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Book Reviews

BOOK: Antichrist Before the Day of the Lord: What Every Christian Needs to Know about the Return of Christ

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Available at AMAZON.

Many of us have been told that we will be “raptured out of here before the Antichrist arrives.”

But what if this is wrong?

Is this really what the Bible teaches?

In this thought-provoking and freshly examined account on the second coming of Christ, Alan Kurschner traces the key topics and passages, providing compelling biblical evidence that the church will first encounter the Antichrist’s great tribulation before Christ returns to rapture his people and judge the world.

Jesus warns us, “Remember, I have told you ahead of time” (Matt. 24:25). And Paul cautions us, “Let no one in any way deceive you, for that day will not arrive until the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness [Antichrist] is revealed, the son of destruction” (2 Thess. 2:3).

Since Jesus and Paul ominously warn us “ahead of time,” should this not be an urgent message the church needs to hear? Are we spiritually preparing our hearts to be “overcomers” for what may soon come to pass?

By reading Antichrist Before the Day of the Lord, you will discover the Bible teaches that Antichrist will arrive before the day of the Lord.

Antichrist Before the Day of the Lord: What Every Christian Needs to Know about the Return of Christ (Pompton Lakes, NJ: Eschatos Publishing, 2013)

 

 

Book Review: The Coming Flood: A Call for the Endurance and Faith of the Saints by Jeremy Wells

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James Pate has written a brief book review of Jeremy Wells’ book The Coming Flood: A Call for the Endurance and Faith of the Saints. I have not read this book but intend to. But I wanted to respond very briefly to Wells’ thesis, who seems to come from a post-trib view, so being a prewrather I will not share selected post-tribulational presuppositions. Nevertheless.

Pate summarizes Wells’ thesis:

“In The Coming Flood, Jeremy Wells argues against the pre-tribulational view of the rapture and offers thoughts on parts of the Book of Revelation.  For Wells, Gentile Christians will not be raptured to heaven before the Great Tribulation but will be slaughtered by the Antichrist.”

This is an interesting thesis, but not tenable. Wells attempts to explain the lack of references to the Church in much of the Book of Revelation. His explanation is that all Gentile Christians will be martyred during the Antichrist’s great tribulation, while the 144,000 believing Jews will survive through supernatural preservation up to the parousia.

I am sympathetic to his thesis because it jolts the Church into grasping the seriousness of this future period. I don’t think the Church (and especially pretrib believers) truly understand the scope and magnitude of this time. There will be an unequaled slaughter of Christians that the Church has never faced. I suspect that the vast majority of the Church will be slaughtered. Did that just sober you up? I hope so. Hence the warnings of Jesus, Paul, and the book of Revelation.

However, I believe that Wells has overstated his case claiming that all Gentile Christians will perish for at least the following reasons:

i. There is a much more plausible and linguistic reason why the word “Church” is not mentioned in much of the book of Revelation. It stems from not understanding the all-too common word-concept fallacy that I have written on here.

ii. Paul uses the Greek term περιλείπομαι in verses 15 and 17 to refer to those who are alive up to the parousia of Christ. The term indicates, not just being “alive,” but survival. In the very same clause, Paul uses the first person plural “we” (ἡμεῖς). And since Paul is writing to mainly Gentile believers, it is hardly the case that Paul is excluding the event of believing Gentiles to be alive and have survived at the parousia.

iii. Wells (rightly) thinks the 144,000 Jews will be safely protected during the Antichrist’s great tribulation. But how does this explain Jesus’ prophecy that there will be believers who will be experiencing persecution during this time:

“For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.” (Matt 24:21–22)

And notice the very last part of this passage: “But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.” In other words, this group is not safely protected somewhere. If God will not intervene on the behalf of this persecuted group then the elect would be exterminated. But here Jesus is consistent with the apostle Paul teaching that there will be believers surviving while being persecuted who will make it alive to the parousia.

More developed evidence could be cited but I believe these reasons suffice to show that not all Gentile Christians will die during the great tribulation. I am sure Wells has many good points that I would agree with in his book and I hope to read it once I find time.

Incidentally, it is exponentially better to error on the side of thinking that all Gentile Christians will perish during the Antichrist’s great tribulation than it is to think that the Church will not have to suffer at all during the Antichrist’s great tribulation. It is better to over prepare than not prepare at all.

Finally, I think the following point by Pate on Well’s book should be noted:

Wells talks some about the psychological effects of the pre-trib rapture doctrine and his own doctrine.  Wells can empathize with those who like the pre-trib doctrine because it offers them comfort: they are happy that they will not have to suffer the horrors of the Tribulation!  On the one hand, Wells seems to be trying to reassure them that they will not lose that sense of comfort by embracing his position: they are still going to the same place (to be with God), even if that comes after their death at the hands of the Antichrist, rather than before the Tribulation!  That is an interesting way to look at the situation: Why fear anything, including the Tribulation, if your destiny is to be with God?  On the other hand, Wells appears to acknowledge that embracing his position does entail hardship that is absent from the pre-trib position.  For Wells, if Gentile Christians will be slaughtered at the hands of the Antichrist, then they need to prepare themselves spiritually for that, becoming stronger in their faith.

h.t. Steve Hays

 

On David Chilton’s Preterist-Postmillennial Commentary on the Book of Revelation, Days of Vengeance

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Preterists commonly accuse (mock) futurist commentaries on the book of Revelation for sensational interpretations. Admittedly, there are more than a few popular pretrib commentaries on Revelation that rightly are “way out there.”

