Any body read the "Left Behind" series of books?

[DisneyCP2002]

I've read the entire series and they are definetly "fiction" but are very good. I have also read the kids series and will be reading the new book soon. I have also seen the first two movies. This is a good series but yes they are not exactly based on the book of revelation.

 

[simpilotswife]

I read all of the books as well and have to agree that they were not very well written. I also found their interpretations of Revelations to be too literal.

 

[Crankyshank]

No, but this is on my MIL's list of approved soul-saving reading, so she will be sending the collection to DH and I when she's finished it.

 

[Aimeedyan]

Well according to the Bible there is indeed a rapture and end times to come. I knew this WAY before any of these books were written.

Hmm. I figured someone would respond with that =)

Find a verse in Revelation where it ever mentions a Rapture. It's not there.

Did you know this whole rapture theology is VERY VERY new - meaning, 18th-19th century? For many many years, not one theologian ever suggested such a thing - we can learn a lot from history. This is a new concept, put out by a handful of theologians, MOST theologians would laugh at the concept =) It's not highly regarded in theology circles at all. It was picked up by Christians who sought way more out of the scripture than was truly there, and people ran with it.

Study Revelation in it's correct historical context, you might see differently. Takes studying more than the translation you have, but really the day and time it was written in - who was the letter written to? Who wrote it? What kind of things in history were going on? What struggles did those people have? Why would the author have written it? What does the Greek manuscripts tell us?

LaHaye's take on it is extremely literal, misses the boat on the historicity behind the book itself, and is very very egocentric.

=)

 

[Buckalew11]

Just curious, has anyone read Hank Hanagraff's (sp. sorry!) book out about the Bible and End Times? I think it is also a work of fiction (maybe) and I don't believe he was too "into" the LB series. Just curious--I've been meaning to look into his thoughts since I saw him on the Today show (or one of the morning shows).

I've read several of the LB books. I enjoyed the ones I read but had to wait too long in between books and then my interest in finsihing faded. Maybe I'll read another one. They are definitely fiction but I thought (the ones I read) were senerios that could easily happen in today's world.

 

[ncgolfer]

The rapture isn't mentioned in Revelations, it's in Thessalonians.

"Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up (harpazo, raptured) together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words." 1 Thes. 4:17-18

 

[ead79]

I have read all of the books except the prequel, and I very much enjoyed them. As a Christian, they moved me to tears at some points as well as challenged me in my daily walk with the Lord. They are indeed fictional in terms of characters and certain events, but I personally felt that the authors kept in line with the prophecies of Revelation. They obviously wrote in terms of their own interpretation of the Scriptures, but their opinions are largely in line with mainstream fundamentalist beliefs about the end times.

Aimeedyan, I certainly respect your opinion, but I have to be honest. I am a bit hurt/offended by your comments that implied that if a person studied theology/history more, then they might not see Revelation in the same light. I believe in a more literal interpretation of the book, you do not. Neither viewpoint is a result of lack of knowledge, just of different understanding/interpretation of the same information. And for what it’s worth, many, many churches across the country preach a more literal interpretation of Revelation, so it’s not as out of line with theology as you state. It just depends on which theology you select as to whether it’s in or out of line with the doctrine. As ncgolfer mentioned, the Bible refers to the concept of the Rapture, though not using that exact term. Many people, including myself, do not believe it is a “scare tactic,” but rather believe it as a truth of Scripture.

 

[JoyG]

I LOVED the first three Left Behind books, after that they started to get really draaawwwwnnnnnn out and slow. So much so that by the last one, I just skimmed it to read some of the main events. I think the first book is a must read if you are in any way curious about the series at all, and then go from there.

Another fiction book you might enjoy if you liked Da Vinci Code (which I haven't read) or Left Behind is This Present Darkness by Frank E. Peretti. I LOVED this one also, it's christian fiction also, but doesn't deal with "end times". It's more about about a town's struggle with demons, a real page turner!

Joy

 

[DawnCt1]

I have read all of the books except the prequel, and I very much enjoyed them. As a Christian, they moved me to tears at some points as well as challenged me in my daily walk with the Lord. They are indeed fictional in terms of characters and certain events, but I personally felt that the authors kept in line with the prophecies of Revelation. They obviously wrote in terms of their own interpretation of the Scriptures, but their opinions are largely in line with mainstream fundamentalist beliefs about the end times.

