Tim LaHaye
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Timothy Francis LaHaye (April 27, 1926 – July 25, 2016) was an American
Baptist Baptists form a major branch of Protestantism distinguished by baptizing professing Christian believers only ( believer's baptism), and doing so by complete immersion. Baptist churches also generally subscribe to the doctrines of soul compe ...
evangelical Christian Evangelicalism (), also called evangelical Christianity or evangelical Protestantism, is a worldwide interdenominational movement within Protestant Christianity that affirms the centrality of being " born again", in which an individual expe ...
minister who wrote more than 85 books, both fiction and non-fiction, including the ''
Left Behind ''Left Behind'' is a multimedia franchise that started with a series of 16 bestselling religious novels by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins. It focuses on a seven-year conflict between the Tribulation Force, an underground network of converts, a ...
'' series of apocalyptic fiction, which he co-authored with Jerry B. Jenkins. He was a founder of the
Council for National Policy The Council for National Policy (CNP) is an umbrella organization and networking group for conservative and Republican activists in the United States. It was launched in 1981 during the Reagan administration by Tim LaHaye and the Christian rig ...
, a right-wing conservative Christian advocacy group. LaHaye was vociferously anti-homosexual, a harsh critic of Roman Catholicism, and a strong believer of the
Illuminati The Illuminati (; plural of Latin ''illuminatus'', 'enlightened') is a name given to several groups, both real and fictitious. Historically, the name usually refers to the Bavarian Illuminati, an Enlightenment-era secret society founded on ...
global conspiracy theory.


Biography


Early life

Timothy Francis LaHaye was born on April 27, 1926, in
Detroit, Michigan Detroit ( , ; , ) is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is also the largest U.S. city on the United States–Canada border, and the seat of government of Wayne County. The City of Detroit had a population of 639,111 at ...
to Frank LaHaye, a
Ford Ford commonly refers to: * Ford Motor Company, an automobile manufacturer founded by Henry Ford * Ford (crossing), a shallow crossing on a river Ford may also refer to: Ford Motor Company * Henry Ford, founder of the Ford Motor Company * Ford F ...
auto worker who died in 1936 of a
heart attack A myocardial infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when blood flow decreases or stops to the coronary artery of the heart, causing damage to the heart muscle. The most common symptom is chest pain or discomfort which ma ...
, and Margaret LaHaye (née Palmer). His father's death had a significant influence on LaHaye, who was only nine years old at the time. He had been inconsolable until the minister at the funeral said, "This is not the end of Frank LaHaye; because he accepted
Jesus Christ Jesus, likely from he, יֵשׁוּעַ, translit=Yēšūaʿ, label=Hebrew/Aramaic ( AD 30 or 33), also referred to as Jesus Christ or Jesus of Nazareth (among other names and titles), was a first-century Jewish preacher and religious ...
, the day will come when the Lord will shout from heaven and descend, and the dead in Christ will rise first and then we'll be caught up together to meet him in the air." LaHaye later said that, upon hearing those remarks, "all of a sudden, there was hope in my heart I'd see my father again." LaHaye enlisted in the
United States Army Air Forces The United States Army Air Forces (USAAF or AAF) was the major land-based aerial warfare service component of the United States Army and ''de facto'' aerial warfare service branch of the United States during and immediately after World War II ...
in 1944, at the age of 18, after he finished night school. He served in the European Theater of Operations as a
machine gun A machine gun is a fully automatic, rifled autoloading firearm designed for sustained direct fire with rifle cartridges. Other automatic firearms such as automatic shotguns and automatic rifles (including assault rifles and battle rifles) ar ...
ner aboard a bomber. In 1950, LaHaye received a
Bachelor of Arts Bachelor of arts (BA or AB; from the Latin ', ', or ') is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate program in the arts, or, in some cases, other disciplines. A Bachelor of Arts degree course is generally completed in three or four year ...
from
Bob Jones University , motto_lang = Latin , mottoeng = We seek, we trust , top_free_label = , top_free = , type = Private university , established = , closed = , f ...
in Greenville, South Carolina. LaHaye held the
Doctor of Ministry The Doctor of Ministry (abbreviated DMin or D.Min.) is a professional doctorate, often including a research component, that may be earned by a minister of religion while concurrently engaged in some form of ministry. It is categorized as an advance ...
degree from
Western Seminary Western Seminary is an interdenominational Evangelical Christian seminary with campuses in Portland, Oregon; San Jose, California; and Sacramento, California. Western Seminary also has online-only degrees and programs and provides non-credit cla ...
.


Ministry

He served as a pastor in
Pumpkintown, South Carolina Pumpkintown is an unincorporated community in Pickens County, South Carolina, on State Highway 8 northwest of Greenville. History The community was settled before 1791, and was originally called "Pumpkin Town", named by an anonymous early tr ...
, and after that he pastored a congregation in
Minneapolis Minneapolis () is the largest city in Minnesota, United States, and the county seat of Hennepin County. The city is abundant in water, with thirteen lakes, wetlands, the Mississippi River, creeks and waterfalls. Minneapolis has its origins ...
until 1956. After that, the LaHaye family moved to
San Diego, California San Diego ( , ; ) is a city on the Pacific Ocean coast of Southern California located immediately adjacent to the Mexico–United States border. With a 2020 population of 1,386,932, it is the eighth most populous city in the United Stat ...
, where he served as pastor of the Scott Memorial Baptist Church (now called
Shadow Mountain Community Church Shadow Mountain Community Church is an evangelical Christian megachurch affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention and located in El Cajon, California, a city in San Diego county. The church celebrated its centennial in 2009. History Th ...
) for nearly 25 years. In 1971, he founded Christian Heritage College, now known as
San Diego Christian College San Diego Christian College (SDCC) is a private, evangelical college in Santee, California, a suburb of San Diego. Founded in 1970, SDCC offers traditional, non-traditional, and graduate programs. History In January 1970, Tim F. LaHaye, pastor ...
. In 1972, LaHaye helped establish the
Institute for Creation Research The Institute for Creation Research (ICR) is a Creationist apologetics institute in Dallas, Texas, that specializes in media promotion of pseudoscientific creation science and interpretation of the Genesis creation narrative as a historical ev ...
in El Cajon, California, along with Henry M. Morris.


