Left Behind

[twyrch]

This is a great series. If you haven't read it yet, I encourage you to pick it up.

I was dreading it at first. I thought it was be dry, boring and "preachy" but it really wasn't. It captivated my attention and kept me going throughout all the books.

The best thing about it is you don't have to be a Christian to enjoy this series. It is written on a level that anyone can find enjoyment in it.

[Child of Immanuel]

I enjoyed it. It's not exactly my favorite, but an good read.

It made me hope that the Rapture comes before the Tribulation, that's for sure!

[Adam]

Hmmm…I am intrigued by this series. Though at the same time uneasy with the concept.

I guess I should read it before I make too many judgements.

[twyrch]

Adam said:

Hmmm…I am intrigued by this series. Though at the same time uneasy with the concept.

I guess I should read it before I make too many judgements.

That's probably best, Adam. I went into it with preconceived notions.... thinking it'd be like Frank Peretti or something but I was pleasently surprised.

It definately gave me new insights into Revelation and other Biblical prophecy, but not in a way which made me feel like I was reading something that was deeply religious in nature.

I'd recommend giving it a shot....

[Lady Bookwyrm]

Hmmm...I read the first book, and I didn't feel to drawn to it or anything. It wasn't bad or anything...just not my cup of tea.[/color]

[twyrch]

Lady said:

Hmmm...I read the first book, and I didn't feel to drawn to it or anything. It wasn't bad or anything...just not my cup of tea.

[/color][/quote]

To each their own I guess... At least you gave it a shot.

[Shazammm]

the first book in the series is sitting in my To-Read piles.....i'll get to it eventually.

[twyrch]

Shazammm said:

the first book in the series is sitting in my To-Read piles.....i'll get to it eventually.

Cool... I remember reading a few chapters in and seeing Rayford Steele thinking about having an affair with the stewardess and I was like, WTF?!

[thegrimmsleeper]

*Spoilers for pretty much everything*

I've read the entire series cover to cover, and my ultimate verdict: I was largely disappointed.

I don't care for Jenkins' style. It's bland, undescriptive, and relies way too much on dialogue. Pages at a time were nothing but dialogue, with very little introspection at all, much less of any substance.

The cast quickly grows way too numerous to keep track of, much less care about. And while there are attempts to make the characters "edgy" and "real" they fall way short in my mind. I respect that thinking about having an affair with a flight attendant is a big deal - but actually doing it - that adds some serious baggage to Rayford. It makes him really flawed and really wounded. But it's sugar-coated to be acceptible to Christians. (Which is odd, given the evangelical potential of the concept.)

The final book was a big letdown. A lot of build-up and then the ending is rushed through. Like - okay now we're here...uh, what do we do? The heavenly reunions were barely a footnote and rife with cliched dialogue exchanges.

The middle books dragged on way too long. There was little structure; they seemed like a string of entirely random events that went on waaay too long.

I guess my final quibble isn't really with the books, but with the author, and for two major reasons. The first is, despite the claim that these books are Christian, he's had absolutely no qualms about riding the wave of their inexplicable success to advance his own fame. The merchandising deals this guy has made are insane. It's worse than Star Wars. Left Behind study Bibles, Left Behind e-Bibles, at least three different books about end times prophecy, an anthology of people who "will not be left behind", daily calendars with verses on them that tie into the books in some obscure fashion, 2 audio books for every novel, 40-some children's books, 2 spin-off series (political and military) with a prequel series forthcoming this year ("The Rising" is book one of the prequel series) and an eventual sequel that chronicles the Millenial Reign of Christ. And these are just a few examples. Now - I've got no problem seeing the system work. One good idea can be worth a ton of cash. But the novels could have easily ended after five books, seven tops. And 40 kids books?? Prequel and sequel series?? Oye vei. I think it's a good example of excess.

The second quibble I have with him is how he presents the material: like it's fact. Pre-trib is one of several views of the end times, but it's not the only one. The prophecies read are all taken quite literally. It's a valid view, but it's impossible to know if it's accurate. I respect the amount of work they've done, but there are others who have put just as much effort into "proving" the mid- and post-trib perspectives. The difference is, those guys didn't go out and get rich off of it.

There's a book out: The Last Apostle, by Hank Hanegraaff and Sigmund Brouwer. This book takes a very interesting look at Revelation, and demonstrates an entirely different perspective. It's published by Tyndale, just as Left Behind. The publisher is reputed to have tried to get the Jenkins/LaHaye team together for a debate with Hank Hanegraaff as a promotional tool to get both series some publicity. Jenkins turned it down, and was irked that it was even suggested.

So - I'll grant you those last 2 are geared towards the author. And all the rest is simply my subjective opinion on the series. Certainly they've done quite well and a lot of people love them, and I respect that. I'm just not one of them, unfortunately. And forgive me if this seems overly harsh. I like to read a lot, and I tend to get very into my critiques, but I don't want to sound too terribly negative.

[twyrch]

Grimm,

Each person is entitled to their own opinions. ;D In fact, your 3 points are very valid. I think it did go to excess in marketing, but not all the blame can be laid on the writer's feet. The companies marketing the product as the ones looking for the next "cash cow"... the writers are just going with the flow.

I think to myself, how would I deal with a similar situation? I know the answer... I'd do the same thing and make as much money as possible. It's capitalism at its best.

I think both of them are pricks, IMO... but I enjoyed the stories nonetheless. I can totally see your 3rd point. As to the tribulation viewpoint, I noticed the Pre-Trib stance and the Sola Scriptora ideology. Personally, I'm a Mid-Trib kinda guy... but I found myself challenging those beliefs as I read. To me, that is a good book if it challenges my beliefs and makes me a stronger Christian because of it.

Again... just my opinion....

[thegrimmsleeper]

I can agree, a book that challenges your convictions is definitely a worthy read.

In that vein, even though it's a little off-topic, I think you'd enjoy "The Last Apostle" - it will make you think about you how you read and interpret the Bible and specifically, Revelation within its own historical context. I definitely recommend it.

[nicked]

i read them about 3 years ago and they helped put a modern perspective on a bunch of the things in the bible, thus helping me to understand it

[twyrch]

The said:

I can agree, a book that challenges your convictions is definitely a worthy read.

In that vein, even though it's a little off-topic, I think you'd enjoy "The Last Apostle" - it will make you think about you how you read and interpret the Bible and specifically, Revelation within its own historical context. I definitely recommend it.

I might do that.... Thanks.

Nicked, yeah... that's what I'm talking about.... It makes you think....

[Child of Immanuel]

I agree that the writing style is very bad.

[Lady Bookwyrm]

Lol...I don't really read the Bible too often...except for my favorite books, Ruth, Job, Sirach, Exodus, and Maccabees 1 and 2...but only because they have great stories...romance...war...princes in disguise...all that good stuff, lol