"Left Behind" or the Second Coming? Dr. John Bergsma on 1 Thessalonians 4 and the Myth of the Secret Rapture

Son Rise Morning Show · Nov 5, 2026 · 7m

Is the "rapture" a core biblical doctrine, or is it a 19th-century theological novelty? On The Son Rise Morning Show, host Matt Swaim welcomes back Dr. John Bergsma, Vice President for Biblical Theology at the St. Paul Center, Professor of Theology at Franciscan University of Steubenville, author of Bible Basics for Catholics, and former Protestant pastor. Examining the Sunday Mass reading from 1 Thessalonians 4, Bergsma explains that St. Paul is addressing early Christian concerns about deceased believers prior to the Second Coming—not describing a secret, "beam-me-up" event. They…