Political activism

LaHaye started numerous groups to promote his views, having become involved in politics at the Christian Voice during the late 1970s and early 1980s. In 1979, he encouraged Jerry Falwell to found the
Moral Majority Moral Majority was an American political organization associated with the Christian right and Republican Party. It was founded in 1979 by Baptist minister Jerry Falwell Sr. and associates, and dissolved in the late 1980s. It played a key role in ...
and sat on its board of directors. LaHaye's wife, Beverly, founded
Concerned Women for America Concerned Women for America (CWA) is a socially conservative, evangelical Christian Nonprofit organization, non-profit women's 501(c)_organization#501(c)(4), legislative action committee in the United States. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., W ...
, a conservative Christian women's activist group. Then in 1981, he left the pulpit to concentrate his time on politics and writing. That year, he helped found the
Council for National Policy The Council for National Policy (CNP) is an umbrella organization and networking group for conservative and Republican activists in the United States. It was launched in 1981 during the Reagan administration by Tim LaHaye and the Christian rig ...
(CNP) a policy making
think tank A think tank, or policy institute, is a research institute that performs research and advocacy concerning topics such as social policy, political strategy, economics, military, technology, and culture. Most think tanks are non-governmenta ...
in which membership is only available through invitation; it has been reported "the most powerful
conservative Conservatism is a cultural, social, and political philosophy that seeks to promote and to preserve traditional institutions, practices, and values. The central tenets of conservatism may vary in relation to the culture and civilization in ...
organization in America you've never heard of". In the 1980s he was criticized by the evangelical community for accepting money from
Bo Hi Pak Bo Hi Pak (August 18, 1930 – January 12, 2019 in Korea. Korean: 박보희/朴普熙) was a prominent member of the Unification Church. During the 1970s and 1980s, he was a major leader in the church movement, leading projects such as newspapers ...
, a longtime Sun Myung Moon operative.
Barbara Forrest Barbara Carroll Forrest is a professor of philosophy at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, Louisiana. She is a critic of intelligent design and the Discovery Institute. Biography Forrest is a graduate of Hammond High School. She re ...
and Paul R. Gross. '' Creationism's Trojan Horse: The Wedge of Intelligent Design''. 2004, page 272
He was additionally criticized for joining Moon's Council for Religious Freedom, which was founded to protest Moon's 1984 imprisonment. In 1996, LaHaye's wife spoke at an event sponsored by Moon. In the 1980s, LaHaye founded the
American Coalition for Traditional Values The Traditional Values Coalition (TVC) was an American conservative Christian organization. It was founded in Orange County, California by Rev. Louis P. Sheldon to oppose LGBT rights. Sheldon's daughter, Andrea Sheldon Lafferty, was the execut ...
and the
Coalition for Religious Freedom The Coalition for Religious Freedom is a Christian religious right organization founded by Tim LaHaye and Robert Grant (Christian Leader), Robert Grant to lobby against government regulation of religion. In the 1980s the organization concentrated i ...
. He founded the Pre-Tribulation Research Center along with Thomas Ice in 1998. The center is dedicated to producing material that supports a dispensationalist, pre-tribulation interpretation of the Bible. He and his wife had connections to the
John Birch Society The John Birch Society (JBS) is an American right-wing political advocacy group. Founded in 1958, it is anti-communist, supports social conservatism, and is associated with ultraconservative, radical right, far-right, or libertarian ide ...
, a conservative, anti-communist group. LaHaye also took more direct roles in presidential politics. He supported Ronald Reagan's elections as
United States president The president of the United States (POTUS) is the head of state and head of government of the United States of America. The president directs the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United Stat ...
. He was a co-chairman of Jack Kemp's 1988 presidential bid but was removed from the campaign after four days when his
anti-Catholic Anti-Catholicism is hostility towards Catholics or opposition to the Catholic Church, its clergy, and/or its adherents. At various points after the Reformation, some majority Protestant states, including England, Prussia, Scotland, and the Uni ...
views became known. LaHaye played a significant role in getting the Religious Right to support George W. Bush for the presidency in
2000 File:2000 Events Collage.png, From left, clockwise: Protests against Bush v. Gore after the 2000 United States presidential election; Heads of state meet for the Millennium Summit; The International Space Station in its infant form as seen from S ...
. In 2007, he endorsed Mike Huckabee during the
primaries Primary elections, or direct primary are a voting process by which voters can indicate their preference for their party's candidate, or a candidate in general, in an upcoming general election, local election, or by-election. Depending on the c ...
and served as his spiritual advisor.


