Recorder: Darolyn Mangum

Left Behind: The Movie

Video: Left Behind: The Movie. Dir. Vic Sarin. Opened in Theaters on February 2, 2001.

Summary of the Movie: Based on the best-selling novels by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins, Left Behind: The Movie follows the lives of people who have missed the Rapture and are struggling against the Antichrist and the worldwide terror and chaos that occurs as the cataclysm unfolds. As the scene begins, passengers aboard a plane en route to Europe begin to disappear. Nothing remains except their clothes, jewelry, fillings, surgical pens, glasses, etc. At the same time, cars are left unmanned on the road. In an instant, the world as they know it changes forever.

Objectives: 1A- Narratives about the future (Apocalyptic) 2C- States of the future (Utopia) 3- Is the future "written" or "being written?"

Sources:

Left Behind: The Movie. Dir. Vic Sarin. Perf. Kirk Cameron, Brad Johnson, Chelsea Noble, Clarence Gilyard, Janaya Stephens, Colin Fox and Gordon Currie. Cloud Ten Pictures, February 2, 2001.

1. This belief considers the future to be previously "written." What do you think about this?

2. In his article, Wohlberg equates the popularity of these novels with the idea of people following the lives of their favorite soap opera stars. Why do you think this series is so successful?

3. In a narrative such as this, an apocalyptic one, what are the successes? Downfalls?

Introduction and Presentation:

I read the summary that was on the handout and discussed the objectives that were relevant to the course. I demonstrated the relevance of the objectives by giving several examples from Revelations and other Biblical passages. (See presentation handout) Before moving on to the movie, I asked if everyone had heard of the Left Behind series. Glenn said that he had not, so I explained what the series was about and gave some information about the authors. I went on to discuss how the authors only intended to write the first novel, but due to its success, they are now writing the ninth.

Discussion:

After the movie scene, I read the questions from the handout in order to initiate class participation on the topic. I also explained the Left Behind Deception website. (A website by a Christian that reveals small inconsistencies between the Left Behind series and the Bible)

Dr. White stated that it was interesting that the rapture scene took place in a highly technological environment (an airplane) and discussed the disharmony it created in such an environment. Melissa added to the idea of the chaos in the airplane environment, saying that it made the rapture seem more realistic because the people could not just walk off the plane.

Next, I discussed some of the explanations that were given for the rapture in the novel. Discussion then moved on to the fact that, in the novel, those explanations seemed to fall short in some sense. Therefore, the Biblical explanation for the sudden disappearance of people seemed to be the only explanation that was sensible. This was related to the idea of the "written" future in the Bible.

One student asked a question about the children disappearing in the scene. He asked the age of the children which were automatically taken to Heaven. Though I was not able to provide him with a very direct answer, I explained that most of the children in the scene that disappeared were obviously babies. Aside from babies, most Christians believe that the children who are not old enough to understand God and the idea of being saved are the ones who will be raptured. Any children old enough to comprehend this are responsible for making their own decisions . Val asked what happened to the animals.

Dr. White mentioned the fact that having children disappear before the parents’ eyes was a very useful tool. In other words, losing a child is very personal and scary. Therefore, some people might be inclined to serve God because they want to be reunited with their child in Heaven one day. In the midst of this topic, I discussed the captain and how he had lost both a wife and a child to the rapture.

Dr. White commented on the progression of the lost people. The first man shown to disappear was an older married man. Then, the scene moved on to a Mom losing her children. Next, it went on to a number of people on the airplane. He also mentioned the interesting fact that Jerry Jenkins (a co-author of the series) writes a comic strip in the Houston Chronicle.

Dr. White commented on the quality of the movie. The Omega Code was discussed. Concerning Left Behind: The Movie, one student said that they did not even realize that it was out at movie theaters. I assured him that it was and that it might not have been appearing much in our area. Terry commented that many churches, such as hers, got the movie trailer and showed it every week to whoever wanted to come. The young adult Left Behind novels were also discussed.

Terry commented on question two, saying that the appeal of the series or movie might have something to do with the fact that it is a story which states that you have got to live a decent life. I brought up that the appeal might come from the fact that the books could be read for the literary quality or for the Christian aspect, much like the Bible. After all, the books were on the best-selling lists across the country. Dr. White commented on the status signs in the Left Behind series, comparing them to Danielle Steel novels. Students also contemplated further reasons that people might watch the movie or read the books.

After one student commented that the novels or the movie probably forced people into Christianity, I asked how many people besides me had ever read the novels or seen the movie. Sonja said that she had completed the series, and like me, she felt that the Left Behind material eased people into the idea of Christianity, rather than preaching it at them. Thomas agreed that the movie did not seem to preach Christianity too much and that the Left Behind material is probably comparable to The Stand.

A discussion of the rapture wrapped up the presentation.