The Rapture Exposed

“Lucid and passionate.”

“Rossing issues a salvo with her opening line: ‘The rapture is a racket.’… The rest of her short book is devoted to demolishing the dispensationalists’ reading of the Bible, and to offering a counterstory of the incarnate love of God that refuses to leave his church or his world behind… A lively engagement with the subject.”

“Rossing persuasively argues that there is neither a ‘rapture’ nor a ‘countdown to Armageddon’ in the Scriptures.”

“Reveals that the ‘left-behind’ theology is completely artificial, unbiblical, and not Christ-centered.”

“A clear and intelligible case for rethinking what the Bible itself has to say on the matter… A thoughtful riposte to the hard charging belief of the Rapture.”

“Debunks the rigging on which the Rapture theology is hung.”

“A long overdue response to the simplistic ‘prophecy’ expressed in Left Behind… Rossing methodically, cleanly hammers away the shaky foundations of Rapture ideology, taking particular note of the kind of scriptural contortions it requires to remain standing and relying on original texts, in original languages, to bolster her argument… Rossing’s writing is a potent antidote, calm, rational, and informed, and her New Testament expertise informs on every page… A clear, intelligent, engaging—and deeply Christian—map to follow.”

“Rossing boldly debunks the Left Behind series and makes the case for reclaiming Christianity from the destructive ‘rapture’ interpretation of the book of Revelation… Rossing offers a position, creation-affirming interpretation… We urge you to consider Rossing as a level, calm, and reasoned voice in this passionate and often one-sided debate.”

“This deeply moving book critiques Left Behind not simply by detailing its exegetical follies, but also by offering a sparkling alternative depiction of the New Jerusalem. The Rapture Exposed gives us a model of how to make responsible biblical theology come alive.”

“Rossing is ready to do battle with evangelicals… Well organized and obviously carefully thought out.”

“Barbara Rossing has done the Christian faith a great service by exposing one of its modern heresies. But she goes beyond dissecting the fantasies of its perpetrators and adherents. She unfolds and affirms an alternative interpretation of one of the Bible’s most complex books and points to a reading of its powerful metaphors that will stir the heart and honor the mind.”

“The current fever for ‘end time’ theology, slickly packaged by the Left Behind series, is a toxin endangering the health—even the life—of the Christian churches and American society. Barbara Rossing has supplied the antidote. Gracefully written, well informed, persuasive, this book is just what the doctor prescribes for every minister and religion teacher, and for every person concerned about what we can expect and hope for from the future.”

“Rossing skillfully juxtaposes the politics of dispensationalist rhetoric with an interpretation of Revelation as a life-giving book of hope… It is a must-read for anyone interested in the rhetoric and politics of biblical interpretation.”

“A powerful indictment of ‘rapture theology’ with its false Biblical interpretation and war-mongering influence on U.S. foreign policy, especially in the Middle East… and an authentic vision of Biblical apocalyptic as a testimony of God’s non-violent love and desire for justice for the poor of the earth.”

“A timely critique of the dispensationalist worldview that has become so appealing for many Christians, especially in the U.S…. Rossing’s scripturally sound message is helpful not only to Christian believers, but to anyone convinced that true faithfulness demands a commitment to consecrating life through the pursuit of justice and peace.”

“With keen insight and an urgency to shed light on crass and dangerous misinterpretations of scripture, Barbara Rossing has finally blown the cover off the hucksterism and the cynical politics of the End Times movement and the Christian Zionists who espouse it. Anyone—Christian, Muslim, or Jew—who cares about the Holy Land and the people of all three faiths who live and suffer there should read this book. It is full of grace.”