Posted on 10/22/2004 8:11:53 AM PDT by missyme
The publishers of "Left Behind" are launching a new series that challenges the end-times theology of the phenomenally popular books by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins.
Illinois-based Tyndale House Publishers says the first book in the new series, "The Last Disciple," by "Bible Answer Man" Hank Hanegraaff and award-winning fiction author Sigmund Brouwer, asks the question, "What if the prophecies of Revelation have already been fulfilled?"
The opposing interpretation of the Bible is presented in a historical novel centered in first-century Rome and Jerusalem, the publishers say, as "these historical sites begin to experience the turbulence Christ prophesied as the beginning of the 'last days.'"
"Tension mounts as a villainous adversary seeks to find the disciple John's letter (the book of Revelation) and destroy it," a promo reads. "As a result, the early Christians must decipher a mysterious code in order to survive."
Hanegraaff, president and chairman of the board of the evangelical-based cult watchdog Christian Research Institute International, hosts a daily radio program, "Bible Answer Man," that boasts more than 6 million listeners a week.
"This series of novels constitutes one of the most significant projects I have ever been privileged to be involved in," Hanegraaff said in a statement. "Indeed, this initial novel is intended to be the first 'shot' in a debate that I believe will produce a paradigm shift -- a change in the way many in the church look at the end times."
He hopes the book will help people "read the book of Revelation, as well as the rest of Scripture, through the eyes of the early believers to whom it was originally written."
Hanegraaff also wrote best-sellers "The Prayer of Jesus," "Resurrection," "Christianity in Crisis," and "Counterfeit Revival."
Hanegraaff succeeded Christian Research Institute founder Walter Martin after Martin's death in 1989. Some Christians have criticized Hanegraaff for moving beyond Martin's critique of groups such as Jehovah's Witnesses and charging prominent evangelists with false teaching.
Hanegraaff contrasts the "Exegetical Eschatology" in his book with "Left Behind's" Dispensational theology, which grew in popularity in the 19th century and is embraced by many evangelical Christians today.
Dispensationalists believe in a future "rapture" of the church in which Christians will be suddenly taken to be with Jesus Christ before a seven-year period called the Tribulation. Jesus then will establish a 1,000-year reign on earth before Satan is released again on earth and then thrown in the lake of fire. They believe God will then establish a new heave and earth.
Hanegraaff believes most of the prophecies of Jesus and the book of Revelation were fulfilled with the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70. The tribulation, he contends, was the persecution of believers during the reign of Emperor Nero in Rome. When Jesus returns again, Hanegraaff says, he will immediately judge all peoples and establish a new heaven and earth.
Meanwhile, Tyndale has signed with LaHaye and Jenkins to extend the 12-book "Left Behind" series, creating two additional books.
The plot of one takes place before the first book, "Left Behind," and the other is set after the 12th book, "Glorious Appearing."
One further thought. If one looks at the writings of early church fathers, one will find that even way back then there was not one eschatology that was embraced by all. I consider the question to be a minor doctrinal issue where reasonable people can disagree as opposed to a major doctrinal issue, e.g. the deity of Christ, that is fundamental to the Christian faith.
a great marketing hedge, if I say so myself.
~sigh~
$-kaching!-$
FYI.........ping...........666
Sad, to hideous.
He will learn how mistaken he is. I hope it's in this life.
Which interpretations, beliefs about end times and the 2nd Coming do you think
satanically inspired Godless Communist leaders in China put Christians to death for?
;^D
"Tension mounts as a villainous Preterist adversary seeks to find the disciple John's letter (the book of Revelation) and destroy it," a promo reads. "As a result, the early Christians must decipher a mysterious anti-dispensational code in order to survive."/Sarcasm
/Sarcasm........the nation Israel ONLY has a 'future' as a Preterist/Noahide cult?
Well, I read the Left Behind series, finishing it mostly out of curiosity since they were very poorly "written." (and I use that term loosely).
Still, I think Hanegraaff thinks far too much of himself. I'm not a fan of his.
Even though I'm a Pre-Trib Rapture guy myself, I couldn't finish LaHaye's series. It was just too painful.
Where did all the good Christian authors go?
Some of us just haven't been published yet. ;-)
Maybe you should try Tyndale House. After all, if they'll publish Left Behind....... ;^)
Well, okay, but I have to finish writing the drivel first...
Ugh, but those books were lousy. I managed to read the first volume and a half, even though I disagreed with the theology, but painful is the best way to put it.
It's embarrassing to go into a Christian book store.
Thanks for the ping!
Exactly. An evangelical ponzi scheme.
Do you guys have the equivalent on your side of the Tiber?
Do you guys have the equivalent on your side of the Tiber?
:-)
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