Tim LaHaye has died

[Padres1969]

I agree that in skeptical circles, the Northeast US and larger cities, and to non-Christians, it had the reverse effect than was intended. However, these people know next to nothing about the distinction between Christians, so the effect reverberated to those of us who find his theology vile and not at all Apostolic or accurate. Even now, blowhard Bill Maher and others like him will trot out the LaHayism to dismiss Christianity on the whole as ludicrous. And to the uneducated (or lesser educated), it is.

To be fair to LaHaye, many of those that use his theology as an example of why they hold anti Christian viewpoints were just looking for an excuse.

Not saying I agree with him though, and I do feel his viewpoints were on the balance could be very damaging to Christianity as a whole, and were clearly anti-Catholic.

 

[Hatikvah]

If you live in the south, rapture theology is everywhere. Heck, near where I live there used to be a “rapture preparation center”. Granted, I think that’s gone, but the theology is still common here.

I find the rapture ridiculous. In fact, the “rapture” never existed in any of Christian thought (and Christianity has been along for quite some time, obviously) until about 1830. Here’s one Protestant source attesting to that, though it is quite informal.

 

[adamhovey1988]

I find the rapture ridiculous. In fact, the “rapture” never existed in any of Christian thought (and Christianity has been along for quite some time, obviously) until about 1830. Here’s one Protestant source attesting to that, though it is quite informal.

I know all about John Nelson Darby. The theology of it seems a little…off. I feel like many rapture enthusiasts (not all) for whatever reason, believe Jesus failed during the first coming.

 

[Della]

I know all about John Nelson Darby. The theology of it seems a little…off. I feel like many rapture enthusiasts (not all) for whatever reason, believe Jesus failed during the first coming.

When I was a member of the Assemblies of God, we were hot and heavy into the rapture theory. It dominated our every action. I never heard the idea that Jesus failed during his first coming, though. Rather, it was that Jesus would be completing his prophecies about the temple and “this generation shall not pass away…” and so on. The thinking was that a 1000 year reign after a tribulation, would answer any “problems” with those prophecies.

As for the eternal destiny of Tim LaHaye, that others have brought up, that is in God’s hands alone. I know firsthand the kind of damage his theology can do. But, I also know that that was what he was taught to be true. In fairness to him, he truly believed that the Catholic Church was leading people to perdition. I imagine he never suspected that what he taught might be false and detrimental to other’s salvation. Only God can judge his intention and the state of his soul. RIP Mr. LaHaye.

 

[Randy_Carson]

Tim LaHaye, age 90, prophecy teacher of the Pre-Mill + Rapture end-times interpretation, has passed away. LaHaye was the author of over a dozen books on prophecy and on marriage and family. He is best known as the co-author of the Left Behind series.

Our thoughts and prayers go to his family and friends. May his soul rejoice in God his Savior.

Heaven might not be exactly as he predicted, but it’s safe to say it’s going to be good.

From a Catholic point of view:

False Profit: Money, Prejudice, and Bad Theology in Tim LaHaye’s Left Behind Series
by Jimmy Akin, Catholic Answers Staff
catholic.com/documents/false-profit-money-prejudice-and-bad-theology-in-tim-lahaye%E2%80%99s-left-behind-series

LaHaying The Rapture On Thick
by Carl E. Olson
catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=4621

Five Myths About the “Rapture” and the “Left Behind” Industry
by Carl E. Olson
catholicworldreport.com/Item/3396/five_myths_about_the_rapture_and_the_left_behind_industry.aspx

May God have mercy.

 

[Lion_of_Narnia]

But strangely he also made the fictional Pope John XXIV one of those raptured in his Left Behind book series as well. Which might indicate a softening of his feelings against at least some Catholics later in life. Of course he also made John XXIV’s successor, Peter II, the Pontifex Maximus of the Anti-Christ’s Enigma Babylon One World Faith… so maybe not.

He made that fictional Pope John XXIV a heretic, who privately believed in "justification by faith alone.

 

[total_Catholic]

Would it be possible just to say RIP and move on? The only people who truly know what is on the other side are dead people and they ain’t talking. Wow…

 

[Della]

He made that fictional Pope John XXIV a heretic, who privately believed in "justification by faith alone.

Really? I’m not surprised, though only amused----and saddened that anyone would change a character fundamental beliefs, in secret yet, in order to make him palatable to those who believe like he does. Silly, just plain silly.

I read about a Fundamentalist who went to Rome for the express purpose of “winning” the Pope over to his sect–because he thought if he could just preach the “real Gospel” to the Pope, he’d save his soul. Yes, there are people who truly believe that in order to be saved others have to believe precisely what they do or else they’re doomed.
total Catholic:

Would it be possible just to say RIP and move on? The only people who truly know what is on the other side are dead people and they ain’t talking. Wow…

We have said RIP, and offered prayers for the repose of his soul, but the man put his beliefs out there, in an unabashed effort to diss the Catholic Church, so no one can complain if we show how he was wrong and why. His writings speak for him, so we’re speaking back.

 

[total_Catholic]

Really? I’m not surprised, though only amused----and saddened that anyone would change a character fundamental beliefs, in secret yet, in order to make him palatable to those who believe like he does. Silly, just plain silly.

I read about a Fundamentalist who went to Rome for the express purpose of “winning” the Pope over to his sect–because he thought if he could just preach the “real Gospel” to the Pope, he’d save his soul. Yes, there are people who truly believe that in order to be saved others have to believe precisely what they do or else they’re doomed.

We have said RIP, and offered prayers for the repose of his soul, but the man put his beliefs out there, in an unabashed effort to diss the Catholic Church, so no one can complain if we show how he was wrong and why. His writings speak for him, so we’re speaking back.

I never read his stuff so I wouldn’t know.

 

[Della]

I never read his stuff so I wouldn’t know.

You haven’t missed anything.