How would you handle this situation?

[Tennessee Gal]

A little background. I grew up in the Independent Baptist movement. My husband went to seminary at Tennessee Temple and was in the ministry for 30 years. We spent 13 years in ministry in the Independent Baptists before leaving and going into the Southern Baptists, where he was a pastor until the Lord took him home.
When we changed, their wasn't a hill of beans of difference on matters of doctrine other than we weren't King James only, although my husband usually preached from the King James.

I grew up with my nieces and nephews. I have a niece who is married to an Independent Baptist pastor and when we are together our relationship is best described as two pieces of sand paper. My husband and I didn't turn into pagans when we left the Independents, but they are always looking for something to criticize .

She was over the other night and she knew I was teaching a women's Bible study on Revelation. She told me of an Independent Baptist Church who hired a pastor that believed in a Mid Trib rapture. She felt he was teaching false doctrine. I expressed that there are born again believers who love Jesus Christ who differ with us on the timing of the rapture. She then started to drill me on my position. I am Pre-Trib and she knew it.
It is frustrating dealing with her as every detail on doctrine is totally black and white. I told her this wasn't a salvation issue, and although we can't compromise on the foundation doctrines of the faith saints through the ages didn't always agree on every single issue.
I love her, but sadly I am weary of her attitude.

 

[Salty]

You could also drive your niece nuts and tell her that even though as a Southern Baptist - your are still an indepentent Baptist! Our DOM likes to mention - that SB are more independent that the IFB!!!

I do agree with you that the position of the rapture has nothing to do with salvation.
Unfortunately some people have the attitude of
"I have made up my mind, please dont confuse me with the facts"

 

[Tennessee Gal]

You could also drive your niece nuts and tell her that even though as a Southern Baptist - your are still an indepentent Baptist! Our DOM likes to mention - that SB are more independent that the IFB!!!

I do agree with you that the position of the rapture has nothing to do with salvation.
Unfortunately some people have the attitude of
"I have made up my mind, please don'tconfuse me with the facts"

Thanks Salty . You just about summed it up. I try to explain that the Christian college I attended, and the seminary my husband attended both held the Pre- trib position, but also taught the different views on the Millennium and the timing of the rapture, but emphasized the Pre- trib position. They are so set that anyone that disagrees with any issue different than the Ind.Baptists is false doctrine. This couple have 4 beautiful adult daughters,and only one of the daughters attends an Independent Baptist Church and it isn't nearly as narrow in their thinking as her parent's church. Two of the daughters go to mega Southern Baptists churches and one daughter doesn't attend church at all, except holidays.

 

[PastoralMusings]

Perhaps she cares about you, but doesn't know how to express it with the kindness that she needs to express it. Perhaps she desires to convert you back to IFB. Either way it is very possible that she is speaking out of love and concern, though she does it in what is apparently an abrasive manner. If so, maybe a little more long suffering is necessary due to your understanding that.
I also think that it may be necessary to simply explain that you know that she cares, but that the tone/manner in which she speaks to you is offensive, and that you would rather not continue that discussion. Any effort at being conciliatory would be a blessing, if not to her to yourself.
Honestly, you may never settle the issue; but the important thing is to save the relationship that you have so that you can enjoy each other's company.

 

[HAMel]

How many (decent) fathers would idly stand by allowing their children to suffer through any tribulation type of harm?
How then could our Heavenly Father stand by allowing His children to endure any tribulation type of harm?
Yes, we suffer hardships in life but when the days of Tribulation begin that's a new dispensation.

 

[Tennessee Gal]

Hamel, I am not questioning the pre trib position, but my niece's attitude is the issue. I truly do not think if someone disagrees with us on the timing of the rapture they are teaching false doctrine, It is pure and simple a difference of opinion.
Someday when all the saints of all the ages are gathered in Heaven they will not have agreed on every minor issue on earth. At that point it won't matter,as the Lord will show us areas where all of us didn't have it together perfectly.

 

[HAMel]

Hamel, I am not questioning the pre trib position, but my niece's attitude is the issue. I truly do not think if someone disagrees with us on the timing of the rapture they are teaching false doctrine, It is pure and simple a difference of opinion.
Someday when all the saints of all the ages are gathered in Heaven they will not have agreed on every minor issue on earth. At that point it won't matter,as the Lord will show us areas where all of us didn't have it together perfectly.

...Tennessee, I wasn't trying to convince you.

 

[Yeshua1]

Hamel, I am not questioning the pre trib position, but my niece's attitude is the issue. I truly do not think if someone disagrees with us on the timing of the rapture they are teaching false doctrine, It is pure and simple a difference of opinion.
Someday when all the saints of all the ages are gathered in Heaven they will not have agreed on every minor issue on earth. At that point it won't matter,as the Lord will show us areas where all of us didn't have it together perfectly.

I think that when we get to heaven, and attend a class on biblical theology taught by Jesus, all of us here would have some defective viewpoints in regards to what should have been seen in scriptures!