Left Behind question

I thoroughly enjoyed this series, although it is some years since I read it, but I've often recommended to friends, both Christian and non-Christian. Highly compelling read and well worth it, a page turner from the start to the end of the last book!

Loved the series. Started reading it as an unbeliever for entertainment. Read the whole series and later in life became a Christian. I look back on these books as planting a seed in me. Thank you Jerry and Tim up I. Heaven reaping his rewards

I enjoyed the series, I read all twelve books. Interesting characters and story lines kept me reading them all.

I have read all but the last one. Some are better written than others but the authors have dragged on the storyline too long.

I am a Christian & I thought the writing was very elementary. It is a good entertaining story though. So if you have the time, enjoy the series. But it is very repetitive, & spends many chapters going over information that should have been left out. I feel like this 16 book series could have been effectively told in about 4-5.

When a student is told to write a 5 page essay, & can only come up with 3, so they add anything they can come with to lengthen their paper, not to increase quality... That's how I feel the authors wrote this series.

As a Christian I liked the book series because it helped me to understand the book of Revelation better. I know that a lot of what is in the book series is not in the book of Revelation (the book of Revelation is not written with all of the details of the second coming because God knows that if us humans really knew the full picture of how the second coming is going to be, we could not wrap our heads around it. God is just giving us a taste of what the second coming will be like) but what Tim Lahaye and Jerry B. Jenkins believe it will be like makes for an interesting story. If I were not a Christian, I would still enjoy this book because certain parts of the story caught my attention to the point that it made it so I did not want to put the book down.

if you can get past all the preaching in this book it really is a great story. I got tired of reading Apollonian but will finish it as I desire to know what happens to Rayford, Buck and Chloe along with the other tribulation force members. I am hopeful the anti-christ will win the fight but as a christian book I think Jesus will ultimately win the war. I am not a christian but this series is over all a very good series to read. I give the series as a whole about 3.5 to 4 stars.

I agree with Alan but I do not think the writing is very good. I was overjoyed to get to the last book...I knew how it would turn out having already read the "spoiler." The reason I was happy was that I didn't have to read anymore of it. Finished TaaaDaaah!
I would be amazed, as Alan says, if ANY non-believer liked the series at all; it would be like reading a history of the Yankees...if you were a sox fan.

Bree wrote: "I'm trying to decide if i should read the Left Behind series. But all of the reviews I'm seeing are really negative. I'm also noticing that the people writing those reviews are not Chrisitans. (Wh..."

I LOVED the series and I am an agnostic who came out of evangelical fundamentalism. I find the ever changing ideas of eschatology and apocalypticism amazing and this series provides the most up to date versions of those ideas. Any person who studies apocalyptic writings of both the past and present will need to have this series in their library in some format. They even have a series of apocalyptic literature for kids called "Left Behind: The Kids"

I have read the entire series. I liked them for the most part. What I did not like was that there were characters who I thought were not important, but had chapters dedicated to them only to find that the character is not a part of the next book. Also, I think that there were things that didn't need to be included.

I think that was LaHaye's and Jenkins' stated goal. I read the series with a lot less enjoyment perhaps but for the same reason

I really enjoyed the books I have read so far. I think that the book follows pretty close to the Bible. But of course it is a fiction book and the had to make up some things. So the end of the world is going to happen differently. I can not wait to read the other books in the series. :)

I read a few books from the Series the were eye openers!

I am a Christian and a pastor's wife. We own the entire series and I LOVED all except the last one. As someone said earlier on, you have to understand that it is a FICTIONAL account of what MIGHT happen in end times. Having said that it is well researched. Many times I thought, 'No, that's way out,' and then checked the Scriptures and there it was. The reason I didn't enjoy the last one is because it is SO imaginative it's virtually Sci-fi - and of course it had to be as there is little in Scripture about that period which we can understand. So go ahead and read it and enjoy it. But remember, it's not the Gospel! It's fiction.

I think its a ney..may not be exactly as it is going to happen but it does enlighten us a bit about how it might be or close to it. I loved these books I just didnt get to finish reading them all just yet.

Sure this is fictional, but one should not discount the theological prowess of the authors. They didn't write this book to be anything but factual about end times prophesy according to their Biblical scholarliness. The added identifiable characters conform to the Western style of literary format and increase the readership. I find it very similar to my eschatology as a Premillenial Dispensationalist and unhesitantly recommend it.

I am,and have been, a devout Christian for 5o+ years. If you want to spend time reading about being "left behind", read Matthew 25 instead of these insipid books. Jesus pretty well says all we need to know about the "last days", and with much more dignity. I TRIED to read these when they came out and was very UNDER whelmed by every aspect of them. However, I do know people who came to a faith in God because of them, so I guess it depends on what you need to know. People need to be VERY cafeful about a faith based on fictional books. And I might add, the authors made trmendous cash on the whole franchise, I wonder if that's what Jesus would do to proclaim the faith?

