Subject: LEFT BEHIND? |
Bible Note: "I don't see how anyone can read the series and not be moved or stirred in his heart to be ready." Well, if one believes that the Tribulation is a past event rather than a future one, the series might not do much for them. I myself am much more motivated by Jesus' warnings in the gospels to be ready than the thrilling techno-ride of LaHaye and Jenkins. I am sure you are, as well. 'I say if the series scares people, that's OK -- let it. While I wouldn't use fear to manipulate people into "making a decision" or getting saved, it is nevertheless true that people need to take the endtime prophecies seriously.' Yes, fear can be a manipulator, but the unregenerate have much to fear. My biggest problem with the Left Behind series (aside from the fact I find it to be pretty mediocre writing) is the fact that many "modern" churches treat the eternal wrath of God in an unrelenting, everlasting hell as a taboo subject for sermons (even if they officially believe it), but they can talk all day long about "not getting left behind." Even if the pre-Tribulational model is the accurate one, it may be countless years before such events actually take place. In the meantime, people are dying apart from Christ every minute, facing not a hell-on-earth, but awaiting judgment and sentenceing to the hell of all hells. And that is something that the lost should be afraid of. And proclaiming God's just wrath to the unregenerate is not being manipulative if we are telling the truth. --Joe! |