1

I've read all of the Left Behind books but the Glorious Appearing. To say that they're "full-length novels" is a bit of a stretch. Between the font size and the line spacing, I'd say that each installment is more of a novella. There's ample criticism of the books available, from the poor eschatology to the simply poor writing, so I don't feel the need to add to it.

2

You know, in my bible study, we've been discussing Acts - specifically, how the early church reached out to unbelievers. I've heard all of the criticisms of the Left Behind series, and, for the most part, I've kept quiet even when I strongly disagreed with some of the content of those posts.

What I have to say about this is two-fold: First, LaHaye and Jenkins have reached literally millions of people with these books. Perhaps some of those people were unbelievers, and now, they might have been directly challenged to think about spiritual things. It may have even led to some conversions.

I know that, for me personally, I've seen some incredible things when it comes to these books. For instance, one day, not too long ago, I was leaving my office to go home. I have pulled one of the books in the series out of my bag (I love to read on the commute home), and as I was standing there talking to my boss, one of my non-Christian coworkers came into the office, and said to me "Oh, I read those books. They were really good." Now, this is someone who, in a million years, I never would have imagined reading Christian fiction. However, this person did. I don't know what the impact was, but, even if it meant that this person thought about spiritual things for even a small part of the time they were reading the books, it means that one day, thanks to this series, they might be reached for Christ!

Second, I myself, as a newer Christian, have been able to understand better what Revelation *could* mean. Much of the language in that book is, I think, tough to understand - especially considering the heavy use of metaphors and other symbolic language. I think it's neat that one can see how this prophecy *could* play out.

I sort of look at it this way - Tom Clancy writes books about WWIII. That war hasn't happened, but, Tom writes about how, potentially, certain political forces could come together to create an environment where it *could* happen. This is the same way I look at the Left Behind books. I don't take them as the literal way that it *will* happen - just one potentiality.

I know that there are all sorts of different viewpoints on the end times, and I'll leave those debates to a bunch of folks who know a lot more than I do, and are much smarter than I am. All I know is that these books are written in a suspensful, interesting, and informative way. They have reached millions of people with the message of hope through Jesus Christ, and have really helped me, personally, to keep my eyes, my mind, and my heart with Jesus.

Just my $.02

3

I'm was quite underwhelmed with the few books in the series I browsed at B&N, especially the last one. But I don't want to trash you for enjoying a book, we all have our own guilty pleasures. Remember, though, The Devinci Code also touched millions of people and if you stood around the water cooler with a copy of it you'd probably get the same reaction.

I highly recommend the Christ Clone series. It's only three books but they are quite good and if you stick it out to the end you'll find a good Christian message. What I really liked about the books was that they almost fool you in the beginning. I'm a bit short tempered with books that have the antichrist coming along with neon signs blasting '666' all around him. I mean, come on, in our modern world enough people have seen The Omen to avoid such a character even if they weren't Christians.

The one nitpick I had with the Christ Clone series was that they incorporated way too much New Age stuff along with the antichrist. While the author does a great job showing how an antichrist may fool the modern world the New Age stuff was too much. The scientist types would laugh him away just for that nonsense....but anyway that's my recommendation.

4

As a Christian, I'm rather embarrassed that our big cultural contribution these days is Left Behind. I can't decide whether I'm more offended by the shoddy craftsmanship or the obvious franchise-milking.

What happened to the days of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkein? What happened to the days of phenomenal Christian contributions to art culture? We Christians used to be quite influential in these matters. We used to be pioneers and innovators.

On Saturday Night Live one night, Norm McDonald was delivering the Weekend Update, a humorous news segment. One of the topics was, I believe, a Barry Manilow Christmas Album. I think he sums up Christian art culture best when he says, "Happy Birthday Jesus, I hope you like crap!".

5

Boonton: I fail to see the comparison between the Davinci Code and Left Behind are at all similar. Brown's book is widely considered an anti-Christian screed, whereas the Left Behind books are not.

