The Late Great Planet Earth by Hal Lindsey was written in 1970 and the copy I read was printed in 1973. The topic is Biblical prophecy concerning the last days. As a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary Mr. Lindsey is familiar and comfortable with his topic.
While the references to current events are obviously dated, I found the book to be an interesting read. Mr. Lindsey starts by addressing why Biblical prophecy should be taken seriously. He points out the many instances where it has been borne out in other areas. He convincingly contends that this record of accuracy lends credibility to the predictions about the end times. This was actually the part of the book that I found to be most interesting.
Mr. Lindsey stumbles a bit when addressing future events. The most obvious reason for this was the time in which the book was written. For example, while there are certain prophecies directed roughly at Russia, Mr. Lindsey attempts to apply them to the Soviet Union as he knew it at the time of the writing. While this might have made sense in 1970 it hardly does so now. In other instances Mr. Lindsey gives credence to some of the United Nations bilge on overpopulation and such. Since Mr. Lindsey avoids specific applications the effect of these flaws, though jarring, is not fatal to his work.
Overall I give The Late Great Planet Earth a thumb and half up. Mr. Lindsey does an excellent job of exploring the end time prophecies and laying the foundation as to why those prophecies should be taken seriously. This book is well worth the reading in spite of the Cold War flavor of some passages.
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As Major Brian L. Stuckert writes in Strategic Implications of American Millennialism, written for the Advanced Military Studies Program, Fort Leavenworth, KS, this book has had great influence. Influence that Major Stuckert regrets. "The influence of Hal Lindsey’s 1970 Late, Great Planet Earth cannot be overstated. . . .
Lindsey was instrumental in moving dispensational pre-millennialism beyond the 25 per cent of the American population in the fundamental-evangelical-Pentecostal demographic and into the mainstream consciousness. Perhaps more importantly, Lindsey’s broader popular appeal quickly translated into access and influence at the highest levels of the U.S. government. During the 1970s, he lectured at the Pentagon and the National War College. During the Reagan administration, he was a consultant to both the Departments of State and Defense."
I never knew that!
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