Left Behind (novel)

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Left Behind: A Novel of the Earth's Last Days
Left Behind novel cover.jpg
Reissue of Left Behind using original artwork
Author Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins
Cover artistWestlight/H. Armstrong Roberts
LanguageEnglish
Series Left Behind (series)
Genre Christian fiction,
Apocalyptic fiction
Publisher Tyndale House Publishers
Publication date
Sunday, December 31, 1995
Publication placeUnited States
Media typePrint (Hardcover, Paperback; also made into Graphic novel and audiobook)
Pages320 pages, hardcover
468 pages, paperback
ISBN 0-8423-2911-0 (HC), ISBN   0-8423-4270-2 (PB)
OCLC 32509183
813/.54 20
LC Class PS3562.A315 L44 1995
Preceded by The Rapture  
Followed by Tribulation Force  

Left Behind: A Novel of the Earth's Last Days is a best-selling [1] novel by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins that starts the Left Behind series. This book and others in the series give narrative form to a specific eschatological reading of the Christian Bible, particularly the Book of Revelation inspired by dispensationalism and premillennialism. It was released on Sunday, December 31, 1995. The events take place the day of the Rapture and the two weeks following.

Contents

Plot summary

The story begins with Cameron "Buck" Williams, a renowned journalist having recently survived an attempted invasion of Israel, on board a plane piloted by Rayford Steele en route to London. Suddenly, several passengers instantly vanish, leaving behind their clothes and other personal items. Upon being notified by flight attendant Hattie Durham, Steele contacts another pilot, only to learn that millions of people around the world have also disappeared in the same way.

Steele lands the plane in Chicago, which has descended into anarchy and chaos. He returns home and discovers that his wife Irene and son Raymie have vanished. He soon realizes that the Rapture, the taking of all Christians, has occurred. He later reunites with his distraught daughter Chloe. Williams arrives in New York City where he meets with his father. However, he soon receives a call from his British contact Dirk, who informs him of a rising European politician. He later learns that the politician is Romanian President Nicolae Carpathia, who gives a rousing speech at the United Nations.

Steele meets with Bruce Barnes, the pastor of the church he and Irene attended. Barnes reveals he was left behind for not truly believing in God and Christ. He then explains that the Tribulation, a period of chaos and suffering, will soon begin. Chloe, after some debating, ultimately accepts the truth and becomes a Christian with her father.

Williams soon learns that Dirk has been found dead of a "suicide" and that an associate has also died. He manages to secure a meeting in London with Scotland Yard detective Alan Tompkins. Tompkins reveals evidence that Dirk was murdered, and that he has uncovered a conspiracy involving Joshua Todd-Cochran, the head of the London Stock Exchange, and American banker Jonathan Stonegal. Tompkins is abruptly murdered at the meeting, and Williams barely escapes.

Williams later learns that Scotland Yard has deemed him a suspect in Tompkins' death. He arranges an interview with Carpathia, who uses his power and influence to remove Williams from suspicion. Carpathia reveals his intention to broker a seven-year peace deal with Israel, and build the Third Temple in Jerusalem.

Williams meets up with Steele and Barnes, and informs the latter of Carpathia's plans. Barnes identifies them with those of the Antichrist, the prophesied end-times tyrant, and urges Williams to accept Christ before it is too late. Williams is skeptical and leaves, but Barnes decides to form the "Tribulation Force", a Christian organization with the purpose of resisting the coming reign of the Antichrist.

Williams arrives at the United Nations to attend an assembly hosted by Carpathia. He soon learns, to his shock, that Stonegal and Cochran are there. He reluctantly becomes a Christian before entering.

At the meeting, Williams realizes that Carpathia is indeed the Antichrist. Carpathia suddenly executes Cochran and Stonegal, no longer needing them, and brainwashes everyone (except Williams, who is divinely protected) to think they died in a murder-suicide.

Having narrowly escaped the meeting, Williams meets up with the Tribulation Force and becomes a member to prepare for the Tribulation.

Characters

Major themes

Christian tribulation theory is played out in a context around the theme of the "Rapture", based on the First Epistle to the Thessalonians. Amongst those who believe there will be a Rapture, there are three main theories on the timing of this event: Pre-Tribulation, Mid-Tribulation, and Post-Tribulation. This book takes the Pre-Tribulation Rapture position. The story is built around such End times themes as the Second Coming, the Antichrist, the Tribulation, and the expected coming Millennium of Messiah.

