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What the Pre-Trib Research Center is About?
In 1991 Dr. Tim
LaHaye became concerned about a perceived swaying from the pretribulational
doctrine. In 1992 Dr. LaHaye released his book on the rapture: No
Fear of the Storm from Multnomah Press. It was re-released in
1998 as Rapture Under Attack. In the process of preparing
the first edition of his rapture book, Dr. LaHaye was impressed with
the gatherings of the Albury Park and Powerscourt Conference in Britain
during the late 1820s and early 1830s where leaders gathered to discuss
issues relating to Bible prophecy. Dr. LaHaye contacted Dr. Thomas Ice
and discussed the possibility of calling a similar meeting for December
1992. This meeting came about in Dallas with about 35 top prophecy scholars,
authors, and populists participating in the three-day event. The group
adopted the title of The Pre-Trib Study Group (PTSG). Dr. LaHaye was
elected Chairman of the steering committee and Dr. Ice Vice Chairman.
At the next year's
meeting, December 1993 in Dallas, The PTSG elected Dr. Ice to become
full-time Executive Director of the newly formed Pre-Trib Research Center
(PTRC). The PTRC was conceived by Dr. LaHaye for the purpose of encouraging
the research, teaching, propagation, and defense of the pretribulational
rapture and related Bible prophecy doctrines. PTRC began functioning
in the offices of Dr. LaHaye's Family Life Seminars in Washington, D.C.
in March 1994. PTRC has sponsored the annual PTSG meeting in December
of each year and just completed its seventh such meeting in 1999.
The Pre-Trib Research
Center has over 200 members in association with its efforts. Most of
the top prophecy scholars, authors, and popularizes are members of the
Center and Study Group. The association of these prophecy experts, which
have been facilitated by the Pre-Trib organization, has contributed
to the inspiration of dozens of books, articles, conferences, and events
that express and defend the literal interpretation of Bible prophecy
and the pre-trib rapture. PTRC and the Study Group have worked to bring
together veteran prophecy experts to share their knowledge and encouragement
concerning these matters to a younger generation of students and advocates.
In this way the torch is being passed to a new generation.
Dr. LaHaye and Dr.
Ice, along with others associated with PTRC, have produced an impressive
amount of literature that further the cause of pretribulationism and
the literal interpretation of Bible prophecy. The PTRC is also involved
in speaking at prophecy conferences and churches, producing key audio
tapes, and now with the advent of this Internet site, providing various
materials here as well. PTRC has published over the years its monthly
publication called the Pre-Trib Perspectives and has various other future
goals.
PTRC wants to impact
Pastors and individual Christians with the central role and importance
that Bible prophecy, especially the any-moment possibility of the rapture,
should play in the life of the church. Dr. LaHaye and PTRC stresses
three practical implications that flow from the rapture teaching. The
first implication of pretribulationism is that it leads to godly living
in an unholy age. Next, this New Testament teaching promotes a strong
emphasis upon evangelism of the lost. Finally, when believers come to
understand this eternal perspective, it leads to a zeal for worldwide
missions. This is why we at the PTRC are "looking for the blessed
hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ
Jesus." (Titus
2:13)
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