''Left Behind''

LaHaye is best known for the ''Left Behind'' series of apocalyptic fiction that depicts the
Earth Earth is the third planet from the Sun and the only astronomical object known to harbor life. While large volumes of water can be found throughout the Solar System, only Earth sustains liquid surface water. About 71% of Earth's surfa ...
after the pretribulation rapture which Premillennial Dispensationalists believe the Bible states, multiple times, will occur. The books were LaHaye's idea, though Jerry B. Jenkins, a former sportswriter with numerous other works of fiction to his name, wrote the books from LaHaye's notes. Jenkins has said, "I write the best I can. I know I'm never going to be revered as some classic writer. I don't claim to be
C. S. Lewis Clive Staples Lewis (29 November 1898 – 22 November 1963) was a British writer and Anglican lay theologian. He held academic positions in English literature at both Oxford University (Magdalen College, 1925–1954) and Cambridge Univers ...
. The literary-type writers, I admire them. I wish I was smart enough to write a book that's hard to read, you know?" The series, which started in 1995 with the first novel, includes 12 titles in the adult series, as well as juvenile novels, audio books, devotionals, and graphic novels. The books have been very popular, with total sales surpassing 65 million copies as of July 2016. Seven titles in the adult series have reached No. 1 on the bestseller lists for ''
The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid d ...
,
USA Today ''USA Today'' (stylized in all uppercase) is an American daily middle-market newspaper and news broadcasting company. Founded by Al Neuharth on September 15, 1982, the newspaper operates from Gannett's corporate headquarters in Tysons, Virgi ...
'', and ''
Publishers Weekly ''Publishers Weekly'' (''PW'') is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers, and literary agents. Published continuously since 1872, it has carried the tagline, "The International News Magazine of ...
''. Jerry Falwell said about the first book in the series: "In terms of its impact on Christianity, it's probably greater than that of any other book in modern times, outside the Bible." The best-selling series has been compared to the equally popular works of
Tom Clancy Thomas Leo Clancy Jr. (April 12, 1947 – October 1, 2013) was an American novelist. He is best known for his technically detailed espionage and military-science storylines set during and after the Cold War. Seventeen of his novels have ...
and Stephen King: "the plotting is brisk and the characterizations Manichean. People disappear and things blow up." LaHaye indicates that the idea for the series came to him one day circa 1994, while he was sitting on an airplane and observed a married pilot flirting with a flight attendant. He wondered what would befall the pilot if the Rapture happened at that moment. The first book in the series opens with a similar scene. He sold the movie rights for the ''Left Behind'' series and later stated he regretted that decision, because the films turned out to be "church-basement videos", rather than "a big-budget blockbuster" that he had hoped for.


Later activities

In 2001, LaHaye co-hosted with Dave Breese the prophecy television program ''The King Is Coming''. In 2001, LaHaye gave $4.5 million to
Liberty University Liberty University (LU) is a private Baptist university in Lynchburg, Virginia. It is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia ( Southern Baptist Convention). Founded in 1971 by Jerry Falwell Sr. and Elmer L. Towns, Lib ...
to build a new student center and School of Prophecy, which opened in January 2002 and was named after LaHaye. He also served as its president. He provided funds for the LaHaye Ice Center on the campus of Liberty University, which opened in January 2006. LaHaye's book ''The Rapture'' was released on June 6, 2006, in order to capitalize on a 6-6-6 connection.


Personal life and death

Tim LaHaye married activist and fellow author Beverly Ratcliffe in 1947 while attending
Bob Jones University , motto_lang = Latin , mottoeng = We seek, we trust , top_free_label = , top_free = , type = Private university , established = , closed = , f ...
. In July 2016, the LaHayes celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary. They had four children and nine grandchildren, and lived in the Los Angeles area. The LaHayes owned a home in
Rancho Mirage, California Rancho Mirage is a city in Riverside County, California, United States. The population was 17,218 at the 2010 census, up from 13,249 at the 2000 census, but the seasonal (part-time) population can exceed 20,000. Incorporated in 1973 and locate ...
. LaHaye died on July 25, 2016, in a hospital in
San Diego, California San Diego ( , ; ) is a city on the Pacific Ocean coast of Southern California located immediately adjacent to the Mexico–United States border. With a 2020 population of 1,386,932, it is the eighth most populous city in the United Stat ...
, after suffering from a stroke, aged 90. In addition to his wife, Beverly, he was survived by four children, nine grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, a brother (Richard LaHaye), and a sister. His funeral service took place at
Shadow Mountain Community Church Shadow Mountain Community Church is an evangelical Christian megachurch affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention and located in El Cajon, California, a city in San Diego county. The church celebrated its centennial in 2009. History Th ...
on August 12, 2016, with David Jeremiah, who succeeded LaHaye as pastor at what was then Scott Memorial Baptist Church, led the service. LaHaye is interred at Miramar National Cemetery in San Diego, California.


Social views


Homosexuality

In 1978 LaHaye published ''The Unhappy Gays'', which was later retitled ''What Everyone Should Know About Homosexuality''. The book called homosexuals "militant, organized" and "vile." ''The Unhappy Gays'' also argues that homosexuals share 16 pernicious traits, including "incredible promiscuity", "deceit", "selfishness", "vulnerability to sadism-masochism", and "poor health and an early death." He believed that homosexuality can be cured.Bob Moser
"Holy War"
,
Southern Poverty Law Center The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is an American 501(c)(3) nonprofit legal advocacy organization specializing in civil rights and public interest litigation. Based in Montgomery, Alabama, it is known for its legal cases against white s ...
; accessed December 20, 2007.
However, he said that such conversions are rare.


