Blogger: Mary Keeley
Location: Books & Such Midwest Office: IL
Christian fiction owes the Left Behind Series a debt of gratitude. In the words of Mark Kuyper, president of the Evangelical Christian Publishing Association: “In many ways this series established Christian fiction as a significant category in publishing in general.” This series forced the general market to recognize Christian publishing.
Here is the audience breakdown, according to the official Left Behind website (http://www.leftbehind.com):
97% of the readers of this series pray in a given week
84% are born again Christians; 16% are non-Christians
74% read the Bible weekly
72% attend church each week
65% attend a non-mainline church
41% are evangelicals
26% are Baptist
14% are mainline churchgoers
8% are Catholic
4% are self-described atheists
These books generally are regarded as great page turners, not necessarily great literature. (The same has been said about John Grisham and Tom Clancy novels.) In 1998 the first four books of the series captured the first four slots on the New York Times best-seller list simultaneously. Obviously, a large audience exists for fast-action plots across CBA and ABA markets. Total sales for the series exceeds 65 million copies. Why is this?
Clue #1: In addition to the page-turning action, the books provide a glimpse into the future. They put flesh on the skeletal outline of prophesy (responding to a felt need to know).
Clue #2: Who knew when the first book in the series was released in the late 1990s that 9/11 would happen? Interest in biblical end times theology grew exponentially among believers and non-believers. Although the first books in the series already were hugely popular, this event catapulted interest, and the authors (Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins) and publisher increased the number of books in the series to twelve (responding to the cultural atmosphere of the time).
Clue #3: These books were spiritually motivating. There are differing end-times theological views; no one can say with absolute certainty how end-time events will unfold. But one certainty can be shared: If there is a rapture, not many would choose to be left behind. Each book clearly presents the salvation message. (Some say too much–what do they know.) Add to this the Great Commission Christ gave us to witness to unbelievers. Giving these popular, action-packed books as gifts to unbelieving family and friends was an easy and possibly better way to provide a witness. (Easy solution to important felt need and a reason to buy multiple copies).
What was your reaction to this series when it was in its prime? Thinking back, what insights did you have then and now about its popularity and affect on our culture? What did the authors seem to know about the believer and non-believer audience they were targeting?
I didn’t read this series. Just like I didn’t read “90 Minutes in Heaven.” I tend to think there are some things we aren’t supposed to figure out ahead of time. I do, however, understand the appeal. And I think the biggest appeal is wanting to KNOW. Of course, LaHaye and Jenkins don’t, but we love what looks like an educated guess. I wonder if the books might even have had a negative impact on Christianity by, in a sense, fictionalizing it? Just a thought–I’d be curious to hear what someone who read the series thinks about that.
I love how neither Jerry or his son Dallas allow a calling to do something (write, make movies) become an excuse to ignore the craft.
“God told me to write this,” is great, but you’d better be able to do it with excellence.
If God told me to build a skyscraper, I couldn’t do it with 2×4’s and a hammer, I’d need the right materials and knowledge.
I’m thankful for those who don’t settle for ‘good Christian _______,’ but instead seek to make good ________ with a Christian worldview.
I read the first four books in this series, then lost interest in the mire of characters but I did use the first book as a tool for an LDS friend. She loved to read and questioned her admission into the afterlife. The book allowed a discussion of ideas rather than a religious comparison.
The only thing that concerns me about blockbusters like these is the tendency for some to use them as theology.
That said, the series certainly opened minds and made people consider the tangibilities of the End Times. For that, who can argue?
I remember when this series came out. I read the first few books myself, but then school started again, and I didn’t finish the series. My mom couldn’t get enough of them. I think she did read all 12. I think the series was a great way for people to start thinking and talking about the return of Jesus and that it is something that really can happen sooner rather than later. It helped to renew a sense of urgency and readiness in the Church, living as if we were in the end times (as the Bible instructs). Of course, the return of Jesus may be 10, 50, or 150 years from now. Who knows? But the point is that we live for God every day as He has instructed. It seems as though the “fleshing out” of the book of Revelation helped people see it as a coming reality and not something abstract and in the distant future. It also was a great conversation starter for witnessing. (Started this comment an hour and a half ago… the kids finished breakfast before I was able to finish.)
I had mixed reactions.
Positive: Glad to see so much secular interest in a spiritual genre.
