Rating: 
Summary: Even Lutherans agree.....
Review: .... this is a great book.
That may seem a little strange, especially since Olson has some less than charitable comments about the Reformation and our beliefs, but I've found that Olson and I are on the same page on far more issues than we disagreed.
This isn't just a book for Catholics, even though it's written from a Catholic perspective and mostly so Catholics will see the difference between the dispensational premillennialists and the RCC. This book is valuable to anyone with an interest in eschatology, especially if you're curious about what's out there besides dispensational premillennialism (since they dominate the market and make the most noise).
Buy this book now!
Rating:
Summary: Good Stuff for Anyone Interested in the Rapture
Review: A thorough reseacher and a graceful writer, Carl Olson has managed to combine readability with scholarly depth in a book that brings calm and order to the End Times fervor that is so rampant in our day. Olson knows the subject of The Rapture from two personal perspectives: Protestant Fundamentalist and Catholic. This fortuitous vantage point provides a richness of understanding and vision. Protestants, Catholics, Orthodox, and people of other faiths (or no faith) will find much here to ponder.
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Summary: An outstanding study of the Rapture & related doctrines
Review: Carl Olson has provided Catholics (and others) with an excellent study on the doctrine of the rapture and those doctrines related to it. Carl -- himself a former Fundamentalist and Evangelical -- has given us more than an introduction... this book is a true piece of scholarship. With copious documentation from acknowledged experts in the doctrine of the rapture and premillenial dispensationalism, Carl fairly and accurately shows the theology of the rapture, etc., before demonstrating the foundations on which those doctrines are built, foundations insufficient to support the structure of doctrine built upon them.For instance, Carl shows how a deficient ecclesiology (theology of the church) and a misunderstanding of the Israel-Church relationship reverberate throughout the theology of premillenial dispensationalism, with eschatology (theology of the end times) being greatly effected. This book helped me to better understand not only why some Christians believe in the rapture, but also why they separate themselves so strongly from the world, instead of seeking to transform it (Chuck Colson is an excellent example of the latter). Truly a great, great book, well worth a place on your bookshelf.
Rating: 
Summary: A Good Book About Catholics and the Rapture Theory
Review: Carl Olson, a former pre-tribulational adherent himself, has written a fine critique on the dispensationalists premillennial in general, and in particular how it is presented by many fundamentalists such as Tim LaHaye of the "Left Behind" novel series. While he may overstate the matter about the influence of the novels (for example, my wife read them yet does not hold to any dispensationalists view), he is correct in saying that many have been influenced by the books. This influence isn't a bad thing, because many have come to Christ or have at least been intrigued by Christianity. The book functions best, as a work for Christians in general, and Catholics in particular to give good answers the may receive from dispensationalists and others interested in the rapture theory. He concisely informs the reader about the history of the dispensationalists' theory as developed by Darby and deals with the major teachings by Hal Lindsey, John Hagee and Tim LaHay. I do think Olson should have dealt with the "Catholic Vision" on revelation and end-time events more thoroughly. He devotes a small chapter to this book on the subject, and here alone he could have added a couple of chapters and still kept the information concise and interesting. Further, being Eastern Orthodox I have a very small amount of knowledge on the prevelant Catholic eschatological outlook and was interested to read more. All in all a good book
Rating:
Summary: Well Worth Reading
Review: I was reared and remain an evangelical Protestant. I was taught the premillennial dispensationalist understanding of end times but have for years believed it conflicted with the plain text of Scripture. Olson's book provides an excellent critique of premillennial dispensationalism, exposing the flaws in the methods used by its adherents to understand Scripture and the doctrinal problems created in one's overall understanding of God's plan by those methods. My only criticism is his ad hominem attacks on those espousing this view, especially Tim LaHaye and Hal Lindsey. Olson's Scriptural exegisis was more than sufficient to reveal the flaws in LaHaye's and Lindsey's position without attacking them personally. I suppose Olson wanted to demonstrate to Catholics the anti-Catholic biases of LaHaye and others who promote the premillennial dispensationalist understanding of eschatology, but I believe those sections of the book lowered the level of what was otherwise a very well written and reasoned book.
With that said, I am delighted that writers with Olson's skills and knowledge are defending the historic teaching of eschatology.
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Summary: Beware False Prophets
Review: I've no interest whatsoever in reading the preposterous "Left Behind" books, but I must confess that I got swept up in the "Late, Great Planet Earth" fervor many years ago. Plus I spent untold hours listening to evangelical radio when that was my prime source of Christian formation -- and it was brimming with dispensationalists and various other apocalyptic, self-anointed "prophets" whose Scripture-quoting screeds succeeded, at least, in putting the fear of God into me. Having long since reverted to the Catholic faith of my childhood, I'm confident that the Catholic Church is the lone voice of wisdom, sanity -- and truth -- on the subject of eschatology. Exhibit A: Carl E. Olson's "Will Catholics Be Left Behind?", which I've just finished reading. The lasting impression I'll remember from this book's packed pages is the juxtaposition of the biblical literalists' slick, innovative, off-the-top-of-the-head interpretations with the ancient, richly seasoned approach of the Catholic Church. Deftly drawing from the Church's rich theological patrimony, Olson systematically exposes the outlandishness of the thinking of the literalists, such as LaHaye and Lindsey, who scrupulously memorize Scripture while assiduously ignoring 2,000 years of Scripture scholarship. It's a bit like examining the overheated rantings of a half-cocked teenager who only read the Cliff's notes through the eyes of the teen's patient, but spry, great-grandfather -- who co-authored the book in question. "Will Catholics Be Left Behind"? is a must-read for Catholics growing deeper in their faith -- and an indispensable resource for those who've fallen prey to the silly, but seductive (and dangerous) sales pitches of the popular eschatologists of our day.