Global conspiracies

LaHaye believed that the
Illuminati The Illuminati (; plural of Latin ''illuminatus'', 'enlightened') is a name given to several groups, both real and fictitious. Historically, the name usually refers to the Bavarian Illuminati, an Enlightenment-era secret society founded on ...
is secretly engineering world affairs. In ''Rapture Under Attack'' he wrote:
I myself have been a forty-five year student of the satanically-inspired, centuries-old
conspiracy A conspiracy, also known as a plot, is a secret plan or agreement between persons (called conspirers or conspirators) for an unlawful or harmful purpose, such as murder or treason, especially with political motivation, while keeping their agre ...
to use government, education, and media to destroy every vestige of Christianity within our society and establish a new world order. Having read at least fifty books on the Illuminati, I am convinced that it exists and can be blamed for many of man's inhumane actions against his fellow man during the past two hundred years.
The Illuminati is just one of many groups that he believed are working to "turn America into an amoral,
humanist Humanism is a philosophical stance that emphasizes the individual and social potential and agency of human beings. It considers human beings the starting point for serious moral and philosophical inquiry. The meaning of the term "human ...
country, ripe for merger into a one-world socialist state." Other
secret societies A secret society is a club or an organization whose activities, events, inner functioning, or membership are concealed. The society may or may not attempt to conceal its existence. The term usually excludes covert groups, such as intelligence a ...
and
liberal Liberal or liberalism may refer to: Politics * a supporter of liberalism ** Liberalism by country * an adherent of a Liberal Party * Liberalism (international relations) * Sexually liberal feminism * Social liberalism Arts, entertainment and m ...
groups working to destroy "every vestige of Christianity", according to LaHaye, include: the
Trilateral Commission The Trilateral Commission is a nongovernmental international organization aimed at fostering closer cooperation between Japan, Western Europe and North America. It was founded in July 1973 principally by American banker and philanthropist David ...
, the
American Civil Liberties Union The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1920 "to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States". T ...
, the
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is a civil rights organization in the United States, formed in 1909 as an interracial endeavor to advance justice for African Americans by a group including W. E. ...
, the
National Organization for Women The National Organization for Women (NOW) is an American feminist organization. Founded in 1966, it is legally a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization. The organization consists of 550 chapters in all 50 U.S. states and in Washington, D.C. It ...
, Planned Parenthood, "the major TV networks, high-profile newspapers and newsmagazines," the State Department, major foundations ( Rockefeller, Carnegie,
Ford Ford commonly refers to: * Ford Motor Company, an automobile manufacturer founded by Henry Ford * Ford (crossing), a shallow crossing on a river Ford may also refer to: Ford Motor Company * Henry Ford, founder of the Ford Motor Company * Ford F ...
), the United Nations, "the left wing of the Democratic Party", Harvard,
Yale Yale University is a private research university in New Haven, Connecticut. Established in 1701 as the Collegiate School, it is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States and among the most prestigious in the wor ...
"and 2,000 other colleges and universities."


Eschatology and ''Left Behind''

LaHaye held apocalyptic beliefs and asserted the end of the world was near. Other believers in dispensational premillennialism, who believe that the return of Jesus is imminent, criticize various aspects of his theology, saying he has "some real problems with his prophetical teachings in the ''Left Behind'' series." It is noted that "in books 8 & 9, LaHaye and Jenkins teach that on-willingrecipients of the mark of the beast can still be saved". However, in ''The Mark'', "the Chang scenario" is developed, whereby a character receives both the mark of the beast and the sealing of the Lord. In ''Desecration'', his dual-marking was justified in the storyline. This has led some readers to wonder "how a Christian can have the mark of the beast and still be saved" and has been asked many times by perplexed readers on the ''Left Behind'' messageboard. Attempts to address this question have appeared on the FAQ page at LeftBehind.com. Many mainstream Christians and certain other evangelicals had broader disagreements with the series as a whole, pointing out that "most biblical scholars largely reject the
eschatological Eschatology (; ) concerns expectations of the end of the present age, human history, or of the world itself. The end of the world or end times is predicted by several world religions (both Abrahamic and non-Abrahamic), which teach that nega ...
assumptions of this kind of pop end-times literature." Others say that LaHaye portrays the
Book of Revelation The Book of Revelation is the final book of the New Testament (and consequently the final book of the Christian Bible). Its title is derived from the first word of the Koine Greek text: , meaning "unveiling" or "revelation". The Book of ...
with a selective literalism, choosing to take some things literally (such as the violence) and others as metaphor (the Beast) as it suits his point of view.Rev. Paul Tellström.
Left-Behind: Rationalism
". Sermon at Irvine United Congregational Church. March 4, 2007.
In ''The Rapture Exposed'' by Barbara Rossing, a number of criticisms are raised regarding the series, particularly its focus on violence.Tom Sine.
Who is Tim LaHaye? And how did he become 'the most influential Christian' in the country?
. ''Sojourners''. September–October 2001.


