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To or not to (ignore)?

Saturday November 14, 2009

Tim LaHaye and Zondervan have agreed to a new eschatology set of books. What do folks think should be done in response to such books?

Zondervan, a world leader in Christian communications, has signed an agreement with attorney Craig Parshall and Tim LaHaye, creator and co-author of the world renowned Left Behind series. Three years after the success of the Left Behind final installment, LaHaye returns to publish Edge of Apocalypse, an apocalyptic epic infused with political intrigue ripped from today's headlines, the first book in a new series called The End.

"I'm thrilled to partner with Zondervan to produce a series hopefully even more innovative than Left Behind," said LaHaye. "While my past works have piqued interest in biblical prophecy on a global level, The End series includes many prophecies that were not covered in Left Behind."

Edge of Apocalypse jumpstarts the series as military- hero-turned-inventor Joshua Jordan attempts to save Manhattan from two nuclear missiles. Using his Return to Sender military defense system, Jordan finds himself facing an unbearable ransom to the nation he loves. As tensions escalate and global alliances topple, only Jordan and a secret group known only as The Patriots can save the United States from terrorists abroad and traitors within.

Set in the very near future, The End series chronicles the earth shattering events which eventually lead up to the Rapture and the beginning of the prophesied Last Days of mankind.

Edge of Apocalypse will release worldwide on April 20, 2010 with a first print run of 500,000 copies.

Comments (80)

posted by Scot McKnight @ 1:18pm Permalink email icon

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November 16, 2009 3:57 PM

As a minister I am interested that Zondervan is publishing the books and have the realization that many of my congregation will be buying them. I will not read them, primarily because I have better things to do and because I disagree with the authors' over realized eschatology.

These books are sad examples of pop-Christianity that has damaged the church...but the books are only a symptom of a larger disease. I love the line about "maybe we are so interested in the Second Coming because we are disappointed in the first one."

I am glad that Dr. LaHaye has given so generously to different parts of the church through his success. I am disappointed that Zondervan (a subsidary of a secular publishing company) continues to publish tripe in the face of reasoned calls for review.

Usually my ministry doesn't deal with eschatology beyond talking redemptively and expectantly about the hope of Christ's return and not the details. We don't know the details. Yet we must respect the voices of our people who believe this way. Our response should be to lovingly show them our view and the variety of views available. It is our obligation as stewards of God's people.

Some of the comments above are rash and unnecessary. They have me thinking, "Well if you are so opposed to it what are you doing to change the world?"

You are the Church!
Robert Angison

pam w

November 16, 2009 7:20 PM

I LOVE that this conversation has continued. With challenge, passion, rebuke and grace people have stayed at the table for a couple of days to help find the deeper questions we should be asking.

I think the stakes are very high!! Reading comments here has made me sit with the question: why is this so emotionally charged for me and others who usually present with a much more irenic spirit. I realize in my experience, people can be discipled in many systems of theology and seek to live in the way of Jesus, but when it comes to living out a life of redemption, restoration a justice on this planet your eschatology always wins.

This particular eschatology is quite convenient for the white, dominant, powerful Christian culture to hold. It takes us off the hookfor a lot of responsibility and allows us to justify the current systems of power that keep us on top.

Maybe that is why we are unapologetically passionate here. For me, I realize I am the benefactor of our current systems. I feel guilty that I have supported them for so long, and I am angry with myself that I was not willing to step out of my comfort zone to challenge this thinking earlier. I feel duped, and I remember how self righteous I felt learning this brand of eschatology, this story of God's relationship with his people.

The playing out of this particular story is very dangerous!!! I came to grips with that working with Chritians in the Pentagon. I have many stories...was just amazed. New stories of a more historical understanding of the eschaton are crucial. The stakes are high in EVERY area of our lives, and in this small global ecosystem God has created for us all to live out the Story together...in/with/for love.

Yea, we are the Church and we carry an immense responsibility to come together across boundaries and understand we we are to further the Kingdom, and what we are doing to keep people from 1) seeing it 2) wanting to embrace a walk with Jesus that we manifesting in community.

Mike

November 16, 2009 7:59 PM

Having been in a number of churches over the past 25 years and served with many many pre-trib, pre-mil Christians, I can confidently say that the breathless (if not militant) criticisms against their belief system (and that corny Left Behind series) are undeserved. Lighten up.

At any rate, if given the choice, I'd rather associate with the somewhat simplistic but always sincere Left Behind believing types than the theological snobs who seem to take such pleasure in pointing out their eschatological shortcomings.

Dave

November 18, 2009 9:57 AM

It would be nice to ignore the whole thing. That's what I'll try to do. Sadly, with Zondervan as the publisher and promoter there will be no escape. It's inevitable that many poor souls will be thinking, "Hey, it's in the bookstores and advertised in Christian magazines, so it must be good, right?"

As much as I'd like to see this kind of money-driven, fear-mongering goofiness stop, we'll likely never see The End.

Robyn

December 1, 2009 12:23 AM

It's perfectly clear that Tim knows how to make LaHay while LaSun is shining and before the San Andreas Fault gets a big jolt out of his theological skullduggery. And Blundervan Publishers up in Grand Rapture, Me-Itch-Again, knows which multi-millionaire to team up with for more of that "cankered" stuff they've been "wanton" for their "last days," according to James, chapter 5!

[saw the above blurb on the web!]

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Scot McKnight is a widely-recognized authority on the New Testament, early Christianity, and the historical Jesus. He is the Karl A. Olsson Professor in Religious Studies at North Park University (Chicago, Illinois). A popular and witty speaker, Dr. McKnight has given interviews on radios across the nation, has appeared on television, and is regularly asked to speak in local churches and educational events. Dr. McKnight obtained his Ph.D. at the University of Nottingham (1986). Click to continue reading Scot McKnight's Bio...

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