Left Behind? Exposes Errors of Pop-Theology
A new release from Judson Press, the publishing arm of National Ministries, sets out to assist both clergy and lay people in understanding how end-times scenarios portrayed in the popular Left Behind series fall far short of sound biblical interpretation. Dr. LeAnn Snow Flesher says that in writing Left Behind? The Facts Behind the Fiction she was especially concerned about the division the series creates between the haves and have-nots, between those with a particular, peculiar understanding of their fate before God and those who do not have that, because they do not believe in it.
The have and have-not split also becomes apparent in what left behind theology does not address in the ministry and teaching of Jesus. That relates primarily to his message of justice for the poor and marginalized. Flesher says in this regard, “End-times theology that focuses on who is in and who is out changes the whole mission of the church.” She comments, “The Gospel of Luke says if you’re poor, you’re in!” The focus of the Gospels when it comes to personal ethics is whether people will put down their needs and desire to include others.
Professor of Old Testament at American Baptist Seminary of the West in Berkeley, Calif., Flesher is competent to interpret primary texts from Ezekiel, Daniel and Revelation that form the basis for most speculative prophecy about the end of the world as we know it. Flesher’s interest in literature concerning the end times has remained strong in her15 years of teaching in seminary. She understands the complexities of the biblical texts, as well as the type of literature they represent: apocalyptic eschatology, that is, dealing with a cosmic cataclysm in which God abolishes evil and establishes righteous rule in a messianic kingdom.
Seminary professors have tended to ignore the theology on which the Left Behind series is based, since it is far afield from the broad consensus of scholarship. Consequently, people in churches end up with a mixture of what their pastors teach blended with popular culture’s spin on what Flesher calls a “bankrupt theology.” And, according to Flesher, these ideas have infiltrated the majority of churches owing to savvy marketing tactics.
Popularization, combined with people’s interest in end-time themes and the movie industry’s capitalization on that interest, has led to not only an original 12-book series but also a prequel and an anticipated sequel in 2007: Kingdom Come. Since 1995, 15 books and three movies have multiplied from the original Left Behind, faulty interpretation notwithstanding.
The interpretation on which the series is based pulls Bible verses together out of their context — leaving behind the authors’ original writing — and comes up with newly construed verses. “This amounts to a creation of a new manuscript,” says Flesher. “It’s very complex and camouflaged, especially when applied to a fiction series.”
Co-authors Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins hold to premillennial dispensationalism as their theological basis for Left Behind.
Originating with John Nelson Darby in the mid-1800s and popularized by the Scofield Reference Bible of 1909, premillennial dispensationalism maintains that Jesus will reign over a literal kingdom for one thousand years. Before his reign humanity will become increasingly evil and destructive. Flesher says, “Scofield’s Bible is a big player and reason for the theology’s influence in American churches.”
Premillenialists believe that the church will be caught up — raptured — when Christ appears “in the air” (1 Thessalonians 4:17). Nonbelievers will then suffer through chaos, violence and unimaginable horrors on earth. Seven years later Christ will ultimately return to begin his millennial reign over the kingdom of heaven come to earth. Dispensationalism refers to time periods (usually seven) in which God deals with humanity by different means with regard to sin and human responsibility (dispensations). Each dispensation ends in judgment, because humankind fails to be faithful.
Flesher takes issue in Left Behind? with the braiding together of texts that then becomes the basis for believing in a rapture and tribulation. Instead of giving Jesus’ mission to create a new community a central place, the rapture of the church and tribulation of those left behind gives people the idea that they can execute a list of the right things to do and believe in order to be raptured. Flesher calls this an “empty existence” lived under the shadow of the big stick of judgment.
Even more harmful, however, is the emphasis on God’s changing ways of dealing with people that divide Israel and the church into different dispensations. “The church becomes an afterthought,” Flesher says. “It is just marking time until Jesus comes again and its only mission is to prosyletize.”
One particular danger Flesher points out is the series' depiction of the dichotomy between what happens for Gentiles and Jews in the end-time scenario: “Israel and the Church are and will be treated very differently by God,” Flesher says. The whole Bible is not applied to the treatment of Gentiles and Jews, but only the parts that apply to each. Expectations for each group are different and the way they will be judged is different as well.
Much of Flesher’s concern derives from her interest in seeing people become more holistic and community-centered. American individualism and desire for personal honor do not leave room for the sense of community the Bible describes. “We together as a group are to make a difference. We’ve really lost that,” Flesher says.
Flesher seeks in Left Behind? to draw Christians into a fully-orbed mission. Rather than being self-satisfied at leading someone to recite a prayer for salvation within one minute (Flesher heard one pastor boast of this), she promotes the realization that Christ’s followers are called to bring people into a faith community. “As a community, you decide what the Holy Spirit is saying and how the Holy Spirit is leading you to make a difference together in your world.”
Flesher’s Left Behind? encourages Christians to hold onto a vision of a community of believers. These will hear the king say, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40).
To order or obtain a complete catalog of Judson resources, call 800-458-3766 or visit Judson’s newly redesigned Web site at www.judsonpress.com.
Founded in 1824, Judson Press is the publishing ministry of National Ministries, American Baptist Churches USA. With about 12 new titles released each year, Judson Press seeks to provide high quality resources designed to encourage, educate and equip disciples of Jesus Christ.
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