Journal: Journal of Dispensational Theology
Volume: JODT 26:73 (Autumn 2022)
Article: A Refutation Of False Origin Of The Rapture Theories
Author: Thomas D. Ice

JODT 26:73 (Autumn 2022) p. 139

A Refutation Of False Origin Of The Rapture Theories

Thomas D. Ice

* Thomas D. Ice, Th.M., Ph.D., executive director, The Pre-Trib Research Center; teaching faculty, Calvary University, Kansas City, Missouri

Exactly from whom, when, and where did Darby’s pretribulationism arise? Such questions are often debated within the world of American evangelicalism. There have been a number of theories regarding the genesis of Darby’s pretribulationism put forth over the years. The intent of this article is to identify the various proposals, sift through the evidence, and endeavor to discern fact from fiction concerning this matter.

The Views

There are currently a number of theories that attempt to explain the sudden rise of Darby’s pretribulationism. Most current advocates of pretribulationism believe that Plymouth Brethren J. N. Darby generated his views as a result of personal Bible study, most likely during his convalescence from a riding accident.1 They do not deny that, in part, some aspects of the theological climate of his day influenced Darby.

JODT 26:73 (Autumn 2022) p. 140

JODT 26:73 (Autumn 2022) p. 141

There are several theories, almost entirely by pretribulational opponents, which argue that Darby was primarily influenced by other sources. First, Edward Irving (1792–1834) and the Irvingite movement first developed pretribulationism, and Darby got his main ideas from them.2 Second, it is put forth that Darby’s pretribulationism was taken from the writings of the Jesuit Priest Manual de Lacunza (1731–1801), who wrote under the pseudonym of Juan Josafat Ben-Ezra, a converted Jew.3

JODT 26:73 (Autumn 2022) p. 142

Third, pretribulationism was the product of a prophecy from a woman in Irving’s church in London.4 Fourth, the pretribulational rapture came forth from a prophetic utterance by a fifteen-year old Scottish lassie named Margaret Macdonald (1815–40) in Port Glasgow, Scotland in April 1830.5 The evidence for each view will be sifted and weighed.

In this article, the author will only have space to deal with the two most widely held views, which are the Edward Irving (or Irvingite view) and the Margaret Macdonald view. The Manual de Lacunza and “a woman in Irving’s London church” view is not widely held and will be skipped in favor...