Skeptic Ginger
Nasty Woman
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2005
- Messages
- 96,955
No it isn't.
In a global survey of Evangelical Protestant Leaders, " Six-in-ten leaders (61%) also say they believe in the Rapture of the Church — the teaching that believers will be instantly caught up with Christ before the Great Tribulation, leaving non-believers behind to suffer on Earth."
http://www.pewforum.org/2011/06/22/global-survey-beliefs/
With near unanimity, the Lausanne leaders see two practices as essential to being a good evangelical Christian. Virtually all of the leaders surveyed (97%) say it is necessary to follow the teachings of Christ in one’s personal and family life. Nearly as many (94%) say that working to lead others to Christ is part of being a good evangelical.
Smaller but still substantial majorities of leaders also agree on several other essential behaviors. About three-quarters (73%) say working to help the poor and needy is essential for being a good evangelical Christian; 24% say this is important but not essential. There is widespread agreement about this activity among leaders from all regions of the world. Fully 74% of leaders from the Global North say helping the poor and needy is essential, as do 72% of leaders from the Global South.
A slight majority of leaders (52%) believe that Christ will either probably (44%) or definitely (8%) return in their lifetimes. Six-in-ten leaders (61%) also say they believe in the Rapture of the Church — the teaching that believers will be instantly caught up with Christ before the Great Tribulation, leaving non-believers behind to suffer on Earth.
When it comes to these beliefs about eschatology or the End Times, regional differences once again are notable. Two-thirds of Global South leaders (67%) say Christ definitely or probably will return in their lifetimes, compared with a third of Global North leaders (34%). Renewalist leaders are also more likely than non-renewalists to believe that Christ is likely to return in their lifetimes (60% vs. 47%). Among leaders from the Global South, 73% say they believe in the Rapture, compared with 44% of Global North leaders. But majorities of those surveyed from all regions except Europe believe in the rapture of the Church; evangelical leaders from sub-Saharan Africa are especially likely to believe in the Rapture (82%).
In a global survey of Evangelical Protestant Leaders, " Six-in-ten leaders (61%) also say they believe in the Rapture of the Church — the teaching that believers will be instantly caught up with Christ before the Great Tribulation, leaving non-believers behind to suffer on Earth."
http://www.pewforum.org/2011/06/22/global-survey-beliefs/
No it isn't.
The vast majority of evangelicals believe the rapture will happen at some point in the future.
A small subset of evangelicals believe the rapture will happen within a double digit number of years.
Glad I am able to clear that up.
As your earlier wiki link showed, the second coming and the rapture are not necessarily the same.I thought about citing that but assumed it will fall on deaf ears because it's specifically about leadership. Here is something more on point for someone who needs a water is wet explanation:
http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2010/07/14/jesus-christs-return-to-earth/
The fact is that, in the US, the number are such that it's pretty close to arithmetically impossible for any large Christian sect not to be dominated by Rapture believers of some kind. Rapture belief and related ideas, such as evolution denial, are rampant in the US.
I wish there were a rapture-believer in here - I have some questions about the mechanics of this event.
I've a friend who's a rapturist and has kept me up-to-date on the relevant details, perhaps I can be of assistance?
Can we have their stuff?
In the event it happens I'd be happy to forward you 100+ tomes on why you're going to hell.
Yes, yes, yes, but can we have their stuff?
Yes, yes, yes, but can we have their stuff?
The vast majority of evangelicals believe the rapture will happen at some point in the future.
A small subset of evangelicals believe the rapture will happen within a double digit number of years.
Glad I am able to clear that up.