Left Behind: Difference between revisions

{{short description|SeriesMultimedia offranchise 16based on the novels by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins, published 1995–2007}}

| books = ''[[The Rising (LaHaye novel)|The Rising]], [[The Regime (novel)|The Regime]], [[The Rapture (novel)|The Rapture]], [[Left Behind (novel)|Left Behind]], [[Tribulation Force]], [[Nicolae (novel)|Nicolae]], [[Soul Harvest]], [[Apollyon (novel)|Apollyon]], [[Assassins (LaHaye novel)|Assassins]], [[The Indwelling]], [[The Mark (novel)|The Mark]], [[Desecration (novel)|Desecration]], [[The Remnant (LaHaye novel)|The Remnant]], [[Armageddon (novel)|Armageddon]], [[Glorious Appearing]], [[Kingdom Come (LaHaye novel)|Kingdom Come]]''

''Left Behind'' tells thean apocalyptic story ofabout the endending timesof [[Earth]] (set in the contemporary era), inover whicha period of seven years. The true believers in [[Jesus Christ]] have been [[rapture]]d (taken instantly to [[heaven]]), leaving the[[non-believers]] worldbehind on Earth, now a shattered and chaotic world.<ref>Michael{{Cite Josephweb Gross,|title=The [Trials of the Tribulation - 00.01 |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/past/docs/issues/00jan/001gross.htm The Trials of the Tribulation]{{Dead link|access-date=December 20212023-08-06 |botwebsite=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, www.theatlantic.com, USA, January 2000}}</ref> As people scramble for answers, an obscure [[Romanians|Romanian]] politician named [[Nicolae Carpathia|Nicolae Jetty Carpathia]] rises to become [[United Nations Secretary-General|secretary-general]] of the [[United Nations]], promising to restore peace and stability to all nations. What most of the world does not realize is that Carpathia is actually the Antichrist foretold in the Bible. Coming to grips with the truth and becoming [[born-again]] [[Christians]], airline pilot [[Rayford Steele]], his daughter [[Chloe Steele|Chloe]], their pastor [[Bruce Barnes (Left Behind)|Bruce Barnes]], and young journalist [[Cameron "Buck" Williams]] begin their quest as the Tribulation Force to help save the lost and prepare for the coming [[Tribulation]], in which God will rain down judgment on the world for seven years.

| 14 || 2 || ''[[The Regime (novel)|The Regime]]: Evil Advances: Before They Were Left Behind #2'' || 2005<ref>{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/regimeeviladvanc00laha|title=(All Libraries)|access-date=October 4, 2014|isbn=9781414305769|last1=Lahaye|first1=Tim F.|last2=Jenkins|first2=Jerry B.|year=2005|publisher=Tyndale House Publishers |url-access=registration}}</ref>

LaHaye and Jenkins cite the influence of [[Russell Doughten]], an Iowa-based filmmaker who directed the [[A Thief in the Night (film series)|''Thief in the Night'' series]], a series of four low-budget but popular feature-length films in the 1970s and 1980s about the [[Rapture]] and [[Second Coming]], starting with 1972's ''[[A Thief in the Night (film)|A Thief in the Night]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Dean A. Anderson,|date=2012-03-07 [http|title=The Original 'Left Behind' |url=https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/movies2012/commentaries/2012marchweb-only/originalleftbehind.html The|access-date=2023-08-06 original|website=ChristianityToday.com "Left|language=en-us Behind"]|archive-date=August 6, 2023 {{Webarchive|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/2012041605310620230806182100/httphttps://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/movies2012/commentaries/2012marchweb-only/originalleftbehind.html |dateurl-status=April 16, 2012live }}, ''[[Christianity Today]]'', Published March 7, 2012, Retrieved March 13, 2012.</ref> Indeed, the title ''Left Behind'' echoes the refrain of ''Thief''{{'s}} [[Christian rock|early Christian rock]] theme song by [[Larry Norman]], "I Wish We'd All Been Ready," in which he sings, "There's no time to change your mind, the Son has come and you've been left behind."

