The Holy Post 563: How Rapture Theology Shaped America (Part 1)
Premillennialism Defined
- Premillennialism believes Christ will return before the millennium, a 1,000-year period of peace.
- This contrasts with postmillennialism (church establishes the kingdom first) and amillennialism (the church is the millennium).
Impact of End Times Views
- Views on the end times can influence daily life, like planning or having kids.
- Premillennialism is part of the larger theological system of dispensationalism.
Darby and Dispensationalism
- John Nelson Darby, an Irish-born British Anglican priest, developed dispensationalism.
- Unlike "old premillennialists", Darby avoided date-setting for Christ's return, emphasizing imminence.
Many Christians in America simply assume that Jesus could return at any moment, that believers will be raptured in the twinkling of an eye, that the state of Israel has a special role in the End Times, and that the church should just save souls and stay out of politics. In Part 1 of an interview about this new book, historian Daniel G. Hummel explains to Phil how this rapture theology isn’t rooted in church history, but was invented by a British layman less than 200 years ago. And why it was embraced by American pastors during the Civil War who wanted to avoid talking about slavery, race, and reconstruction. Also this week—paganism is on the rise. Who is really killing public schools? And women will win the battle of the sexes in 4.6 million years.
Patreon Bonus: Christian Asks - What Happens to Non-Christians When They Die?
https://www.patreon.com/posts/82415424/
Defined Terms to Know for This Week’s Interview
Millennium - The thousand year reign of Christ described in Revelation 20:1-8. There are basically three understandings of this:
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Premillennialism - (Think Left Behind book series) Christians will be raptured, leaving behind everyone else. There will be a tribulation period with the rise of the Antichrist, mark of the beast, war, famine, earthquakes, etc. before Christ eventually comes and rules on earth for 1,000 years during which peace will reign. After one final rebellion, God will crush evil forever, offer a final judgment, and establish heaven and hell for eternity.
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Postmillennialism - The millennium will come from the spiritual and moral influence of the Church through preaching and teaching. Conversions will increase and evil will diminish. In other words, Christians will make the world a better and better place and after that, Christ will come back, the dead will be resurrected, and there will be a final judgment
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Amillennialism - The 1000 year period mentioned in Revelation does not refer to a specific period of time, but to the heavenly reign of Christ. Rev. 20 means the return of Christ will occur at the end of history. Sees Revelation as more symbolic than literal.
Eschatology - The study of the end times - how history will end and Christ will come back to establish his eternal kingdom
Ecclesiology - the study of the church - its mission and structure as well as its place in God’s overall plan for the world
0:00 - Intro
3:11 - Theme Song
3:33 - Sponsor: Hiya Health
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4:41 - The end of men?
13:48 - Dawn of the new pagans
32:52 - Public vs Private vs Homeschool Debate
Sponsors
53:50 - Sponsor: Faithful Counseling
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55:46 - Interview Intro
Daniel Hummel - https://www.danielghummel.com/
1:03:50 - Who is John Darby?
1:14:21- Dispensationalism advanced by the Civil War and Dwight Moody
1:35:21 - End Credits
Links mentioned in news segment:
Scientists divided over what will happen to men as Y chromosome is disappearing
https://www.unilad.com/news/is-the-y-chromosome-disappearing-077677-20230429
Dawn of the new pagans: ‘Everybody’s welcome – as long as you keep your clothes on!’
How school choice drives America’s people of faith apart
https://religionnews.com/2023/04/19/how-school-choice-drives-americas-people-of-faith-apart/
Other resources:
The Rise and Fall of Dispensationalism: How the Evangelical Battle over the End Times Shaped a Nation by Daniel Hummel
Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/
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