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ISIS and Left-Behind Christians: A BIG Difference

ISIS and Left-Behind Christians: A BIG Difference

Last updated on: February 27, 2015 at 9:43 am by Bill Blankschaen

ISIS and Left-Behind Christians: A BIG Difference 2015-02-27T09:43:02-07:00 Bill Blankschaen

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I’m not sure what to call them really.

It used to be that I could use words like dispensational or pre-millennial and Christians would know what I meant. I’m not so sure of that anymore. We’ve grown averse to using multi-syllabic words in church these days and, it seems to me, are the worse for it. [See my post Why I Left Your Seeker-Friendly Church]

I was raised in a church environment that embraced much of the apocalyptic view of the future we find in the The Left Behind Collection book series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins. Years of careful study of Scripture shifted my perspective to align with a more optimistic outlook about the success of the gospel in time and space. If you’re interested in such a positive perspective, I suggest the following resources: An Eschatology of Victory by J. Marcellus Kik or The Last Days according to Jesus by R.C. Sproul.

Now, by Left-Behind Christians, I am not referring to the vast majority of believers who really have no defined opinion about eschatology (the study of end times) but who generally believe that Jesus is returning soon. Nor am I referring to the many scholars and pastors who hold to pre-tribulation, pre-millennial views while continuing to be salt and light in the world right here and now. I know many such wonderful people and am always thrilled to work alongside them to expand God’s Kingdom of grace.

By Left-Behind Christians, I mean those who still embrace Hal Lindsay’s perspective of The Late Great Planet Earth. They are forever seeking to escape this present world and usher in the next as quickly as possible. They cheer when war breaks out in the Middle East because they believe that such chaos signals the eminent return of Christ. They celebrate the spread of evil because they believe wickedness is a sure sign that Jesus is about to touch down on the Mount of Olives and save the day. I assure you they are out there – and sincere in their beliefs.

But they are not to be confused with the evil Islamic State movement — yes, they are evil — that also preaches a coming Armageddon and imminent return of Jesus to usher in a new heaven and new earth while creating an apocalypse to trigger the end of the world. See this article in The Atlantic entitled “What ISIS Really Wants” to discover more of the beliefs that motivate them.

ISIS and Left-Behind Christians

Some critics of religion in general may seek to bolster a case against all people who take their faith to “extremes.” There is, however, a BIG difference between ISIS and Left-Behind Christians, each of whom take their faith seriously. Yes, they both speak often of the end of the world being near. Yes, they both have an unsettling preoccupation with the occupation of Jerusalem and surrounding territory. Yes, they both believe that their actions may help usher in the end of the world and the advent of a type of millennial age. But how they go about it are radically different.

ISIS creates evil. Left-Behind Christians seek an escape from evil.
ISIS believes their Scripture calls them to usher in a new era of peace through violence. Left-Behind Christians try to usher in a new era of peace by retreating from the world.
ISIS forces conversions at the tip of the sword. Left-Behind Christians offer an opportunity to believe and receive new life.
ISIS believes they can usher in a millennial era by creating victims. Left-Behind Christians think they can best usher in a new era by becoming victims themselves.

Even if their gospel tends to be significantly weaker than what I believe Scripture teaches, Left-Behind Christians don’t cut people’s heads off for not converting to Christianity. (They may make cheesy movies, but even then, they don’t force you to watch.) Although their retreat from culture creates opportunities for evil to thrive, Left-Behind Christians should never be confused with Islamic extremists. And even though I can’t help a little sarcasm at times, they remain my brothers and sisters in Christ with whom I look forward to enjoying eternity.

At least we agree that eventually, evil will be no more.

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