End Times Material

A reader writes:

Can you recommend a couple of books on the Catholic view of end times and prophecy? (I am not a fan of and want to avoid books with a lot of private revelation references.)

David Currie has a book on the rapture, which is a related subject. I have not read this book but enjoyed his "Born Fundamentalist, Born again Catholic." Are you familiar with his work on rapture? Do you know if it would be suitable?

I teach RCIA and one of my students is a fan of end times prophesy … she is now interested in the Catholic perspective. I have never looked into the subject in any detail. Thanks for any help you can give me.

I have to confess that I haven’t yet read all the books I’m about to recommend, but they all by good authors, so I’d recommend them on that basis. Here goes:

I’d also recommend some of the stuff I’ve written, which is online electronically:

Author: Jimmy Akin

Jimmy was born in Texas, grew up nominally Protestant, but at age 20 experienced a profound conversion to Christ. Planning on becoming a Protestant seminary professor, he started an intensive study of the Bible. But the more he immersed himself in Scripture the more he found to support the Catholic faith, and in 1992 he entered the Catholic Church. His conversion story, "A Triumph and a Tragedy," is published in Surprised by Truth. Besides being an author, Jimmy is the Senior Apologist at Catholic Answers, a contributing editor to Catholic Answers Magazine, and a weekly guest on "Catholic Answers Live."

14 thoughts on “End Times Material”

  1. While not exactly written for theological/apologetical purposes, I would personally recommend Michael O’Brien’s Children of the Last Days series, including Father Elijah.
    Much better literarily than, oh say, the Left Behind series. If anything, it would inspire vigilance in a Catholic and a greater zeal for prayer for the salvation of souls.
    http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-form/104-4616033-0994333
    Has anyone else read O’Brien’s books?

  2. Hi Jimmy,
    Have you or any of your readers read “The Last Disciple” by Hank Hannegraaff? From what I understand, his books (though not completely theologically sound) are more in line with Catholic teaching regarding the End Times.
    What is your take on Mr. Hannegraaff’s book?

  3. R.V., I have read Father Elijah and I thought it was excellent. Of course, some of the storyline is strictly conjecture by O’Brien, but definately not out of line with the Catholic perspective of the End Times, like the Left Behind series.
    I have read “Will Catholics be Left Behind” and he totally annihilates the bad theology expounded in the Left Behind series and by other Pre-Mil, Rapture, prots.
    Paulo, While I haven’t listened to Hannegraaff in many years, I used to listen to him on his Radio Show, the Bible Answer man, quite frequently(I went through a “I wanna be a Bible believing Protestant” phase). As I recall, he was quite critical of the Pre-Mil, Rapture before tribulation view. He was also sympathetic to the view that much of what is written in the Gospels and the Book of Revelation about the destroying of the Temple and the End Times was fulfilled in the 1st century. Kinda like what I understand is Scott Hahn’s views. The literal interpretation was fulfilled in the 1st century but does not exclude some future fulfillment also.

  5. I definitely recommmend “Trial, Tribulation, and Triumph” by Desmond Birch. It’s an exhaustive treatment of private prophecy within the Church, and received the endorsement of the late, great Father William Most.

  6. Oops, didn’t realize the reader doesn’t want private prophecy. Although I think the book will still be of benefit, because it treats of public prophecy as well.
    I was watching Jack Van Impe the other day condemning Protestant preterists, and PRAISING the Pope and the Catechism for officially teaching his view of the end times. He’s a good guy, if not a few canons short of a full ecumenical council. 🙂

  8. Jason,
    Last I heard from Van Impe (which was years ago), he was advocating premillenial dispensationalism, saying Gog and Magog were Russia, attacking people who believe that the Church is Israel, etc.
    Has the “walking Bible” changed his position on these things?

  9. Yah, he basically believes everything that’s happening right now is fulfilling everything in the Bible.
    “The Walking Bible”, lol. That’s an accurate title. The guy will cite 10 Scripture verses to make every single point (whether the verses have anything to do with anything, who knows, lol).
    I like him though. I call him my “guilty pleasure”. If only he and his lovely wife would become Catholic.

  11. I also watched Jack Van Impe speak about Pope John Paul 2 and the Cathechism. I actually laughed out loud as I watched it. He was quite able to quote the catechism as well as scripture. He stated that he had read it twice and studied it. He praised the Pope for the work he has done.
    Don’t get to excited about all this. He misquoted the Catechism enough to ‘prove’ that the Pope himself agreed with the Rapture and the Millenial Reign of Christ on Earth.
    I am sure that this is identified as a heresy in the catechism, so apparently Jack missed that paragraph.

  13. Glory to Jesus Christ!
    A Greek (Eastern Rite) Catholic, I am inspired by the courageous journey of Jack Van Impe and his wife. I’ve watched their program many times recently. Out of curiousity I checked out the internet sites that are now criticizing him for “being Catholic.” Wow! What hatred he has generated. I truly admire his courage. Considering his background & audience – it’s not an easy thing that he’s doing these days, saying that the Catholic Church has correct answers. Let’s all pray for the Van Impes!
    Chris
    Austin Tx

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