Left Behind Books

[TheKingOfImmortality]

I was wondering what your views on the books?

[MrJim]

Welcome TheKingOfImmortality, don't believe I've ever seen ya around these parts.

I read the first one, couldn't really get into it (and my fave genre in reading is apocalyptic themes), so I'll just wait for the movie or maybe the real endtimes...

[GreenMunchkin]

I inhaled all 12 books within 3 months of becoming a Christian.

I *loved* them. But I don't think they're very Biblically sound. They're definitely written as fiction books, and that's the only way to approach them, imo.

[3girls2dogs]

I did enjoy the books as fictional. I have to say, though, I got bored with the series about 3/4 through. I have many times wanted to start again and make it through to the second coming part, but I just can't. I might get them on my iPod and listen at work, now that I think of it.

[Miss Shelby]

I was wondering what your views on the books?
I think they're theologically incorrect. But the first book was good, and I thought the ending was good and entertaining. The follow up books weren't as good, they got more boring as it went along, and there were just too many of them. I think they should have stopped with one book. It took them way too long to wrap things up.

[Debi1967]

I watched some of the movies in the Left Behind Series but that is the extent of it and I don't think they are theologically nor Scripturally sound, but I did find them entertaining. I also found that they had a real life Christian message to portray about when we are not looking about God coming as a thief in the night. Thus the reason to always be prepared.

[Annabel Lee]

The first book was passable, they should have ended it there.

[Criada]

Loved the first few -up to about seven I think- got a bit samey after that.
The last one was good though!
Pity about the theology :)

[LivingLifeHisWay]

I have never read the books but I watched the movies...loved the movies. ::):

[Macrina]

Never read them, due to their theology and to what some friends said of their quality.

I know a number of people who see it all as directly out of the Bible, however.

[Criada]

? Not the Bible I'm reading!

[3girls2dogs]

Loved the first few -up to about seven I think- got a bit samey after that.
The last one was good though!
Pity about the theology :)
That's about where I stopped, too.

[Macrina]

? Not the Bible I'm reading!

Not mine, either, but lots of people claim that.

[nyj]

I was wondering what your views on the books?They're fiction, and should not be used as a source for theological purposes.

[nyj]

IIRC, the series started as a trilogy. Then, when the first couple made so much money ... it was seriously drawn out. If I am remembering correctly, draw your own conclusions.

[Simon_Templar]

They are fiction, like most of the rest of Tim Lahaye's writing ;)

couldn't resist! :P

[ContentInHim]

I did enjoy the books as fictional. I have to say, though, I got bored with the series about 3/4 through. I have many times wanted to start again and make it through to the second coming part, but I just can't. I might get them on my iPod and listen at work, now that I think of it.
Skip all the middle books (each of which covers about 3 verses in Revelation) and go for The Glorious Appearing! It was really neat - like the first one was.

The series was fun and often exciting but I'm not particularly pre-trib anymore and wouldn't consider it doctrinal.

[ContentInHim]

They are fiction, like most of the rest of Tim Lahaye's writing ;)

couldn't resist! :P
LOL and a big AMEN!

[jive4005]

I'm up to book 9... enjoying the read.

His,
Rev J

[ContentInHim]

OK - so which one was #9? :P

[jive4005]

I'm up to book 9... enjoying the read.

His,
Rev J
I think it's nine... anyway, just began "The Mark"

His,
Rev J

ps: I watched some of the Left Behind TV series they made... what a disappointment!

[Lisa0315]

The books were very repetitive with one another, but I did enjoy them especially the last one. As to the Theology, I guess we should just wait and see. As a Baptist, and a Scofield student, yeah, I believe in a Pre-trib rapture, but there are so many that don't. My belief is that we should prepare to either be gone or endure what is to come. Either way...we need to be prepared.

Lisa

[bill16652]

The books were very repetitive with one another, but I did enjoy them especially the last one. As to the Theology, I guess we should just wait and see. As a Baptist, and a Scofield student, yeah, I believe in a Pre-trib rapture, but there are so many that don't. My belief is that we should prepare to either be gone or endure what is to come. Either way...we need to be prepared.

LisaAmen, I also believe in pre trib but I also velieve that we will be here for persecution and the breakdown of society. I believe how well we prepare both in the physical and the spiritual will determine whether we pass through these things or go through them. I read Psalm 91 every day and I claim the promises contained there but they are only for those that are close and hear His voice. Just as Elijah was protected in the wilderness so I think we will be if we have that close relationship with Him. The ravens fed him but only at a certain place and a certainn time, if he had missed God he would have starved.

[Lisa0315]

Amen, I also believe in pre trib but I also velieve that we will be here for persecution and the breakdown of society. I believe how well we prepare both in the physical and the spiritual will determine whether we pass through these things or go through them. I read Psalm 91 every day and I claim the promises contained there but they are only for those that are close and hear His voice. Just as Elijah was protected in the wilderness so I think we will be if we have that close relationship with Him. The ravens fed him but only at a certain place and a certainn time, if he had missed God he would have starved.

Hi Bill! Glad you made it over here!

