangelical Christians who believe you are saved by faith alone with be raptured. Therefore, if you think that how you actually live your live has ANYTHING to do with salvation, even if you have more faith than anyone else, you will not be raptured and will not be saved. This is an example of the subtle anti-Catholic agenda at work here.)

God bless you all.

The Left Behind phenomenon has finally awoken many churches how poorly they have been explaining their beliefs on the end times. A welcome change has been the large number of books appearing recently from the Catholic, Orthodox, and Reformational traditions to combat this deficiency. Paul Thigpen adds his contribution to this growing counter to the errors of dispensationalism with The Rapture Trap - a book warning Catholics of the dangers of the theological errors and anti-Catholic polemic at the root of the movement.

Thingpen addresses his book to Catholics. He is a staunch believer in the claims of the Catholic Church and makes no pretense of partiality. Although he would no doubt approve of Protestants reading his book and coming to see his view as correct, there is little in the way of an olive branch provided. The book ends up having two major themes - the errors of rapture theology and the necessity of the role of the Roman magaisterium in maintaining correct beliefs - and on the book should be judged on these two points.

After an initial discussion of the Left Behind premise, Thigpen moves to examining the purpose of the first and second comings of Christ and the age of the Church between them. Unlike many "prophecy experts" who try to correlate end times prophecies to current events, Thigpen seeks to first understand the overall economy of salvation before approaching the specific events. The role of the Sacraments in the eschatological vision - overlooked in much of Protestantism - is explained from the Catholic perspective. Only after formulating a framework for understanding the overall message does he them turn to particular passages. Here he does not give an extended exegesis but a general understanding of how the passages relate to endtimes events and how the dispensational view falls far short in this regard.

Thigpen then turns to an overview of the development of eschatology within the Church. In this brief synopsis, he quotes from various Church Fathers and demonstrates the late development of the rapture doctrine. He then goes on to expose the anti-Catholic nature of the Rapture and argues for the importance of the Roman Magisterium in preserving true doctrine. This is followed by a sequence of events that is consistent with official Catholic teaching on the end times.

Thigpen closes with a discussion on the thorny issue of private revelation. Focusing on a number of noted private revelations, he argues that Catholics must - as in all matters - follow the lead of the Magiserium in judging the faithfulness of these revelations to Catholic teaching. Here, as throughout the book, the Tradition of the Catholic Church is taken as the sure guide to correct Biblical interpretation.

While assuning Catholic teaching is correct should hardly be surprising in a book written by a Catholic for other Catholics, there is a sense of Roman triumphalism that is the only unsatisfying aspect of the book. Thigpen ignores the fact that most non-Catholic views of eschatology throughout history are not that different than the views held by Catholics. The major figures of the Reformation were largely amillennialist as are the Orthodox Churches. The dispensational view is a byproduct of how Christianity developed in America and cannot be generalized to Protestantism elsewhere. Furthermore, Catholics have been as prone to strange endtimes delusions as anyone else - as the apocalyptic tone of many Marian apparitions can attest.

Aside from the sometimes overdone Catholic cheerleading, Thigpen presents a strong case against the Rapture. For faithful Catholics reading the book, he will likely succeed in exposing the weaknesses of dispensational eschatology and give a solid understanding of the Catholic view. For this and not the sometimes caustic approach to other Christian traditions, The Rapture Trap is recommended.

This book's focus is on

1) the theological basis (and history) of the rapture belief;
2) its implications for Christians; and
3) the errors and misrepresentations included in the book Tribulation Force, which is an early episode of the Left Behind series.

In addition, I want to commend the author for an unusually good (and brief) explanation of Christian teaching regarding why mankind's circumstances called for a Messiah, and what His coming means for us born after His life on earth.

Highly recommended.

One can dismiss the doctrine of the "rapture" as an unimportant doctrine; believe it if you want or do not believe it if you want - why argue about a doctrine that is not "essential" to the faith?

This book will tell you why.

The doctrine of the "secret rapture" has intrigued many of my protestant brothers and sisters, and even a few of my fellow Catholics. The popular "Left Behind" books and videos are based on it.

But this is a false doctrine, virtually unheard of before the 19th century, and based on a flawed interpretation of one passage of Scripture (1 Thess 4:17 - "Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air."). Dr Thigpen shows how this passage actually refers to an ancient practice of a large group of people coming out of a city or town to meet an approaching dignitary, and then escort him into the city. This is the interpretation held by many of the Fathers and Doctors of the Church.

Dr Thigpen also goes on to describe various interpretations of "end times" texts; the "millennium", including descriptions of premillennialism, postmillennialism, and amillennialism; the "tribulation", including when Christ is to come back to earth (before, during, or after the "tribulation" - pre-trib, mid-trib, and post-trib, respectively); and some styles for interpreting the book of Revelation (futurist, preterist, historicist, spiritual/idealist, progressive parallels).

The information is somewhat basic, but very useful.

And finally, belief in this - or any other - false doctrine, even if one does not consider it "essential" to their faith, is dangerous for both Christians and non-Christians. One only need look at some true-life examples of those who believed falsehoods about the end-times; the great disappointment of 1844 (many never returned to their faith) is but one example. Fatal examples would be the Jonestown mass suicide, the Branch Davidians, and the Heaven's Gate suicide. All of these people were fooled by one magnetic, charismatic leader who had his own ideas.

But this is the danger that anyone who stands outside of Christ's infallible Magisterium faces, and this is the danger in believing a lie - any lie - because a lie is not of the truth.

Well done, Dr Thigpen.