I love them all! There were a few that I would not read before bedtime because I have a very overactive imagination and well I can scare myself without even trying. If you really want twists and turns I would also suggest another great set by one of the authors Tim LaHaye called Babylon rising seires it like and indiana Jones meet the bible world it really good

I am currently on the third book and have totally enjoyed what i have read so far. Being a Christian this really gives me an insight on what it might be like for those Left Behind.

Bree wrote: "I'm trying to decide if i should read the Left Behind series. But all of the reviews I'm seeing are really negative. I'm also noticing that the people writing those reviews are not Chrisitans. (Wh..."

I realize it's been a while since you posed your question, but I'll answer it nonetheless.

I am not a Christian, but I read nearly the whole series just to find out what the attraction was. I found the writing thin, the characterizations cardboard--even among the "good guys"--and the plotting padded out, as if the writers were simply trying to sell more books.

IMHO, if one has a prior emotional investment in the theology, one could find them satisfying, but lacking that, I found the books about as satisfying as chewing on Styrofoam. Indeed, there were parts that I found offensive and puerile.

I would recommend avoiding them, but if you are curious, borrow one from the library. Don't spend any money on it.

Just my humble opinion and all--

I see the Atheists have spammed these pages so as to make any legitimate use of the reviews meaningless. We don't spam your non-belief issues why would you come on here and attack us? For one and a half percent of the population, you are extremely loud and vulgar.

I loved the series. I am a Christian. I read the entire series as soon as each book came out. Yes, toward the end the books dragged on a bit, but overall I loved it.

If you want the real skinny on Left Behind theology, Google "Professor William L. Craig Leaves Tim LaHaye Behind," "The Left Behind Rupture," "Pretrib Rapture Stealth," "The Male-Dominated Pretrib Rapture," "Letter from Mrs. Billy Graham," "Pretrib Rapture Hypocrisy," and "Pretrib Rapture Dishonesty."

I've read the whole series and loved it. I recommend it to anyone.

I say nay, I do like story's set during the Christian end times, I even use some of it in my own work. But I felt this book was trying to convert me. As agnostic I have no problem with religion, but this book was written by people who see you as damned to hell if your not following there faith, i gave up about halfway through.

Bree wrote: "I'm trying to decide if i should read the Left Behind series. But all of the reviews I'm seeing are really negative. I'm also noticing that the people writing those reviews are not Chrisitans. (Whi..."

I am agnostic myself, and I love horror. So when I write my own horror stories I do use the Christianity as some of the frame work, after all I grew up hearing the stories, and I don't think you have to be a true believer to enjoy them for what they are. But I found the book to be more interested in sending a message then telling a story

Not written well. No character development.

I honestly never got through the whole series, there were just too many books to keep my interest. However, the first book was exciting, both because I am a Christian and because it's a good story. I did, however, get all the way through all the books by Frank Peretti. I highly recommend "This Present Darkness" and 'Piercing the Darkness." Now those are page-turners!

I love this series! So many Christian-fiction books are poorly written and boring but I am currently reading book 10 and it has held my attention.

Great story. Bad writing.

I loved them.
I read them years ago, but am re-reading them,
with my 15 year old grandson.

What is amazing is how certain aspects of the books, make you wonder if they were written a few months ago.
( some tech things are a wee bit outdated) ,

but there are things going on in society,
the news media,
the politics etc.
that sounds like today's news!

Obviously as Christian fiction, there is scripture
As a Christian, I ONLY read Christian fiction..
.in part to avoid things like sexual explicit scenes, swearing etc.

But also, I read it for scripture

( for a deeper understanding,
to see its application,
and even,
for the often criticized and dreaded
'Sermons and prayers!)

Why wouldn't I want that in Christian fiction?
If i found it offensive, then I would read only secular fiction.

I would recommend this series.
yes, they are very up to date, books about the rapture, end times,
the anti-Christ etc.

But this is a classic,
and in a way,
it shows how the Bible (written so long ago),
is pertinent to this very day we live in.

Reread them all after many years. I'm currently on book 12.

I loved the story and was not a Christian when I read it, but have since become one. I read much of the series but never finished it. Might be time to pick it up again.

Bree wrote: "I'm trying to decide if i should read the Left Behind series. But all of the reviews I'm seeing are really negative. I'm also noticing that the people writing those reviews are not Chrisitans. (Whi..."

As a Christian, they're good books I guess? Not my favorite.

They're 90% theory to be honest but a lot of people accept them as solid truth. I also dislike the author's writing style as personally it wasn't very fun to read. One chapter's worth of information would drag on for an entire book.

Bree wrote: "I'm trying to decide if i should read the Left Behind series. But all of the reviews I'm seeing are really negative. I'm also noticing that the people writing those reviews are not Chrisitans. (Whi..."