Negative: Endtimes prophecy is a dangerous topic to tackle, even on a fiction level. I almost feel like it is adding-to/taking-away-from scripture, which Revelation strictly warns against. In a way, even though it’s fiction, the writer assumes an elevated role that carries with it a world of responsibility.
“These books generally are regarded as great page turners, not necessarily great literature.”–Funny, this would offend me if someone said it about my work. I’ve got some thinking to do.
I remember thinking the Left-Behind series was not well-written, but was absolutely fascinating reading. I remember appreciating how they took the Bible as literally as it was possible. It brought home the reality of the end-times. It was fascinating to dig in a bit and see what they took from the Bible, and what was imagination. I was scared others were not doing the same, and instead were mixing the two.
Blessings,
Vonni
Whoops. The “n” key got away from me in my post, and I misspelled my own name! lol
Blessings,
Voni
I read the first but then they lost my interest. My mom listened to them on audio cause she wanted to know the story but couldn’t stand to read them. They were all right I guess but certainly not my favorite.
I loved this series, and it remains one of my all-time favorites. The Book of Revelation has always fascinated me. While one has to be careful not use these books as theology, I do think they helped people understand the Book of Revelation better. I know I felt that way at the time.
What I had no interest in was the prequels to these books, and I can’t explain why. I bought the first one, but never read it. Perhaps knowing the outcome for these characters, ruined it for me.
I can’t say I felt they weren’t well written, because part of the writing is how captivating the story is. As soon as I finished one book, I wanted to read the next. When there were long periods between releases it drove me crazy, because no matter what else I read, I knew I wanted to be reading the next Left Behind book instead.
As for what they might have known about the believer and non-believer, I think everyone is interested in the End Times, no matter how they think it will occur. While the Left Behind series presented this from a Christian perspective, I never felt the authors were trying to influence believers with their work or convert anyone.
I read the first seven while on bed-rest during my first pregnancy. As a new Christian, I enjoyed them. I never finished the series. I think at the time it was because too many of my favorite characters had died and I just couldn’t take it anymore. While I recognize the importance the series has played in the CBA world overall (and appreciate it!), I wouldn’t read them again or finish the series. Mainly this is because it presents what I believe to be bad eschatology. I know it’s fiction and you don’t have to agree with the theology to enjoy a fictional story, but it would bug me. That said, I think they can be good conversation-starters, for sure, and I was fascinated that 16% of readers are non-Christians. (4% atheists!?)
I have mixed feelings about this series. The concept was absolutely fantastic and I read the first few books with great admiration. But then I felt they were getting too drawn out, the sermons were getting longer and longer and I felt kind of cheated as a reader, because it could have been written in so many less words. Am I right that when the first books came out, they had planned seven books and ultimately it became twelve? Well, seven would have been better I think. Still, they remained fascinating and I loved the way they ended the whole story. While you can debate whether they got everything right in interpreting Revelation (something we sure won’t know until Revelation has come true), I appreciated that they did try to stay close to the Bible. And the message of salvation was clear in each and every one. They have had a huge impact on Christian publishing, but I guess they’re the proof that books don’t need to be perfect in order to be popular and/or bestsellers.
Almost unanimously you have expressed concerns about this series. And yet, it’s a phenomenon. What does this lead you to think?
It makes me think that there are more questions than answers when it comes to Christianity! And it makes me think there’s a promising future for Christian books because people are so eager to explore what the answers might be. I also think we, as Christian writers, need to be very careful that we are sharing solid doctrine. It would seem, people are listening.
What I would be curious to know is if sales increased after 9/11. It would also be interesting to know if sales of the later books in the series were as strong, as say, the first five books. Many here said they read some of them, but did not feel the need to continue. Why? What turned you off?
Did anyone read any of the three prequels (The Rising, The Regime, The Rapture)? As I said, I didn’t, most likely because I already knew the outcome for all the characters.
I read a book written by a non-believer, who claimed that the authors, and others who write Christian fiction, are merely trying to get their cut–cash in on the silly people who are blind followers. As the atheist movement becomes more vocal, could this either positively or negatively impact book sales?
I think end-times literature taps into the human desire to “know,” as Sarah pointed out above. Revelation, along with the end-times prophecy in Daniel, Ezekiel, and Matthew, is confusing. How should it be interpreted? What does it mean? What would it look like in our modern times? The Left Behind series speculated about those things and put it in a format that many people found page-turning and exciting to read. Essentially, I think people felt like those hazy, baffling parts of the Bible where distilled down into something that was much more understandable – and entertaining, no less! My only issue is the way in which the Scriptures were understood.
