Monday, December 06, 2004
Left Behind
Months ago I heard an interview on NPR's Fresh Air with Terry Gross about the "Left Behind" series. A few nights ago we finally managed to track the interview down and listen to it. Gershom Gorenberg described what he believes is the real source of the "Left Behind" series and the 'Rapture' theology that has created a new cult in some some Christian churches. Gerhardt Goeken describes this as 'dispensationalism.'
It all started, according to these sourcs, by a 19th century British preacher named Charles Darby, who created the idea of the "Rapture" and the "Tribulation." To people who follow this belief, it is necessary to believe that it is taken from a literal reading of the Revelation of John, otherwise it all falls apart.
This came back since some ofhte recent readings in church have been about the 'Little apocalypse of Matthew' and the idea that Advent is a preparation for the Second coming. I did a double take. Perhaps this is something that I'd forgotten over the years. Advent, as I've understood it, is preparation for the Birth of Christ and by extension the reaffirmation that Creation is Good and that there is Hope in the world. ¶ 11:56 AM
It all started, according to these sourcs, by a 19th century British preacher named Charles Darby, who created the idea of the "Rapture" and the "Tribulation." To people who follow this belief, it is necessary to believe that it is taken from a literal reading of the Revelation of John, otherwise it all falls apart.
This came back since some ofhte recent readings in church have been about the 'Little apocalypse of Matthew' and the idea that Advent is a preparation for the Second coming. I did a double take. Perhaps this is something that I'd forgotten over the years. Advent, as I've understood it, is preparation for the Birth of Christ and by extension the reaffirmation that Creation is Good and that there is Hope in the world. ¶ 11:56 AM
