An absurd classic

"The Late Great Planet Earth" by Hal Lindsey and C. C. Carlson (but usually attributed to Lindsey alone) was originally published in 1970. It's not particularly well written, and large parts of it sound like a boring Bible tract. Yet, over 15 million copies of this book have been sold. Or so the publishers claim. Lindsey's book is said to have been the number one non-fiction bestseller in the United States during the 1970's!

Yes, you heard me. The book is considered *non*fiction.

No matter whether the sales figures are true or not, "The Late Great Planet Earth" is something of a classic. Lindsey defends a form of evangelical Christian fundamentalism known as Pre-Tribulation Pre-Millenialist Dispensationalism. This seems to be the dominant trend among American fundamentalists. Thus, the ideas in the book, although weird and cultish, are believed by millions of people both in the United States and abroad. The equally bestselling "Left Behind" series is based on similar notions. The exact origins of this peculiar brand of Christian theology are obscure, but it was advocated by the British Plymouth Brethren during the 19th century and later spread to the United States, where it slowly but steadfastly became a dominant current among fundamentalist evangelicals. The apocalyptic scenario of Lindsey's and Carlson's book cannot be found in the Bible, but is based on a cut-and-paste method of interpretation whereby single verses from very different Bible books are stitched together to form a unified scenario. Indeed, it probably works better as fiction ("Left Behind") than as non-fiction!

Lindsey and Carlson discusses various Bible prophecies about the end times, and confidently claim that the present generation (or the present generation back in 1970) live in these end times. The return of Jesus Christ is near. At one point, the book implies that this will take place in 1988. The other predictions are extremely detailed, and most have been proven wrong by recent history. Israel will become the richest and most prosperous nation in the world by mining minerals from the Dead Sea. An alliance of Communist Russia, the Arab nations and Black Africa will attack Israel. Western Europe will take over the leadership of the world from the United States and become a revived Roman Empire led by the Antichrist. China will send an enormous army of 200 million people to Iraq. Israel will rebuild the Jewish Temple by somehow removing the Muslim Dome on the Rock (!). And so on.

The truth? Communism fell in 1989-91. Egypt and Jordan have signed peace agreements with Israel, a nation still dependent on US financial aid. Indeed, one of many reasons why Israel doesn't want to give up all of the territories occupied in 1967 are their water supplies, which are necessary precisely because Israel isn't particularly rich on other natural resources. The United States has lost its leadership role, but it hasen't been replaced by the European Union, which couldn't even stop the war in the Balkans. China is a new great power, but the idea of the Chinese sending 200 million soldiers to the Middle East is, of course, ridiculous. And while Russia and Israel aren't on the best of terms, they might become so in the future. After all, the Russians and the Israelis have a common enemy: Muslim fundamentalism.

Of course, none of this matters to Lindsey, who is still alive and well, operating a website and until a few years ago, even a TV show. He can always retort that the prophecies refer to events that are still in our future. That's what they always say, isn't it?

Still, "The Late Great Planet Earth" is an interesting "sign of the times" in itself. As already indicated, it was written in 1970. It seems to be directed at campus students and/or young people in general. Occasionally, it even mimics the psychedelic language of the sixties, as when the Rapture is called "The Ultimate Trip". The book mentions séances, astrology, Satanism and other forms of alternative spirituality. It never attempts to prove that the Bible is true. Rather, it appeals to the credulity and superstition of its audience. It seems to be saying: If you can believe in séances or palmistry, why not try out the Bible? I got the impression that Lindsey and his ghostwriter wanted to convert new agey hippies. The book is also somewhat racist. The chapter on China is titled "The Yellow Peril". Is it just a co-incidence that Arabs, Africans and East Asians end up on the wrong side? Curiously, the war in Vietnam is hardly even mentioned.

"The Late Great Planet Earth" isn't the most graceful read around. However, if you are interested in the religious views of a surprisingly large segment of the American population, it's an indispensable starting point.