Question:  Dear Greg,

            Many years ago I read several of Hal Lindsey’s books.  I found him very interesting to read.  One of the things I liked best about him is that he never claimed to be some sort of prophet and he always qualified his interpretations of prophesy.  He used several different Bible versions to help illustrate his views.  I’m curious to know if you’ve ever read any of his books and if you have any opinions about him.

            Jack

Answer:  Dear Jack,

            I am well aware not only of Hal Lindsey’s books, but the methodology he learned that directed him to the conclusions to which he and many others, before and after him, have come.

            I appreciate that many devoted Christians believe in this methodology—generically called dispensationalism (a method of interpreting the Bible, specifically prophetic portions), but experience and history prove that devotion and sincerity are not objective tests of truth.

            There is no question that this kind of reading is interesting because it appeals to human curiosity to know the future—like those who believe in going to fortune tellers to find out their own future.  However, the Bible is not astrology or tea leaves.  It is not an advance copy of next week’s newspapers or news magazines.

            The methodology of dispensationalism is broken beyond repair.  It has been wrong over and over again.  It has caused many to lose faith and leave Christianity completely when predictions fail.  They place the blame with God, who they believe has failed them.  In fact, God has been misrepresented and the blame for failed predictions belongs at the door of dispensationalism.  The vast majority of Christians who live today, and for that matter who have ever lived, do not believe in this method of interpreting the Bible.

            May God bless you.

            In Christ,

            Greg Albrecht