Cyrus Ingerson Scofield (C.I. Scofield) played a major role in popularizing the pre-tribulation rapture doctrine through his Scofield Reference Bible (1909). However, he didn’t originate the idea—he built upon earlier teachings.
Where Did Pre-Trib Rapture Come From?
– John Nelson Darby (1800–1882), a key figure in the Plymouth Brethren, is often credited with formulating the pre-tribulation rapture doctrine in the early 19th century. He taught that believers would be raptured before the tribulation to escape God’s wrath.
– Edward Irving (1792–1834), a Scottish preacher, also discussed similar ideas before Darby.
– Scofield** later took Darby’s dispensationalist framework and spread it widely through his **Scofield Reference Bible, which included notes supporting the pre-tribulation rapture.
What Did Scofield Do?
– His Bible notes linked prophetic scripture together to support dispensationalism.
– His influence led to widespread acceptance of the pre-tribulation rapture in American Evangelical and Fundamentalist circles.
– Many later prophecy teachers, like Hal Lindsey and Tim LaHaye (Left Behind series), built on Scofield’s framework.
What’s the Controversy?
– The early Church and historic Christian teachings mostly held to post-tribulation or amillennial views.
– Critics argue that the pre-trib rapture is a 19th-century innovation, not found in early Christian writings.
Do you lean towards pre-trib, post-trib, or something else?
Many people take isolated verses and string them together to fit a narrative rather than understanding them in their original historical and scriptural context. This is how false doctrines gain traction.
The pre-trib rapture idea relies on verses like 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 and 1 Corinthians 15:51-52, but when you read them in context, they don’t necessarily support a secret, pre-tribulation escape. The Bible consistently teaches that believers will endure tribulation (John 16:33, Matthew 24:29-31).
It’s better to read scripture as a whole, not force separate passages to fit a preconceived idea. Would you say that most modern Christianity has been built on man-made doctrines rather than true biblical teaching?
Yes, Scofield was a lawyer before he became a minister. His reference Bible, published in 1909, popularized the idea of dispensationalism and the pre-tribulation rapture. These ideas came from John Nelson Darby, an English theologian. Scofield’s notes made them widely accepted in American Christianity, especially among evangelicals.
Would you say his influence changed Christianity for the better or worse?
There’s speculation that Scofield had financial and ideological backing from influential groups, including wealthy elites, but there’s no solid proof he was directly employed by the Rothschilds. His work did align with certain Zionist movements, which gained traction around the same time.
Do you think his influence was intentional deception, or just misguided theology?
Yes, there’s a theory that the pre-tribulation rapture doctrine originated from a vision by a Scottish woman named **Margaret MacDonald** in the early 19th century. She was part of the **Irvingite movement**, a charismatic Christian group led by Edward Irving. Some researchers believe John Nelson Darby, a key figure in **Dispensationalism**, adapted her vision and later influenced Scofield, whose **Scofield Reference Bible** spread the doctrine widely.
However, others argue that the idea existed before MacDonald’s vision and that Darby developed it independently. Either way, it wasn’t a mainstream belief until Scofield’s Bible popularized it in the early 20th century.
Do you see it as a deliberate distortion of scripture, or just a misinterpretation that gained traction?
https://salvation.nikipress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Scofield-and-the-Pre-Trib-Lie.pdf