Mary, your question (right above this comment) haunts me.
What is the disconnect between those of us who love/live to write and the millions of Christ-followers who paid big bucks for the Left Behind books? I was privileged to sit w/Jerry Jenkins a couple years ago at Mt Hermon… he sat down at our table for dinner… and he mentioned that those books are still selling tens of thousands per month (maybe four years ago).
Yet I have never read them, and so many hear weren’t excited. So, yeah, your question haunts me… I don’t have an answer for the disconnect. I would LOVE to hear your take on it.
Thanks for this series. Bill
I think that a lot of copies sold becuase it was popular but I wonder how many of those copies actually got read. I see them used everywhere….
I think one reason the Left Behind books took off was the Y2K panic. Lots of people thought the Rapture and/or Second Coming might happen in 2000. Then many other people bought the books because they were best sellers. Later 9/11 and our economic troubles made people more open to spiritual things. Like many others, I read a couple but wasn’t thrilled with the series, however I think the books were a great ministry tool.
I’m with Bill! I want to hear Mary’s take on the disconnect. 🙂
Good question, Cheryl. We shouldn’t shy away from controversy. Certainly, the opposition isn’t. Readers need to receive the Christian worldview perspective. I think Sarah provides a good response: we have to make sure we are providing sound doctrine, gently, humbly, clearly. The results are up to God.
Bill and Lindsay, we Christian writers may notice flaws and discrepancies because we’re always on alert for these things in our own writing. But the positive elements the average reader benefited from in these books seems to far outweigh these. We’re a complacent culture because life has generally been pretty good from the Boomers’ generation forward. Yet, we Christians see the end times coming, where life will be very different. We love to read about the courage of heroes who stood for what’s right. They inspire us and give us an example we’d like to apply. We also like to see good win over evil. Each of the books was full of these elements. Anyone have anything else to add?
I read all the books, and I enjoyed them. Later, I ran across a pastor who detested them. As near as I could tell, he thought the books dumbed down theology, because the plots took Scripture so literally.
God may not play out the end days as portrayed in the series; but then again, he could. Perhaps that’s what the disconnect is all about: wanting to understand the future versus thinking that it is just has to be more complicated than we can imagine.
(Possible spoiler if someone hasn’t read the series)
Sorry I’m coming in to this late. I read all 12 books and I couldn’t get to read them fast enough. I can still remember being left hanging near the end of the series when one of the characters was about to die on the wall and I remember thinking “It better not be Rayford!” LOL!
I too remember thinking (the way we writers do) that if I wrote it I might do “X” differently. I also remember that probably the first half dozen grabbed my attention the most. But I attributed that to the still prevalent problem of series fiction, which has its own set of hangups.
But the bottom line is, regardless of sales or opinions, Jenkins/LaHaye: 1) Gave me page turners to read, 2) Gave me something that hadn’t been done a million times before, 3) gave me characters I cared about and wanted to follow long enough to find out how it went. 4) It appealed to me because, while it had a little romance element, it wasn’t much of one (hard to find).
It was a bold idea and a bold effort and it paid off all the way around. I STILL think about characters and scenes from that series. (Jenkins “Riven” was also a bold story, I thought.)
These books made a LASTING impression. I’d much rather write something that is remembered for some time to come then “forget-it-five-minutes-after-you-read-it” fiction. To me, that’s the ultimate challenge of writing a book.
I think the series were a success because they were completely unique. Nobody had ever written anything like it, or at least not in a way that was noticed. If people will pardon the unlikely parallel, but it was the same with Harry Potter and the whole Twilight-series (although J.K. Rowling most definitely can write). It was the originality of the story/setting/plot that made it into bestsellers, not the writing per se. I guess that what agents and publishers call ‘high concept’…
I loved this series. Couldn’t read it fast enough, couldn’t get enough of it. At the time, I didn’t know what “well written” was, so that wasn’t important to me. It wasn’t poorly written; that would have stuck out. What I knew was that it was good story and that is was ground-breaking, and that was enough.
Same with Harry Potter series. I know a lot of people have issue with Rowling’s writing, but I don’t. It’s pretty good, and that allows me to get deeply into the story. If poorly written, I’d have either ignored it completely or stuck with the movies.