Discussion Questions for Small-Group Consideration Or Personal Reflection
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Study Guide Discussion Questions for Small-Group Consideration or Personal Reflection Chapter 1 How Popular Are the Left Behind Books … and Why? (Forbes) 1. Does some knowledge about the backgrounds of authors Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins influence the way you read the novels? Why or why not? If it does influence you, in what way? 2. Why do you think the Left Behind novels have been so popular? 3. On the basis of your acquaintance with people who have read the Left Behind series, do you think they read the books simply as entertainment? Are they attracted to the religious beliefs in the books? Does reading the books influence the viewpoints and the lives of readers? If so, in what ways? If not, why not? 4. One criticism of the Left Behind books, and of the belief system on which they are based, is that it creates an “us-versus-them” mental- ity. The complaint is that it divides the world too easily into good and bad, black and white, with no shades of gray. Do you think this is true? If so, is it a helpful way to look at the world or not? Chapter 2 How Did Left Behind’s Particular Vision of the End Times Develop? (Kilde) 1. Kilde observes that, throughout history, times of strife have prompted Christians to focus on ideas of the end times, while atten- tion to the end times has been less popular when things are going well for Christians. Why would this be the case? Is it true now? 198 Discussion Questions 2. Over the centuries of Christian history, many persons have predicted that “the end is near.” Does that make you skeptical when people make similar claims today? Should it, or is today’s situation different? 3. Many persons believe that the United States plays a special role in God’s plan for humanity. Do you agree with this belief? Have you seen this belief expressed in American culture beyond the Left Behind books? 4. Some critics worry that belief in Jesus’ imminent return tends to undercut social responsibility. If a person is convinced that life on earth will deteriorate until Christ intervenes, why would he or she worry about protecting the environment, combating poverty, or working for peace? Is this a fair criticism? Chapter 3 What Does the Bible Say About the End Times? (Reasoner) 1. One major division among Christians is whether certain portions of the Bible should be read literally or symbolically. How would you summarize these two approaches, in your own words? With which approach are you most sympathetic? 2. Another basic disagreement exists about how to understand the biblical book of Revelation. Do the visions of John refer to the per- secution of early Christians in the Roman empire? Do they provide a coded prediction of the future, two thousand years later? What other viewpoints are possible? How should a person decide? 3. Do you think the Bible foretells a rapture, or not? 4. Given that Christians disagree about the details of an end-times scenario, does it make a difference which details one accepts? Does one’s choice of a particular viewpoint about the end times necessarily tie the person to certain principles of biblical interpretation? Is your own view of the end times important in how you read the Bible or how you live your life? Chapter 4 When Do Christians Think the End Times Will Happen? (Grenz) 1. This chapter discusses three major Christian belief systems about the end times: postmillennialism, premillennialism, and amillennialism. Discussion Questions 199 Premillennialism is then divided into two subgroups: dispensational premillennialism and historic premillennialism. How would you explain the basic differences between them, in your own words? Which view is closest to your perspective? Why? 2. Do you expect a literal earthly era in which God reigns for a thou- sand years at the end of history? Or do you see most of this discus- sion of the end times as symbolic or allegorical? What leads you to take one position or another? 3. Grenz comments that there has been a “long-standing absence in many churches of any talk about a future end of the age.” Do you think that is true? Should there be more focus on this topic, or less? 4. Which come first, religious beliefs or political and social events? Grenz suggests that premillennial theology developed first and then events, such as the Russian Revolution, confirmed the beliefs and broadened their appeal. In other chapters Kilde and Frykholm sug- gest that theology developed in response to events. With which view do you agree? Can they be combined in some way? Chapter 5 How Are Jews and Israel Portrayed in the Left Behind Series? (Ariel) 1. What characters and scenes in the various Left Behind books portray Jews or the nation of Israel? Do these portrayals fit with the analysis offered by Yaakov Ariel, or do you interpret them differently? 