Also, Davinci is a bunch of suspect "evidence" brought together (and has been thoroughly debunked), whereas, disagree or not, Left Behind is a well-backed, theologically valid viewpoint of the end-times.

I guess I'm just not seeing this as a valid comparison. It's like saying that John Grishom's novels "reach millions too" - while that is a valid claim, it's not even in the same ballpark as what I was talking about above.

6

Speaking of Grisham, The Testament is as good as any novel ever written with a Christian theme.

Great book.

7

What I have to say about this is two-fold: First, LaHaye and Jenkins have reached literally millions of people with these books. Perhaps some of those people were unbelievers, and now, they might have been directly challenged to think about spiritual things. It may have even led to some conversions.

I'm just pointing out that many people read the Davinci Code and came away 'moved' or whatever by it. The problem with writing about God is that you have to be pretty good considering that your subject matter is the infinite. The Left Behind Books, IMO, do a very poor job depicting a God anyone would really want to worship. In the last book, I got the feeling that Jesus was on stage reading the lines and going through the motions but I had no real sense why this had to be like this....As someone said over on the Amazon reviews the 'reign of Jesus' appears to hold instore little more than having Jesus's light keep everyone awake all night unless they close the curtains.

8

Boonton: The Left Behind Books, IMO, do a very poor job depicting a God anyone would really want to worship.

I can respect your opinion on the books. The point I was trying to make really wasn't about the quality. Really, I was more trying to speak to the fact that, for what they are, they've reached a lot of folks. I just think, iMHo, that folks are really hard on these books, too hard IMO, and perhaps folks could cut them some slack. They really do, like it or not, have a place and a purpose that it seems a lot of people discount or flat out disregard.

9

I don't think any discussion on Left Behind is complete without Slactivist's series, written as he tried to slog through it.

10

"What happened to the days of phenomenal Christian contributions to art culture?"

Those days vanished along with Christians who actually use their brains instead of reciting from scripts designed by false politician-prophets.

11

Emmaus said: What I have to say about this is two-fold: First, LaHaye and Jenkins have reached literally millions of people with these books. Perhaps some of those people were unbelievers, and now, they might have been directly challenged to think about spiritual things. It may have even led to some conversions.

God can always draw a straight line with a crooked stick, but that doesn't mean we ought to seek to be 'crooked sticks.' I know someone who sought God after being scared by a occultic movie. Does that mean we should use spooky movies as Evangelism tools?

These books are being read mostly by Christians and they represent themselves as Christian and Bible-based. The eschatology and the dispensational view of the Scriptures that they 'teach' through implication are seriously flawed and can be setbacks to a believer's sanctification and Christian walk.

12

Larry,
Name some phenomenal (literary) art from any source (from the last decade). Don't blame the Christians, it's the culture.

13

Who would have ever thought that an old "Twilight Zone" episode and an Alex Ross painting would enter into a serious discussion about pretribulation rapture? Christopher Knight's blog about Left Behind is a SCREAMINGLY funny (and very thoughtful) article!

14

B.L. Ochman mentions that each post should be 250 words or less. I have heard similar suggestions before. EO seems to throw that advice out the window everytime and I don't know of a blog that has more captivating posts than here.

Is that advice for those of us who can't articulate well? I realize that there is some validity to the thought that most people won't read a very long post but if Joe began taking that advice, I think his blog would lose a lot of it's value.

15

Really, I was more trying to speak to the fact that, for what they are, they've reached a lot of folks. I just think, iMHo, that folks are really hard on these books, too hard IMO, and perhaps folks could cut them some slack. They really do, like it or not, have a place and a purpose that it seems a lot of people discount or flat out disregard.

I respect your opinion Emmaus but I recomment you review Slactivist's posts as referenced by jpe. I think a good part of the 'reaching' these books have done is because they stroked their readers egos. "See honey! I told you those evolutionist liberals would all burn in hell!!!hehaehe".