More about The End
Readers lap up questionable End Times theology
If you like books with a shallow, spoon-fed plot and paper-thin, one-dimensional characters (the psychopathic Muslim hitman, the powerful and deceptive feminist, the heroic, ex-Navy Seal patriot) designed to ramp up our collective anxiety about Iran, North Korea, the UN, ex-Communists and dangerous left-leaning politicians while championing violent American patriotic hubris, topped with a thin coating of narrow, politically-driven theology with about as much nutritional substance as a can of diet soda, this might just be the right book for you.
If Edge of Apocalypse were simply a silly book with silly characters, I wouldn't write a word about it: not every book needs to be "deep." But people take Tim LaHaye's books very seriously. And when a Christian book uses a questionable theology to champion a militaristic, nationalist agenda, I get mad.
LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins sold tens of millions of the Left Behind books, helping to persuade a new generation of well-meaning Christians to search for the signs of Jesus' imminent return, rather than trying to find everyday ways to love their neighbours as themselves. Now LaHaye is capitalizing on his established brand to push an overt, violent political agenda.
Regardless of your individual political affinity, it will always be impossible to fully reconcile allegiance to the Prince of Peace with the kind of national pride that requires us to kill our enemies. I'm no theologian, but it seems to me Jesus was pretty specific about loving our enemies, not hating them, and praying for those who persecute us, not blowing them up. If the good news of the gospel is about hope, healing, reconciliation, love and peace, you wouldn't know it from reading this book.
It is possible for Christian authors to write excellent literature that is theologically rich—Annie Dillard, Graham Greene, Marilynne Robinson, David James Duncan, Tim Winton and Flannery O'Connor all come to mind. All acknowledged literary greats, mind you, and not many writers can pull off the kinds of books they do. I don't expect Tim LaHaye to write great, timeless literature. But I do wish he'd put an end to this theologically dubious, paranoid, End Times drivel.
Dear Readers:
ChristianWeek relies on your generous support. please take a minute and donate to help give voice to stories that inform, encourage and inspire.
Donations of $20 or more will receive a charitable receipt.Thank you, from Christianweek.
About the author