Laurie Goodstein, writing in 1998 for ''The New York Times'', placed what she called the "''Left Behind'' phenomenon" in the [[calendar|calendrical]] context of the approaching year 2000. Goodstein noted a 'proliferation' of similarly apocalyptic texts appearing at that time, by authors such as [[Jim Bakker]] and [[John Hagee]]. Goodstein cited the opinion of University of Wisconsin historian Paul Boyer, who described such authors as "cashing in on the public preoccupation with the year 2000".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/10/04/us/fast-selling-thrillers-depict-prophetic-view-of-final-days.html|title=Fast-Selling Thrillers Depict Prophetic View of Final Days|first=Laurie|last=Goodstein|newspaper=The New York Times|date=October 4, 1998|access-date=January 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180131044007/http://www.nytimes.com/1998/10/04/us/fast-selling-thrillers-depict-prophetic-view-of-final-days.html|archive-date=January 31, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

While writing that the series fulfills the norms of mass-market fiction, as mentioned above, magazine writer [[Michelle Goldberg]] characterized the books as an attack on [[Judaism]] and [[liberalism|liberal]] [[secularism]], and suggested that the near-future "[[Eschatology|end times]]" in which the books are set seem to reflect the actual worldview of millions of Americans, including many prominent [[Conservatism in the United States|conservative]] leaders.<ref name="Salon">{{dead link|date=June 2019}}{{cite web|url=http://www.salon.com/books/feature/2002/07/29/left_behind/|title=Salon.com: Fundamentally unsound|date=July 30, 2002 |access-date=October 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110831214641/http://www.salon.com/books/feature/2002/07/29/left_behind|archive-date=August 31, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> Similarly, [[Glenn Shuck]] contends that ''Left Behind'' "does not...describe an other-worldly dystopia: it provides the shock-value of uncanny recognition of the present in a different form."<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Gribben |first=Crawford |date=2007 |title=Review of Marks of the Beast: The Left behind Novels and the Struggle for Evangelical Identity |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/40006389 |journal=[[Journal of the American Academy of Religion]] |volume=75 |issue=2 |pages=455–458 |doi=10.1093/jaarel/lfm020 |jstor=40006389 |issn=0002-7189}}</ref>

===== Anti-Catholicism= ====

The books are written from a Protestant viewpoint.{{citation Asneeded|date=September a2023}} result, someSome believe the books are [[anti-Catholic]], noting that many Catholics were not raptured, concluding that no religion is free of false converts<ref name="Anti-Catholics">[http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/2000/0011fea2.asp Catholic.com – No Rapture for Rome] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070706152802/http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/2000/0011fea2.asp |date=July 6, 2007 }}</ref> and that the new pope establishes a false religion.<ref>[https://www.usatoday.com/life/books/news/2004-03-31-left-behind-authors_x.htm 'Left Behind' authors begin tour of the South], The Associated Press via USA Today, March 31, 2004.</ref> While the fictional [[Pope]], John XXIV, was raptured, he is described as having embraced some of the views of the "Father of [[Protestantism]]", [[Martin Luther]], and it is implied that he was raptured for this reason.<ref>''Writing the Rapture: Prophecy Fiction in Evangelical America'', Crawford Gribben, Oxford University Press, 2009.</ref> His successor, Pope [[Peter Mathews (Left Behind)|Peter II]], becomes [[Pontifex Maximus]] of Enigma Babylon One World Faith, an amalgam of all remaining world faiths and religions. ''[[Catholic Answers]]'' describes the series as anti-Catholic.<ref name="Anti-Catholics"/><ref name=Money>{{cite web|last1=Akin|first1=Jimmy|title=Catholic Answers Special Report: False Profit: Money, Prejudice, and Bad Theology in Tim LaHaye's ''Left Behind'' Series|url=http://www.catholic.com/library/false_profit.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080711172106/http://www.catholic.com/library/false_profit.asp|archive-date=July 11, 2008|date=2008}}</ref>

