Cassandra
The apocalypticism of Tim LaHaye is most well-known through his fictional young adult series, “Left Behind”, which is one the best-selling Christian novels. His idea about the second coming originated as he was traveling through airports. This series blends mystery and LaHaye’s interest in Biblical prophecy. By mass marketing his belief in pre-millenial dispensationalism through the Left Behind series, LaHaye shows the ways that prophecy belief is being used in these times post-Cold War [1]. Within Biblical prophecy, LaHaye is focused on the period of pre-tribulation that he believes we are living in currently. His research group on pre-tribulation designates the following doctrinal statement:
“We believe that Christ will literally rapture His church prior to the 70th week of Daniel, followed by His glorious, premillennial arrival on the earth at least seven years later to set up His 1,000 year kingdom rule from Jerusalem over the earth.” [2]
This dispensational pre-millenialist focus shows LaHaye’s focus on strict interpretation of the Book of Revelation and that Christian believers will be resurrected before the second coming of Christ. Using this ideology as a foundation for many of his books, LaHaye integrates this and his political agenda into them. For example in the Left Behind series, “the Antichrist is a Romanian named Nicolae Carpathia and is the secretary general of the United Nations” both who share many modern liberal, progressive political positions [3]. With the rapid modernization of the world and “advent of wiping out all planetary life, new social dangers become associated with the persistent apocalyptic tradition.” [4] Seen here in Dr. Tim LaHaye’s book trailer for his book, Edge of Apocalypse, we see the interweaving of LaHaye’s interpretation of this modernization and globalization of the world.
The apocalypticism of Tim LaHaye is most well-known through his fictional young adult series, “Left Behind”, which is one the best-selling Christian novels. His idea about the second coming originated as he was traveling through airports. This series blends mystery and LaHaye’s interest in Biblical prophecy. By mass marketing his belief in pre-millenial dispensationalism through the Left Behind series, LaHaye shows the ways that prophecy belief is being used in these times post-Cold War [1]. Within Biblical prophecy, LaHaye is focused on the period of pre-tribulation that he believes we are living in currently. His research group on pre-tribulation designates the following doctrinal statement:
“We believe that Christ will literally rapture His church prior to the 70th week of Daniel, followed by His glorious, premillennial arrival on the earth at least seven years later to set up His 1,000 year kingdom rule from Jerusalem over the earth.” [2]
This dispensational pre-millenialist focus shows LaHaye’s focus on strict interpretation of the Book of Revelation and that Christian believers will be resurrected before the second coming of Christ. Using this ideology as a foundation for many of his books, LaHaye integrates this and his political agenda into them. For example in the Left Behind series, “the Antichrist is a Romanian named Nicolae Carpathia and is the secretary general of the United Nations” both who share many modern liberal, progressive political positions [3]. With the rapid modernization of the world and “advent of wiping out all planetary life, new social dangers become associated with the persistent apocalyptic tradition.” [4] Seen here in Dr. Tim LaHaye’s book trailer for his book, Edge of Apocalypse, we see the interweaving of LaHaye’s interpretation of this modernization and globalization of the world.
Dr. Tim LaHaye continues to publish other novels both non-fiction and fiction that are targeted at this integration. From charting the end times to fictional depicts of the rise of Babylon, LaHaye has established himself as one of the most prominent apocalyptic pre-millenial figures in American media.
[1] http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/apocalypse/explanation/doomindustry.html
[2] https://timlahaye.com/Home/Content/517
[3] http://www.biography.com/people/tim-lahaye-204548?page=1
[4] Brasher, p. 162
[2] https://timlahaye.com/Home/Content/517
[3] http://www.biography.com/people/tim-lahaye-204548?page=1
[4] Brasher, p. 162