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Prof Critiques Left Behind
ABSW's professor of Old Testament challenges the authors' theology, interpretative approach, and end times scenario, which is not shared by most biblical scholars. She exposes the use and abuse of Scripture to support such doctrines as "Rapture" and "Tribulation" and deconstructs the myth of "literal interpretation." "People have very mixed up theologies around the interpretation of biblical apocalyptic literature," Flesher says, "due to the fact that they hear so much interpretation from the premillennial dispensational arena – the likes of LaHaye and earlier Hal Lindsey. " However, traditional seminaries do not tend to teach much on dispensationalism," she notes. "Consequently, pastors have very little information about it. Thus, when asked by members of their congregation about the latest ‘fad' in end times teaching, pastors frequently cannot engage the topic at the level needed to clarify for the questioner why and how the current premillennial dispensational teaching is misleading and misrepresentative of biblical texts as well as historical Christian doctrine." As her students well know, Flesher argues that theological preconceptions shape the reading of biblical texts, and she emphasizes the importance of understanding history, context and literary genre. She offers alternative readings of Daniel, Revelation, and other Scripture, celebrating these texts as "resistance literature" created to help Christians remain faithful in a hostile world. In this spirit, Flesher shares practical guidelines for using these texts today. A study guide, also from Judson Press, accompanies the book. Flesher joined the seminary faculty in 1994. Previously she was an adjunct professor at New York Theological Seminary and Seminary of the East in New York. She earned her Ph.D. in Old Testament studies from Drew University. |
Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins' best-selling Left
Behind fiction series covers the intrigue of the
Antichrist and the adventures of believers at the
end times. Based on the Book of Revelation and other
apocalyptic biblical texts, the series promotes a particular
view of the last days. But is it accurate?
Dr. LeAnn Snow Flesher takes up this question in
Left Behind? The Facts Behind the Fiction, due out this
spring from Judson Press.
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