Posted on 06/12/2003 9:19:55 PM PDT by NH Liberty
Apocalypse Now
Armageddon is hot in America. With a majority of US citizens believing we are witnessing the end of the world, publishers have been quick to fill bookstores with novels alerting us to the imminent apocalypse. In the latest exclusive online essay from the London Review of Books, John Sutherland explores the phenomenon of endtimes fiction and the work of two of the undisputed champions of this booming Christian genre
(Excerpt) Read more at books.guardian.co.uk ...
The writer begins with a decent assessment of the Left Behind fiction series. But, about two-thirds into the article, the writer begins to foam and hiss as he switches his commentary away from the book series and toward Christians and Conservatives ("fanatically pro-life Ralph Reed," etc.). The blatant inaccuracies in so much of his commentary would be hilarious if it were not so obvious that this writer actually believes his own stereotypical rantings about Christian Conservatives.
(Would somebody please "ping" the Christian list with this one, and/or direct me how to do it myself? Thanks.)
Absolutely atrociously bad writing.
You might like the message, but the writing is AWFUL.
But, Travis, my point was not to comment on the book series, but on this secular socialist from The Guardian who became nearly irrational after switching the subject from the books to Christian Conservatives as people.
But, Travis, my point was not to comment on the book series, but on this secular socialist from The Guardian who became nearly irrational after switching the subject from the books to Christian Conservatives as people.
Personally I think the poor man has something against pro-life folks as well as a hangup on the Rapture
Yes, I noticed those "digs" that you highlighted, and I agree with you.
BTW, do you know how to "ping" lists? I'd like to learn how to ping the Christian list.
Yes, but wasn't it fun watching those books continue to make the best seller lists. The arts and croisant crowd must have been apoplectic.
Hint.
Anti-life usually does.
I decided not to attempt any of the LaHaye series for that reason.
Does your novel have a spiritual component in addition to the conservative worldview ? It's difficult, in my mind, to have one without the other.
I believe in the complete inerrancy of the divinely-inspired Scriptures.
I believe that the prophecies of Revelation will be fulfilled.
But
(1) Christian literature has become just as inferior in quality and intelligence as the worst Hollywood dreck. It is superior only insofar as it is not immoral.
(2) Dispensationalism is not synonymous with Christianity. The Darby/Scofield/Moody/Lindsey/LaHaye school of thought is simply that: an opinion.
Obsession with their theories has had an evil, evil effect on Christianity in this country.
I know people who could be doing a lot of good in their communities and spreading the Word to those who do not have Christ in their lives, yet they spend all their free time learning "bible codes", checking and rechecking predictions and trying to convince fellow believers that their religious opinions are mandatory.
As far as some people are concerned, sharing Christ with a Muslim is less important than sharing their lord and redeemer Scofield with a preterist.
It is being written as an exciting, large canvas war story that will hopefully draw people in like a Clancy Novel...one that addresses many oif the major geo-political issues of the day. But the sub plots and underlying message is one of traditional Christian values and faith, and how those ingredients are indispensable in the ultimate triumph of good over evil.
It deals with issues from family values, to the second amendment to abortion and more from a constitutional, conservative Christian perspective.
Volume III was released in March and I will have Volume IV of the five part series completed for Christmas. Read some of the reviews at the link above, or on Amazon.
Hi w -- The original reason for my post had nothing to do with the writing or theological accuracy of the Left Behind series; rather, it was intended to direct attention to the anti-Christian writing of the secular socialist who began the article telling the reader about the book series, but ended up foaming when he began to speak specifically about Christian Conservatives.
But since you mentioned it, it isn't quite clear how you arrived at likening Dispensationalism with "bible codes" and "checking and rechecking predictions." I know lots of sound dispensationalists (none of whom are into either of those things and, in fact, they sternly reject both bible codes and pseudo-prophets), and they also happen to be excellent witnesses for Christ.
How did you arrive at connecting all Dispensationalists with "bible code" folks? Just curious...
If you could show me where I said all Dispensationalists are bible coders, I'd be much obliged.
Well, the author is obviously ignorant. He's trying to link the President and the Attorney General with most wild-eyed form of Dispensationalism as well as with the theonomist movement. That's his goal, and he's clearly trying to bend the facts to fit his theories.
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