Anti-Catholic sentiments

LaHaye was a harsh critic of Roman Catholicism, which he called "a false religion". In his 1973 book ''Revelation Illustrated and Made Plain'', he stated that the Catholic Church "is more dangerous than no religion because she substitutes religion for truth" and "is also dangerous because some of her doctrines are pseudo-Christian." Elsewhere the same book compared Catholic ceremonies to pagan rituals. It was these statements that were largely responsible for LaHaye's dismissal from Jack Kemp's 1988 presidential campaign. It was later revealed that Scott Memorial Baptist Church, the San Diego church that LaHaye had pastored throughout the 1970s, had sponsored an anti-Catholic group called Mission to Catholics; one of their pamphlets asserted that
Pope Paul VI Pope Paul VI ( la, Paulus VI; it, Paolo VI; born Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini, ; 26 September 18976 August 1978) was head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 21 June 1963 to his death in Augus ...
was the "archpriest of Satan, a deceiver, and an
antichrist In Christian eschatology, the Antichrist refers to people prophesied by the Bible to oppose Jesus Christ and substitute themselves in Christ's place before the Second Coming. The term Antichrist (including one plural form)1 John ; . 2 John . ...
, who has, like
Judas Judas Iscariot (; grc-x-biblical, Ἰούδας Ἰσκαριώτης; syc, ܝܗܘܕܐ ܣܟܪܝܘܛܐ; died AD) was a disciple and one of the original Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ. According to all four canonical gospels, Judas betr ...
, gone to his own place." The issue of anti-Catholicism also comes up in regard to the ''Left Behind'' series. While the fictional Pope John XXIV was raptured, he is described as having "stirred up controversy in the church with a new doctrine that seemed to coincide more with the 'heresy' of
Martin Luther Martin Luther (; ; 10 November 1483 – 18 February 1546) was a German priest, theologian, author, hymnwriter, and professor, and Augustinian friar. He is the seminal figure of the Protestant Reformation and the namesake of Lutherani ...
than with the historic orthodoxy they were used to," and this is implied as the reason he was raptured. His successor, Pope Peter II becomes Pontifex Maximus of Enigma Babylon One World Faith, an amalgamation of all remaining world faiths and religions. In Book 9 of the series, ''The Desecration'',
Nicolae Carpathia This a list of characters in the ''Left Behind'' novel series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins. Suhail Akbar Suhail Akbar is a supporting antagonist in the ''Left Behind'' series. A native of Pakistan, he was a prominent member of the G ...
, the villain, specifically refutes all happenings at Jesus' crucifixion that are part of the Catholic stations of the Cross but not in the canonical gospels, further undercutting the Catholic traditions.LaHaye, Tim and Jerry Jenkins. The Desecration, Pg. 20. Other Catholic writers have said that while the books aren't "anti-Catholic per se" they reflect LaHaye's other writings on the subject.Carl E. Olson.
No Rapture for Rome: The Anti-Catholics behind the Best-selling ''Left Behind'' Books
". Catholic.com. Accessed December 14, 2007.
Despite his anti-Catholic views, he praised
traditionalist Catholic Traditionalist Catholicism is the set of beliefs, practices, customs, traditions, liturgical forms, devotions, and presentations of Catholic teaching that existed in the Catholic Church before the liberal reforms of the Second Vatican Council ( ...
director
Mel Gibson Mel Columcille Gerard Gibson (born January 3, 1956) is an American actor, film director, and producer. He is best known for his action hero roles, particularly his breakout role as Max Rockatansky in the first three films of the post-apoca ...
's 2004 film ''
The Passion of the Christ ''The Passion of the Christ'' is a 2004 American epic biblical drama film produced, directed and co-written by Mel Gibson and starring Jim Caviezel as Jesus of Nazareth, Maia Morgenstern as Mary, mother of Jesus, and Monica Bellucci as Mary ...
'', saying that "Everyone should see this movie. It could be Hollywood's finest achievement to date." He also endorsed Catholic convert Newt Gingrich for president in 2012.


Tributes

''
Time Magazine ''Time'' (stylized in all caps) is an American news magazine based in New York City. For nearly a century, it was published weekly, but starting in March 2020 it transitioned to every other week. It was first published in New York City on Ma ...
'' named LaHaye one of the 25 most influential evangelicals in America, and in the summer of 2001, the ''Evangelical Studies Bulletin'' named him the most influential Christian leader of the preceding quarter century.


Awards

He received an
Honorary Doctorate An honorary degree is an academic degree for which a university (or other degree-awarding institution) has waived all of the usual requirements. It is also known by the Latin phrases ''honoris causa'' ("for the sake of the honour") or ''ad hon ...
in Literature from
Liberty University Liberty University (LU) is a private Baptist university in Lynchburg, Virginia. It is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia ( Southern Baptist Convention). Founded in 1971 by Jerry Falwell Sr. and Elmer L. Towns, Lib ...
.


Works

LaHaye authored over 85 books in his lifetime.


