I just started reading book 1 of the Left Behind Series. It is very interesting. I remember when the JW's used to condem these books as well as a lot of others. Was wondering if anyone likes this series?
Anyone Read the "Left Behind" series by Tim LaHaye?
by lovelylil 13 Replies latest jw friends
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MrFreeze
I read one of the books. I didn't know they were religiously themed until I started reading it. I didn't read the first one either. I can't even remember which one it was.
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Terra Incognita
I saw the old original trilogy in the 1980s. It was hideous. I also saw a video based on the current series of books. Slightly less ridiculous but corny as heck.
I don't believe in its premise anyways but if I did I would be embarassed.
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kurtbethel
You can toss out the theology, which is a mix of pretribulation rapture cultism, and Scofield type dispensationalism. Then sit back and enjoy the ride. I found each book to be a fast paced page turner. The "Antichrist" and "False Prophet" characters were alternately very frighteningly diabolical and pathetically buffoonish. Most characters were plausible enough to be able to follow along and even like some of them. It was more of a trilogy. They milked 12 novels out of that story line, then even did a few prequels. Plus there were spin off youth books and a rather violent pc game.
Now the videos, too bad, so sad. Kirk Cameron starred in them and they were low budget direct to video productions. The depth of the written story did not translate well to a screenplay.
Best if you approach it as a fast paced scifi horror story, like Lovecraft or Koontz. Even Stephen King stuff to some degree.
Given that this is supposed to be a literal interpretation of Revelation, it is understandable that it would resemble the an earlier forgettable novel, 666, which was published some 35 years ago. After all, they both cribbed from the same source.
http://www.amazon.com/666-Salem-Kirban/dp/0899579000
If you like these types of stories, my recommend is the Christ Clone Trilogy. The author has a great attention to detail, and the premise of the origin of Antichrist is much more thought provoking than the silly explanation LaHaye concocted for that aspect of the story. His description of an asteroid strike and grazing of the Earth would of itself rival any disaster story, and yet is only a part of the larger backdrop. You may not like BeauSeigneur's theology any more than the other writers, but his story telling is great.
http://www.amazon.com/Image-Christ-Clone-Trilogy-Book/dp/0446531251
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lovelylil
Thanks Kurtbethel for that review. I already understand these books are fiction so while they use biblical references, they are not to be taken literal or in place of the actual bible. But I am glad you brought that up. You never know if people who don't really have bible knowledge may get confused.
I did hear the films were ridiculous. But I always wanted to try the books. So far, it is very interesting and your right fast paced. Thanks for your help. Peace, Lilly
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carla
I have an older relative that reads all of them. uggh! they sound like a jw now! Yes, they are fiction but I don't think reading anything but gloom and doom is healthy. This relative would fit right in with a car full of jw's. Well, except that this relative believes in Jesus as their Savior (no 144,000 needed to intervene on their behalf) other than that they would all get along just fine.
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kurtbethel
Carla, even the worst of these end time novels is not anything as puerile as the Revelation ClimaXXX (spiritual pornography) book.
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lovelylil
Kurt, that is so true. My kids were very young when we studied that book the first time and they still remember the Harlot riding on the beast. My son actually had nightmares about that book.
I have a pretty good grasp of the bible, am sure I can handle reading this. Anyone else read this series? Lilly
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Ding
I read the series a few years ago.
They are novels written from the perspective of a pre-Tribulation rapture in which Christians are caught up to be with Christ in the twinkling of an eye, leaving the rest of the world behind to figure out what's happening and how to cope. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
It chronicles the rise of the antichrist and one world government and describes the efforts of the protagonist to stop them. (He converts to Christianity once he realizes what has happened.)
The books spawned a couple of movies starring Kirk Cameron and his wife, Chelsea Noble.
The first few books are the best of the series, in my opinion.
There have also been a couple of prequels.
I haven't read those, but I have heard that they are as good or better than the original "Left Behind" book.
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Kahlua
I read them several years ago and thoroughly enjoyed them as a science fiction story. I also read the kids version of the story and that was interesting because it followed the same story line but from the kids point of view.
A funny side note - after I read them all, I sold them at a mostly JW (family) yard sale.