The co-author of the book, Jerry B. Jenkins, as well as LaHaye, stated that their books are not anti-Catholic and that they have many faithful Catholic readers and friends.<ref name="Apologetic">{{cite web |title=Tim LaHaye: The Left Behind Series |url=http://www.catholicleague.org/rer.php?topic=Book+Reviews&id=33 |titleurl-status=Tim LaHaye: The Left Behind Seriesdead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070629105048/http://www.catholicleague.org/rer.php?topic=Book%2BReviews&id=33 |archive-date=June 29, 2007 |access-date=December 31, 2007 |publisher=[[Catholic League (U.S.)|Catholic League]] |quote=When a reader complained online that Tribulation Force was anti-Catholic, Left Behind co-author Jerry B. Jenkins vehemently insisted that the books are “not"not anti-Catholic”Catholic" and that “almost"almost every person in the book who was left behind was Protestant. Astute readers will understand where we’rewe're coming from. True believers in Christ, regardless of their church ‘brand’'brand' will be raptured”raptured" (Amazon.com, August 26, 1999). LaHaye responded by insisting that “our"our books are not anti-Catholic. In fact, we have many faithful Catholic readers and friends”friends" (Religion News Service, June 26, 2003). "The books don’tdon't suggest any particular theology," he said, "but try to introduce people to a more personal relationship with Jesus.” |publisher=[[Catholic League (U.S.)|Catholic League]] |access-date=December 31, 2007 |url-status=dead "}}</ref> According to LaHaye, "the books don’tdon't suggest any particular [[theology]], but try to introduce people to a more [[personal relationship with Jesus Christ|personal relationship with Jesus]]".<ref name="Apologetic"/>

=====Islamophobia= End-times theology ====

=====End-times theology=Violence and war ====

Starting in 2003, the series was expanded upon by [[Mel Odom (author)|Mel Odom]] with his ''Apocalypse'' military series and [[Neesa Hart]] with her political thriller series, both taking place concurrently with the main series.

! Author !! Title (Withwith Subtitlessubtitles) !! Year Publishedpublished

| Mel Odom || ''Apocalypse Dawn: The Battle Begins ''|| 2003

| Mel Odom || ''Apocalypse Crucible: The Battle Continues ''|| 2004

| Mel Odom || ''Apocalypse Burning: The Battle Lines Are Drawn ''|| 2004

| Mel Odom || ''Apocalypse Unleashed: The Battle Rages On ''|| 2008

| Neesa Hart || ''End of State: Now All the Rules Have Changed ''|| 2003

| Neesa Hart || ''Impeachable Offense: The Conspiracy Grows ''|| 2004

| Neesa Hart || ''Necessary Evils: A Time For Treason ''|| 2005

In 2002, a series of [[graphic novel]]s published by [[Tyndale House]] was launched that comprised the first two books in the series, ''Left Behind'' and ''Tribulation Force''. The original idea was to release sets of 3three to 5five novels (each about 45–50 pages) for each book in the original series.{{Cn|date=August 2024}} However, after the fifth and final novel for ''Tribulation Force'' was released, the graphic novel series was apparently discontinued, and the novels that were released are now (as of December 2006) out of print.{{Update inline|date=August 2024}} A compilation of the graphic novels for the first book was later released as one novel.

The success of the ''Left Behind'' books has led to the release of fourfive motion pictures based on the series so far. All four have been produced by brothers [[Paul LaLonde|Paul &and Peter LaLonde]], and have been released through [[Cloud Ten Pictures]], an independent Canadian-based Christian film studio.

The film series have been criticized for, among other things, low production values. A ''[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]'' reviewer commented that in 2004, Cloud Ten Pictures made a deal with [[Sony Pictures Entertainment]] to release all of its pictures under their banner and has been doing so ever since.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hendrix |first1=Grady |title=How to end the world on a budget. |url=https://slate.com/culture/2005/12/how-to-end-the-world-on-a-budget.html |website=Slate Magazine |language=en |date=1 December 2005 |access-date=January 26, 2020 |archive-date=January 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200126185445/https://slate.com/culture/2005/12/how-to-end-the-world-on-a-budget.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2010, Cloud Ten announced that a remake of the ''Left Behind'' series was in development, with production set to begin in late 2012 for an October 2014 release date.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cloud Ten Plans Big Budget Left Behind Remake|date=October 13, 2010|url=http://www.cloudtenpictures.com/site2/pdf/Press_Release_LEFT_BEHIND.pdf|access-date=January 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111027131700/http://www.cloudtenpictures.com/site2/pdf/Press_Release_LEFT_BEHIND.pdf|archive-date=October 27, 2011}}</ref> [[Left Behind (2014)|The reboot]], starring [[Nicolas Cage]] as Steele and [[Chad Michael Murray]] as Buck Williams, was released to theaters October 3, 2014. It focused mainly on the very beginnings of the first book and added much to the plot. The remake focuses on the experiences of the passengers on the plane and partially on Chloe Steele as she comes to terms with her missing family. It earned overwhelmingly negative reviews and [[box office bomb|flopped at the box office]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.movietickets.com/movie/mid/188267|title=Left Behind|access-date=October 4, 2014|archive-date=October 3, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141003014252/http://www.movietickets.com/movie/mid/188267|url-status=live}}</ref>