Novels

;''Left Behind'' series (with Jerry B. Jenkins): ''Left Behind'' series: # Oct. 1995, ''
Left Behind ''Left Behind'' is a multimedia franchise that started with a series of 16 bestselling religious novels by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins. It focuses on a seven-year conflict between the Tribulation Force, an underground network of converts, a ...
: A Novel of the Earth's Last Days'' () # Oct. 1996, '' Tribulation Force: The Continuing Drama of Those Left Behind'' () # Oct. 1997, '' Nicolae: The Rise of Antichrist'' () # Aug. 1998, ''
Soul Harvest ''Soul Harvest: The World Takes Sides'' is the fourth book in the Left Behind (series), Left Behind series. It was written by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins in 1999. It takes place 21–27 months into the Tribulation. Plot summary After the Wrat ...
: The World Takes Sides'' () # Feb. 1999, '' Apollyon: The Destroyer Is Unleashed'' () # Aug. 1999, '' Assassins: Assignment: Jerusalem, Target: Antichrist'' () # May. 2000, '' The Indwelling: The Beast Takes Possession'' () # Nov. 2000, '' The Mark: The Beast Rules the World'' () # Oct. 2001, ''
Desecration Desecration is the act of depriving something of its sacred character, or the disrespectful, contemptuous, or destructive treatment of that which is held to be sacred or holy by a group or individual. Detail Many consider acts of desecration to ...
: Antichrist Takes the Throne'' () # Jul. 2002, '' The Remnant: On the Brink of Armageddon'' () # Apr. 2003, ''
Armageddon According to the Book of Revelation in the New Testament of the Christian Bible, Armageddon (, from grc, Ἁρμαγεδών ''Harmagedōn'', Late Latin: , from Hebrew: ''Har Məgīddō'') is the prophesied location of a gathering of armies ...
: The Cosmic Battle of the Ages'' () # Mar. 2004, '' Glorious Appearing: The End of Days'' () # Apr. 2007, '' Kingdom Come: The Final Victory'' () ''Before They Were Left Behind'' series (prequel): # March 2005, '' The Rising: Before They Were Left Behind'' () # November 2005, ''
The Regime ''The Regime: Evil Advances/Before They Were Left Behind'' is the second prequel novel in the ''Left Behind'' series, written by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins. It was released on Tuesday, November 15, 2005. This book covers more events lea ...
: Before They Were Left Behind'' () # June 6, 2006, '' The Rapture'' () '' Left Behind: The Kids'' series (spin off): # ''The Vanishings: Four Kids Face Earth's Last Days Together'' (1998) # ''Second Chance: The Search For Truth'' (1998) # ''Through the Flames: The Kids Risk Their Lives'' (1998) # ''Facing the Future: Preparing for Battle'' (1998) # ''Nicolae High: The Young Trib Force Goes Back to School'' (1999) # ''The Underground: The Young Trib Force Fights Back'' (1999, with Chris Fabry) # ''Busted!: The Young Trib Force Faces Pressure'' (2000, with Chris Fabry) # ''Death Strike: The Young Trib Force Faces War'' (2000, with Chris Fabry) # ''The Search: The Struggle to Survive'' (2000, with Chris Fabry) # ''On the Run: The Young Trib Force Faces Danger'' (2000) # ''Into the Storm: The Search for Secret Documents'' (2000, with Chris Fabry) # ''Earthquake!: The Young Trib Force Faces Disaster'' (2000, with Chris Fabry) # ''The Showdown: Behind Enemy Lines'' (2001, with Chris Fabry) # ''Judgment Day: Into Raging Waters'' (2001, with Chris Fabry) # ''Battling the Commander: The Hidden Cave'' (2001, with Chris Fabry) # ''Fire from Heaven'' (2001, with Chris Fabry) # ''Terror in the Stadium: Witnesses Under Fire'' (2001, with Chris Fabry) # ''Darkening Skies: Judgment of Ice'' (2001, with Chris Fabry) # ''Attack of Apollyon: Revenge of the Locusts'' (2002) # ''A Dangerous Plan: Race Against Time'' (2002, with Chris Fabry) # ''Secrets of New Babylon: The Search for an Imposter'' (2002) # ''Escape from New Babylon: Discovering New Believers'' (2002, with Chris Fabry) # ''Horsemen of Terror: The Unseen Judgment'' (2002, with Chris Fabry) # ''Uplink from the Underground: Showtime for Vicki'' (2002, with Chris Fabry) # ''Death at the Gala: History in the Making'' (2003, with Chris Fabry) # ''The Beast Arises: Unveiling the Plan'' (2003, with Chris Fabry) # ''Wildfire: Into the Great Tribulation'' (2003, with Chris Fabry) # ''The Mark of the Beast: Dilemma in New Bablyon'' (2003, with Chris Fabry) # ''Breakout!: Believers in Danger'' (2003) # ''Murder in the Holy Place: Carpathia's Deadly Deception'' (2003, with Chris Fabry) # ''Escape to Masada: Joining Operation Eagle'' (2003, with Chris Fabry) # ''War of the Dragon: Miracles in the Air'' (2003, with Chris Fabry) # ''Attack on Petra: Through the Inferno'' (2004, with Chris Fabry) # ''Bounty Hunters: Believers in the Crosshairs'' (2004, with Chris Fabry) # ''The Rise of False Messiahs: Carpathia's Evil Tricks'' (2004) # ''Ominous Choices: The Race for Life'' (2004, with Chris Fabry) # ''Heat Wave: Surviving the Fourth Bowl Judgment'' (2004, with Chris Fabry) # ''The Perils of Love: Breaking Through the Darkness'' (2004, with Chris Fabry) # ''The Road to War: Facing the Guillotine'' (2004, with Chris Fabry) # ''Triumphant Return: The New Jerusalem'' (2004, with Chris Fabry) ;''
Babylon Rising There are four novels in Tim LaHaye's fiction series ''Babylon Rising'' (the first co-authored by Greg Dinallo and the others by Dr. Bob Phillips, Ph.D). Each novel has to do with the hero, Michael Murphy, a college professor, and his struggles ( ...
'' series: # October 2003, ''
Babylon Rising There are four novels in Tim LaHaye's fiction series ''Babylon Rising'' (the first co-authored by Greg Dinallo and the others by Dr. Bob Phillips, Ph.D). Each novel has to do with the hero, Michael Murphy, a college professor, and his struggles ( ...
'', with
Greg Dinallo Greg is a masculine given name, and often a shortened form of the given name Gregory. Greg (more commonly spelled " Gregg") is also a surname. People with the name *Greg Abbott (disambiguation), multiple people * Greg Abel (born 1961/1962), Canad ...
() # August 2004, ''The Secret on Ararat'', with Dr. Bob Phillips, Ph.D () # September 2005, ''The Europa Conspiracy'', with Dr. Bob Phillips, Ph.D () # August 29, 2006, ''The Edge of Darkness'', with Dr. Bob Phillips, Ph.D () ;''The Jesus Chronicles'' series (with Jerry B. Jenkins): # ''John's Story: The Last Eyewitness'' (2006) () # ''Mark's Story: The Gospel According to Peter'' (2007) # ''Luke's Story: By Faith Alone'' (2009) # ''Matthew's Story: From Sinner To Saint'' (2010) ;''The End'' series (with Craig Parshall): # ''Edge of Apocalypse'' (2010) # ''Thunder of Heaven'' (2011) # ''Brink of Chaos'' (2012) # ''Mark of Evil'' (2014) ;Standalone novels: * ''Come Spring'' (2005, with Gregory S. Dinallo) * ''Always Grace'' (2008, with
Greg Dinallo Greg is a masculine given name, and often a shortened form of the given name Gregory. Greg (more commonly spelled " Gregg") is also a surname. People with the name *Greg Abbott (disambiguation), multiple people * Greg Abel (born 1961/1962), Canad ...
, Gregory S. Dinallo)