Aimeedyan, I certainly respect your opinion, but I have to be honest. I am a bit hurt/offended by your comments that implied that if a person studied theology/history more, then they might not see Revelation in the same light. I believe in a more literal interpretation of the book, you do not. Neither viewpoint is a result of lack of knowledge, just of different understanding/interpretation of the same information. And for what it’s worth, many, many churches across the country preach a more literal interpretation of Revelation, so it’s not as out of line with theology as you state. It just depends on which theology you select as to whether it’s in or out of line with the doctrine. As ncgolfer mentioned, the Bible refers to the concept of the Rapture, though not using that exact term. Many people, including myself, do not believe it is a “scare tactic,” but rather believe it as a truth of Scripture.

Very well said. Also, those who talk about the "scare tactics" of end times discussions really don't know Christians very well. There is nothing scary about Jesus's return. It is what we have all been waiting for.

 

[Otto's Doll]

I read them all, and enjoyed them very much. Some of them did get very wordy, though. I have the Prequel, and will be starting it after Easter. I also believe in the Rapture.. Jesus' return is definitely scriptural!

 

[ZachnElli]

Dh and I read the whole series and loved it. Some did get kinda boring, but were setting up the next book. And since we got into it late, we could just go into that next book without waiting. We only had to wait for the last 2. We picked up the prequel "The Rising" today.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I have read all of the books except the prequel, and I very much enjoyed them. As a Christian, they moved me to tears at some points as well as challenged me in my daily walk with the Lord. They are indeed fictional in terms of characters and certain events, but I personally felt that the authors kept in line with the prophecies of Revelation. They obviously wrote in terms of their own interpretation of the Scriptures, but their opinions are largely in line with mainstream fundamentalist beliefs about the end times.

Aimeedyan, I certainly respect your opinion, but I have to be honest. I am a bit hurt/offended by your comments that implied that if a person studied theology/history more, then they might not see Revelation in the same light. I believe in a more literal interpretation of the book, you do not. Neither viewpoint is a result of lack of knowledge, just of different understanding/interpretation of the same information. And for what it’s worth, many, many churches across the country preach a more literal interpretation of Revelation, so it’s not as out of line with theology as you state. It just depends on which theology you select as to whether it’s in or out of line with the doctrine. As ncgolfer mentioned, the Bible refers to the concept of the Rapture, though not using that exact term. Many people, including myself, do not believe it is a “scare tactic,” but rather believe it as a truth of Scripture.

I certainly never intended to offend, which is why I often don't participate in any theology conversations on message boards such as these, since people get very defensive and it's not worth hurting peoples feelings and spending loads of time hashing things out. I do apologize. I have a hard time swallowing literal translations of Revelation, and feel that we lose the message originally intended to it and bring a disservice to the Word. Honestly, I do. We sell it short, and I struggle with that. Just because many churches preach a literal view on it doesn't mean the church has studied theology, the original languages, and the historical context of the day, there are lots of very questionable preachers out there, and self proclaimed theologians. And there are some that honestly believe it's literal even after studying it, though I haven't met any of them yet... I do believe they are out there. And it is a very very new concept, with interesting roots, and I think there is something to be said of that - really going back and reading where all the premillenial/millenial/postmillenial/etc teachings came from. I do believe there will be an end times, of sorts, but a rapture is very very far fetched, studying the context of Thessalonians can look further into that as well. I do think many evangelicals use Revelation as a scare tactic, just like others use hell and damnation as such, and both are wrong - certainly not all use it as such, many feel it's a great way to reach people, a good evangelism tool, and something their parishioners should learn (and why can't I spell that word? LOL) =)

But like I said, that's why I often pass on thoughts of theology on this board, but I did want the OP to remember that most theologians don't buy into the take that LaHaye takes, nor is there much history to back it up, which is the only reason why I popped in - I knew there would be plenty of people supporting the book, as they are very popular in Christian circles.

Thanks for your kind response, and I truly didn't mean to offend, just stating my opinion and convictions based on the numerous studies I have done... =) I am glad you have found something good in the series, and enjoyed them.

 

[Kimberle]

Another fiction book you might enjoy if you liked Da Vinci Code (which I haven't read) or Left Behind is This Present Darkness by Frank E. Peretti. I LOVED this one also, it's christian fiction also, but doesn't deal with "end times". It's more about about a town's struggle with demons, a real page turner!

Joy

Thanks! I'll have to add it to my reading list!