''[[Vanished – Left Behind: Next Generation]]'', a spin-off film based on the spin-off series ''[[Left Behind: The Kids]]'' released on September 28, 2016. The film was developed by [[Tim LaHaye]]'s grandson, Randy LaHaye and was well received by the book author.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/left-behind-author-tim-lahaye-worked-on-gen-x-apocalyptic-film-vanished-before-his-death-167895/|title='Left Behind' Author Tim LaHaye Worked on Gen X Apocalyptic Film 'Vanished' Before His Death|date=August 13, 2016|access-date=June 1, 2022|archive-date=September 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220904044700/https://www.christianpost.com/news/left-behind-author-tim-lahaye-worked-on-gen-x-apocalyptic-film-vanished-before-his-death-167895/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In November 2021, LaLonde announced the beginning of production on ''[[Left Behind: Rise of the Anti-ChristAntichrist]]'', with [[Kevin Sorbo]] directing and replacing Nicolas Cage as Rayford Steele. The film is set six months after the events of the 2014 film and is an adaptation of the thirdrest of book, ''[[Nicolaeone (novel)|Nicolae:in the series. The Risefilm ofmakes Antichrist]]''a few small changes to be more relevant for modern times.<ref>{{Cite web |title=LB2 Day 1 {{!}} FINALLY!! {{!}} By Left Behind {{!}} Facebook |url=https://www.facebook.com/leftbehindthemovie/videos/lb2-day-1/576412050103706/?ref=newsfeed {{User|access-date=2023-08-generated06 source|certainwebsite=yeswww.facebook.com |language=en |archive-date=MarchJanuary 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230112235219/https://www.facebook.com/leftbehindthemovie/videos/lb2-day-1/576412050103706/ |url-status=live 2022}}</ref>