Comics

;''Left Behind'' Graphic Novel series (with Jerry B. Jenkins): # ''Left Behind: A Graphic Novel of Earth's Last Days'' (2001, with
Aaron Lopresti Aaron Lopresti (born January 7, 1964) is an American comic book artist who has worked for Marvel Comics, DC Comics, Dark Horse Comics, CrossGen Comics and Image Comics. Early life Aaron Lopresti was born January 7, 1964''Comics Buyer's Guide'' ...
, Jeffrey Moy) # ''Tribulation Force: The Continuing Drama of Those Left Behind'' (2002, with Brian Augustyn)


Poems

* ''Our Favorite Verse'' (1986,
Beverly LaHaye Beverly LaHaye (born April 30, 1929) is an American Christian conservative activist and author who founded Concerned Women for America (CWA) in San Diego, California in 1979. She was the wife of Tim LaHaye, the evangelical Christian minister and p ...
)


Nonfiction

;Self-help: * ''Spirit-Controlled Temperament'' (1966) * ''How to Be Happy Though Married'' (1968) * ''Transforming Your Temperament'' (1971) * ''The Beginning of the End'' (1972) * ''How To Win Over Depression'' (1974) * ''Ten Steps to Victory Over Depression'' (1974) * '' The Act of Marriage: The Beauty of Sexual Love'' (1976, with
Beverly LaHaye Beverly LaHaye (born April 30, 1929) is an American Christian conservative activist and author who founded Concerned Women for America (CWA) in San Diego, California in 1979. She was the wife of Tim LaHaye, the evangelical Christian minister and p ...
) * ''Opposites Attract'' (1977) * ''Understand Your Man: Secrets of the Male Temperament'' (1977) * ''Understanding the Male Temperament'' (1977) * ''Six Keys to a Happy Marriage'' (1978) * ''Spirit-Controlled Family Living'' (1978) * ''The Unhappy Gays: What Everyone Should Know About Homosexuality'' (1978) * ''Your Temperament Can Be Changed'' (1978) * ''Anger Is a Choice'' (1982, with Dr. Bob Phillips, Ph.D) * ''How to Manage Pressure Before Pressure Manages You'' (1983) * ''Increase Your Personality Power'' (1984) * ''Practical Answers to Common Questions about Sex in Marriage'' (1984) * ''The Coming Peace in the Middle East'' (1984) * ''Your Temperament: Discover Its Potential'' (1984) * What Lovemaking Means to a... series: *# ''What Lovemaking Means to a Woman: Practical Advice to Married Women about Sex'' (1984) *# ''What Lovemaking Means to a Man: Practical Advice to Married Men about Sex'' (1984) * ''Sex Education is for the Family'' (1985) * ''Why You Act the Way You Do'' (1987) * ''Finding the Will of God in a Crazy, Mixed-Up World'' (1989) * ''If Ministers Fall, Can They Be Restored?'' (1990) * ''Our Life Together'' (1990, with Richard Exley) * ''I Love You, But Why Are We So Different?: Making the Most of Personality Differences in Your Marriage'' (1991) * ''Raising Sexually Pure Kids: How to Prepare Your Children for The Act of Marriage'' (1993) * ''Smart Money'' (1994, with Jerry Tuma) * ''The Spirit-Filled Family: Expanded for the Challenges of Today'' (1995, with
Beverly LaHaye Beverly LaHaye (born April 30, 1929) is an American Christian conservative activist and author who founded Concerned Women for America (CWA) in San Diego, California in 1979. She was the wife of Tim LaHaye, the evangelical Christian minister and p ...
) * ''Gathering Lilies from Among the Thorns: Finding the Mate God Has for You'' (1998, with
Beverly LaHaye Beverly LaHaye (born April 30, 1929) is an American Christian conservative activist and author who founded Concerned Women for America (CWA) in San Diego, California in 1979. She was the wife of Tim LaHaye, the evangelical Christian minister and p ...
) * ''The Power of the Cross'' (1998) * ''The Act of Marriage After 40'' (2000, with
Beverly LaHaye Beverly LaHaye (born April 30, 1929) is an American Christian conservative activist and author who founded Concerned Women for America (CWA) in San Diego, California in 1979. She was the wife of Tim LaHaye, the evangelical Christian minister and p ...
, Mike Yorkey) * Soul Survivor series: *# '' Mind Siege: The Battle for the Truth'' (2000, with
David A. Noebel David A. Noebel (born August 27, 1936) is an Americans, American religious leader and writer. He is the former director oSummit Ministries in Manitou Springs, Colorado in the United States. Since the 1960s, he has written widely on the relationshi ...
