It may or may not interest you to know that prior to 1830, Dispensationalism and a Pre-Tribulation Rapture were not known in the Church world. John Nelson Darby, one of the founders of the Plymouth Brethren Movement, came up with these ideas during a time of rehabilitation after falling off a horse. His dispensationalist and pre-trib rapture views were met with strong opposition from within the Brethren at the time. Brethren like, George Muller, B. W. Newton and S.P. Tregelles adamantly opposed these views, calling them highly speculative. These men believed and preached a Post-Tribulation Rapture. Outside the Brethren, Charles Haddon Spurgeon was very critical of Darby and his novel doctrines.
In the USA, Darby preached his 'new eschatology' in conferences and Churches. While many rejected Darby's view of a 'Church in ruins' and his views on ecclesiastical separation, they embraced his dispensational ideas and his Pre-Trib Rapture. Along came C I Scofield and his Bible, Darby's ideas spread like wildfire, with people not aware of the novelty of it all.
With the Fundamentalist Movement in the early 20th century, Dispensationalism with its Pre-Trib Rapture became the badge of theological orthodoxy. Most Bible Schools and some Theological Seminaries at the time held and taught Darby's theology of the End Times.
Now, in the 21st century, although popular, especially in the US, Dispensationalism with its Pre_Trib Rapture is on the decline with people favoring Amillennialism or Historic Premillennialism with its post -tribulation rapture.
The interesting thing is most people like myself, followed these ideas of Darby without knowing of their dubious origin. Only after discovering the truth, one is driven back to the Bible to find a more Scriptural view of eschatology.
In the USA, Darby preached his 'new eschatology' in conferences and Churches. While many rejected Darby's view of a 'Church in ruins' and his views on ecclesiastical separation, they embraced his dispensational ideas and his Pre-Trib Rapture. Along came C I Scofield and his Bible, Darby's ideas spread like wildfire, with people not aware of the novelty of it all.
With the Fundamentalist Movement in the early 20th century, Dispensationalism with its Pre-Trib Rapture became the badge of theological orthodoxy. Most Bible Schools and some Theological Seminaries at the time held and taught Darby's theology of the End Times.
Now, in the 21st century, although popular, especially in the US, Dispensationalism with its Pre_Trib Rapture is on the decline with people favoring Amillennialism or Historic Premillennialism with its post -tribulation rapture.
The interesting thing is most people like myself, followed these ideas of Darby without knowing of their dubious origin. Only after discovering the truth, one is driven back to the Bible to find a more Scriptural view of eschatology.
