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The World According to Tim LaHaye: Chapter One - Hunting Down the Enemies
The world according to Tim LaHaye is shaped by a particular and peculiar reading of the Bible's book of Revelation. This reading is a theological cocktail of apocalyptic Premillennial Dispensationalism with a Rapture twist. Have a taste. For example, in one essay, LaHaye quotes Wilfred J. Hahn warning that the "New Age" of "Aquarius" was expected to eclipse the "Christian Age" around the year 2000. LaHaye then adds: "[S]ecular humanists have long advocated a one-world government--which, of course, they feel that they alone are qualified to run. John Dewey is famous for destroying the learning process for millions of children and young people because he was more interested in teaching atheism, evolution, self autonomy, and a socialistic worldview instead of reading, writing, and math." According to LaHaye, "the elitists who control our government-run educational system don't mind; they have prepared our nation's children to be members of the socialist world government which they are planning. Many of them don't realize that control of that government will be taken away from them and end up in the hands of the antichrist." LaHaye further explains that the "fascination (or obsession) of the elite of this world for `globalism' or a `One World Order' or `One World Government' is almost everywhere." That sounds like a page out of a 1990s armed militia manual. LaHaye, however, is drawing from an earlier text: "Surprisingly enough, the Bible teaches and many faithful teachers of prophecy believe that we can expect two world governments; one good and the other bad. And the signs of the times indicate they may not be all that far off." If this is too subtle, let me lay it on the line. LaHaye expects there is an upcoming huge battle between good and Godly Christians and the forces of evil working with Satan's chief End Times henchman, the antichrist. So the outcome of Tim LaHaye's "non-fiction" writing, the Left Behind series of novels, and the video game, is the training of young Christian evangelicals to rebel against the elected government of the United States when they decide government leaders are in service to the antichrist. And the task for these young Crusaders is to gun down the agents of Satan and their witting and unwitting allies among the ranks of the non-believers. And from the Left Behind novels, we know this list is likely to include not just secularists, but also homosexuals, feminists, abortion providers, as well as Jews, Catholics, Hindus, and Muslims...especially Muslims. After the 9/11 attacks, Pre-Trib Perspectives devoted more coverage to Muslims and their role in the End Times. For example, LaHaye wrote in the October 2001 issue that the attacks would "contribute to the fulfillment of several...end-times signs" ; and in February 2002 LaHaye proclaimed that "the religion of Islam has always been a terrorist religion." LaHaye reads Ezekiel 38-39 as detailing a prophetic alliance between Islam and "Russia." Check the verses and LaHaye must be reading between the lines because there is no mention of Russia or the Muslims, but this is part of a long tradition of the demonization and scapegoating of enemies by Christians wound up in apocalyptic fervor. So as LaHaye sees it, the Russians and the Muslims are part of the vast army that, according to LaHaye, "in their attack on Jerusalem," (that is expected soon), they are fulfilling Biblical prophecy as part of Satan's End Times end game and God's punishment of those who are unfaithful. Of course if you have been buying Tim's books in the Left Behind series he writes with Jerry B. Jenkins, you know that "real" Christians get Raptured up into a protective Godly embrace before Satan launches the seven-year-long End Times Tribulation attacks pictured in the video game. It is only after the Rapture that "the inept UN and its globalist intellectuals can turn the world over to the antichrist for the next seven years" for the Tribulations that mark a pitch battle between the forces of good and evil. And if you have been "Left Behind" but still want to go to Heaven, then you apparently need to gun down everyone who refuses to convert to LaHaye's brand of the Christian faith; as well as snuffing out all the agents of Satan (whether or not they share the Devil's cloven feet or ride around in Humvees). And so with your gun hot in your hand, you righteously slay the enemy until you should be wading through rivers of blood. Only in the video game there is no blood and guts--that's only in the real life visions of Tim LaHaye and his allies. How exactly does this fit with the message of Jesus of Nazareth, who said blessed are the peacemakers?
Sources:
Jonathan Hutson, "Who's Watching the Boys?" Talk2Action, http://www.talk2action.org/story/2006/6/21/23153/9497. On LaHaye: by Chip Berlet "Left Behind Video Reflects Bigoted Apocalyptic Violence of Original Fiction Series," (6/12/2006) "LaHaye and Jenkins: Why is the Criticism Left Behind? "
The World According to Tim LaHaye: A Series
Chip Berlet, Senior Analyst, Political Research Associates The Public Eye: Website of Political Research Associates Chip's Blog
The World According to Tim LaHaye: Chapter One - Hunting Down the Enemies | 62 comments (62 topical, 0 hidden)
The World According to Tim LaHaye: Chapter One - Hunting Down the Enemies | 62 comments (62 topical, 0 hidden)
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