Lisa

[Tonks]

The first one was entertaining insofar as it exposed me to ideas that I'd never really heard about. I've read them all but I think that 1) the writing was pretty bad and 2) the 1/3 of the book recap of the last book in each book was highly annoying.

Theologically, the books are exceptionally dangerous and completely unorthodox concerning the parousia.

[ContentInHim]

Yippee - Bill's here! :hug:

[bill16652]

Thank you for the welcome:)

[Melethiel]

Theologically, they're worthless. The first one was somewhat entertaining, but they degenerated with time, and the writing is really poor. As far as literature goes, they're horrid.

[JPPT1974]

Never read them as I only
Ready non-fiction and Devotional and Biblical books!

[Tangeloper]

Sorry I've missed this thread before now...

I LOVE the Left Behind books! They are part of the reason I am here right now, and why I have a renewed relationship with Christ!!!

I can't wait for the library to get the most recent one just published in... I really enjoyed the whole series (especially as I was able to read them back-to-back).

I'm now reading the Babylon Risiing series by Tim LaHaye, and one of my daughters has read the first two books of the Left Behind: Kids series...

I'm very glad I picked these books up at the library -- now I've decided to read a lot more Christian-themed books! :)

[Tangeloper]

As for the theological part of the books -- I see many are saying that it is horrible theologically... Well, what it did create in me was a desire to learn MORE about the Bible -- all parts, not just the "End Times"...

So, in that case it was a very good thing. I've also heard others say the same thing -- that they've been led closer to God as a result of these books. I can only see that as a good thing. I think most people realize this was based on a certain viewpoint, and that it was fiction -- however, the attitudes of the characters in the book can be a good role model for people -- especially those who have "fallen away".

Overall, I think they are a good outreach tool! :)

[Tangeloper]

Melethiel said, (http://foru.ms/showpost.php?p=38932314&postcount=28)
Theologically, they're worthless. The first one was somewhat entertaining, but they degenerated with time, and the writing is really poor. As far as literature goes, they're horrid.


Your opinion seems a little harsh, but maybe that's just me (considering I liked the books).

Of course, they are not destined to be books that are considered Classics, but it wasn't a bad way to spend some time vs. some of the other books I've read throughout my life.

As far as being theologically worthless? I'm curious what you base your opinion of that on? No-one knows for sure how things are going to turn out, so I think you may be jumping the gun a bit to say that it is completely worthless...

[Melethiel]

Your opinion seems a little harsh, but maybe that's just me (considering I liked the books).

Of course, they are not destined to be books that are considered Classics, but it wasn't a bad way to spend some time vs. some of the other books I've read throughout my life.

As far as being theologically worthless? I'm curious what you base your opinion of that on? No-one knows for sure how things are going to turn out, so I think you may be jumping the gun a bit to say that it is completely worthless...
Well, I'm somewhat biased as I've read a lot of classics and literature and such, so I expect a higher degree of writing in books I read.

Theologically, pre-trib dispensationalism is based on a load of poor exegesis and hermeneutics, and not reading Scripture in context. It's also a very recent doctrine which didn't come into play until a few hundred years ago.

[GreenMunchkin]

Well, I'm somewhat biased as I've read a lot of classics and literature and such, so I expect a higher degree of writing in books I read.

Theologically, pre-trib dispensationalism is based on a load of poor exegesis and hermeneutics, and not reading Scripture in context. It's also a very recent doctrine which didn't come into play until a few hundred years ago.Dude, are you sure you're 17? :P

[JolieHeart]

I enjoyed reading them.

[JoeWill]

I read some of the books but then began to get bored with them - they're in my attic somewhere. I don't recall much about the story.

Several strands of evidence for a pre-tribulation rapture can be combined to put forward a reasonable cumulative case.

[nyj]

Dude, are you sure you're 17? :P This is why Mel makes a great Theology Admin. :)

[ContentInHim]

Plus her invention of the word - Dorkess! :P

[~*Lady Trekki*~]

Dude, are you sure you're 17? :P Wow. :eek: No kidding! :angel:

This is why Mel makes a great Theology Admin. :) :thumbsup:

Plus her invention of the word - Dorkess! :P ^_^ I like that one too!

[~*Lady Trekki*~]

I liked the first and last of this series. :thumbsup: As for the theology I think that most people understand that it is a work of fiction. Though I think there were some parts that were right on the money. :)

And...I enjoyed the movies. :D

[Melethiel]

Plus her invention of the word - Dorkess! :P
I cannot take credit for that one. It was GratiaCorpusChristi who came up with that.

[Time2BCounted]

I dont know if this has been touched on, i read part of the thread but not the entire thing yet...

my opinion is that the books are dangerous. First of all to teach dogmaticly a pre trib rapture is to endanger the soul of the christian who will think the mark cannot be the mark because he hasnt been raptured yet.

Another great danger comes in the 8th book of the series called "the mark". In this book they actually give a scenario where one who received the mark of the beast was still actually saved. "Chang" was the characters name.