However, David Chilton’s postmillennial and preterist commentary on Revelation rivals the most kooky and far-fetched interpretations on the book of Revelation: The Days of Vengeance: An Exposition of the Book of Revelation (Ft. Worth: Dominion Press, 1987). 

So much so, that the noted theonomist and postmill-preterist scholar Greg Bahnsen was compelled to distance himself from his book writing a devastating review-critique of Chilton’s commentary.

If you can, find some time to read this review from Bahnsen. Here are a couple of snippets:

Nevertheless, the hermeneutical excesses and errors of the commentary will prove far more detrimental to postmillennialism than any of its isolated virtues can redeem. Consider three fatal flaws…

David’s IM moves from the arbitrary to the outrageous when, in explaining the “seal” placed upon the foreheads of the 144,000 (Rev. 7:3-4), he alludes to the protective marking of Ezekiel 9:4 and claims that it symbolized “the sign of the cross”! Error is laid upon error to reach this height of imagination. (1) the philological error (exposed by Fairbairn: Ezek. 9:4 speaks of an indefinite “mark,” not the Hebrew letter tav. (2) the orthographic error: if the ancient tav was different from what we recognize today, it was shaped more like an x, not an upright t(cross). (3) the historical error: Jews of Ezekiel’s day would have in mind a form or shape associated with Roman crucifixions of a later age. (4) the hermeneutical error: there is no legitimate category of “quasi-prophecy”; this is simply Tertullian’s reading something back into the text. (5) the liturgical error: the Bible does not condone the “sign of the cross” as having religious (superstitious) significance for Christians anyway…

Here is another example of an amazing chain of dubious reasoning (pp. 20-24). Revelation follows Ezekiel “step by step” [as well as Lev. 26 and Matt. 24?].   Such “level pegging” is a feature of lectionary use. Both Ezekiel and Revelation can be divided into “about fifty units” [fifty? Previously it was five, then four]—which is also about the number of Sabbaths in the years. Therefore, Revelation was intended for lectionary use as a series of liturgical readings in the church through the year, accompanying the reading of Ezekiel! Even if we forgive the mathematical inaccuracies (52 sabbaths per year) and arbitrariness (why 50 units instead of 40 or 55?), how does it follow from the rough numerical correspondence of literary units to weeks in a year that Revelation is a liturgical lectionary? This may be suggested by the interpreter’s personal interests and life-setting, but it is not suggested by the text of Revelation itself! There is quite a logical leap from saying Revelation was read aloud in church (Rev. 1:3, like Colossians, cf. 4:16 to saying it was read as a liturgical lectionary!

Bahnsen concludes, “So then, I cannot recommend my friend David’s commentary on Revelation. (1) It embodies an unsound, imaginative hermeneutic. (2) It is confused about the book’s structure and meaning. (3) It is guilty of considerable errors in history and interpretation.”

Chilton’s commentary on Revelation is an illustration of how not to interpret Revelation. It is a clear biased commentary where he approaches the book already with preconceived notions.

Preterists can be just as guilty as the Tim Lahaye-type commentaries.

 

An Overview of My Forthcoming Book on Critiquing Pretribulational Any-Moment Rapture Theology – Ep. 62

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

itunes cover art biblical program 3000In this episode I gave an overview of my forthcoming book responding to pretrib imminence theology. I read the Introduction to the book which included the contents of the book as well. It will be a comprehensive critique of the flawed doctrine of the imminency of Jesus’ return.

I also encouraged listeners to contribute to the fundraising campaign to help pay for the publishing expenses. You can find the campaign page here.

 

 

 

 

What Exactly Is the Identity of the ‘Star’ of Bethlehem? The Bible, Astronomy, and Scholarship Par Excellence

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The Great Christ CometColin R. Nicholl is one of the most careful New Testament exegetes I know today.

In the April 2000 volume of The Journal of Theological Studies, Colin R. Nicholl published the seminal article, “Michael, The Restrainer Removed (2 Thess. 2:6-7),” making the strong case that Michael is the Restrainer.  His article would be published in an appendix in his monograph From Hope to Despair in Thessalonica: Situating 1 and 2 Thessalonians, Cambridge University Press, 2004.

I have distilled his scholarly arguments for the Archangel Michael being the Restrainer in two episodes of The Biblical Prophecy Program, here and here.

Now he has researched and published on a different biblical enigma: the “star” of Bethlehem. The Great Christ Comet: Revealing the True Star of Bethlehem.

