The authors are Jerry Jenkins, writer-at-large for the Moody Bible Institute, and Tim LaHaye, well-known author and Bible teacher. There is oodles of warnings regarding their materials.

As entertainment, the books are tolerable; but there is a serious problem with fictionalizing Bible subjects. Fiction, by its very nature, is not truth. At best, it goes beyond truth and reality. It is not wise to fictionalize the Bible. The Scriptures tell us exactly what God wants men to know, no more and no less, about future events. "The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law" Deut. 29:29. The Left Behind series go far beyond what the Bible says and speculate about things God has not said.

Revelation 22 warns about adding to or taking away from the words of God in prophecy. Why would that warning not apply to the Left Behind series? One can argue that it is only fiction, but will the intermingling of Bible truth and fiction not leave wrong impressions in the minds of people? Will the average reader be able to tell truth from fiction?

The issue of fictionalizing Scripture aside, though, the theology presented in the books is certainly intolerable. Though some spiritual good might come from the wide distribution of these books (i.e., the Gospel is clearly presented and Bible prophecy is interpreted literally), the false doctrine scattered across their pages is cause for concern.

(1) Large numbers of left-behind loved ones get saved.
One of the alleged goals of Left Behind series is to challenge the unsaved to receive Christ before it is too late. At the Left Behind web site there is a section on Frequently Asked Questions. One of those is "What is the ‘take-away’ message of the ‘Left Behind’ series?" The answer: "Nothing is more important than making a decision NOW where you stand with Jesus Christ. Don’t wait until it is too late. Read the Gospel of John from the Bible and consider your life in light of God's love."

This is an important challenge, and I believe some people will probably be saved through the witness of these books. The problem is that the Left Behind series depict large numbers of relatives and friends of Christians getting saved after the Rapture occurs. This sends the message that it is possible to wait and get saved later, but the Bible never offers such hope. 2 Thessalonians chapter two describes the coming of the Antichrist, and it plainly states that those who are left behind who have rejected the truth will not be saved but will be deluded by God Himself.

"And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; BECAUSE THEY RECEIVED NOT THE LOVE OF THE TRUTH, THAT THEY MIGHT BE SAVED. AND FOR THIS CAUSE GOD SHALL SEND THEM STRONG DELUSION, THAT THEY SHOULD BELIEVE A LIE"  2 Thess. 2:8-11.

While it is true that many people will be saved during the Tribulation (i.e., Revelation 6:11; 7:14), it would appear that these are people who did not have opportunity to hear the Gospel before the Rapture. There are multiplied millions of people in the world today who have not heard a clear and true presentation of the Gospel. It is irresponsible on the part of the Left Behind authors to present this position.

Another example of this is the decision made by two of members of the "Tribulation Force" to work for the Antichrist, one as his pilot and one as the head of a news magazine. They question the propriety of their decision, but they "feel" it is God’s will instead of consulting plain Scripture. One would think that 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 and Revelation 18:4 would easily have settled that question.

It is obvious that the pope would have to reject Catholic doctrine in order to be saved. He would also have to repent of his idolatry. Like many of his predecessors, John Paul II is a fervent devotee to Mary. He prays to her and gives her glory for his protection and guidance. When he was preserved from death after an attempted assassination, he thanked and praised Mary. On his garments he has the words "I am Yours" embroidered in Latin. In his book Crossing the Threshold of Hope he said that these words refer to his devotion to Mary. At least five times Pope Paul II has referred to Mary by the title "Co-redemptrix" (co-redeemer) in his papal teachings. In 1985, for example, in Guayaquil, Ecuador, the pope said: "Having suffered for the Church, Mary deserved to become the Mother of all the disciples of her Son, the Mother of their unity. . . . In fact Mary’s role as Co-redemptrix did not cease with the glorification of her Son" (Inside the Vatican, July 1997, p. 23).

To be saved, the pope would have to repent of Rome’s unscriptural dogmas and idolatry, including the blasphemy of his own office (claiming to be the Vicar of Christ, Holy Father, etc.), and if he were to do that he would no longer be the pope.

A pastor friend has viewed the video, said some positive things about it, but has some concerns. He says that in depicting worldwide post-Rapture chaos (plane crashes, car accidents, etc.) the film greatly overestimates the number of true believers in the world, and that one could get the impression there are MANY on the road to life (Jesus says FEW are).

He says some of the music is horrible - "Christian rock" of the worst kind. But the most serious problem of all is that the GOSPEL is sadly missing in this supposedly evangelistic tool. The name of Christ is mentioned only three times (during about a one-minute segment). There is no mention of the Cross, the empty tomb, no emphasis on the sinfulness of man and no clear presentation of the terms of salvation.

Lastly, this pastor is concerned that the film will bring thousands of professing Christians into secular movie houses.        Calvary Contender