Question:  Greetings to you and your staff.  I support almost everything you write, but I had a problem with the article on the “Left Behind” movie/book series.  I have both seen and heard positive results from people inspired to think about their lives and what their future might be.  We had a local TV personality tell a Christian talk show about how someone gave him a copy of the “Left Behind” video and he went and gave his life to Christ.  Others I have heard of, but the very most important one to me was in my own family—after showing the video to my son, I asked him where he thought he would be if he were to die on his way back home.  He said he wasn’t sure.  I asked him if he wanted to be sure and he said he did.  As a result, the Holy Spirit blessed me with the honor of leading my son to Jesus Christ.

            You and I both know that the “Left Behind” series is biblically flawed in many ways, but after all, it is fiction and it is good.  So what I want to tell you—that even though I felt a little miffed at what you wrote, God showed me that I needed to cut you some slack too!

            Gene

Answer:  Dear Gene,

            Thanks for taking the time to send us your thoughts and comments.  We are delighted to hear about the decision your son has made, and the part that God graciously allowed you to have.

            Our intent in our articles (see July/August 2001 Plain Truth) was to question the accuracy and validity of the view behind the “Left Behind” series, as well as the methodology used to bring people to Christ.  We, of course, are well aware that God can use a variety of methods to introduce people to himself—he has used a burning bush, Balaam’s donkey, and a host of other ways.  Given the fact that God used Balaam’s donkey, how can any one of us question what or who God might use?

            However, we did call into question the fact that many do not see “Left Behind” as fiction.  We did call into question the horrible track record of dispensationalism—noting that 1) unbelievers have become more entrenched against Christianity because of speculation and prediction addiction.  Every new failed prediction becomes more of a joke and a laughingstock to them, and 2) that those who once were people of faith have become discouraged and even embittered because of failed human interpretations.  It is a fact that many former Christians are just that—“former”—because of irresponsible prophetic interpretations.  Not a good legacy, given Christ’s comments about causing a little one to stumble.

            We also questioned the legitimacy of using fear as a tactic to bring people to Christ.  It is not fear, of course, to be reminded of our own mortality—, as I’m sure you did with your son.  But the materials used in “Left Behind”—both the literary and film version—seem to appeal to the “save your own neck” idea as a primary appeal.

            You are, of course, correct—Christians of all stripes, colors, varieties, and dispositions need to respect each other and cut each other some slack.  At the same time, Christians should not be too timid about misrepresentations of God and misinterpretations of the Bible.  It is one thing to present a peripheral teaching and allow for other views to be just as valid as your own.  It is another to essentially teach a non-essential as the only way to understand the Bible.  We suggest that “my way or the highway” school of interpreting the Bible, including prophetic portions, damage the body of Christ.

            In Christ,

            Greg Albrecht