Myself and a few others confronted jerry jenkins about this, publicly, asking he include a disclaimer in the books from the 8th to the end, because of this. Jerry Jenkins actually told me that he was 'exploring the caveat that one can receive the mark of the beast and still be saved"... and he said it in a public arena

[synger]

Like Harlequin romances of old, they are great mind-candy. Easy to read, fairly quick pace, not too challenging. The first couple are rather fun.

The impact on society, even non-Christians, of the books and movies, though, continues to surprise me. Even my neo-Pagan friends know the premise of Left Behind. If nothing else, it's made me look more closely at the doctrines of eschatology, if for no other reason than to explain in layman's terms the unsoundness of the doctrines the books espouse.

But we still have two of the books, and a couple of the movies (and another one done by the same people). They're great for Stupid Movie Night, when we don't want to think too hard.

[Rhamiel]

some one told me that Tim Lahaye is anti-catholic so I really do not feel like filling my head with his thoughts, also I am not fond of the pre-trib rapture idea, I am not saying that it is definatly wrong but I am not suporter of it.
also heard the writting was just plain bad

[Tangeloper]

some one told me that Tim Lahaye is anti-catholic so I really do not feel like filling my head with his thoughts, also I am not fond of the pre-trib rapture idea, I am not saying that it is definatly wrong but I am not suporter of it.
also heard the writting was just plain bad
Well, I'm a former Catholic, and I didn't notice any anti-Catholic rhetoric in the books at all. And, I'm pretty sensitive about that still. :)

[Tonks]

Well, I'm a former Catholic, and I didn't notice any anti-Catholic rhetoric in the books at all. And, I'm pretty sensitive about that still. :)

You must have missed the bit about the Pope in all of the books.

[Lisa0315]

You must have missed the bit about the Pope in all of the books.

The way I remember it is that the Pope was raptured, and then, his replacement ended up becoming head of the one world order church.

Lisa

[Tonks]

The way I remember it is that the Pope was raptured, and then, his replacement ended up becoming head of the one world order church.

Lisa

The Pope was "raptured" but the rest of his fellow Catholics were not...the implication is that he was a "true believer in Christ" and at odds with Catholic theology which, to extend the logic, implies that Catholic doctrine is not Christian.

[Lisa0315]

The Pope was "raptured" but the rest of his fellow Catholics were not...the implication is that he was a "true believer in Christ" and at odds with Catholic theology which, to extend the logic, implies that Catholic doctrine is not Christian.

I don't remember that, but you could be right. I do remember something about how he was the most controversial pope in the history, and that the Catholics left behind were very confused.

Understand that when I read those books, it was prior to having been "skooled' by OBOB here in regards to Catholic doctrine, so I probably didn't even see the problem.

I remember being disturbed that the authors had Muslims as hold outs against the anti-christ, almost as if they had better insight than the Jews or anyone else. At the end, they are preached to by angels, but prior to that, the Muslims are holding out for the sake of autonomy and out of reverance to Allah.

Lisa

[bill16652]

I dont know if this has been touched on, i read part of the thread but not the entire thing yet...

my opinion is that the books are dangerous. First of all to teach dogmaticly a pre trib rapture is to endanger the soul of the christian who will think the mark cannot be the mark because he hasnt been raptured yet.

Another great danger comes in the 8th book of the series called "the mark". In this book they actually give a scenario where one who received the mark of the beast was still actually saved. "Chang" was the characters name.

Myself and a few others confronted jerry jenkins about this, publicly, asking he include a disclaimer in the books from the 8th to the end, because of this. Jerry Jenkins actually told me that he was 'exploring the caveat that one can receive the mark of the beast and still be saved"... and he said it in a public arenaMy memory might be failing but where does it say that the mark will be right before or after tribulation beginning? Like many things there is a set up period where if you are wise you can see the beginning of things, the lining up of countries and events leading to tribulation. While I am pre-trib I believe that God will seperate the sheep from the goats and we will go through a lot especially in this country. You can see it approaching every day. You can see the countries starting to align. You can see the ecomonic conditions getting ready.

[edb19]

I read the first 4 or 5 - should have stopped after one. Don't think they're very good theology (I do recognize that they are fiction) and don't think they are very well written (took 10 - 12 books to write what could have been covered in 1 or 2).

[JacktheCatholic]

I was wondering what your views on the books?

Anti-Biblical :)


I read the first 4 or 5 - should have stopped after one. Don't think they're very good theology (I do recognize that they are fiction) and don't think they are very well written (took 10 - 12 books to write what could have been covered in 1 or 2).

I bought and watched one of the movies. Kind of "B" but OK I guess. I have since gotten rid of it though.

[PostTribber]

I was wondering what your views on the books?
we use to hate each other. now we hate these! thanks Tim LaHaye!! :hug:

[Tangeloper]

You must have missed the bit about the Pope in all of the books.
Ahhh... well, yes there is that! BUT, I think ALL churches will experience "infiltration" in the end times and so I suppose it didn't offend me as much as it would practicing Catholics.

[Iosias]

I was wondering what your views on the books?

They are based upon a faulty eschatology so unsuprisingly I do not think much of them. :)