Reception

This novel has received a wide range of reactions. The American Evangelical Christian community, in general, has approved of the idea of representing in a worldly language the end-times theology. Jerry Falwell said: "In terms of its impact on Christianity, it's probably greater than that of any other book in modern times, outside the Bible." [2] Nonreligious reviewers and reviewers with differing religious viewpoints have typically given it unfavorable reviews. [3]

The New York Times stated in an article, "The formula combines Tom Clancy-like suspense with touches of romance, high-tech flash and Biblical references." [4] The Chicago Tribune called it "...an exciting, stay-up-late-into-the-night, page turner story."[ citation needed ] Publishers Weekly called Left Behind "...the most successful Christian Fiction series ever." A review in The Washington Post called the novels a "stodgily written blend of B-movie science fantasy and horror." [5] A review from the Biblical Discernment Ministries claims that "The fictionalizing of Scripture is an egregious offense in and of itself, but the theology presented in the books is intolerable." [6]

Controversies and criticisms

Some evangelicals object to the message of Left Behind because they say it is not a Christian message, although framed as a Christian series. Loren L. Johns, the Academic Dean of the Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary, writes: "At the end of the day, this series is ultimately a rejection of the good news of Jesus Christ. I say this because it rejects the way of the cross and Jesus' call to obedient discipleship and a new way of life. It celebrates the human will to power, putting Evangelical Christians in the heroic role of God's Green Berets. [...] Love of enemies is treated as a misguided strategy associated not with the gospel, but with the Antichrist." [7]

The Commission on Theology and Church Relations of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod reported that "the ideas expressed in the Left Behind series are in many ways contrary to the teaching of holy scripture. Though containing a fictional story-line, the books promote a theology that is, in important respects, at odds with the biblical revelation." [8]

The interpretation of the Book of Revelation, as presented in the Left Behind series, also appears to encourage a highly individualistic approach to salvation that eschews responsibility for performing good deeds or missionizing: "Because, in the novels, those who take the mark of the beast cannot be saved, saving oneself and punishing one's enemies are the only viable courses of action for believers [...] Working toward social justice is not necessary and might even distract believers from their steadfast focus on their own salvation and the salvation of their family, friends or community." [9] According to Kilde and Forbes, the books promotes a violent context for viewing and resolving social problems, one in which the only solution to social problems is to kill those who engage in any practices considered by the authors as "evil". [10]

While both the authors and the publisher have claimed that thousands of readers have experienced a Christian conversion due to the novels, scholars such as Frykholm have been unable to document even a single case in which a reader experienced a Christian conversion. When Frykholm requested evidence of conversion from the publisher, Tyndale submitted only seven cases; four were reportedly hearsay and three were reportedly readers that had reaffirmed their lapsed faith in Christianity. [11]

Film adaptations

This book has been adapted into a feature film, Left Behind: The Movie , first released on video and DVD, and then to cinemas where it fared poorly. [12] In the movie, Cameron "Buck" Williams was played by former Growing Pains star Kirk Cameron, who said he finds the series inspiring; he is a practicing evangelist and co-host with Ray Comfort on the TV show The Way of the Master .

To date, two sequels have been released straight to video - Left Behind II: Tribulation Force and Left Behind: World at War , the latter of which premiered in churches before its video and DVD release. A fourth installment was announced by Cloud Ten Pictures in 2006, but the development has been placed on hold since the July 2008 settlement of a lawsuit over rights involving the first three films. [13]

In August 2008, a website revealed that LaHaye plans to remake the series and possibly turn all twelve (or sixteen) novels into feature film adaptations. [14] In October 2014, the second Left Behind remake, starring Nicolas Cage, was released to universally negative critical reviews.

Release details

Further reading

Related Research Articles

Left Behind is a multimedia franchise of apocalyptic fiction written by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins, released by Tyndale House Publishers from 1995 to 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tim LaHaye</span> Evangelical Christian minister and author from the United States

Timothy Francis LaHaye was an American Baptist evangelical Christian minister who wrote more than 85 books, both fiction and non-fiction, including the Left Behind series of apocalyptic fiction, which he co-authored with Jerry B. Jenkins.

