LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2007, Page 354

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

354 THEOLOGICAL DOCUMENTS—COMMISSION ON THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS

“escape” from trials and sorrows. Rather, it teaches that it is Christ
Himself who will “keep you strong to the end” (1 Cor 1:8). Or as
the Lord says through St. Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for
my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor 12:9).

The Left Behind system of theology demonstrates a longing for
concrete manifestations of God’s presence, which take the form of
signs that adherents believe will take place during the seven-year
tribulation, and especially in the 1000-year millennium. However,
the Spirit-inspired Old and New Testament Scriptures teach that
through the Gospel, the water of Holy Baptism, and the true body
and blood of Jesus in Holy Communion God testifies to being pre-
sent with His church right now (Rom 1:16-17; 6:14; 10:14-17;
1 Cor 11:23-26; cf. 1 Jn 5:7-8). The assurance of God’s working
in the world is therefore not based upon the return to Old Testament
types, but rather on the sure Word of the promise of forgiveness im-
parted in the means of grace, the Gospel and the sacraments.

Like other erroneous apocalyptic views the writings of LaHaye
and Jenkins rely to some degree on date setting for anticipating the
end. In the novels, for example, Left Behind believers are able to
predict with great certainty and accuracy impending historical
events, including the very day of Christ’s return to begin the 1000-
year reign. According to Scripture, however, no one knows the day
or the hour when Christ will return. Jesus says, “No one knows
about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son,
but only the Father” (Mt 24:36). While the series intends and at-
tempts to point people to Christ alone for salvation, its preoccupa-
tion with the rapture, tribulation and earthly reign tends to distract
from the chief message of the apostles. “Jews demand miraculous
signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified”
(1 Cor 1:22-23). And it is in this cross that Christians find their one
true source of confidence, security and peace, even as they pray,
“Come, Lord Jesus” (Rev 22:20).

Glossary

Amillennialism: The teaching, espoused in this document, that
there will be no (“a’) literal 1000 (mille) year visible earthly
kingdom of Jesus. This view is better termed “realized
millennialism” because it embraces the idea that Christ is
reigning now (cf. Mt 28:18), as are Christians (Eph 2:6; Col
3:1-3). The “thousand years” of Rev 20:1-10 is taken
figuratively as a reference to the time of Christ’s reign as King
from the day of His ascension until the Last Day. Hence, the
millennium is a present reality (Christ’s heavenly reign), not a
future hope (a rule of Christ on earth after His return).

Antichrist: Left Behind believes he is primarily a political ruler
who manifests the fourth kingdom of Dan 2:33-35 (Rome)
by coming from Romania. However, the Bible teaches that
the Antichrist sets himself up in the church (2 Thess 2:2-3)
and will promote doctrines that diminish the completed work
of Christ.

Armageddon: Derived from the Hebrew words har Megiddo,
“the mountain of Megiddo” in Palestine. Armageddon refers
to the battle mentioned in Rev 16:16 and is understood by
proponents of Left Behind as the final battle of the seven-year
tribulation that ushers in the 1000-year reign of Christ on earth.
However, Armageddon is the last major onslaught of Satan
before the second—and final—coming of Christ. The context
of Rev 16:16 indicates that this /ast battle is equivalent to the
last battles described in Rev 19:11-21 and 20:7-10, for Rev
16:17 states, in part, “and out of the temple came a loud voice
from the throne, saying, ‘It is done!”

Apocalyptic Literature: Derived from the Greek word
apokalypsis (cf. Rev 1:1), the term ‘“‘apocalyptic” means
“uncovering” or “revelation.” This genre [kind] of literature,

2007 Convention Workbook

most notably present in Daniel and Revelation, frequently
uses visions, colors, numbers and vivid symbolism to make
a theological point.

Christological: In its broadest sense, this term promotes a
reading of Holy Scripture that focuses upon the person and
work of Jesus Christ. A Christological reading of the Bible
embraces the belief that God’s activity for the salvation of
humanity is known only through Christ and not by current
events in the Middle East.

Dispensationalism: This is a system of biblical interpretation that
distinguishes between seven distinct periods or
“dispensations”’ in biblical history: (1) Innocence (before the
Fall); (2) Conscience (from the Fall to Noah); (3) Human
Government (from Noah to Abraham); (4) Promise (from
Abraham to Moses); (5) Law (from Moses to Christ); (6)
Grace (the church age); (7) the Kingdom (the millennium).
Dispensationalists believe that God’s redemptive plan
focuses on national Israel, with provision made for Gentiles
during the church age.

Eschatology: Derived from the Greek work eschaton, “end.” The
term refers to the study of the end times.

Last Days: The phrase “the last days” appears twenty-seven
times in the New Testament. Left Behind believes that with
the creation of the 1948 state of Israel the world has entered
the last days. In several instances the expression refers to the
end of history. However, in most passages (see, for example,
Acts 2:17; 1 Cor 10:11; Heb 1:1-2 and I Pet 1:20) it is used
of the eschatological epoch that began in the New Testament
era with the coming of Jesus Christ.

Millennium: Derived from the Latin words mille, “‘a thousand,” and
annus, “a year.” Left Behind understands the 1000 years of
Revelation 20 literally. Yet. the Bible teaches that Christ is
reigning now and that His gracious rule that began on the day
of His ascension will continue until the Last Day when He will
hand “over the kingdom to God the Father after he has
destroyed all dominion, authority and power” (1 Cor 15:24).

Mishnah: One of the earliest and most influential collections (set
into writing about 200 A.D.) of rabbinic oral traditions that
to a large extent form the historic Jewish interpretation of
the Old Testament.

Premillennialism: This is the view of the Left Behind novels,
namely, that Christ’s second advent will occur before (“pre”)
the “millennium” understood as a 1000-year rule of Christ on
earth. This understanding rests upon these presuppositions: (1)
Scripture is to be interpreted in a “titeralistic” manner; (2) the
church and Israel are two distinct groups with whom God has a
divine plan; (3) the church is a mystery, unrevealed in the Old
Testament; (4) the mystery age of the church must be
completed before God can resume His main program with the
Jews and bring it to completion.

Rapture: This refers to the event described in 1 Thess 4:14~17
when believers will be “raptured” or “caught up” (Latin:
rapiemur) in the clouds to meet Christ in the air at his
Second Coming. When used in Left Behind novels, the term
refers to Christ’s secret coming when all believers—as well
as all children who have not reached the age of
accountability—are suddenly removed from the earth before
the seven year tribulation.

Talmud: The Talmud (‘‘the study”) is based upon and includes
the Mishnah in its entirety, but adds to it the Gemara (“the
completion”), a far lengthier work compiled from the