I have not read the series Left Behind, but I have read some of Joel Rosenberg's suspense thriller books on the US, Israel, Iran, Iraq, Syria and Christian vs Islam, basically leading up to potential Armageddon and his are much more realistic according to other readers' comparisons. By way of associations with some leaders both in gov't and churches, he has insight into actual current foreign policy thinking of US, Israel and some other countries in the Middle East. He is a Jewish man who is Christian. I am an atheist and were it not for his over the top proselytizing and the occasional miracle and a few weak endings, I find him a very good story teller. I've only read a few, though, so read some reviews. I particularly liked The Last Jihad.

I read first three books when I was 20 years old and not a Christian. I considered them a compelling read for the thriller mystery story and I l thought they made a very good villain. I will try to continue from book 4 and see what I think of them now.

As for the people bashing them, I am really curious to find out if the books are really offensively pandering or if that is just due to the fact it is really modern to bash Christian propaganda (don't mind me, I always had a problem with Christian history and all the horrible stuff they/we did, but I was never willing to be carried away by current tides).

There are too many books in the series, but most of them are really good. I think it stuck close to Biblical prophecy, and didn't try to interpret them. If you want the real story, read Revelation. And I disagree I think Jerry B. Jenkins is a fine writer. "Though None Go With Me", by him is one of my favorite books.

I enjoyed the series. It is important to go into it knowing that it is fiction, and just because the end is written this way, it doesn't mean it is truly the way things are going to happen. I read the whole series and with the exception of the last two books, I couldn't put them down. I think you should try it. It has great suspense and deep characters. The evil of the antichrist gave me chills.

Yay. As of 2017 I have finished the main series and thought though not every book was without flaws, the series was great to read overall. I am a Christian but I feel that Lahaye has a skill in providing a point of view for the characters within it. The now late writer left us guessing what would happen and left us in suspense (I was at times left on the edge about some characters' fates, wondering and hoping characters in risk of losing their lives and don't know God do not die). It did keep me in suspense and though some in series were not so great (I have found one or two in this particular series inconsistent, Apollyon is kind of a disaster, and near the end he wedges events in including another major event that had already happened books prior to the end of the book called Nicolae) I enjoyed them. I have to take a break between them though.

I think that it matters in perspective how one should take the series. If you are into it just for the apocalyptic aspect or you like something based on the bible you will may like it (though not every Christian is pretrib and might refuse to be open-minded to a story that is not their belief), but if you go at it not a fan at all of the themes or thinking this is trash before you give it a slight chance it will not be one you will enjoy.

However also there are non-believers that have enjoyed the books too. So that's another turn out with these books!

Thanks for your input everyone! It's super helpful. Think I'm going to give it a shot.

I am a Christian and I did enjoy the series (I'm almost done). However as a reader I don't think they were the best books I've ever read and some of them moved very slowly at times. I also, as a woman, did not like how the female characters were written (impulsive, emotional, weak minded). Overall though I would say that it is a good series and if you are a Christian you will get an amazing perspective on how mighty and awesome God truly is.

I've read a lot of christian fiction. Some I have loved, some I couldn't stand to finish, and plenty of in-betweens. This series was one that I loved. Hope you enjoy them too!

Bree, IMHO, the reason that so many reviews are negative is because it's about the End Times - a time of suffering and pain and loss. I know when I first started reading the series I wasn't of the most positive mind-set. That may be what it is.

I thought it might be because it's a load of tripe that has very little to do with mainstream Christianity.

I've only read the first book of this series. As a thriller it was pretty good, but I don't believe in the theological foundation of the story since I am a Lutheran Christian. I believe that Jesus will come again at the end of the age to judge the living and the dead. I don't believe in a rapture to precede that event.

My son started reading the series when it first came out. I was not sure I would like it but decided to give it a try. Well, I really got into it and could not put it down. I ended up buying the whole series to have to re-read. It is a very good series, full of Biblical prophesy of end times, which may be why some do not like it.
Blessings, Tina

I am a Christian & I Read the Series years ago When the Series first Came out.Once I started reading the series I didn't want to put it down & couldn't wait for the next book to come out.
Some May not have liked it because it is fully of Biblical Prophesy & Truth which scares some people.

I enjoyed the first two, but after that, they spent so much time re-capping, that I got frustrated. I am a fan of apocalyptic fiction and like to imagine different scenarios. This was a fun one.

I loved it! I started reading it about 10 years ago and it really gives a clear picture of what it would be like when the rapture happens. It also lines up with the bible according to what would happen during the tribulation period. I highly recommend it and it keeps you wanting more from book to book. Also you don't have the wait because the full series is already written.

I am a strong chirsitan, and i love this eries. I love how the aouther desribes the events in Revelation! a really great read