Misread Rapture? (Christian critics of 'Left Behind' series)

The Washington Times ^ | Jan. 24, 2001 | Robert Stacy McCain

[BurkeCalhounDabney]

The apocalyptic 1995 novel "Left Behind" and its eight sequels have sold 50 million copies. The Christian end-of-the-world epic by authors Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins has spawned a Hollywood movie and sparked renewed interest in Bible prophecy.

Despite its enormous success, "Left Behind" is being criticized on theological grounds by some Christians who say the story of worldwide tribulation following a sudden "Rapture" of born-again believers is based on a faulty interpretation of the Bible.

[countrydummy]

bump for later

[Tycobb]

I personally believe in the "PreWrath" view of the Rapture. It will take place in the Sixth Seal about two-thirds into Daniel's 70th week (Trib period).

[eccl1212]

"What Tim LaHaye is doing in his 'Left Behind' series has been done before," says Mr. DeMar, a conservative Presbyterian and author of 16 books. "These guys have been predicting the end by reading the newspaper for centuries. ... They all have one thing in common. They've all been wrong."

Kinda says it all for me too. Dittos.

[ppaul]

The Left Behind fiction series implies that the "saved" will be "taken away," while the wicked will be "left behind." That is not what the Messiah said, and I'd rather take his word for it than some blow-dried 20th century best-selling authors'.

Jesus said:

As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away.
-- Matthew 24:37-39

I don't care what Hal Lindsey or Tim LaHaye say, are you certain you want to be "taken away?"
Or wouldn't you prefer to be left behind?

First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, "Where is this `coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation."

But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed.

By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. But do not forget this one thing, dear friends:

WITH THE LORD, A DAY IS LIKE A THOUSAND YEARS AND A THOUSAND YEARS ARE LIKE A DAY. -- II Peter 3

:

[philetus]

Gary De Mar is an idiot. The books are FICTION.
I`ve read a couple of them and watched the movie. That doesn`t mean I subscribe to the theory.
Edgar Burroughs wrote books about people living on Mars.I read them too,but I don`t really think anyones home there.

[NoControllingLegalAuthority]

The books are fiction. They appeal to a "second-chance" wish of many who want to "keep their salvation options open." The New Testament of the Bible says we must choose to believe in Jesus Christ as Savior, RIGHT NOW, or be lost at the end.

[I still care]

I am reading that book right now! I picked it up because I always thought that was the correct interpretation, and was happy to see a book about it.

[TheDeacon]

I am surprised to see the word "unorthodox" used in connection with the pretrib viewpoint. Selling all of your possessions and sitting on top of a hill would be 'unorthodox'.

"In essentials unity, in nonessentials liberty, in all things charity."

[Physicist]

So the Washington Times doesn't like "Left Behind".

I guess "Left Behind" is but half a Moonie.

[sanchmo]

While the books are fiction, LaHaye, et al, have written / presented enough non-fiction material to prove that they believe their interpretation is (pardor the pun) "the gospel truth." The truth - as usual - is really more complex than that (see Christianity Today's articla Apocalypse Now).

The danger is that outsiders may come to believe that "all Christians" believe their interpretation, and that you *have to* believe their interpretation to "be a Christian." More importantly, claims that "the Bible says xxx" bring disrepute on Scripture when the interpretation is wrong - after all, there is a difference between what it says and what LaHaye's interpretation of that is.

[THEUPMAN]

Matthew 24:37-42

37 But as the days of Noe [were], so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
41 Two [women shall be] grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

[DreamWeaver]

Ping

[Jean Chauvin]

My question for the pre-mill's is:

Which of the two millennia mentioned in Rev. 20: 4-6 is considered to be the millennium which Christ rules on the earth??

Jean

[tal hajus]

Which one of the series is your favorite?

[ValerieUSA]

The Left Behind series is a major rip-off - the books are way over-priced and poorly written.

[ThinkingMan]

bump for later

[P-Marlowe]

The Left Behind series is a major rip-off - the books are way over-priced and poorly written.

1) Have you priced other books?

2) Have you read any of the books in the series?

[Mamzelle]

I was brought up into the LaHaye-type view of the End Times. Later, working with some scholars in a publishing company, I came to view these notions of a definitive pattern of events as simply wishful or fanciful reading of the text--The Revelation is simply not that comprehensible. There is nothing so tedious as a Christian obsessed with prophesy--otherwise sensible Christians can get very "hung up" on reading the tea-leaves of John's Revelation.

This Christian's opinion--all of the Bible is a straightforward manual for living, all pointing at the Alpha and Omega of Christ. Think of it as Renaissance art--approachable, understandable and wonderfully beautiful. Revelation is like Picasso--modern art--or the Impressionists. You can get the vision, the impression of a horrible conflagration at the End of the World, but I don't credit those who claim to understand How it will happen.

[LouD]

The Left Behind series is a major rip-off - the books are way over-priced and poorly written.

I'd have to agree. Irrespective of where you stand on the theology, the books are some of the worst prose I've ever read. These guys are complete hacks as writers.