Critique - John Barnett - GOD PROMISED THE RAPTURE

RAPTURE THEORY

If you follow this podcast sequentially, you'll going to see inconsistencies in interpretations. We've left the podcasts out there specifically to point out the fact that you're witnessing a journey through scripture as one might actually encounter scripture and interpretations. All along the way, we believed whole-heartedly that what we were saying was right and correct. It wasn't! And we admit it!

The pivotal point for me was while using A.I. (ChatGPT) to study revelation, I realized I was a victim of the very deception that I was highlighting (the A.I. enabled internet). A.I. Is not necessarily the problem. The problem is the directive that it's given to address the use of A.I. if otherwise unprompted. That directive is to align with the users' intentions and assumptions as much as possible. We had to eat some humble pie, but we did own up to it. See these podcasts below to understand key turning points in our journey:

https://www.rabbitholes.faith/e/walking-through-babylon-the-house-of-mirrors/ (alignment, not discernment) 

https://www.rabbitholes.faith/e/the-ai-prompt-for-bible-study/ (Correcting course - Teaching A.I. to be like a Berean)

 

That problem though, is not just limited to A.I. We as humans constantly seek alignment and agreement. We also tend to gravitate to others with whom we seem to resonate. But what if scripture is saying something that you don't necessarily agree with? Well, what we've seen historically is that the theologian will interpret around his preconceived notions. A.I. simply amplifies this. We can fix this in A.I. but not so easily with the person who is digging in his heels on what he believes to be true. As we continue, now with a much more consistent view of scripture overall (and a better Berean Filter in ChatGPT), we are being asked to look at other people's views and maybe critique what they are saying. I love to do this but with an eye toward forcing me to reconsider some of my own interpretations and to always harmonize scripture with scripture. 

Today, we take on John Barnett. First, I LOVE this guy! I have listened to his teaching almost daily for the last couple of months. His historical perspective and his deep knowledge of scripture are second to none. However, what I'm discovering about some of the major biblical scholars is that they can be deluded by their own interpretation and have an unwillingness to reconsider and correct themselves. Instead, they tend to dig in and forge ahead. I guess considering my lowly status as more of a student who likes to tell others what he has learned rather than aggressively debate interpretive theory might make me seem wishy washy. That is the furthest from the truth. I rest on the idea that there are NO CONTRADICTIONS. I assign the scientific method to a biblical standard. That is, if there is something within scripture that contradicts a theory, then the theory is wrong. I think that is the best way to study the bible. I know I'll get it wrong sometimes. But you won't see me digging in if you can show me something that clearly contradicts and idea or theory that I might have. I LOVE THOSE DISCUSSIONS. That is where iron sharpens irons. 

So, here we go with a critique of John Barnett's - God Promised the Rapture. 
Here is a link to that so you know what we are critiquing. We've also included a transcript of the same in the appendix of our notes. 

Notes to Critique - John Barnett - God Promised the Rapture

https://www.rabbitholes.faith/e/critique-john-barnett-god-promised-the-rapture/