Left Behind?: What the Bible Really Says about the End Times

by James M. Efird

What does the Bible really have to say about the End Times? Few books have shown the kind of popularity and stirred the kind of controversy as the Left Behind series of apocalyptic novels. The series has sold more than 100 million copies of its various books for adults, youth, and children, as well as been launched into a series of popular movies. These stories about the end times have been a pervasive influence in our churches and in our culture. But what does the Bible really have to say about the end times? James M. Efird, a noted scholar of the Bible and apocalyptic literature, helps us explore the scriptural texts to answer the many questions raised by the series. He also guides us through an enlightening look at the peculiar history behind the books. Ideal for use by individuals or study groups curious about the end times, Left Behind? What the Bible Really Says about the End Times contains a helpful series of questions for reflection and study after each chapter. James M. Efird began teaching in the Divinity School at Duke University as a graduate student in 1958, joined the faculty full time in 1962, and has taught Greek and biblical studies to generations of students. He is an ordained Presbyterian (USA) minister and has served for nearly fifty years as interim supply pastor for various churches. Committed to making the Bible understandable and properly understood for pastors and laity alike, he has been extremely active in the Duke Divinity School Lay Academy program and has taught in churches of many denominations throughout the United States. He is the author of thirteen books and more than sixty articles. He and his wife Vivian live in Durham, North Carolina.
Praise for Left Behind? "Efird has taught a legion of seminarians and many more lay people. His passion for teaching comes through especially in his teaching about the Bible's apocalyptic books. He thinks there's real homiletical gold there, which is being robbed by those he calls 'Darbyists,' dispensationalists who follow the teaching of John Nelson Darby as propagated by Hal Lindsey and the Left Behind novels. Efird provides an accessible history of that movement and the beginnings of a biblical response. Study questions and his readable style make this book ideal for ministers or laypeople." — The Christian Century

Genres: Theology

106 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Brenda F. Bell-McAdams · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Truth will set us free!

The author, James Efird offers an easy to read explanation of the most popular end-time theory of dispensationalism. He points out that this theory is based on misleading interpretation of scripture-- particularly the book of Revelation. I found his book to be very helpful in preparing to facilitate a study of Revelation with my congregation. I recommend it to all clergy.

[Lucy McCoskey · Rating 5 out of 5]

a well-written, well-researched, well-reasoned discussion of the misuse & misunderstanding of Revelation

[Van Jones]

If one calls himself/herself a Christina it is "must" reading!

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good overview of Darbyism and an investigation into the truth of it versus the Bible.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

A critique of Darbyist dispensationalism by means of an exigesis of apocalyptic literature. In other words, a lesson in why those who believe in the literal rapture/antichrist/armaggedon interpretation of the book of Revelation are wrong.

I read this book in conjunction with a series of lectures by the author at my church, and it was extremely educational. Apocalyptic literature is hard for modern readers to understand, but when the history of the style is learned and the symbolism-- which was well-known to readers of the time-- is explained, it becomes very clear. The book of Revelation was not a vision about the end of the world, but a specific encouragement to first century Jews about their imminent release from persecution by Rome.

[Brian White · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thankfully, this was a quick read. This book is mainly about Efird's desire to refute popular interpretations built around the teaching of Darby. I can't say it really added a lot of depth to the Revelation discussion. Possibly my evaluation of his thinking is based to the reality that he is refuting a viewpoint I didn't affirm anyway.