User talk:Xuaner12 and Left Behind (novel): Difference between pages

Left Behind: A Novel of the Earth's Last Days
	Reissue of Left Behind using original artwork
Author	Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins
Country	United States
Language	English
Series	Left Behind (series)
Genre	Christian fiction
Publisher	Tyndale House Publishers
Publication date	31 December, 1995
Media type	Print (Hardcover, Paperback; also made into Graphic novel and audiobook)
Pages	320 pp (hardcover) and 468 pp (paperback)
ISBN	ISBN 0-8423-2911-0 (HC), ISBN 0-8423-4270-2 (PB) Parameter error in {{ISBNT}}: invalid character
Preceded by	The Rapture
Followed by	Tribulation Force

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Revision as of 15:49, 12 October 2008

Template:Otheruses2

Left Behind: A Novel of the Earth's Last Days is a best-selling novel by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins which starts the Left Behind series. It was narrative form to a specific eschatological reading of the Christian Bible, particularly the Book of Revelation. See dispensationalism and premillennialism.

Plot summary

Millions of people suddenly vanish and frantic "survivors" of the disappearances begin their search for their friends and families as well as answers to what's happened. Among them are pilot Rayford Steele, his daughter Chloe Steele, and pastor Bruce Barnes, who begin to discover that what has really happened is that the Rapture had occurred. Meanwhile, a young journalist, Cameron "Buck" Williams follows an unknown, but charming Romanian politician named Nicolae Carpathia, who quickly attracts millions of followers, seemingly overnight.

Characters

Rayford Steele - 747 captain for Pan-Continental in his mid-forties. He is member, but non-attender at New Hope Village Church; Mount Prospect.
Chloe Steele, Rayford's daughter who is a student at Stanford University in her mid-twenties and skeptical of Christianity. She lost her mother and brother in the Rapture. Chloe resides in California.
Cameron "Buck" Williams - journalist and senior writer for Global Weekly from New York who authors the Newsmaker of the Year story on Chaim Rosenzweig.
Bruce Barnes - assistant pastor at New Hope Village Church in his mid-forties who must lead new congregation
Joshua Todd-Cothran - international financier, head of London Stock Exchange
Jonathan Stonagal - international financier and wealthiest man in history
Ken Ritz - charter pilot
Chaim Rosenzweig - Israeli botanist and statesman who discovers of a formula that makes Israeli deserts bloom; former Global Weekly Man of the Year.
Steve Plank - publisher of the Global Weekly; old school journalist; Cameron's boss.
Hattie Durham - flight attendant in her late twenties, works with Rayford at Pan-Continental.
Nicolae Jetty Carpathia - president of Romania in his mid-thirties who was invited to speak at the United Nations.
Stanton Bailey - publisher of Global Weekly.

Major themes

Christian prophetic themes are explored in a fictional context around the theme of the "Rapture", an interpretation of the First Epistle to the Thessalonians. Amongst those Christians who believe there will be a Rapture, there are three main theories on the timing of this event: Pre-Tribulation, Mid-Tribulation, and Post-Tribulation. This book takes the Pre-Tribulation Rapture position. The story is built around such End times themes as the Second Coming, the Antichrist, the Tribulation, and the expected coming Millennium of Messiah.

Reception

This novel has received different reactions; however, the American Evangelical Christian community in general has approved the idea of representing in a worldly language the end times theology. Jerry Falwell said: "In terms of its impact on Christianity, it's probably greater than that of any other book in modern times, outside the Bible."^[1]

There have been several good reviews from various media. The New York Times stated that it "...combines Tom Clancy like suspense with touches of romance, high tech flash and Biblical references". ^[2] The Chicago Tribune called it "...an exciting, stay-up-late-into-the-night, page turner story". Publishers Weekly recognized Left Behind as "...the most successful Christian Fiction series ever."

Controversies and criticisms

Some evangelicals^[who?] are seriously concerned about the message of the genre. Their objections are based on the paucity of scriptural evidence for the Pre-Tribulation Rapture which forms the basis for the story. The supposition is that the Christian Church will not be present for the "final witness" nor need to prepare themselves in the faith for that possibility. It forms a growing basis for discussion among evangelicals who hold to a Post Tribulation Rapture, amillennialism, or forms of preterism.

