Left Behind Series

[laconicstudent]

I'm just curious as to what the Orthodox think of LaHaye's big series, Left Behind. I re-read it, skimmed really, again a while back, and it strikes me now as being somewhat sketchy theologically. As well as being not particularly good writing.

Particularly the part you might find ironic as Eastern Orthodox is where the underground Church sends missionaries and has a huge plot arc in Greece. Of course, all the Christians there are non-denominational, and none of the Greek converts mention the church which was historically very present in Greek culture. Struck me as a painfully obvious research flaw. It would be like writing a story about sending missionaries into Iran, and pretending that Islam never existed.

On the whole, actually, LaHaye's series pretends that all Christians are essentially Protestant.

Interestingly, none of his main characters ever bother getting Baptized, that I noticed, or ever take Communion that I noticed.

So yes. I was wondering what the Orthodox think of this series.

 

[NyssaTheHobbit]

I've been blogging about it here:
Reviews

And now I can't wait to get to the part about Greece.

 

[Lukaris]

Its probably barely even noticed within Orthodoxy; it also ( I think) lends to delusions of self fulfilling prophecies something that detractors of Christianity seize on & perhaps legitimately because of these highly problematic writings.

 

[E.C.]

In terms of the whole Rapture bit, the Orthodox Church has never believe in it. That belief came about some time in the last 200 years or so.



I read only the first book in the series and that was in 2001. I thought it was well written and made for a good read and well-developed plot, but I still believe the theological bits to be bordering on the heretical if not outright heresy.

 

[Etsi]

Even as a Protestant, I had to remember that it was simply fiction and bad scholarship. You can't take it seriously whatsoever.

 

[Christos Anesti]

I read the first book a long time ago. It's kind of tinfoil hat wearing type reading material if you ask me** ... based on wild (and untraditional) speculative readings of the apocalyptic verses and books of the Bible.

** No offense intended twoard those who liked it. Thats just the "vibe" I got from reading it.

 

[Christos Anesti]

If anyone is interested in a more traditional understanding of the Apocalypse I would recommend the lectures by Fr Thomas Hopko.

Amazon.com: Apocalypse: The Book of Revelation Within Orthodox Christian Tradition (Spoken Word Recording) (9780881413052): Thomas Hopko: Books

 

[Protoevangel]

I never read the books, but I did watch the movie when it came out. I kinda enjoyed it; it had it's own charm, in a made-for-tv movie kind of way.

 

[Dorothea]

I never read the books, but I did watch the movie when it came out. I kinda enjoyed it; it had it's own charm, in a made-for-tv movie kind of way.

My husband and I rented the first movie several years ago out of curiosity (mostly mine since I had no clue about some Protestant views of the pre-trib rapture). Hubs, growing up Protestant, knew this "theology." He didn't care for the movie whatsoever. I thought it was mildly entertaining, except I did think the part with people leaving, and their clothes left behind was really stupid. Ah well.

 

[pgp_protector]

It's Candy, fun but too much isn't good for ya.

 

[ArmyMatt]

in terms of it's theology? waaaaaaaaaaaa(breath)aaaaaaaay off. but it's a fun and quick read, like a lot of fiction. so if you wanna read it, go ahead.

 

[Big Bear Homes]

I know this series is a little hokey. But it gets you thinking about the course of your life. Besides what publication holds any merit compared to actual scripture?

 

[ProtectionofMotherofGod]

I must confess. I was at the beauty shop last year and found one of these books in the magazine rack.......and I threw it away. The name chosen for the Antichrist, Nicolae Carpathia, upset me because (in my opinion) it is causes suspicion/hatred/racism towards those from Eastern Europe. (I am a weirdo, sorry.)

 

[-Kyriaki-]

Well, if you know anything about Tim LaHaye, he hates Russia, and denounced it as either the antichrist or the beast in one of his much older books, before the end of the USSR. So, it's not THAT surprising.

Also, if the Catholics are evil (the Pope is the Beast's spokeperson or something IIRC) imagine what he thinks about us? We're not only Catholic-lite we're Russian too (or some of us are)...

(tongue firmly in cheek about catholic lite etc)

 

[Livindesert]

My current enthusiasm about Justin Martyrs end times view actually caused me to pick up the first left behind book the other day. So far it is o.k. but kind of bland and predictable.

As far as Russia growing up non-denom evangelical I saw many books and speakers mention how atheist Russia had a high probability of playing a end time role.

 

[TheCunctator]

Well, if you know anything about Tim LaHaye, he hates Russia, and denounced it as either the antichrist or the beast in one of his much older books, before the end of the USSR. So, it's not THAT surprising.

Also, if the Catholics are evil (the Pope is the Beast's spokeperson or something IIRC) imagine what he thinks about us? We're not only Catholic-lite we're Russian too (or some of us are)...

(tongue firmly in cheek about catholic lite etc)

I don't think he hates Russia, I believe he says Russia is the "Gog and Magog" referred to in Ezekiel 38, which, according to dispensationalist theology, will invade Israel and have its military entirely destroyed.

As for Nicolae Carpathia, I think the choice name was totally arbitrary. He picked a "Romanian" name, but he would have probably picked an Italian one, alternatively.

That being said, he dislikes Catholicism very much and thus he would probably dislike Orthodoxy with the same passion.

 

[Mary of Bethany]

I read several of them before I became Orthodox, and even as a protestant who believed in the Rapture, I couldn't believe that the author reduced salvation to almost literally a contract - not one that could be physically signed, but the way he worded it in several places made it sound just like signing a legal contract.

Mary

 

[SeraphimSarov]

Read a few of these back in the day. I was Catholic at the time. It was like a trainwreck... absolutely horrifying but couldn't stop looking. Finally I realized there was little point in intentionally making myself upset and did something else.

 

[Antony in Tx]

When I ponder "what do we Orthodox think of the 'Left Behind' series?"...I think of the bumper sticker on an OC's car:

"IN CASE OF RAPTURE...
CAN I HAVE YOUR CAR?!?!"
​

 

[MariaRegina]

I don't think he hates Russia, I believe he says Russia is the "Gog and Magog" referred to in Ezekiel 38, which, according to dispensationalist theology, will invade Israel and have its military entirely destroyed.

As for Nicolae Carpathia, I think the choice name was totally arbitrary. He picked a "Romanian" name, but he would have probably picked an Italian one, alternatively.

That being said, he dislikes Catholicism very much and thus he would probably dislike Orthodoxy with the same passion.

I read the entire series just to debunk it with some of my friends.

Did you read about the Greek guy who was in charge of a Greek Christian operation. It has been a while since I read that. I think the entire Greek mission was guillotined.