Rating:
Summary: Beware False Prophets
Review: I've no interest whatsoever in reading the preposterous "Left Behind" books, but I must confess that I got swept up in the "Late, Great Planet Earth" fervor many years ago. Plus I spent untold hours listening to evangelical radio when that was my prime source of Christian formation -- and it was brimming with dispensationalists and various other apocalyptic, self-anointed "prophets" whose Scripture-quoting screeds succeeded, at least, in putting the fear of God into me. Having long since reverted to the Catholic faith of my childhood, I'm confident that the Catholic Church is the lone voice of wisdom, sanity -- and truth -- on the subject of eschatology. Exhibit A: Carl E. Olson's "Will Catholics Be Left Behind?", which I've just finished reading. The lasting impression I'll remember from this book's packed pages is the juxtaposition of the biblical literalists' slick, innovative, off-the-top-of-the-head interpretations with the ancient, richly seasoned approach of the Catholic Church. Deftly drawing from the Church's rich theological patrimony, Olson systematically exposes the outlandishness of the thinking of the literalists, such as LaHaye and Lindsey, who scrupulously memorize Scripture while assiduously ignoring 2,000 years of Scripture scholarship. It's a bit like examining the overheated rantings of a half-cocked teenager who only read the Cliff's notes through the eyes of the teen's patient, but spry, great-grandfather -- who co-authored the book in question. "Will Catholics Be Left Behind"? is a must-read for Catholics growing deeper in their faith -- and an indispensable resource for those who've fallen prey to the silly, but seductive (and dangerous) sales pitches of the popular eschatologists of our day.
Rating:
Summary: THE Catholic Response To the "Left Behind" Theology
Review: In his recent book "Will Catholics Be Left Behind," Carl Olsen has perhaps written the modern standard on not only combating the errors of pre-millennial dispensationalism, but for clearly and completely answering questions that the ordinary Catholic has about the Last Things in general, and the "Rapture" in particular. In the past, Catholics who were exposed to "Rapture Theology" were faced with the double whammy of being attracted to an esoteric yet fascinating teaching that has the form and appearance of orthodoxy, while having no clear, accessible teaching from their own Church on why this teaching is wrong and in fact a danger to their faith. Olsen leaves no stone unturned, no argument unanswered, and no attack on the Church left unchallenged as he thoroughly, yet charitably, exposes pre-millennial dispensationalism for what it is: a non-biblical, unhistorical, illogical conglomeration of selective Scripture literalism and anti-Catholic polemics designed to feed the addictions of those who prefer gnosticism and sensationalism with their Christianity. Active in adult education at the parish level, I have found Olsen's material on this topic invaluable in explaining to fellow Catholics the pitfalls of buying into the "Left Behind" series and it's world-view and heartily recommend this highly readable book. Buy one for yourself and one to loan out to friends and relatives who ask the question: "Will Catholics Be Left Behind."
Rating:
Summary: THE Catholic Response To the "Left Behind" Theology
Review: In his recent book "Will Catholics Be Left Behind," Carl Olsen has perhaps written the modern standard on not only combating the errors of pre-millennial dispensationalism, but for clearly and completely answering questions that the ordinary Catholic has about the Last Things in general, and the "Rapture" in particular. In the past, Catholics who were exposed to "Rapture Theology" were faced with the double whammy of being attracted to an esoteric yet fascinating teaching that has the form and appearance of orthodoxy, while having no clear, accessible teaching from their own Church on why this teaching is wrong and in fact a danger to their faith. Olsen leaves no stone unturned, no argument unanswered, and no attack on the Church left unchallenged as he thoroughly, yet charitably, exposes pre-millennial dispensationalism for what it is: a non-biblical, unhistorical, illogical conglomeration of selective Scripture literalism and anti-Catholic polemics designed to feed the addictions of those who prefer gnosticism and sensationalism with their Christianity. Active in adult education at the parish level, I have found Olsen's material on this topic invaluable in explaining to fellow Catholics the pitfalls of buying into the "Left Behind" series and it's world-view and heartily recommend this highly readable book. Buy one for yourself and one to loan out to friends and relatives who ask the question: "Will Catholics Be Left Behind."
Rating:
Summary: True Depth of Critical Analysis
Review: Often when I question the "rapture" mania with folks, I get treated as if I'm making a personal attack. This book gives me hope that I can direct the conversation to a different level, and talk about things that enthusiasts have never considered, all in order to demonstrate the trap of thinking that we can know when Jesus is returning. So often, when I say "the Bible doesn't say Jesus is coming now," people hear me saying "He cannot be coming now," and the distinction is too subtle for people to hear. What Carl Olson has provided is a thorough analysis through excellent scholarship. He shows how the whole world-view of the rapture, while emotionally appealing to some, is a long way from the truth. Taking the emotion out of the equation allows exploration of all the ancillary assumptions that lead to the emotional buy-in to what is at best a questionable doctrine. Along the way, the depth of theology explored here ultimately leads to a renewed faith in the true doctrines of the Church, a better understanding of our place in the Church, and the reality of the Church itself, the Church that Jesus personally established on Earth. What a wonderful gift that is!
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