Left Behind author talks about the critics and how to handle criticism

BLACK FOREST, COLO. (W.) — Author Jerry Jenkins said he expects criticism. It comes with the territory of selling 63 million books, which is what the New York Times best-selling "Left Behind" series has done.

"We knew it would be controversial the more profitable it got," Jenkins told http://www.WordNews.org. The series deals with the end times. Within Christianity there are those who hold strong views on just what will happen in the end times and what happens to believers.
But the attacks have been sharper than Jenkins imagined.
"It's heresy," some have said. "You're wrong."
How does he handle it?
"My feeling is obviously there are many interpretations. We don't say people go to hell if they differ with us on timing," said Jenkins [pictured].
Some authors have countered "Left Behind" with their own books. Others attack it in chat-rooms and blogs like "Slacktivist" where one writer said: "I refer to Left Behind and its many sequels and prequels as the Worst Books Ever Written because they're so consistently awful in so many different ways: theologically, politically, ethically, stylistically, all presented along with howling errors of continuity, logic and even basic geography. All of which combines to make these books not merely bad, but instructively bad."
Jenkins co-wrote the books with Timothy LaHaye, a theologian that Jenkins trusts and yields to on issues of theology.
Jenkins said he can handle most criticism.
"The only time it bothers me is when they question our motives," he said. Jenkins has heard them all: "They're only doing this for the market." "They're leading people astray on purpose."
"I find myself defensive for Dr. LaHaye. For me, I don't care," Jenkins said. "I so admire his [LaHaye] personal burden for people. The only reason he's doing this is he wants people to know. We don't look down on people who disagree with us. We simply want to inform people. You read it and study the scripture."
Jenkins said the book does line up with his and LaHaye's beliefs.
"I do believe this is the sequence. I don't claim to know 100 percent or that we're writing scripture," he said.
Jenkins said he's a little frustrated that "Left Behind" publisher Tyndale is publishing those attacking the series.
"We felt — betrayed is too strong a word. LaHaye used it but — puzzled by our publisher," Jenkins said. "It's good to have this healthy debate. We don't question the guy's salvation. I have to confess it did bother us to see the opposition out there from our own publisher."