Other evangelicals object to the message of Left Behind because they say it is not a Christian message, though framed as a Christian series. Loren L. Johns, the Academic Dean of the Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary, writes: "At the end of the day, this series is ultimately a rejection of the good news of Jesus Christ. I say this because it rejects the way of the cross and Jesus’ call to obedient discipleship and a new way of life. It celebrates the human will to power, putting Evangelical Christians in the heroic role of God’s Green Berets. ... Love of enemies is treated as a misguided strategy associated not with the gospel, but with the Antichrist."^[3]

The Commission on Theology and Church Relations of the Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod) reported that "the ideas expressed in the Left Behind series are in many ways contrary to the teaching of holy scripture. Though containing a fictional story line, the books promote a theology that is, in important respects, at odds with the biblical revelation."^[4]

Film adaptation

This book has been adapted into a feature film, Left Behind: The Movie, first released on video and DVD, and then to cinemas where it fared poorly.^[5] In the movie Cameron "Buck" Williams was played by former Growing Pains star Kirk Cameron who said he finds the series inspiring; he is a practicing evangelist and co-host with Ray Comfort on the TV show The Way of the Master.

So far there have been two sequels released straight to video. The first was named "Left Behind II: Tribulation Force". The most recent one, Left Behind: World at War, premiered in thousands of churches before its video and DVD release. In 2006, a fourth installment was announced by Cloud Ten Pictures and may resume development / production since there has been a July 16, 2008 settlement of a lawsuit over rights involving the first three films. The fourth film has now been scrapped by Cloud Ten.

On August 2008, a website revealed that LaHaye plans to remake the series and possibly turn all twelve (or sixteen) novels into feature film adaptaions.[1]

Release details

1995, USA, Tyndale House ISBN 0-8423-2911-0, Pub. date 31 December 1995, Hardback
1995, USA, Tyndale House ISBN 0-8423-1675-2, Pub. date ? December 1995, Audio Cassette
1999, USA, Tyndale House ISBN 0-8423-2912-9, Pub. date ? February 1999, Paperback
2000, USA, Chivers, Windsor, Paragon & Co ISBN 0-7862-2468-1, Pub. date ? September 2000, Large Print
2000, UK, Tyndale House ISBN 0-8423-4270-2, Pub. date 30 September

References

External links

Official website
Left Behind deconstructed Journalist and blogger Fred Clark's comprehensive analysis of the entire first book in the Left Behind series.
Statement of Catholic Conference of Illinois
Dr. Stephen Travis, Has real hope been 'Left Behind'? Methodist Evangelicals Together, Jan., 2005
Nicholas Kristof's critical op-ed in the New York Times, July 17, 2004
Teresa Malcolm, Fearful faith in end times novels National Catholic Reporter, June 15, 2001
Barbara Rossing interview ELCA Lutheran Professor Lecture