<i>Left Behind: World at War</i> 2005 American film

Left Behind: World at War is a 2005 American Christian thriller film and the third in the series of films based on the Left Behind book series. It was directed by Craig R. Baxley and produced by Cloud Ten Pictures. The film premiered in churches on October 21, 2005, before its release on DVD and VHS on October 25, 2005. It was based primarily on the last fifty pages of the 1996 novel Tribulation Force and is currently the last film in the Left Behind film series, as a new adaption of the first book was made and released on October 3, 2014. The film ends with a cliffhanger that is never resolved as the producers decided not make a fourth installment.

<i>Nicolae</i> (novel) 1997 novel by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins

Nicolae: The Rise of Antichrist is the third book in the Left Behind series. It was written by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins in 1997 and was published on Wednesday, October 1, of that year. It takes place 18–21 months into the Great Tribulation.

<i>Soul Harvest</i> 1999 novel by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins

Soul Harvest: The World Takes Sides is the fourth book in the Left Behind series. It was written by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins in 1999. It takes place 21–27 months into the Tribulation.

<i>Assassins</i> (LaHaye novel) 1999 novel by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins

Assassins: Assignment: Jerusalem, Target: Antichrist is the sixth book in the Left Behind series. It was written by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins in 1999. It was released in August 1999 and was on The New York Times Best Seller list for 39 weeks. It takes place 38–42 months into the Tribulation.

<i>The Indwelling</i> 2000 novel by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins

The Indwelling: The Beast Takes Possession is the seventh book in the Left Behind series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins, published in May 2000. It was on The New York Times Best Seller list for 35 weeks. It takes place 42 months into the Tribulation and at the end of the novel 3 days into the Great Tribulation.

<i>The Mark</i> (novel) Eighth book in the Left Behind series

The Mark: The Beast Rules the World is the eighth book in the Left Behind series. It was published in November 2000 by Tyndale House. It was on The New York Times Best Seller list for 32 weeks. It takes place 42 months into the Tribulation and 3–25 days into the Great Tribulation.

<i>Armageddon</i> (novel) 2003 novel by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins

Armageddon: The Cosmic Battle of the Ages is the 11th novel in the Left Behind series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins. It was first published in April 2003. It was on The New York Times Best Seller list for 20 weeks. It takes place 6–7 years into the Tribulation, 2+1⁄2 to 3+1⁄2 years into the Great Tribulation, and at the end of the novel the day of the Glorious Appearing.

<i>Glorious Appearing</i> 2004 novel by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins

Glorious Appearing: The End of Days is the 12th book in the Left Behind series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins. Released on Tuesday, March 30, 2004, this book sees the surviving believers awaiting the return of Jesus Christ as the war of Armageddon and the seven-year Tribulation period draws to its climax. It was on The New York Times Best Seller list for 22 weeks.

<i>The Rising</i> (LaHaye novel) 2005 novel by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins

The Rising: Antichrist is Born/Before They Were Left Behind is the thirteenth novel in the Left Behind series and the first prequel. It was written by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins and published on Thursday, March 31, 2005. The hardback edition has the title and subtitle as The Rising: Before They Were Left Behind. It takes place 32–9 years before the Rapture.

<i>The Rapture</i> (novel) Book by Tim LaHaye

The Rapture: In the Twinkling of an Eye/Countdown to the Earth's Last Days is the 3rd prequel novel in the Left Behind series, written by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins in 2006 and published by Tyndale House. This book is the final of the three prequels and covers events leading up to the first book Left Behind. The narrative of the novel The Rapture includes events that take place during the first chapters of Left Behind and provides a backdrop story for the book Left Behind. The book was released on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 (6/6/6), which is the Number of the Beast, a concept that plays a large part later in the series. It takes place from 14 months before to the day of the Rapture. For the week of June 19, 2006, Publishers Weekly ranked it the 10th best selling book in the U.S.

<i>Left Behind: The Movie</i> 2000 Canadian film

Left Behind: The Movie is a 2000 Christian apocalyptic thriller film, based on the novel of the same name by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins. It is directed by Vic Sarin and stars Kirk Cameron, Brad Johnson, Chelsea Noble, Janaya Stephens, Gordon Currie, and Clarence Gilyard.

