Has anyone read "End Times Fiction: A Biblical Cnsideration of the Left Behind Theology" by Gary DeMar?

I picked it up today, and have only read the intro material, but from what I can tell, he is refuting the "rapture" theology Tim LeHaye (and others) adhere to.

I'm not sure yet of DeMar's theology, though it is easy to see he doesn't believe in the modern-day LaHaye / Hal Lindsey concept of a secret rapture of the church.

There is a foreword by RC Sproul, who I believe is pre-millenial in his beliefs.

Just checking to see if anyone has read this particular book yet.

And along the same lines, what about the "Left Behind" series. I personally find it disturbing that so many people are building their theology of the end times around these FICTION novels. I read recently of a congregation (not C/C or church of Christ) that was going to have a Sunday School class based on the novels. Whew!

-- Anonymous, November 26, 2001

Answers

btw --

"End Times Fiction" by Gary DeMar Thomas Nelson Publishers isbn 0-7852-6642-9

-- Anonymous, November 26, 2001

Top of the day to you Darrell. I am acquainted with some of the persons you speak of whom hold the books in question almost even to scripture. I think the answer was given to us by King Solomon when he penned in Ecclesiastes 12.12, "But beyond this my son, be warned; the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body." They appear to me to be more devoted to these fictional writings than to the Bible. So much for my dimes worth. In Him, Bruce

-- Anonymous, November 28, 2001

I am about 1/2 way through the book now. I like what I have been reading. The author destroys the LaHaye concept of a "secret rapture" of the church, and does so pretty much using LaHayes own concepts. He then uses the Bible to show that the secret rapture concept is NOT biblical.

He has also debunked the future Antichrist ideas, as well as the idea that the antichrist, man lf lawlessness, beasts, etc. are all one in the same.

Still not sure where it will end up, but I will let you know.

-- Anonymous, November 28, 2001

Too much reading is certainly wearisome to the body, so thanks for doing it for us, Darrell. Let me know of your review when you finish. And when you're done with that, I have another one I want you to read for me.

-- Anonymous, November 28, 2001

> ...he is refuting the "rapture" theology...

"Rapture" is from the Latin "rapiemur," which is how the old Latin translation of the Bible translated "caught up" in 1 Thessalonians 4:17.

Many Christians believe they will be caught up all the way into heaven at Christ's return, and that this will be before the great tribulation, but the Bible doesn't teach either of these things. It says that Christians will be caught up into the clouds to meet Christ as he descends at the 2nd coming (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17), and that this will happen "after the tribulation" (Matthew 24:29-31).

http://www.geocities.com/postrib

-- Anonymous, December 08, 2001

And then when you are whisked upward and caught in the clouds--then what happens?

-- Anonymous, December 11, 2001

I believe the purpose of the rapture is to gather the resurrected dead and the transformed living (1 Corinthians 15:51-52, 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17) all together in the sky with Jesus so that we can be judged (Psalms 50:4-5, Mark 13:27) and married (Revelation 19:7) in the clouds, before Armageddon.

This is why the wedding's consummation isn't announced until immediately before we descend with Christ at Armageddon (Revelation 19:7-14). After we've been judged and married, the clouds will part, "heaven" will be "opened" (Revelation 19:11), and we'll all descend with Christ to the battle (Revelation 19:14-15), and then land in Jerusalem for the supper (Revelation 19:9, Isaiah 25:5-9).

http://www.geocities.com/postrib

-- Anonymous, December 22, 2001