King Review Of "“The Leftovers”

King's Review Of "The Leftovers"

Stephen King's review of "The Leftovers" is insightful, energetic and at points gently critical.  It is the kind of book we would expect King to enjoy -- a strange event that brings out the best and worst in people. 

The novel is about the rapture.  Only. . . it's not the "rapture of the Church" as a few modern evangelicals expect!  It's a rapture that is a bit messed up from Biblical expectations.  King does a nice job explaining the basic idea of the rapture.

King writes, “The Leftovers” is, simply put, the best “Twilight Zone” episode you never saw — not “The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street” but “The Monsters Are Us in Mapleton.” That they are quiet monsters only makes them more eerie."

The reference to Twilight Zone is cool! 

King praises "Perrotta’s beautifully modulated narration."  This kind of generous review should put a big smile on Tom Perrotta's face.


On a theological note. . .

The Leftovers deals with the doctrine of "the rapture of the church" and the way some people go to seed on this one teaching.

In terms of Christian theology, the "rapture" is brand spankin' new on the scene!  It was invented in the last 150 years. 

The church has discussed the exact nature of the "tribulation" since the second century.  But the idea that there would be a Coming BEFORE the Second Coming (which would technically make the Second Coming the Third Coming) would have flat out mystified first century believers.  No where did the New or Old Testament promise a secret rapture separate from the Parousia (Second Coming.) 

So to be clear, the Bible does warn of a fiery end to planet earth.  That's considered basic Bible, accepted by ancients, moderns, liberals and conservatives.  It does teach that believers will be "saved" from the day of wrath.  We are told in Scripture that there will be a final judgment and a new earth.

But with the rapture teaching, things get changed a bit.  Believers not only expect to be saved on the day of judgment, but expected to be raptured out before things get really bad on earth.  But, simply put, that is not the hope presented by the Scriptures.  The promise of Scripture is that God would protect his people in difficult times, not suck them out of the world.  The hope of the believer relates to God's strength in a wicked world -- not in a sneaky ticket out of dodge.

I point this out because King does not say anything about the Second Coming.  He accurately discusses the rapture, which is also the subject of the book he is reviewing.



thanks to Bryant Burnette for the link.