Rating: 
Summary: Surprisingly credible explanation of a timely topic
Review: It would be a fallacy not to explore the Christian concept of the end of the world, even if one is not Christian, nor particularly religious if born a Christian. The topic has significant impact on US policy. There is an institutionalize premillenialist perspective of "how the world will end" that is currently being propagated in the US, that affects the way people vote and organize themselves to promote US policies, particularly those that affect peace and human rights in the middle east and attitudes towards the EU. What really interested me is that Premillenialism seems to have less a consistent root in Protestant beliefs, than it does in a distinctly American perception of the world. Very few Christians outside of the US, believe in premillenialism, even if they belong to congregations far removed from the Catholic church
David Currie's book, "Rapture: The End Times Error that Leaves the Bible behind" is a seminal analysis of apocalyptic literature in the Bible, and a comparison of the interpretations of the amillenialist (those who believe humans will not know the date of the end of the world) and premillenialist (those who think they can tell you the exact date when the world ends) camps. He provides examples of how people' attitudes towards life and ideas of responsibility in life can be influenced of solely dependent upon which end-times scenario they believe. He surveys modern literature in the field, but the advantage of this book over its contemporaries is that the meat of the book centers on the Bible itself. He compares the results of his biblical exegesis and the biblical exegesis of the premillenialists, with historical documents from the Roman Empire, and Jewish scholars such as Josephus, and writings from a few of the early church fathers.
Currie has an excellent background to analyze both perspectives. He was raised in a premillenialist home; his parents were both teachers as Moody Bible Institute. Currie himself graduated from Divinity Evangelical Divinity School, and spent years working as a missionary teaching premillenialist theology to college students. However, as he taught, he began to question the biblical foundation of the premillenialist beliefs, and eventually abandoned them as biblically unsound. The biblical analysis of the book focuses on visions in Daniel, the Olivet Discourse in the gospels, the Epistles, and the Book of Revelation (the bulk of the study). He also analyses the book of Zechariah in the appendix.
The apocalyptic passages in the Bible are often the ones I refrained most from reading, until Currie's book. His analysis thoroughly demystifies those passages, and the ground rules he provides for interpreting the Bible and information in regards to symbolic importance of numbers were immeasurable resources that enriched my study of all biblical passages, and may be helpful for everyone one, even if they are not persuaded by his interpretation. His argument completely persuaded me, and the perspective deeply reaffirmed my faith in Christianity. He wrote simply about a topic with deep implications, which made the information easy to comprehend and remember. The use of timelines that expressed his theories was invaluable. I can not recommend this book highly enough, and hope that many more come from David Currie in the future.
Rating:
Summary: Desperately Needed
Review: Many, many thanks to Dave Currie for this desperately needed book. His well-researched, thorough study will help so many who are confused or caught up in this 'left behind' nonsense assaulting christians today. He painstakingly shows what the Church has taught from the earliest days and clearly shows where and why the 'rapturists' are wrong.
The 'end-times' has not been a widely known or discussed topic among catholics until recently when these appealing but deceptive end-time scenarios began to be more widely promulgated.
Rapturists do not realize what an American phenomenon this is and how bizarre their ideas would seem to any christian of the past 2000 years.
The best response to deception is always.... truth. This book tells the truth. Thank you Dave Currie.
Rating:
Summary: This book is definitely a MUST READ! Don't miss out!
Review: This book is a must read for people of ALL faiths! I had been struggling to make certain Scripture fit to the interpretation I was familiar with. I have never believed in a secret rapture separate from Christ's second coming, but I was under the impression that there would be an exact 7-year tribulation with all those scary things happening to us as outlined in Revelation. Yes, the Church will be tested before the End, but I had actually never heard of a secret rapture until those Left Behind books. This book really opened my eyes to what has already happened and what has yet to happen. It's finally beginning to make sense! Those questions and concerns I had about Daniel, the Olivet Discourse, and the Apocalypse have been answered! There were times when I was reading this book that I had to sit back and really ponder what David was saying. Light bulbs were going off for me throughout the entire book. The "end times" and the "end of time" are very complex subjects. David's writing style makes this difficult topic much easier to grasp and understand!I would love for everyone to read this book. Unfortunately, many true-blue rapturists may not even consider picking it up. Many seem to have built a wall that shields them from even considering a different way of thinking. I pray for their willingness to view all sides. This book has also helped me understand the "why" behind the rapture theory and why it just doesn't fit. I am now better prepared to discuss this topic with people who do believe in a secret rapture, etc. Thank you David for your careful research, your dedication, and your amazing faith. Read Scripture, read this book, and then read Scripture again. You'll be glad you did! By the way, this book was even better and more enlightening the second time I read it!
Rating:
Summary: GREAT JOB, DAVID CURIE
Review: THIS IS WITHOUT A DOUBT THE BEST BOOK
ON THE RAPTURE AND THE ENDTIMES THAT
I'VE READ.
CURIE BOOK IS INSIGHTFUL AND EXHAUSTIVE
ON WHAT THE BIBLE REALLY TEACHES ON THE
RAPTURE.
FORGET THE NONSENSE OF THE LEFT BEHIND
NOVELS,READ THE TRUTH ABOUT THE ENDTIMES.
ALSO DON'T PASS-UP "BORN FUNDAMENTALIST,
BORN AGAIN CATHOLIC"!
ANOTHER OUTSTANDING BOOK.
|
