I’ve had several people ask me about the popular Left Behind novels, written by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins. The series fictionalizes the book of Revelation into a fantastical end-times story, but it also brings up some serious questions of its validity and accuracy.
I’d like to recommend a book I have found extremely helpful in deciphering this series:
Reading Revelation Responsibly by Michael J. Gorman.
Gorman addresses several hermeneutical (interpretative) issues with the series.
The series treats Revelation as a puzzle of future events. It claims to be a literal interpretation, but includes some events which are not found anywhere in Revelation, and it assumes we are living on the brink of rapture and tribulation, among other things.
For more on interpreting the book of Revelation, check out N.T. Wright’s Revelation for Everyone and our companion blogging project at revelation.westwinds.org.
fossores
Dr. David McDonald is the teaching pastor at Westwinds Community Church in Jackson, MI. The church, widely considered among the most innovative in America, has been featured on CNN.com and in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, and Time Magazine.
David weaves deep theological truths with sharp social analysis and peculiar observations on pop culture. He lives in Jackson with his wife, Carmel, and their two kids. Follow him on twitter (@fossores) or online at fossores.com
Related posts
Categories
Category Cloud
Tag Cloud
Recent Posts
- Victors and Victims November 6, 2018
- 3 Hacks for Happiness October 29, 2018
- Hope Against Death September 20, 2018
- The Shape Of The Cross September 19, 2018