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Summary: "Tribulation Force" -- Review #1
Review: I've decided that the only way in which I can give an honest appraisal of "Tribulation Force" is to write two reviews -- one concerning anti-Catholicism and the second concerning the writing, plot, etc. Several reviews have been written alleging "Anti-Catholicism" to which one of the authors, Mr. Jenkins, has briefly (and defensively) responded. So as a conservative, Christian clergyman who is neither a Roman Catholic nor an Independant Bible fundamentalist, perhaps I can shed some light on this question.Item: The main point of "Tribulation Force" is not to bash Catholics. Item: Either Mr. LaHaye or Mr. Jenkins (or both) is/are woefully uninformed as to what Catholics believe. Item: Although "Tribulation Force" does not seem to exist solely for the purpose of bashing Catholics, books in this genre have (for decades) typically featured a high-level Catholic clergyman (Pope, bishop, etc.) as representing the "False Prophet" of Revelation -- and this book is no exception. Item: Some extremely basic studying of Catholic doctrine would probably have eliminated several of the more glaring errors made by the authors -- which, presumably caused the greatest level of offense to Catholics. These would include: 1) Suggesting that of all the Roman Curia, only the newly elected Pope was "Raptured", apparently for becoming a theological Lutheran. Such a supposition is insulting to Catholics, to Lutherans, to historians who are aware of the social and political ramifications of the Reformation era, and to theologians who are aware of what exactly Luther taught and believed, how that differs from Lutheran theology today, and how neither theology fits with the LaHaye/Jenkins ecclesiology. Essentially, the authors would disagree with classic Lutheran theology as much as they do with Catholic theology. 2) The Archbishop of Cincinnati figure, who is obviously destined to be the "False Prophet" character, suggests that he doesn't take the "Apocrypha" literally. LaHaye and Jenkins are confusing the "Apocalypse" which is another name for the book of Revelation, with the "Apocrypha", a Protestant term used to signify certain books which Catholics and Orthodox Christians accept, but that most Protestants reject. 3) There seems to be some fundamental misunderstanding by LaHaye/Jenkins about Catholic theology of baptism. 4) There seems to be some fundamental misunderstanding by LaHaye/Jenkins about Catholic theology of justification. 5) There seems to be a total lack of understanding by LaHaye/Jenkins about how the Catholic hierarchy actually functions; the role of the College of Cardinals; which cities are traditionally Cardinal sees, etc. 6) There is a strong suggestion that those Catholics who would be raptured are those who have left the Church. Some further thoughts: Item: Luther, upon whom the salvation of the pope in "Tribulation Force" apparently rested, seriously doubted the inspiration of the book of Revelation. It is highly doubtful at best that he would subscribe to the eschatology presented by LaHaye/Jenkins. My conclusion: LaHaye/Jenkins do not seem to have set out to write a deliberately anti-Catholic book. However, their ignorance/misunderstanding of Catholic belief and practice, coupled with certain presuppositions which, unfortunately, are fairly typical of certain elements of American fundamentalism, certainly set forth an atmosphere (unintended or not) which fosters anti-Catholic attitudes and is rooted more in American nativism than in actual theology. Yes, ignorance can hurt and offend - and as such does not further the unity of the Body of Christ prayed for by Jesus Himself in John's Gospel. No stars for sloppy research and unnecessary offense.
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Summary: it was pretty good
Review: The second of the series, it seems like most of the reviews in the series. A lot of filler pads out the fact that there isn't much of a storyline. Actually there are many things that happen in this book. Buck and Raymond get to work for the antichrist. Buck and chloe start dating. Tsion Ben Judah gives his life to Christ in a dream. Moses and Elijah are preaching and saving thousand s of jews, and other people too. Only it all seems like filler because the scenes that are supposed to be important like Buck and Chloe dating aren't handled very well and you don't really believe that these two are becoming a couple. Other scenes seem like "we are setting this up so that in a later book things will be really cool"
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Summary: Another Good Read!
Review: Rayford Steele, his daughter, Chloe, Pastor Bruce Barnes and journalist Cameron (Buck) Williams have banded together to form the Tribulation Force. Rayford and Buck are pressed into service of the man, Nicolae Carpathia, that they begin to believe may be the antiChrist. Nicolae has burst onto the world political scene, taken over the United Nations and signed a peace agreement with the nation of Israel. and has introduced policies that will bring the world together as a global village. In the meantime, God's judgement has started as predicted in the Book of Revelations. Mixing Biblical prophecy, the apocalypse, some romance and a lot of conspiracy, Tribulation Force continues the saga. This is another good book. I must warn you - the writing is not difficult or breathtaking - this book is entertaining, suspenseful and is quick-moving.
