| Fritzpw_admin says, hello there everyone. I’m glad you could come and join us tonight for this SPECIAL Friday night Chat event. We have a very special guest with us tonight but first I’d like to introduce our volunteer team. Joining me on stage wearing the smashing leather coat with dark sunglasses and looking a lot like Keanu Reeves, we have Newseditor. Assisting us we have Clare_host, RT Editor, and angelmuffin. And now… He wrote a fine book, which I’m enjoying reading now, titled, “Hometown Legend,” as well as the popular series, “Left Behind.” Please join me in welcoming Jerry Jenkins! |
| Jerry_Jenkins says, Hi |
| Newseditor says, first question for Jerry… |
| ricky_1 asks, I would like too know who came up with the ideas for the books to begin with? |
| Fritzpw_admin says, The Left Behind books… |
| Jerry_Jenkins says, Dr. Tim Lahaye, a lifelong Bible scholar and theologian; he’s literally been studying this stuff longer than I’ve been alive, and I’m 52. He thought if it could be put into fiction, it would reach more people, but he’s not a novelist. |
| guest715 asks, Jerry I really enjoy your Left Behind series, what do you think about the effect the series has had on non-Christians? |
| Jerry_Jenkins says, Between Dr. LaHaye and me we’ve heard personally from more than 2500 who say they have become believers through reading the series. That’s better than any bestseller list… |
| guest701 asks, Is there anything you’d change about earlier storylines as the saga continues to unfold? |
| Jerry_Jenkins says, the only thing that looks clunky to me upon review is the heavy-handed foreshadowing in the first chapter of the first book where Rayford is thinking about his wife’s obsession with the rapture, just before it occurs. On the other hand, that title has sold more than 7 million itself, so I guess the readership forgave me. |
| Newseditor says, do you ever feel like some people are too obsessed with the Rapture? |
| Jerry_Jenkins says, Sure, but most of our mail shows that people are rightly living in light of the imminent return of Christ, which Scripture instructs. It has made them more aggressive about their faith, more loving and compassionate, and seems to be a positive rather than a negative. |
| guest701 asks, Do you have a favorite character(s)? If so, which one(s)? |
| Jerry_Jenkins says, that would be like choosing which of my three sons I love the most, but I like Buck a lot, also Tsion. Some of my favorites are dead. |
| guest724 asks, There has been a great deal of discussion as to whether or not one can be saved after the rapture (if one has already heard the Gospel). Why do you believe that salvation is possible after the rapture? |
| Jerry_Jenkins says, Dr. LaHaye believes that the Scripture that indicates the danger of God’s hardening one’s heart if he or she rejects actually refer to after the rapture… There is a predominance of Scripture that talks of the multitude that no man can number who are martyrs FROM the tribulation… A demonic army is numbered at 200 million, so that’s a crowd that CAN be numbered. Imagine how many are in a multitude that can’t be numbered. |
| guest707 asks, What do you think about the vast acceptance of the series? |
| Jerry_Jenkins says, Stunned. Thrilled. |
| 4ashies asks, Hi Jerry… how many books after Desolation are there? |
| Jerry_Jenkins says, three more after Desecration to get to the end of the Tribulation and to the Glorious Appearing. Then we’re talking about a prequel and a novella sequel (Final Judgment). |
| guest743 asks, Who’s going to be the next character to be “killed” off? |
| Jerry_Jenkins says, I write as a process of discovery. The story unfolds as it goes, so I don’t kill ’em–I find ’em dead. I do know which main character will buy it in the next book, though… It’s 1’3phgc1m |
| guest765 asks, Do you have any thoughts about the current Afghan War and its implications to the Rapture? |
| Jerry_Jenkins says, it naturally falls under the category of wars and rumors of wars and nation rising against nation, which Jesus told his disciples was not the end but the beginning of the end… In God’s economy of time, a thousand years is as a day and vice-versa, so God could wait one more day and to us it would be a thousand years. |
| Fritzpw_admin says, I do believe the new and improved Chatmaster has some announcements for us… |
chatmaster shouts, Harry Potter has hit the big screen amidst much controversy in the Christian community. Do you have questions? Perhaps you have an opinion but you would like clarification on some issues. Join us for our chat with Harry Potter expert, Richard Abanes, and get your Harry Potter questions answered. Tuesday, Nov. 27 at 9 p.m. ET in the Auditorium. http://chat.crosswalk.com/events“ |
chatmaster shouts, Be sure to check out Jerry Jenkins’s website… http://jerryjenkins.com“ |
