Reaching multitudes while teaching Bible Prophecy
Asked by Charles Lang on May 26, 2020
Jerry,
I pastor and am a published author. My first work is non-fiction- When Israel Stands Alone (2017). I am working on my second book about the Rapture.
The main character in my story is a pastor who endeavors to discern the precise biblical teaching of end-time events and must choose between Pre-Trib or Post-Trib. When he does, many take offense.
Rather that writing a book for preacher-types, I believe God wants me to reach many more people beyond those in ministry thru a riveting story.
There are two other main characters. The drama is set in America and in Israel. The dilemma is on the timing of building the Third Temple, the rise of Antichrist, and a pending 7-year covenant.
I navigate between a church he pastors in Chicago, where he has recently been called, and Israel.
My question is this: I need enough narrative summary to explain the main character's biblical position without losing the suspense and drama of the story. Can you help me reach a balance?
Jerry's Answer
Sounds like my world, Charles, when I was writing the Left Behind series. But I didn't have a character suffer the angst of deciding on the timing--the Rapture happened Pre-Trib (and I didn't even use that term), and the characters had to deal with it.
I think it's important that you keep conflict (the engine of fiction) at the forefront. Let people get to know your orbital characters so they sound credible, even if skeptical. Maybe even the pastor's wife questions his reasoning, though she doesn't doubt his sincerety.
And of course, some of his detractors will demand to know who cares about the timing, what difference does it make, etc., etc.
That would keep people turning the pages.