Product Description The extraordinary success of the Left Behind series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins shows that their action/adventure novels have tapped into the American psyche. It has revived our fascination with vivid images of the book of Revelation and other biblical texts: the Antichrist, the mysterious number 666, and people suddenly "raptured" into the sky by God. But is there something dangerous behind the thinking in these books and how they play out in our world today? In Left Behind or Left Befuddled, Gordon Isaac takes the reader inside the theology behind the series. In clear and accessible prose, Isaac answers many important questions that Christians have about the phenomenon that is Left Behind.
I AM NO LONGER BEFUDDLED!November 12, 2008 Gordon Isaac's book Left Behind or Left Befuddled delivers a cogent affront against the faulty hermeneutic of the Left Behind stance, reminding readers that Dispensationalism, from which stems the secret rapture doctrine, is not rooted in the historical and apostolic faith--Dispensationalism is a 19th century concoction! Isaac's monograph is not only salient critique, it is also a corrective. As an historian and theologian the author traces both the major historical events which have lead to the said hermeneutical misperception, and the major biblical texts which are said to support and substantiate the doctrine of the "secret rapture" and the "end-times calendar." The result of these moves are reconstructing an accurate vantage of God's plan and purpose for the Christian community and indeed the world; rather than waiting to fly away (rapture), the Christians are to engage in the work of the Kingdom of God, what aspects are in the here-and-now. Gordon Isaac does an effective job in recapturing the Christian imagination by bringing readers back to a Christocentric worldview with accurate historical interpretation and biblical theology as reliable modus.
Excellent AnalysisNovember 9, 2008 The book "Left Behind or Left Befuddled" by Dr. Gordon Isaac provides and unique and thorough analysis of the eschatological viewpoints made popular in the "Left Behind" Series. The analysis is one I found to be very thorough and well laid out. It is also worth noting that the book was written in such a style that made for a very easy read. I wholeheartedly recommend this book, giving it 5 stars!
Excellent advice and information!September 30, 2008 Gordon Isaac provides his readers with thoughtful insight and information concerning the eschatology that is behind Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins 12-volume book series. He shows why it is subtly dangerous without sounding alarmist. He avoids the condemnation that many critics of the Left Behind series have engaged in: he criticizes without the hostility. He provides alternative approaches to Bible passages like Jesus's Olivet Discourse (Matt.24, Mark 13, Luke 21) and the book of Revelation that are just as orthodox--that is, one can embrace them and still be a Christian. This book is very enlighting!
B. A. Rainey
Complete and Concise Critique of Left Behind SeriesSeptember 17, 2008 When one searches for "rapture," "apocalypse," or "end times" on this or other book sites, one is inundated with flashy and ominous titles and pictures of camels and helicopters. The hysteria and drama surrounding "charting" the Bible's prophetic passages and determining their modern meaning is apparent when one just glances at the search results. The frustrating part is the sheer volume of Dispensational work out there compared to the relatively limited work on other viewpoints, especially considering the fact that Dispensational theology is not in line with the historic interpretation, let alone conversation, of the church; a point Dr. Gordon Isaac points out in his well researched and written; Left Behind or Left Befuddled: The Subtle Dangers of Popularizing the End Times.
Dr. Isaac's obsession with history is apparent as he leads the reader through the development of Dispensational thought (chs. 1-2), focusing attention on the doctrines that set it (far) apart from orthodoxy such as the Secret Rapture of the Church (ch. 3) and the identity of Israel vs. the Church (ch. 4). He then guides the reader through implications, both negative and positive, of Dispensational and other forms of eschatological and apocalyptic thought (ch. 5). His final chapter encourages the reader to allow the Book of Revelation to capture her spiritual imagination for the purpose of instilling greater hope of final rest and redemption with Christ (ch. 6).
An important theme emerges in the book "...The Left Behind series, for all its talk about the literal interpretation of Scripture, is really not about the text at all. Certain Scripture passages become talking points for what really drives the system - the apocalyptic mindset... The millennial mindset becomes a platform from which everything else draws its meaning." (109-110) Dr. Isaac carefully and concisely dissects the commonly used "talking points" of Scripture to show that millennial hysteria does not emerge out of the text, but is applied to it.
Dr. Gordon Isaac has provided a well rounded critique of the Left Behind system of thought, which clearly seeks not to harm or insult LaHaye or others of that camp, but rather Dr. Isaac's intent is to release people from the yoke of confusing and pointless end-time speculation, freeing them to live in and for Christ right now.
the spiritual and social trap of apocalyptic beliefsAugust 21, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
A professor of Advent Christian Studies at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Massachusetts, Isaac critiques the Left Behind Series of novels which have attracted a large readership among evangelicals, fundamentalists, and other Christian groups. The twelve volumes of the series has sold over 65 million copies; and three movies based on the books have been made. It is the apocalyptic themes, tensions, and pictures drawn largely from the Book of Revelation which draw the Christian groups to the series. Isaac not only criticizes misunderstandings and distortions of the Book of Revelation found in the Left Behind Series, but he discloses ill effects these have in the personal lives of many readers and also their relationship with and view of society.
While the book mostly deals with themes, scenes, characters and other content of the books in the series in the manner of familiar literary criticism, Isaac also quotes from other parts of the Bible to shed light on the interpretation of the apocalyptic vision of Revelation. He also reviews the history of apocalypticism to show how the books fit into it and why they strike a chord in contemporary readers with apocalyptic beliefs.
Isaac's main interest in this work from a publisher of books on Christianity is presenting Left Behind readers and others fascinated by sensationalistic apocalyptic beliefs with a tempered and informed understanding of the idea of apocalypse in Christianity. His aim is "recapturing the Christian imagination" in ways that are true to Christian spirituality; which ways make for enriched lives and worthwhile social values. "On the one hand, they [apocalyptic beliefs] simplify conflict in the world that has become too complex to be sanely born by the average resident of planet Earth. On the other, looking into the abyss of the destruction of the world makes everyday troubles seem insignificant by comparison." Extreme or unreflective apocalyptic beliefs hold out the hope of a new beginning for Humankind; or at least the hope that the worst conditions and human attributes will be done away with in an apocalypse. Needless to say, this patently wishful thinking leaves those who put all their hopes in apocalypse passive, myopic, and in the author's word, befuddled.
"The tragedy of the Left Behind point of view is that it forecloses on the very purpose and function of the book of Revelation, is to purge and refresh Christian imagination." Working toward this point, Isaac critiques the contemporary apocalyptical belief as a variety of postmodern distraction somewhat like celebrity and horror films, yet particularly deceptive and disorienting for being rooted in religious passions.