| guest781 asks, Do you take a lot of heat from other evangelicals who disagree with fine theological points? |
| Jerry_Jenkins says, Less than we expected, but more now that the books have become so successful. It’s fair for people to disagree; it bothers me only when they question our motives. Dr. LaHaye says they’ll get their minds changed in the air. |
| madchatter asks, Jerry_Jenkins says, It’s a high school football story with a touch of Hoosiers and lots of small town trials… I tried to avoid the sports clichés and center on relationships, faith, redemption, forgiveness,etc. Had a lot of fun with it, especially after I settled on the voice of the narrator. |
| Newseditor says, You and your son are making a movie of Hometown Legend, how did you get involved in that project? |
| Jerry_Jenkins says, I own Jenkins Entertainment and the rights to the story, and my son is a filmmaker, so it was a perfect fit. The Movie premieres in January throughout the south. Warner Brothers. |
| Jerry_Jenkins says, |
| madchatter asks, Are you a football fan? If so who is “your” team? |
| Jerry_Jenkins says, Got my start in sports writing. Baseball was my game, but I follow all sports. I live in Colorado but am from the Chicago area, so I was a Bears fans (wrote books with Payton and Singletary). |
| Fritzpw_admin coughs noisily. |
| Jerry_Jenkins says, I dropped them like a rented mule when I saw the Broncos play, but now the Bears are surging again. I’m a fair weather fan. |
| momloves4 asks, Hi Jerry, How did you start your writing career? What steps did you follow to bring you to where you are today? |
| Jerry_Jenkins says, Injured playing H.S. Football, started sportswriting for the school paper to get into the games free… Realized immediately I had found my niche. Was a stringer for local papers as a young teen… Became sports editor of a daily when 19. Have been writing ever since. Became editor of Moody Magazine at 25 and eventually became VP for publishing there… Always wrote on the side and have been full time freelance since 1990. |
| guest766 asks, what is your favorite baseball team |
| Jerry_Jenkins says, Any team can have a bad century. Is that a clue? Go Cubs! |
| Fritzpw_admin laughs |
| Newseditor says, or Red Sox! |
| Jerry_Jenkins says, I’ve heard of them. |
| applehost asks, You have a book on marriage (Hedges), do you think you will write more books like that or stick to fiction? |
| Jerry_Jenkins says, Fiction. |
| guest722 asks, Do you think that after the Left Behind Series that you and Dr. LaHaye may do more biblical series…i.e The Life of Christ, Creation..etc.. |
| Jerry_Jenkins says, About half of my 150 books are fiction. I don’t know. That’s a common question. I think when Left Behind is over, I’ll sit in a corner and quiver for a year or so. |
| ricky_1 asks, what is your favorite book in the Left Behind Series and why ? |
| Jerry_Jenkins says, Always the next one. But I do have two favorite scenes: |
| Jerry_Jenkins says, the first is from Nicolae when Buck is helping Tsion escape across the desert and the guard finds Tsion on the bus. Instead of killing or arresting him, he blesses him… |
| Jerry_Jenkins says, The other is the martyrdom scene in The Mark. |
| cecy_15 asks, how did you come up with the names of the characters in the Left Behind books? |
| Jerry_Jenkins says, Rayford Steele and Hattie Durham were Dr. LaHaye’s idea. The rest I made up. I take someone’s first name, someone else’s last name, someone else’s hair color, someone else’s build, someone else’s mannerism, speech, etc., and make composites. Some of the names, like the aliases of the main characters, are all 1969 Mets, curse ’em. |
| Fritzpw_admin says, Is it true that I get to be a hot shot jet jockey in the next book? |
| Fritzpw_admin chuckles in amusement. |
| Jerry_Jenkins says, I write a lot of fiction. |
| Newseditor says, in your dreams fritz |
| Fritzpw_admin says, Chatmaster has some more announcements for us… |
chatmaster shouts, Heated debate has flared up once again with the release of the Harry Potter movie. Get your Harry Potter questions answered in our chat with Richard Abanes, author of “Harry Potter and the Bible.” Tuesday, Nov. 27 at 9 p.m. ET in the Auditorium. http://chat.crosswalk.com/events“ |
chatmaster shouts, Be sure to check out Jerry Jenkins’s website… http://jerryjenkins.com“ |
| momloves4 asks, during which forthcoming book will the battle of Armageddon be portrayed? |
| Jerry_Jenkins says, 11 or 12 |
| saltlight1 asks, My son loves the Left Behind: the Kids series. How many more of them will there be? |
| Jerry_Jenkins says, 4 for each of the first 12 adult titles |
| madchatter asks, Are there any celebrities who read the Left Behind books that you know of? |
| Jerry_Jenkins says, John Tesh, Whoopi Goldberg, the mother on Everybody Loves Raymond… And more. |