[1] Time magazine. Accessed 2007-9-8

[2] Fast-Selling Thrillers Depict Prophetic View of Final Days - New York Times

[Loren-3] The Left Behind Series: Description and Critique

[Lutheran-4] LeftBehind.pdf: A Lutheran response to the Left Behind series

[Imdb-5] Imdb.com: Left Behind (2004) - Box Office/Business

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Otheruses2|Left Behind}}
+{{infobox Book | <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Novels or Wikipedia:WikiProject_Books -->
+| name         = Left Behind: A Novel of the Earth's Last Days
+| image        = [[Image:Left Behind.jpg|200px|Left Behind cover]]
+| image_caption= Reissue of ''Left Behind'' using original artwork
+| author       = [[Tim LaHaye]] and [[Jerry B. Jenkins]]
+| cover_artist =
+| country      = [[United States]]
+| language     = [[English language|English]]
+| series       = [[Left Behind (series)]]
+| genre        = [[Christian fiction]]
+| publisher    = [[Tyndale House Publishers]]
+| release_date = [[31 December]], [[1995]]
+| media_type   = Print ([[Hardcover]], [[Paperback]]; also made into [[Graphic novel]] and [[audiobook]])
+| pages        = 320 pp (hardcover) and 468&nbsp;pp (paperback)
+| isbn         = ISBN 0-8423-2911-0 (HC), ISBN 0-8423-4270-2 (PB)
+| preceded_by  = [[The Rapture (Left Behind)|The Rapture]]
+| followed_by  = [[Tribulation Force]]
+}}
+'''''Left Behind: A Novel of the Earth's Last Days''''' is a best-selling novel by [[Tim LaHaye]] and [[Jerry B. Jenkins]] which starts the [[Left Behind (series)|''Left Behind'' series]]. It was  narrative form to a specific [[Eschatology|eschatological]] reading of the Christian [[Bible]], particularly the [[Book of Revelation]].  See [[dispensationalism]] and [[premillennialism]].
+== Plot summary ==
+Millions of people suddenly vanish and frantic "survivors" of the disappearances begin their search for their friends and families as well as answers to what's happened.  Among them are pilot [[Rayford Steele]], his daughter [[Chloe Steele]], and [[pastor]] [[Bruce Barnes (Left Behind)|Bruce Barnes]], who begin to discover that what has really happened is that the [[Rapture]] had occurred. Meanwhile, a young journalist, [[Cameron "Buck" Williams]] follows an unknown, but charming [[Romania]]n [[politician]] named [[Nicolae Carpathia]], who quickly attracts millions of followers, seemingly overnight.
+== Characters ==
-==Speedy deletion of [[:Mildred xaysanasy]]==
-[[Image:Ambox warning_pn.svg|48px|left]] A tag has been placed on [[:Mildred xaysanasy]] requesting that it be speedily deleted from Wikipedia. This has been done under [[WP:CSD#A7|section A7 of the criteria for speedy deletion]], because the article appears to be about a person or group of people, but it does not indicate how or why the subject is notable: that is, why an article about that subject should be included in an encyclopedia. Under the [[WP:CSD#Articles|criteria for speedy deletion]], articles that do not indicate the subject's importance or significance may be deleted at any time. Please [[Wikipedia:Notability|see the guidelines for what is generally accepted as notable]], as well as our subject-specific [[Wikipedia:Notability (people)|notability guideline for biographies]].
+* [[Rayford Steele]] - 747 captain for Pan-Continental in his mid-forties. He is member, but non-attender at New Hope Village Church; Mount Prospect.
-If you think that this notice was placed here in error, you may contest the deletion by adding <code>{{tl|hangon}}</code> to '''the top of [[:Mildred xaysanasy|the page that has been nominated for deletion]]''' (just below the existing speedy deletion or "db" tag), coupled with adding a note on '''[[ Talk:Mildred xaysanasy|the talk page]]''' explaining your position, but be aware that once tagged for ''speedy'' deletion, if the article meets the criterion it may be deleted without delay. Please do not remove the speedy deletion tag yourself, but don't hesitate to add information to the article that would would render it more in conformance with Wikipedia's policies and guidelines. Lastly, please note that if the article does get deleted, you can contact [[:Category:Wikipedia administrators who will provide copies of deleted articles|one of these admins]] to request that a copy be emailed to you. <!-- Template:Db-bio-notice --> <!-- Template:Db-csd-notice-custom --> [[User:Vianello|Vianello]] ([[User talk:Vianello|talk]]) 04:10, 12 October 2008 (UTC)