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Summary: Not a novel, a sermon
Review: Except for missionaries hoping to convert others, there is little to recommend this series of bang-you-over-the-head-with-Fundamentalism novels. Nothing wrong with sermonizing, if that's what you're looking for. But if you're hoping for a little more engaging and spiritually challenging read, this isn't it. Probably the best End Times novel ever written is Kleier's epic, THE LAST DAY (Warner Books). It not only offers a realistic, provocative (and frightening) look at how the religious world might react to Judgment Day, but it does so with extraordinary intelligence, suspense and grip-you-by-the-soul thrills. I will finish this series only because I want to see if the authors have it in them to find some unusually noteworthy way to end all this. I can't imagine an ending to rival the one in LAST DAY. Jenkins and LeHaye should have read LAST DAY before attempting this topic, maybe it would have motivated them to raise the quality of their writing. Let's hope the final installment of LEFT BEHIND isn't as predictable as the rest of the series has been.
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Summary: A mess of a book
Review: These books have the addictive power of Jack T. Chick comics where there is the element of extremism, however the execution leaves a lot to be desired. And where Jack T. Chick are short these books seem to go on forever. Initially fascinating, but without skimming these books are unbearable. The second of the series, it seems like most of the reviews in the series. A lot of filler pads out the fact that there isn't much of a storyline and a lot of it is in order to make you buy the next book in the series. Actually there are many things that happen in this book. Buck and Raymond get to work for the antichrist. Buck and whatsherface start dating. Tsion Ben Judah gives his life to Christ in one of those Christian wet dreams where someone who speaks Hebrew and follows the Torah actually buys those "prophecies" that Christians have been using as proof since Tertullian and Jews have been rejecting as foolishness for just as long (example being the bogus "virgin birth" prophecy which isn't in Isaiah except in severely mistranslated versions). Moses and Elijah are hanging around the wall killing people and going at it like hopped up street preachers still. Only it all seems like filler because the scenes that are supposed to be important like Buck and whatsherface dating aren't handled very well and you don't really believe that these two are becoming a couple. Other scenes seem like "we are setting this up so that in a later book things will be really cool" while half of the book rests on the characters having those internal monologues that say "yes, Jesus is the Messiah - got it?? Huh! Got it! Come on!" Flatter than the first book and seems like set up to later books, there are plenty more guilty pleasures for your enjoyment. Now if you are a fundamentalist Christian you will love these books, but if you are just looknig for something extreme and wild read Please Kill Me: The Oral History of Punk, Naked Lunch or the early poems of Patti Smith and let this book fall by the wayside. If you don't think taht you can resist at least trying to read this book, there are probably better books in the series later on and you will get all that you need to know in the first chapter anyhow.
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Summary: Still stirring as the story continues.....
Review: Great continuation of "Left Behind". Found myself skipping through some parts. The characters dialog was a little slow but the action was compelling.
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Summary: wonderful!
Review: i dont even know where to start with this book. it is the best that i have ever read and i can tell u that personally i do not enjoy reading it always seems like a chore to me. but with this book i just couldnt put it down! u get to know the characters more and they get closer together. i highly recomend this book and look forward to getting #3 for christmas.
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Summary: What if...
Review: I am a liberal Christian who has always taken the Bible as a symbolic interpretation of the past, present, and future. I have always believed that the stories of the Bible are to be taken in the context that they are written. You have to look at the time period, writer, and situation in which the story was written to truly understand the message. Tribulation Force and Left Behind got me to thinking. The majority of the Bible tells us how to live our lives, and given the context variables, I have the freedom to interpret as God leads me. However, when the Bible has foretold the future, it has always come to be with amazing accuracy. I think that it is safe to say that God reveals the past and present with much symbolism, but He leaves much of the symbolism out when telling us about things to come. The "Left Behind" series provides us with a realistic and literal translation of Biblical prophesies. I found the books (so far) to be compelling. Be aware, though, that the series are based on the interpretation of the authors, and that we, as Christians, must read the Biblical prophesies for ourselves and allow God to translate them in our hearts.
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Summary: Entertaining story
Review: I am a non-christian who has found the first 2 books entertaining. You do have to be a little thick-skinned about being preached to. But if you can get past that and see it for the epic story that it is, you will be very entertained.
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Summary: Sets the Tone for the Series
Review: After Reading Left Behind, I could not wait to start on Tribulation Force which was even better. It set the tone for the entire series. Besides being inspirational and thought provoking, it was action packed. The characters are well developed and real. These are not perfect people; they have flaws just like us. It's a real page turner. In this book, the core group of characters is further developed and their characters become even more dependent on one another as the work continues to change. More believers are added to their small group as the worldwide movement of believers begins to grow as well. I have gone on to read all of the series up to #7 and I have just ordered #8. Start with Left Behind, but don't quit til you have read Tribulation Force. You will be hooked as I have been.
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