) *# ''All the Rave'' (2002, with Bob DeMoss) *# ''The Last Dance'' (2002, with Bob DeMoss) *# ''Black Friday'' (2003, with Bob DeMoss) * ''Perhaps Today: Living Everyday in the Light of Christ's Return'' (2001, with Jerry B. Jenkins) * ''The Transparent Leader: Spiritual Secrets of Nineteen Successful Men'' (2001, with Dwight L. Johnson, Dean Nelson) * ''Heart Attacked: How to Keep and Guard Your Heart for God'' (2002, with Ed Hindson) * ''Seduction of the Heart'' (2002, with Ed Hindson) * ''Embracing Eternity: Living Each Day with a Heart Toward Heaven'' (2004, with Jerry B. Jenkins, Frank M. Martin) * ''Jesus and the Hope of His Coming'' (2004, with Jerry B. Jenkins) * ''Turn Your Life Around: Break Free from Your Past to a New and Better You'' (2006, with Tim Clinton) * ''The Essential Guide to Bible Prophecy: 13 Keys to Understanding the End Times'' (2012, with Ed Hindson) * ''A Quick Look at the Rapture and the Second Coming'' (2013) :History: * ''Faith of Our Founding Fathers'' (1987) * ''Hitler, God & the Bible'' (2012, with Ray Comfort) ;Politics: * ''The Hidden Censors'' (1984) ;Religion: * ''Revelation Unveiled'' (1973) * ''Revelation: Illustrated and Made Plain'' (1973) * ''How to Study the Bible for Yourself'' (1976) * ''The Ark on Ararat'' (1976, with John D. Morris) * ''Life in the Afterlife: What Really Happens After Death?'' (1980) * The Battle for the Mind/Family series: *# ''The Battle for the Mind'' (1980) *# ''The Battle for the Family'' (1981) * ''The Battle for the Public Schools'' (1982) * ''The Race for the 21st Century'' (1986) * ''No Fear of the Storm: Why Christians Will Escape All the Tribulation'', AKA ''Rapture Under Attack: Will Christians Escape the Tribulation?'', AKA ''The Rapture: Who Will Face the Tribulation?'' (1992) * ''Understanding Bible Prophecy for Yourself'' (1992) * ''Jesus: Who Is He?'' (1996) * ''Understanding the Last Days'' (1998) * ''Bible Prophecy: What You Need to Know'' (1999) * ''Are We Living in the End Times?'' (1999, with Jerry B. Jenkins) * ''Tim LaHaye Prophecy Study Bible'' (2000) * ''The Complete Bible Prophecy Chart'' (2001, with Thomas Ice) * ''The Merciful God of Prophecy: His Loving Plan for You in the End Times'' (2002) * ''End Times Controversy: The Second Coming Under Attack'' (2003) * ''God Always Keeps His Promises'' (2003, with Jerry B. Jenkins) * ''The Promise of Heaven'' (2003, with Jerry B. Jenkins) * ''These Will Not Be Left Behind: Incredible Stories of Lives Transformed After Reading the Left Behind Novels'' (2003, with Jerry B. Jenkins) * ''A Kid's Guide to Understanding the End Times'' (2004, with Jerry B. Jenkins, Chris Fabry) * ''Jesus Is Coming Soon!: A Kid's Guide to Bible Prophecy and the End Times'' (2004, with Jerry B. Jenkins) * ''Why Believe in Jesus?'' (2004) * ''The Authorized Left Behind Handbook'' (2005, with Jerry B. Jenkins, Sandi L. Swanson) * ''The Best Christmas Gift'' (2005, with
Greg Dinallo Greg is a masculine given name, and often a shortened form of the given name Gregory. Greg (more commonly spelled " Gregg") is also a surname. People with the name *Greg Abbott (disambiguation), multiple people * Greg Abel (born 1961/1962), Canad ...
, Gregory S. Dinallo) * ''A Party of Two: The Dating, Marriage, and Family Guide'', AKA ''Party of Two: Lessons for Staying in Step in Dating, Marriage, and Family Life'' (2006, with
Beverly LaHaye Beverly LaHaye (born April 30, 1929) is an American Christian conservative activist and author who founded Concerned Women for America (CWA) in San Diego, California in 1979. She was the wife of Tim LaHaye, the evangelical Christian minister and p ...
) * ''The Popular Bible Prophecy Workbook: An Interactive Guide to Understanding the End Times'' (2006, with Ed Hindson) * ''Global Warning: Are We on the Brink of World War III?'' (2007, with Ed Hindson) * ''The Popular Bible Prophecy Commentary: Understanding the Meaning of Every Prophetic Passage'' (2007, with Ed Hindson) * ''Jesus: Why the World Is Still Fascinated by Him'' (2009) * ''The Book of Revelation Made Clear: A Down-to-Earth Guide to Understanding the Most Mysterious Book of the Bible'' (2014, with Timothy E. Parker) * ''Target Israel: Caught in the Crosshairs of the End Times'' (2015, with Ed Hindson) * ''Bible Prophecy for Everyone: What You Need to Know About the End Times'' (2016) * ''Who Will Face the Tribulation?: How to Prepare for the Rapture and Christ's Return'' (2016)


See also

* Christian eschatology


References


External links


Archived version of official website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lahaye, Tim 1926 births 2016 deaths 20th-century American novelists 20th-century Christians 21st-century American non-fiction writers 21st-century American novelists 21st-century Christians American Christian Young Earth creationists American Christian writers American conspiracy theorists American evangelicals American male non-fiction writers American male novelists Baptists from Michigan Bob Jones University alumni Burials at Miramar National Cemetery California Republicans Christian conspiracy theorists Christian fundamentalists Christian novelists Christian writers about eschatology Critics of the Catholic Church John Birch Society members Liberty University alumni Military personnel from Detroit New Right (United States) Novelists from Michigan People from El Cajon, California People from Rancho Mirage, California Southern Baptist ministers United States Army Air Forces personnel of World War II United States Army Air Forces soldiers Western Seminary alumni Writers from Detroit Writers from San Diego 20th-century American male writers 21st-century American male writers