Apocalypse Now

The Guardian (UK) ^ | June 12, 2003 | Guardian (UK) Book Review

[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

[wimpycat]

With a majority of US citizens believing we are witnessing the end of the world...

Huh?

[Travis McGee]

My novel deals very much with God and faith and doubt, but not in a direct hit 'em on the head with a Bible way.

I think in that way it's message is stronger, and the book will not be pigeon-holed as strictly a Christians tract.

Plus, I don't use the f-word, and I don't have overt sex. The sex is... off camera.

[Travis McGee]

"Its". I actually do know the difference.

[Travis McGee]

I agree with you.

[Mr. Silverback]

("fanatically pro-life Ralph Reed," etc.)

No, Eric Rudolph, if the governments case is true, is a fantical pro-lifer. Ralph Reed is an activist. Believing children should not be dismembered for their parents' mistakes is not fanaticism.

[Mr. Silverback]

Huh?

Yeah, this guy's a first-class twit. The Guardian makes Al-Jazeera look like NewsMax.

[PatrioticAmerican]

"Plus, I don't use the f-word, and I don't have overt sex. The sex is... off camera. "

Just Great! All that editing and you cut out that f'ing sex scene! Do you know how hard we worked on that!? Do you !?? Jeez, give a guy a hot babe and he puts in the purple dinosaur!

(Just kidding.)

[happygrl]

Hmmm...sounds like the kind of book I'd like to read!

It is at this point that you may give your "book plug."

[DugwayDuke]

"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 he is but he is also accusing those who believe in end time prophecies with preventing peace in the middle east. His logic follows: End Time Christians force Bush to support Hard Line Jews preventing the expulsion of settlers from the West Bank and the establishment of a Palestinian state. Don't you see, if End Time Christians would only realize the folly of their beliefs, there would be peace.

[theFIRMbss]

>The novels by Frank Peretti (This Present Darkness) were embarrassing. I tried to read them, but

I can recommend
"The Oath." It's quite different
from his first few books...

[Victorious]

The message itself is bad. It's based on a false teaching of Christians being taken up in a secret "rapture" before the beginning of the tribulation.
This false teaching has only been around about 150 years.
Before the apostate teaching, there was no belief in it.

[jpl]

With a majority of US citizens believing we are witnessing the end of the world...

Wild hyperbole alert.

[wideawake]

Unfortunately, I just returned from a business trip to Britain and the general tenor of opinion there seems to be that expulsion of the settlers from their land is the best idea since crumpets.

[Light Speed]

To be brutally honest..one need only count the number of Christian denominations [easily over 400] to see how the ride has run off the rails and wrecked.
Every time span that passes has a new antichrist..more Rapture talk...more manipulation via the emotional than logic.
Some do escape the trap..although they still participate in their church community..they are not robots..but independent,self motivated learners.
This Christian is usually more balanced in comment when challenged with issues like Israel,the age of our solar system,personal existence.
The church is replete with the cheap copy of the secular;
endless books on Self motivation,Synergy,social/economics..which encompasses the majority of the titalating prophecy books and assay breakdowns of why our world is just not cutting it.

In so many ways..its a social club..a very large social club.
I have met many who tried to stay in community church fellowship..sadly many have simply been wore down from the endless Judgemental mechanics and discerned its better to live apart and embrace ones views..than be a hyprocrite.
Lets be brutally honest here on the Judgemental mechanics that is myriad within the church.
You must perform to fit in..and live like a hypocrite..as you condemn and judge others..while entertaining all manner of vices in ones private life.

There are yet some observable churches which seem to have some balance..are productive in their communities...rescue often the disadvantaged..are patient with individuals with really messed up psychy's.
In my estimation..Christianity has become Compartmentalized..ie church for the rich..church for the poor..church for the weird and estranged.

The dynamic of judging is here at FR...just post a faith thread and you will see the judging and skull bashing;
the unrestrained tendency derails any chance of decent exploration on issues.
"I'm saved...you are not"!.."I know..but you do not"!;

Polarized madness : )

[Travis McGee]

I could post the very raciest page right here, and see if any of these good folks object.

[Travis McGee]

It is at this point that you may give your "book plug."

Ya got me copper! LOL!

[Poohbah]

Plus, I don't use the f-word, and I don't have overt sex. The sex is... off camera.

In other words, what the characters do on their time is their business.

[Travis McGee]

I keep looking for "rapture" in my Bible, but I have not found it as yet.

[Travis McGee]

We see a little bit, as they go off camera holding hands.

[Poohbah]

HOLDING HANDS!?!!?!!??????

Next thing you know, you're going to tell she isn't wearing a burkha, either! =:o)

One thing that bothers me is that almost all of the "Christian fiction" out there is written from a specific Protestant viewpoint--as a Catholic, I can't really write like that. The two main characters in the novel I'm writing are devout Catholics, and their faith informs both their relationship and their decisions.