<i>Tribulation Force</i> 1996 novel by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins

Tribulation Force: The Continuing Drama of Those Left Behind (1996) is the second novel in the Left Behind series, by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins. It takes place from two weeks after the Rapture to 18 months into the Tribulation.

<i>The Regime</i> (novel) 2005 book by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins

The Regime: Evil Advances is the second prequel novel in the Left Behind series, written by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins. It was released on Tuesday, November 15, 2005. This book covers more events leading up to the first novel Left Behind. It takes place from 9 years to 14 months before the Rapture.

<i>Desecration</i> (novel) Novel by Jerry B. Jenkins

Desecration: Antichrist Takes the Throne is the ninth book in the Left Behind series. It was published on Tuesday, October 30, 2001, by Tyndale House. It was on The New York Times Best Seller list for 19 weeks, and was the best selling novel in the world in 2001. It takes place 42–43 months into the Tribulation and 25 days to a month into the Great Tribulation.

Rayford Steele is a fictional character and the de facto protagonist in the Left Behind series of novels by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins. He is the leader of the group known as the Tribulation Force, and is the most fully developed character in the series.

Chloe Steele is a fictional character from the Left Behind series of novels by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins. Chloe was a junior at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California, during the vanishing of millions of people during the Rapture.

<i>Left Behind: Rise of the Antichrist</i> Film directed by Kevin Sorbo

Left Behind: Rise of the Antichrist is a 2023 Canadian apocalyptic thriller film directed by Kevin Sorbo and co-written by Paul Lalonde. It stars Sorbo, Neal McDonough, Bailey Chase, Corbin Bernsen, Greg Perrow, Sarah Fisher, Sam Sorbo, Charles Andrew Payne and Stafford Perry. It serves as a sequel to 2014 reboot Left Behind, which itself is based on the 1995 novel of the same name written by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins.

References

  1. ↑ Kirkpatrick, David D. (March 8, 2004). "Final Novel in Evangelical Christian Series Is a Best Seller Before Going on Sale - The New York Times". Archived from the original on November 14, 2013. Retrieved November 11, 2009.
  2. ↑ Time magazine. Accessed 2007-9-8
  3. ↑ "Review of the "Left Behind" Tribulation Novels: Turner Diaries Lite". Archived from the original on April 27, 2010. Retrieved March 14, 2010.
  4. ↑ Goodstein, Laurie (October 4, 1998). "Fast-Selling Thrillers Depict Prophetic View of Final Days". The New York Times. Retrieved May 7, 2010.
  5. ↑ "Left Behind". The Washington Post. December 30, 1999. Retrieved May 7, 2010.
  6. ↑ "Tim LaHaye - Book Review: The Left Behind Series". Archived from the original on December 2, 2010. Retrieved March 14, 2010.
  7. ↑ "The Left Behind Series: Description and Critique". Archived from the original on September 2, 2006. Retrieved November 27, 2006.
  8. ↑ "A Lutheran response to the Left Behind series" (PDF). Commission on Theology and Church Relations of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 11, 2011. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
  9. ↑ Monahan, Torin (November 1, 2008). "Marketing the beast: Left Behind and the apocalypse industry" (PDF). Media, Culture & Society. 30 (6): 813–830. CiteSeerX   10.1.1.691.2622 . doi:10.1177/0163443708096095. S2CID   143404910. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 22, 2012.
  10. ↑ Bruce David Forbes; Jeanne Halgren Kilde (June 12, 2004). Rapture, Revelation, and the End Times: Exploring the Left Behind Series. Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN   978-1-4039-6525-7.
  11. ↑ Amy Johnson Frykholm Adjunct Professor in the Humanities Colorado Mountain College (March 4, 2004). Rapture Culture: Left Behind in Evangelical America: Left Behind in Evangelical America. Oxford University Press. p. 161. ISBN   978-0-19-803622-7.
  12. ↑ Imdb.com: Left Behind (2004) - Box Office/Business
  13. ↑ "cloudtenpictures.com". Archived from the original on June 9, 2010. Retrieved June 4, 2010.
  14. ↑ christiancinema.com
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