Church and the Tribulation: A Biblical Examination of Posttribulationism

by Robert H. Gundry

In the opening chapter, Robert Gundry states, "It is hoped that the following pages will contribute to an understanding and appreciation of the posttribulational position and that it will do so in a manner characterized by 'wisdom from above. . . First pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy' (James 3:17)." In keeping with this expressed desire, the author presents his thesis regarding Christ's second coming, not as a polemical argument, but as a reasonable and tenable position. This book propounds the thesis that Jesus will return after the tribulation and that the first resurrection will occur at that time. Dr. Gundry believes that biblical evidence points most naturally to this conclusion. Because of his discerning analysis of Scripture, his careful logic, and the thoughtful presentation of his views, he is one of today's leading spokesmen for posttribulational eschatology.

Genres: Theology, Religion

Paperback

First published November 23, 1973

About the author

Robert Horton Gundry is Westmont College's Scholar-in-Residence after retiring from a teaching career of nearly forty years. His various areas of expertise include New Testament Greek, Eschatology (end times studies), the Gospels, and New Testament Theology. He received his Ph.D. in New Testament Studies from Manchester University in 1961. He has been honored with the Teacher of the Year Award three times, the Faculty Researcher of the Year Award, and the Sears-Roebuck Foundation Teaching Excellence and Campus Leadership Award. His many publications include Jesus the Word according to John the Sectarian: A Paleofundamentalist Manifesto for Contemporary Evangelicalism, Especially Its Elites, in North America, First the Antichrist, Mark: A Commentary on His Apology for the Cross, A Survey of the New Testament, Matthew: A Commentary on His Literary and Theological Art, Soma in Biblical Theology with Emphasis on Pauline Anthropology, The Church and the Tribulation, The Use of the Old Testament in St. Matthew's Gospel with Special Reference to the Messianic Hope, as well as numerous articles and book reviews in New Testament studies.

Reviews

[Christal · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was pretty good. I can appreciate how thorough the author tried to be in asserting his position on the post tribulation rapture. (which I believe in..btw). It wasn't the easiest read because of the vocabulary; but it was very informative. I can tell that the author put alot of effort into this book. I never agree with anyone 100 percent of the time; so it's no surprise to me that there were areas in this book where he and I were in disagreement in regards to the millenium; but he gave really good arguments and scriptural support for his positions; so high five on that. (He holds to more of a classic or historic premillellialism view; whereas I hold to a more amillenial view.)

[Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well argued.

[Michael Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scholars holding to a pretribulation rapture position, as popularized by the Schofield Bible and Hal Lindsey, among many evangelical leaders, do not like this book. It has been savagely attacked, especially by fundamentalist Christians, but without warrant. Built upon solid biblical research (that puts to shame much of the shoddy "scholarship" of the pretrib side, sad to say) it at least opens up the possibility that well-meaning dogmatists on the subject of end-times events got it wrong all these decades. Recommended!

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

He does a so-so job of presenting evidence. At the time this book was written, the prewrath theory had not yet originated.

Some of his claims about this or that verse pointing to a posttrib Rapture, would fit better with prewrath.

I particularly liked the way he exposed the intentional deception of those promoting the pretrib Rapture, how they end a quote right before it goes on to say the Christians will go through the tribulation, such as from the Early Church Fathers.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I disagree with Gundry's final conclusion (church will go through tribulation), it is a well-written book on the subject. Any pretrib-er must wrestle with his scholarly arguements.