The publisher’s site says:

The Star of Bethlehem is one of the greatest mysteries in astronomy and in the Bible. What was it? How did it prompt the Magi to set out on a long journey to Judea? How did it lead them to Jesus?

In this groundbreaking book, Colin R. Nicholl makes the compelling case that the Star of Bethlehem could only have been a great comet. Taking a fresh look at the biblical text and drawing on the latest astronomical research, this beautifully illustrated volume will introduce readers to the Bethlehem Star in all of its glory.

“The Great Christ Comet is a stunning book. Colin R. Nicholl develops a convincing case for what exactly the Star of Bethlehem was. The book reads like a detective novel, and while it is full of evidence, information, and argumentation, it is accessible and enjoyable to read. This work is now the definitive treatment of the subject. I highly recommend it.”

—J. P. Moreland, Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, Biola University; author, The Soul: How We Know It’s Real and Why It Matters

“I am simply in awe of this book. It is a blockbuster. It is an historic discovery and nothing less. The Great Christ Comet is an absolutely astonishing triumph of interdisciplinary scholarship so rarely seen and so tremendously illuminating as to merit bright comparison with the very celestial phenomenon it describes. Both lead us to the manger and to the Great Poet within, whose syllables are the moon and sun and stars.”

—Eric Metaxas, New York Times best-selling author, Miracles and Bonhoeffer

“In every respect this volume is a remarkable achievement. I regard it as the most important book ever published on the Star of Bethlehem and enthusiastically commend it.”

—Gary Kronk, author, Cometography; Consultant, American Meteor Society

“The most comprehensive interdisciplinary synthesis of biblical and astronomical data yet produced. It is a remarkable feat that a biblical scholar has been able to master the scientific data at such a level of erudition. No discussion of the historicity of the Star of Bethlehem can afford to ignore this book.”

—Simon Gathercole, Senior Lecturer in New Testament, University of Cambridge; author, Where Is Boasting? and The Preexistent Son

Read more endorsements here.

Here is an excerpt.

 

Table of Contents

“Star of Wonder”: Introducing the Bethlehem Star
“We Beheld (It Is No Fable)”: The Testimony of Matthew’s Gospel
“They Looked Up and Saw a Star”: The Story of the Star
“What Star Is This?”: Evaluating the Major Hypotheses
“What Sudden Radiance from Afar?”: Introducing Comets
“A Stranger midst the Orbs of Light”: The Star as a Comet
“Yon Virgin Mother and Child”: The Celestial Wonder
“With Royal Beauty Bright”: Messiah’s Star
“Lo, the Star Appeareth”: Profiling the Comet
“Following Yonder Star”: Tracking the Comet
“Brightest and Best of the Sons of the Morning”: The Greatest Comet in History
“The Light Everlasting That Fades Not Away”: The Ongoing Story
Appendix 1: The Chinese Comet Records
Appendix 2: The Meteor Storm of 6 BC

 

Colin R. Nicholl (PhD, University of Cambridge) taught at the University of Cambridge and was a professor of New Testament at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary before devoting himself to biblical research. His book From Hope to Despair in Thessalonica was published by Cambridge University Press, and his articles have appeared in publications such as The Journal of Theological Studies and The Times (London).

 

 

Want to Learn Koine Greek? Beginning and Intermediate Greek Grammars, Linguistics, and Biblical Resources

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I plan to post an extended bibliography on Greek linguistics. But I know some of you will want to get up and running right now. Here is my opinion.

For beginning Greek grammars I recommend Rodney Decker’s first year Greek grammar coming out November 18 (soon), Reading Koine Greek: An Introduction and Integrated Workbook; and I recommend Stanley Porter’s  excellent thorough first year grammar. I do not recommend William Mounce’s first year grammar, The Basics of Biblical Greek, because his understanding of the verb system is flawed in my opinion, among other issues I have with his grammar. I realize it is the most popular first year grammar out there. But don’t commit the fallacy of confusing popularity with what is the best.

As far as an intermediate Greek grammar I highly recommend Stanley Porter’s Idioms of the Greek New Testament. I realize Dan Wallace’s intermediate grammar is the most popular, but, again, don’t confuse popularity with what is the best. There are parts that are helpful, and parts that are not as helpful. Porter should be the first intermediate grammar you go to.

To avoid very common lexical and other fallacies, for example the word-concept fallacy that I am always inveighing about on this blog, be sure to read Biblical Words and Their Meaning: An Introduction to Lexical Semantics by Moses Silva; and Exegetical Fallacies by D.A. Carson.

Finally, don’t use the Erasmian pronunciation system that is taught by the vast majority of seminaries today; instead, use the modern pronunciation that I use or at least Randall Buth’s Koine Reconstruction system. I really believe that the Erasmian pronunciation is a major impediment to learning Greek and retaining Greek. So many more seminarians will retain their Greek if they learned to read or listen to it aloud with the modern system. This is what I listen to. If you do use the Erasmian at this time, it only takes a week to switch over to the modern system. Well worth it, trust me.

Okay, that’s it for starters.

 

Copyright © 2018 by Alan Kurschner.