+* [[Chloe Steele]], Rayford's daughter who is a student at [[Stanford University]] in her mid-twenties and skeptical of Christianity. She lost her mother and brother in the Rapture. Chloe resides in [[California]].
+* [[Cameron "Buck" Williams]] - journalist and senior writer for Global Weekly from [[New York]] who authors the Newsmaker of the Year story on Chaim Rosenzweig.
+* [[Bruce Barnes]] - assistant pastor at New Hope Village Church in his mid-forties who must lead new congregation
+* [[Joshua Todd-Cothran]] - international [[financier]], head of [[London Stock Exchange]]
+* [[Jonathan Stonagal]] - international financier and wealthiest man in history
+* [[Ken Ritz]] - charter pilot
+* [[Chaim Rosenzweig]] - [[Israel]]i botanist and statesman who discovers of a formula that makes Israeli deserts bloom; former Global Weekly Man of the Year.
+* [[Steve Plank]] - publisher of the Global Weekly; old school journalist; Cameron's boss.
+* [[Hattie Durham]] - [[flight attendant]] in her late twenties, works with Rayford at Pan-Continental.
+* [[Nicolae Jetty Carpathia]] - president of [[Romania]] in his mid-thirties who was invited to speak at the [[United Nations]].
+* [[Stanton Bailey]] - publisher of ''Global Weekly''.
+== Major themes ==
-==Speedy deletion of [[:Mildred xaysanasy]]==
+{{Original research|date=March 2008}}
-[[Image:Ambox warning_pn.svg|48px|left]] A tag has been placed on [[:Mildred xaysanasy]], requesting that it be speedily deleted from Wikipedia. This has been done under [[WP:CSD#G1|section G1 of the criteria for speedy deletion]], because the page appears to have no meaningful content or history, and the text is unsalvageably incoherent. If the page you created was a test, please use the [[Wikipedia:Sandbox|sandbox]] for any other experiments you would like to do. Feel free to leave a message on my talk page if you have any questions about this.
+Christian prophetic themes are explored in a fictional context around the theme of the "[[Rapture]]", an interpretation of the [[First Epistle to the Thessalonians]].  Amongst those Christians who believe there will be a Rapture, there are three main theories on the timing of this event:  Pre-Tribulation, Mid-Tribulation, and Post-Tribulation.  This book takes the Pre-Tribulation Rapture position.  The story is built around such [[End times]] themes as the [[Second Coming]], the [[Antichrist]], the [[Tribulation]], and the expected coming [[Millennium]] of [[Messiah]].
+== Reception ==
-If you think that this notice was placed here in error, you may contest the deletion by adding <code>{{tl|hangon}}</code> to '''the top of [[:Mildred xaysanasy|the page that has been nominated for deletion]]''' (just below the existing speedy deletion or "db" tag), coupled with adding a note on '''[[ Talk:Mildred xaysanasy|the talk page]]''' explaining your position, but be aware that once tagged for ''speedy'' deletion, if the article meets the criterion it may be deleted without delay. Please do not remove the speedy deletion tag yourself, but don't hesitate to add information to the article that would would render it more in conformance with Wikipedia's policies and guidelines. Lastly, please note that if the article does get deleted, you can contact [[:Category:Wikipedia administrators who will provide copies of deleted articles|one of these admins]] to request that a copy be emailed to you. <!-- Template:Db-nonsense-notice --> <!-- Template:Db-csd-notice-custom --> [[User:Clubmarx|Clubmarx]] ([[User talk:Clubmarx|talk]]) 04:25, 12 October 2008 (UTC)
+This novel has received different reactions; however, the American Evangelical Christian community in general has approved the idea of representing in a worldly language the end times theology.  [[Jerry Falwell]] said: "In terms of its impact on Christianity, it's probably greater than that of any other book in modern times, outside the Bible."<ref>[http://www.time.com/time/covers/1101050207/photoessay/15.html Time magazine. Accessed 2007-9-8]</ref>
