Theologians debate teachings behind 'Left Behind' novels

Here is the first paragraph from the article:

The "Left Behind" novel series has given Christian fiction new respectability. Last year's installment, "Desecration," dethroned John Grisham from a seven-year reign at the top of bestseller lists.
The 10th and newest volume, "The Remnant," logged 2.4 million orders in the two months prior to its July 2 release.

I really don't have a problem with the series. I don't think those guys are just trying to turn a buck. They are after all authors. Later in the article it mentions that half the readers do not consider themselves evangelicals. So maybe they are reaching people who otherwise would pay no attention to this sort of topic. My only concern is that people might take it all to be biblical.

 

I suspect the Authors will be "left behind" themselves. And they will have the whole TBN lineup as company.

If it were left to me, that whole bunch wouldn't be given a chance to be left behind.

 

I have not read one of the books in the Left Behind series. Most of the time what I see from other people is that they forget they are fiction! You know, as in not real! Besides I don't agree with what they are saying is going to happen anyhow. But I guess that is another thread.

 

Last I heard, each of them have earned about $50 million on the series.

 

I know Jerry Jenkins is... not sure about LaHaye. He has had a lot of books out with his name on them, but his writing "style" seems to be all over the map. My guess is that he uses ghost writers.

I read the first book to see what everyone was raving about and found it boring, the characters paper thin, and the theology troubling. I haven't read anything else Jenkins has written, but I hope the "Left Behind" series is not a good example of his work.

 

My wife bought the movie and it was as bad if not worse than some of the comments about the book made here. We never finished watching it, we threw it away. The whole series hoopla reminded me of the Ostrich Craze. It kept going by a few people who lied to everyone about how great it was.

 

If I can I would like to turn this thread back to the question asked by the title.

Lets stop talking ABOUT the books and answer this: what about their representation of end times is in contradiction to the Bible?

SoCM

 

As a biblical student (also known as a dispy), I cannot stand the route these two have taken. They betray the dispy position in their quest for more money.

For example: in the dispy construct, if a person hears the gospel in a clear way and rejects it, he cannot be saved after the rapture. The first novel would fall apart if LaHaye was consistent.

Perhaps he should stick with how to books and his temperment theories.

 

The secret rapture for one... We will be "raptured" at the return of Christ, to meet Him in the air when He establishes a new heaven and a new earth.

 

Secert rapture, not in the bible, but is the whole underlying foundation for the book(s). If you start from an unbiblical point of view how can you end up with a biblical point of view? I don't read fiction as a rule, but if someone wants to read the series, fine by me, just remember that you are reading a fiction story! For theology, try reading a book written by an actual theologian.

 

suspect the Authors will be "left behind" themselves. And they will have the whole TBN lineup as company

Hmm, do you know the hearts of these men? Or do you always judge people this way?

 

If you believe you will be "left behind", then you assume some will be taken.

 

Yes, those who are "taken" are taken in judgement -- just like the people who did not get on Noah's ark. Christians won't be "taken".

 

It was a joke! In the lines of people waiting to go to heaven, I suspect they will be in the idiots and misguided line with me. And you may be in the line next to us for the Anal Retentive That was a joke too...relax, you'll live longer

 

I have read most of the left behind books and I enjoyed them. I think if they are read with discerning eyes then they are good stories. The only problem I have is if a person reads them and bases their theology on them, which I am sure a lot of people out their do.

 

LaHaye teaches that anyone can be saved after the Rapture. I read the first book and was shocked to see the main character Rayford, who had rejected Christianity all his life, getting saved. I thought, "Wait a minute...how is this happening?"

I've been told all my life that after the Rapture, only those who haven't heard the Gospel can be saved. Godly people have also told me that anyone can still be saved after the Rapture (this is all assuming the Rapture is pre-trib anyway).

I honestly haven't studied it in-depth to come to a 100% conclusion for myself.

 

Baptist Believer
Actually, it's a good thing to be "left behind
???????

Stay if you will.. I'm outta here!!

Also.. I think the books (and movie) give a false sense of hope. "Sure. . I can live like the world all I want, I'll get saved AFTER the rapture."

I don't think so.

[ August 07, 2002, 01:12 PM: Message edited by: OVM Online ]