Robert Lowery

And so the e-mails continue about my view that the above view tends toward chaos. . .

I remain convinced that many interpreters of Revelation have a truncated view of the events they judged to be prophetic fulfillments and they are guilty of viewing history in instrumental terms. They studied the past and current events to find those that fit their expected prophetic scenario. They cherry pick the evidence to support their theories, in other words. Because they believed they understood where history was going in great detail and the unseen forces that were moving it along, history contained few real surprises.

But . . . what about the complexities of historical cause and effect? What about the unexpected consequences of human behavior? They proof text! They have an a-historical view of history. They have this view and they proof text in order to match history to their anticipated plan. They place an events into their prophetic jigsaw puzzle and when they are proved to be wrong, it is difficult for them to take the piece out!

Let me give two examples. I recently came across an editorial from Moody Monthly written in July, 1942 (p. 627). William Culbertson, president of Moody Bible Institute offered a curious defense for explaining what happens when he and other experts have misread the signs of the times and it is a defense that continues to be offered. He pointed out that while students of prophecy have been mistaken in the past, they were nearly so wrong as those who deny prophetic truth. He wrote: “Suppose there are some eccentrics in the realm of prophecy. What does that prove? suppose some sincere enthusiast expressed an opinion made ridiculous by current history. What of it? Scientists have not thrown science on the scrap heap because some theories of other days are now discarded.” (I do believe that my four year and two year old granddaughters, Carissa and Jocelyn, could see through that convoluted logic!)

No doubt scientists have had to change, but such assurances hardly addresses the problem created by leading Bible prophecy experts such as Lindsey, LaHaye, Van Impe, etc. It hardly addresses the problem, especially by those who arrogantly, boldly, and creatively offer their interpretations as the final word on a passage found in Ezekiel, Daniel or Revelation.

Or consider a more recent example. Dr. Joseph M. Stowell, the former president of Moody Bible Institute, wrote the preface to a recently published book, Prophecy in Light of Today (Moody Press, 2002). It promises to answer such questions as:

• Will the world ever find a peace to end all peace?
• What do the Koran and Hadid say about the end of the world?
• What is the role of Satan in the events of September 11, 2001?

We are promised that the contributing authors will address such topics as the origin and activity of the Antichrist, the centrality of Israel in the coming world crisis, and the role of Islam behind the attack of Gog and Magog. Consider Stowell’s foreword: “Using the events of the new 911 as a springboard, the different authors will guide you th rough various aspects of God’s plan for this world.”

Using the events of the new 911 as a springboard . . . I could survey similar literature written in the 20th century and read Using the events of World War I as a springboard . . . Using the events of World War II as a springboard . . . Using the events of the birth of modern day Israel as a springboard . . . Using the events of the Korean Conflict as a springboard . . . Using the events of the Vietnam War as a springboard . . . Using the events of the first war in Iraq as a springboard . . . Using the events of the second war in Iraq as a springboard . . .

I have not read the book written in 2002 because it is probably as outdated as the 1942 editorial or the first edition of any prophecy handbook that predicts the future. Note the irony: First edition. Why would a correct interpreter need to produce a second or revised edition?!

Bible teachers are not scientists who try out various theories about obscure natural phenomena. They claim to be students of the “sure word of prophecy,” a word they claim to be infallible and inerrant and unfortunately believe their own interpretations are equally infallible and inerrant, at least until the next day’s newspaper headlines!

Not only do some of these teachers claim omniscience for themselves, but few of them show much humility or tentativeness about their teachings. Or integrity, for that matter. They fail to acknowledge when they have messed up. They don’t seem to question that perhaps the problem is with their interpretive approach.

In the battle between Prophecy in Light of Today vs. Today in Light of Prophecy, I will continue to support the latter. I must continue to evaluate how I and my fellow disciples of Jesus ought to live our lives today in light of God’s certain word of truth, a word that calls us to be obedient and always watchful.

Related posts on this site:

The Second Law of Thermodynamics and Dispensational Premillennialism Revisited

The Second Law of Thermodynamics and Dispensational Premillennialism

Why I Am an Amillennialist: Additional Reflections

The Dangers of Theological Systems Illustrated