+There have been several good reviews from various media. [[The New York Times]] stated that it "...combines Tom Clancy like suspense with touches of romance, high tech flash and Biblical references". <ref>[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D05E4DE1138F937A35753C1A96E958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=1 Fast-Selling Thrillers Depict Prophetic View of Final Days - New York Times<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The [[Chicago Tribune]] called it "...an exciting, stay-up-late-into-the-night, page turner story". [[Publishers Weekly]] recognized Left Behind as "...the most successful Christian Fiction series ever."
-== October 2008 ==
-[[Image:Information.svg|25px]] [[Wikipedia:Introduction|Welcome]] to Wikipedia. It might not have been your intention, but you removed a [[Wikipedia:Speedy deletions|speedy deletion]] tag from {{#if:Mildred xaysanasy | [[:Mildred xaysanasy]],}} a page you have created yourself.  If you do not believe the page should be deleted, you can place a {{[[Template:hangon|hangon]]}} tag on the page, under the existing speedy deletion tag (please do not remove the speedy deletion tag), and make your case on the page's {{#if:Mildred xaysanasy|[[Talk:Mildred xaysanasy|talk page]]|talk page}}. Administrators will look at your reasoning before deciding what to do with the page. {{#if:|{{{2}}}|Thank you.}}<!-- Template:uw-speedy1 --> [[User:Vianello|Vianello]] ([[User talk:Vianello|talk]]) 04:34, 12 October 2008 (UTC)
+== Controversies and criticisms ==
+Some evangelicals{{who}} are seriously concerned about the message of the genre. Their objections are based on the paucity of scriptural evidence for the Pre-Tribulation Rapture which forms the basis for the story. The supposition is that the Christian Church will not be present for the "final witness" nor need to prepare themselves in the faith for that possibility. It forms a growing basis for discussion among evangelicals who hold to a [[Post Tribulation Rapture]], [[amillennialism]], or forms of [[preterism]].
+Other evangelicals object to the message of ''Left Behind'' because they say it is not a Christian message, though framed as a Christian series. [[Loren L. Johns]], the Academic Dean of the [[Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary]], writes: "At the end of the day, this series is ultimately a rejection of the good news of Jesus Christ. I say this because it rejects the way of the cross and Jesus’ call to obedient discipleship and a new way of life. It celebrates the human will to power, putting Evangelical Christians in the heroic role of God’s Green Berets. ... Love of enemies is treated as a misguided strategy associated not with the gospel, but with the Antichrist."<ref name="Loren">[http://www.ambs.edu/LJohns/Leftbehind.htm The Left Behind Series: Description and Critique]</ref>
+The Commission on Theology and Church Relations of the [[Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod|Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod)]] reported that "the ideas expressed in the Left Behind series are in many ways contrary to the teaching of holy scripture. Though containing a fictional story line, the books promote a [[theology]] that is, in important respects, at odds with the biblical revelation."<ref name="Lutheran">[http://www.lcms.org/graphics/assets/media/CTCR/LeftBehind.pdf LeftBehind.pdf: A Lutheran response to the Left Behind series]</ref>
+==Film adaptation==
+This book has been adapted into a feature film, ''[[Left Behind: The Movie]]'', first released on video and DVD, and then to cinemas where it fared poorly.<ref name="Imdb">[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0190524/business Imdb.com: Left Behind (2004) - Box Office/Business]</ref> In the movie [[Cameron "Buck" Williams]] was played by former ''[[Growing Pains]]'' star [[Kirk Cameron]] who said he finds the series inspiring; he is a practicing evangelist and co-host with [[Ray Comfort]] on the TV show ''[[The Way of the Master]]''.