A [[video game]], ''[[Left Behind: Eternal Forces]]'', (2006) and its three sequels, ''Left Behind: Tribulation Forces'', ''Left Behind 3: Rise of the Antichrist'' and ''Left Behind 4: World at War'', were developed by a publicly traded company, Left Behind Games. The games are real-time strategy games wherein the player controls a "Tribulation Forces" team and allows the player to "use the power of prayer to strengthen your troops in combat and wield modern military weaponry throughout the game world." The original game was released in the United States on November 14, 2006, and received mixed reviews. Distribution was initially planned to work through churches and [[megachurch]]es.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Jacobs |first=Stephen |date=2015 |title=Simulating the Apocalypse. Theology and Structure of the Left Behind Games |url=https://heiup.uni-heidelberg.de/journals/index.php/religions/article/view/18509 |journal=Online -– Heidelberg Journal of Religions on the Internet |language=en |volume=7 |doi=10.11588/rel.2015.0.18509 |access-date=June 23, 2022 |archive-date=June 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616233911/https://heiup.uni-heidelberg.de/journals/index.php/religions/article/view/18509 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Although the original game was accused of encouraging religious violence,<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.usatoday.com/tech/gaming/2006-12-13-left-behind-controversy_x.htm | work=USA Today | title=Critics blast 'Left Behind' | date=December 14, 2006 | access-date=May 7, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100831031656/http://www.usatoday.com/tech/gaming/2006-12-13-left-behind-controversy_x.htm | archive-date=August 31, 2010 | url-status=live }}</ref> not all reviewers of the game or critics of the ''Left Behind'' series shared that view.<ref>{{cite web|website=Adl.org|url=http://www.adl.org/Interfaith/leftbehind.asp|title=Left Behind: Eternal Forces – The Video Game|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307185926/http://www.adl.org/Interfaith/leftbehind.asp|archive-date=March 7, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|website=IGN|url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/745/745956p1.html|title=Left Behind: Eternal Forces Review|access-date=October 27, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120617161559/http://pc.ign.com/articles/745/745956p1.html|archive-date=June 17, 2012|url-status=dead|date=November 14, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|website=Artstechnica|url=https://arstechnica.com/reviews/games/leftbehind.ars|title=Reviews: Games: Left Behind: Eternal Forces|page=1|access-date=June 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081204091610/http://arstechnica.com/reviews/games/leftbehind.ars|archive-date=December 4, 2008|url-status=live|date=December 14, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|publisher=GameSpy|url=http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/left-behind-eternal-forces/749748p1.html|title=Left Behind: Eternal Forces Review|access-date=October 27, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120825050703/http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/left-behind-eternal-forces/749748p1.html|archive-date=August 25, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Representatives of the company have responded that the game's message is pacifist, because shooting nonbelievers instead of converting them costs the player "spirit points", which can be recovered by pausing to pray.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/12/12/MNG8TMU1KQ1.DTL | work=The San Francisco Chronicle | first=Ilene | last=Lelchuk | title='Convert or die' game divides Christians / Some ask Wal-Mart to drop Left Behind | date=January 9, 2011 | access-date=November 15, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111018153735/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fc%2Fa%2F2006%2F12%2F12%2FMNG8TMU1KQ1.DTL | archive-date=October 18, 2011 | url-status=live }}</ref> The company also responded to these criticisms in an online newsletter, stating, "There is no violence, only conflict," and, "The most successful way to fight, is through the means of spiritual warfare; PRAYER and WORSHIP. Soldiers and military weaponry are available, but once anyone plays the game, they’llthey'll see how difficult it is to succeed by using these less effective means of warfare."<ref>{{cite web |url =http://www.leftbehindgames.com/pages/newsletter/#_Toc156015125 |title =LB Games – Newsletter |access-date =October 27, 2007 |archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20071011071023/http://leftbehindgames.com/pages/newsletter/#_Toc156015125 |archive-date =October 11, 2007 |url-status =dead }}</ref>

''People Get Ready: A Musical Collection Inspired by The Left Behind Series'' (1998) is "a musical collection inspired by the Left Behind series."{{Quote without source|date=August 2024}}

* ''[[The Late, Great Planet Earth]]''

*Frykholm, Amy Johnson. ''Rapture Culture: Left Behind in Evangelical America''. Oxford University Press, 2004. {{ISBN|0-19-515983-7}}

*{{ cite journal | author = Monahan, Torin. | year = 2008 | title = Marketing the Beast: Left Behind and the Apocalypse Industry | journal = Media, Culture & Society | volume = 30 | issue = 6 | pages = 813–830 | url = http://publicsurveillance.com/papers/MOB.pdf | doi = 10.1177/0163443708096095 | citeseerx = 10.1.1.691.2622 | s2cid = 143404910 | access-date = January 28, 2015 | archive-date = August 1, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190801092713/http://publicsurveillance.com/papers/MOB.pdf | url-status = live }}

* [http://www.leftbehind.com Official website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151201075459/http://www.leftbehind.com/ |date=December 1, 2015 }}

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050323074155/http://www.oneplace.com/special/left_behind/ Archive of Left Behind radio shows] in [[RealAudio]]

* [https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20080102094803/https://www.wels.net/cgi-bin/site.pl?1518&cuTopic_topicID=77&cuItem_itemID=10496 WELS Topical Q&A: Left Behind Series] (a [[Confessional Lutheran]] perspective)

* [http://www.patheos.com/blogs/slacktivist/2015/11/05/left-behind-index-the-whole-thing/ Slacktivist blog] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210531160604/https://www.patheos.com/blogs/slacktivist/2015/11/05/left-behind-index-the-whole-thing/ |date=May 31, 2021 }} analysis and critique of ''Left Behind''

[[Category:RaptureLGBTQ-related controversies in literature]]

[[Category:ControversiesReligious incontroversies Christianin literature]]