2. This chapter discusses a “paradox” in evangelical Christian under- standings of Judaism that is reflected in the Left Behind books. Jews and Israel are seen as crucial in the last days, because of the reestab- lishment of Israel and the rebuilding of the Jerusalem Temple, but Jews must convert to Christianity in order to be saved. Thus, would you call the novels pro-Jewish, anti-Jewish, or some other alterna- tive? Why? 3. There is a debate among Christians about whether Christians should try to evangelize Jews. What is your view? 4. Ariel argues that Christian millennial beliefs have influenced U. S. foreign policy regarding Israel. Do you agree that such an influence has existed in recent American politics? In your view, is such an influence appropriate and beneficial, or not? 200 Discussion Questions Chapter 6 What Social and Political Messages Appear in the Left Behind Books? (Frykholm) 1. Do you view international organizations (like the United Nations or the European Union) positively or negatively? Why? 2. “Globalization” and “global community” have become controver- sial terms, from a great variety of political and social perspectives. How do you understand the terms? Do they represent a threat or a promise? 3. Do your religious beliefs influence your evaluation of international organizations and globalization (the topics of questions 1 and 2)? How do your views compare with the perspective in the Left Behind novels? 4. Have you reflected on the roles of gender and race in the Left Behind novels before reading Amy Frykholm’s chapter? Do you agree with what she sees as the message of the books on these two topics? 5. Does consumer culture threaten the Christian life or aid it? Glossary amillennialism A particular understanding of the millennium, or the thousand-year reign of Christ on earth, which asserts that it should be viewed symbolically rather than literally. Augustine was an early advo- cate of this view, which has been widely held by Christians ever since. Although some amillennialists understand the millennium to be cur- rently in effect, others see it as a metaphor for spiritual perfection attainable through Christ. antichrist A false Christ or enemy of Christ. In premillennial dispen- sationalist thought, the individual or institution that will deceive the people of the world in order to achieve global domination. Once this individual or institution has gained the trust of the people, he/it will reveal himself/itself as the embodiment of evil and the enemy of Christ. Some millenarians throughout Christian history have variously identi- fied the Roman Catholic Church, the papacy, Adolf Hitler, the Soviet Union, the United Nations, and communism, as well as other individu- als, groups, and ideas, as the antichrist. apocalypse, apocalyptic literature From the Greek word apokalypsis, meaning “unveiling,” “disclosure,” or “revelation.” The biblical book titled The Revelation to John is also called the Apocalypse. Scholars use the term “apocalyptic literature” to refer to a genre of writings that reveal divine mysteries, particularly those associated with the punish- ment of enemies and the reward of those faithful to God. Apocalyptic literature and thought tends to rely on dreams or visions, is highly symbolic, and frequently refers to an end of human history. The books of Daniel and Revelation are biblical examples, though there are many nonbiblical apocalyptic texts as well (e.g., First Enoch). Armageddon A mountain (Harmageddon), mentioned in Revelation 16:16, that is often associated with the ancient city of Megiddo in Palestine, where decisive battles had been fought. Some millenarians believe that Armageddon will be the location of the final battle between Christ and the forces of evil (Satan), which will occur during 202 Glossary the end times. The name of the site frequently is generalized to refer to this final battle itself. C.E. “Common Era.” Many people use these initials instead of A.D. (Anno Domini—Year of Our Lord) to refer to the years since the birth of Jesus Christ. C.E. is a more neutral designation, recognizing that this dividing point in the calendar has become a common standard in the western world for Christian and non-Christian alike. B.C.E. indicates time “Before the Common Era.” chiliasm From the Greek chilioi, meaning “thousand,” this is another word for millennialism and refers to the belief in a thousand-year reign of Jesus Christ at the end of time. chosen people A term used in the Hebrew scriptures to describe the Israelites, who were taken under Yahweh’s particular care. Some Christian theologians have argued that with Christ’s atonement for human sin, Christians supplanted Jews as God’s chosen people. Others, however, retain the view that Jews remain God’s chosen people.