The Rapture Issue
*The Post-Tribulation Rapture, by William Arnold III. (self published, 1999).
My book is intended to be understandable to
the average reader but still deal with the scholarly issues. My purpose
was not to belabor any one issue, nor to get side tracked with less relevant
ones, but to present the major evidence for the post position and deal with
the strongest arguments of the pre. The result is a concise discussion dealing
with the "main issues."
*The Church and the Tribulation, by Robert Gundry. (Grand Rapids: Academie books, 1973).
- Amazon's reviews
This is probably held to be the definitive work on post-tribulationism by conservative scholars today. The approach
is very scholarly and deals with some of the more technical issues. It is a must have for any scholar who is interested
in the topic. Sad to say, it is now out of print.
Three Views on the Rapture: Pre-, Mid, or Post-Tribulational? by Gleason L. Archer Jr., Paul
D. Feinberg, Douglas J. Moo, Richard R. Reiter. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996). - Amazon's
reviews
I found this book very helpful when I first was looking into the rapture question. It offers a defense of three
major positions and then gives a rebuttal by each of the other authors. There is also a chapter on the history
of the development of each position. Some of this book is semi-technical but not out of grasp for the non-scholar.
*The Rapture Plot, by Dave MacPherson. (Simpsonville, SC: Millennium III Publishers). - Amazon's
reviews
This book is the most comprehensive study on the origin of pre-tribulationism. In it, Dave MacPherson shows conclusively
that the Irvingites were teaching pre-trib at least several years before John Darby was. He also reveals later
attempts to conceal this by Darby's followers. This is a first rate study which deals directly with the primary
sources.
*First the Antichrist, by Robert Gundry. (Grand
Rapids: Baker, 1997). - Amazon's
reviews
This is a much more recent work of Gundry which is specifically meant for
the non-scholar. It is relatively easy reading and references to the Greek
are minimal. In it, he summarizes some of the arguments of his previous
book and some additional material is added, most notably, an excellent discussion
on Pseudo-Ephraim the Syrian.
The Blessed Hope: A Biblical Study of the Second Advent and the Rapture, by George Eldon Ladd.
(Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1956). - Amazon's
reviews
This is a much older work which many of the modern ones have built on. Ladd spends more time than most (over a
fourth of the book) dealing with the history of the pre- and post- positions. It is not a very thorough treatment
and most of his points have been noted and passed on by modern scholars. However, Ladd's contribution to this field
has been invaluable.
General Eschatology
A Basic Guide to Eschatology: Making Sense of the Millennium, by Millard J. Erickson. (Grand
Rapids: Baker, 1998). - Amazon's
reviews
I have used this as a textbook in teaching Eschatology. In this book, Erickson
discusses background views, millennial views and then tribulational views.
He states that its purpose is to be "an objective, comprehensive overview
of the various end-time perspectives." After each section, Erickson
gives an evaluation of the position, showing what he thinks to be its strengths
and weaknesses. Being a systematic theologian, he gives only a very broad
picture of each position. This book only covers a few select issues; it
is not exhaustive.
*The Bible and the Future, by Anthony A. Hoekema. (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1979). - Amazon's reviews
Although it is written from a Reformed/A-Mill perspective, this book still
has much which is very good. It is the best general overview of Eschatology
which I have found. Compared to Erickson, this book is pretty thorough in
dealing with the issues. It also deals with opposing positions.
*Dispensationalism, Israel and the Church: The Search for Definition, Craig Blaising and Darrell Bock,
Eds. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1992). - Amazon's
reviews
Progressive Dispensationalism, by Craig Blaising and Darrell Bock. (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1993).
- Amazon's
reviews (For a good introduction to this topic, see: Progressive
Dispensationalism 101)
*Three Views on the Millennium and Beyond, Darrell Bock, Ed. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1992).
- Amazon's reviews
The Meaning of the Millennium: Four Views, Robert Clouse, Ed. (Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press,
1977). - Amazon's
reviews