+So far there have been two sequels released straight to video. The first was named "[[Left Behind II: Tribulation Force]]".  The most recent one, ''[[Left Behind: World at War]]'', premiered in thousands of churches before its video and DVD release.  In 2006, a fourth installment was announced by Cloud Ten Pictures and may resume development / production since there has been a July 16, 2008 settlement of a lawsuit over rights involving the first three films. The fourth film has now been scrapped by Cloud Ten.
+On August 2008, a website revealed that LaHaye plans to remake the series and possibly turn all twelve (or sixteen) novels into feature film adaptaions.[http://www.christiancinema.com/catalog/newsdesk_info.php?newsdesk_id=727]
+== Release details ==
+* 1995, USA, Tyndale House ISBN 0-8423-2911-0, Pub. date 31 December 1995, Hardback
+* 1995, USA, Tyndale House ISBN 0-8423-1675-2, Pub. date ? December 1995, Audio Cassette
+* 1999, USA, Tyndale House ISBN 0-8423-2912-9, Pub. date ? February 1999, Paperback
+* 2000, USA, Chivers, Windsor, Paragon & Co ISBN 0-7862-2468-1, Pub. date ? September 2000, Large Print
+* 2000, UK, Tyndale House ISBN 0-8423-4270-2, Pub. date 30 September
+== See also ==
+* [[Tyndale House]]
+==Further reading==
+*Forbes, Bruce David and Jeanne Halgren Kilde (eds.), ''Rapture, Revelation, and the End Times: Exploring the Left Behind Series''. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2004. ISBN 1-4039-6525-0
+*Frykholm, Amy David. ''Rapture Culture: Left Behind in Evangelical America''. Oxford University Press, 2004.  ISBN 0-19-515983-7
+*Reed, David A., ''LEFT BEHIND Answered Verse by Verse''. Morrisville, NC: Lulu.com, 2008. ISBN 1-4357-0873-3
+*Rossing, Barbara R., ''The Rapture Exposed: The Message of Hope in the Book of Revelation'', New York: Basic Books, 2004. ISBN 0-8133-4314-3
+*Shuck, Glenn W., ''Marks Of The Beast: The Left Behind Novels And The Struggle For Evangelical Identity''. New York University Press, 2004. ISBN 0-8147-4005-7
+*Gribben, Crawford, ''Rapture Fiction and the Evangelical Crisis''. Evangelical Press, 2006. ISBN 0-85234-610-7.
+*Snow Flesher, LeAnn, "Left Behind? The Facts Behind the Fiction". Valley Forge, Judson Press, 2006. ISBN 0-8170-1490-X
+*Gansle, Daniel J., "Rapture Redux: Living With Hope and Purpose in the Last Days." Infinity Publishing, 2007. ISBN 0741440520
+*Gansle, Daniel J., "Your World, Your Future, & Bible Prophecy: How the Merging of Technology, Spirituality, & Bible Prophecy Will Rock Your World." Infinity Publishing, 2007. ISBN 0741443287
+== References ==
+<!--See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Footnotes for an explanation of how to generate footnotes using the <ref(erences/)> tags-->
+<div class="references-small" style="-moz-column-count:2; column-count:2;">
+{{reflist}}
+</div>
+==External links==
+*[http://www.leftbehind.com Official website]
+*[http://slacktivist.typepad.com/slacktivist/left_behind/index.html ''Left Behind'' deconstructed] Journalist and blogger Fred Clark's comprehensive analysis of the entire first book in the ''Left Behind'' series.
+*[http://www.catholicconferenceofillinois.org/bins/site/wrappers/default.asp?pane_2=cci-pages-tyndale Statement of Catholic Conference of Illinois]
+*[http://www.met-uk.org/met/article.php?cat=general&id=166&PHPSESSID=8ad757ca16cf2787c16b37cc03b3b1ce Dr. Stephen Travis, Has real hope been 'Left Behind'? Methodist Evangelicals Together, Jan., 2005]
+*[http://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/17/opinion/17KRIS.html?ex=1247803200&en=b9eee1a2743a902b&ei=5090 Nicholas Kristof's critical op-ed] in the ''New York Times'', July 17, 2004
+*[http://www.natcath.com/NCR_Online/archives/061501/061501a.htm Teresa Malcolm, Fearful faith in end times novels] ''National Catholic Reporter'', June 15, 2001
+*[http://www.trinitywallstreet.org/onlinetv/?portal&video=432 Barbara Rossing interview] ELCA Lutheran Professor Lecture
+{{Left Behind}}
+{{Left Behind Characters}}
+{{portal|Christianity}}
+[[Category:Left Behind series]]
+[[Category:1995 novels]]
+[[Category:Post-apocalyptic novels]]
+[[Category:Christian popular culture]]
+[[da:Left Behind]]
+[[de:Left Behind]]
+[[fr:Left Behind]]
+[[nn:Left Behind]]
+[[pl:Dzień zagłady (książka)]]
+[[pt:Left Behind]]
+[[zh:末日迷蹤]]