| momloves4 asks, My son has a question; “Why did the marks of the beast contain the number 216, instead of 666?” |
| Jerry_Jenkins says, Guess. Bet someone here knows. |
| Jerry_Jenkins says, 666 would be too obvious. But what’s 6 times 6 times 6? |
| guest724 asks, Are there any other Christian fiction writers whose works you enjoy reading? |
| Jerry_Jenkins says, Leif Enger, Peace Like a River…a masterpiece (Atlantic Monthly Press) |
| ricky_1 asks, Where is your favorite place or spot to write from? |
| Jerry_Jenkins says, Wherever I write, I call it the cave, because it has to have no phone, no Internet, no radio, no TV, no mail, etc. Sometimes in the mountains, sometimes a hotel… I build my own private writing place, then hired a guy who needed it as an office… Building another that won’t be ready in time for book 10, but will be for 11. |
| guest712 asks, My son is 6 and would like to read the Left Behind the Kids series – do you think he’s old enough to deal with the “adult” content of some of the characters’ lives? |
| Jerry_Jenkins says, 6 might be a tad young…for sure he’s old enough to be read to and you can edit as you go, if necessary. |
| applehost asks, How has writing about the end times affect your walk with Christ? |
| Jerry_Jenkins says, In much the same way it has the readers’. I am more expectant, more aware, and more aggressive about my faith. |
| momloves4 asks, In that you and Mr. LaHaye live in different states, how do you collaborate? |
| Jerry_Jenkins says, I get a fairly ambitious work from him first, outlining the various prophecies and Scripture passages that will likely be covered in the next story. He adds his commentary on them, things he written and read on the verses… I write the books, sending him several hundred pages at a time to make sure I’m on track theologically. He’s a great cheerleader, always saying, “Send more; I want to find out what happens.” It’s great to have a great living resource like that at the other end of the phone line. |
| Fritzpw_admin says, Give it to us again Chatmaster… |
chatmaster shouts, Harry Potter has hit the big screen amidst much controversy in the Christian community. Do you have questions? Perhaps you have an opinion but you would like clarification on some issues. Join us for our chat with Harry Potter expert, Richard Abanes, and get your Harry Potter questions answered. Tuesday, Nov. 27 at 9 p.m. ET in the Auditorium. http://chat.crosswalk.com/events“ |
chatmaster shouts, Be sure to check out Jerry Jenkins’s website… http://jerryjenkins.com“ |
| guest701 asks, Who would win in a fight between Nicolae and Harry Potter? |
| Jerry_Jenkins says, I’d squash the wizard like a bug…Nicky C. |
| madchatter asks, What is the next novel you are working on that is NOT Left Behind? |
| Jerry_Jenkins says, Our next film will be of my Christmas novel from a few years ago, ‘Twas the Night Before. But right now I have one only in the talking stages and may not squeeze another in between 10 and 11. |
| ricky_1 asks, How long does it take you from the time you start writing a book say book 9, until its in the books stores ? |
| Jerry_Jenkins says, I don’t know. But from when I finish it, it’s about six months, which is amazingly fast. Most publishers consider 9 months from manuscript to pub date fast. |
| guest814 asks, What do you think needs to be done to make the world a better more peaceful place? |
| Jerry_Jenkins says, The Glorious Appearing and the millennial kingdom. |
| guest814 asks, Do you think that audiences are hungry for literature with a spiritual theme? |
| Jerry_Jenkins says, No question. Eastern religions, New Age, books by the Dalai Lama, the Pope, inner healing, etc. Are hotter than ever. There is a God hunger out there whether people call it that or not. |
| guest812 asks, Desecration was great, and I impatiently wait on each new book. Do you pray without ceasing while writing, because it has to be a tremendous responsibility to spread this message. |
| Jerry_Jenkins says, I’m not complaining (who’d listen), but there is heavy pressure and oppression. I like doing them and having done them, but it’s like going to war and I need lots of recoup time when I’m through. |
| guest724 asks, Are you bothered by the “inter-faith” prayer sessions being held all over the nation? I refer particularly to the inclusion of Buddhists, Muslims, etc. |
| Jerry_Jenkins says, No. We shouldn’t fight someone’s interest in God, even if we are diametrically opposed to his or her theology. Such events give us an opportunity to represent the Truth to them, maybe for the first time. |
| madchatter asks, Do you have any hobbies that you enjoy just to get away from it all? |
| Jerry_Jenkins says, Racquetball every other day (on my home court), Scrabble, movies with the family. I read a lot. |
| Fritzpw_admin says, Thank you so much for joining us tonight… You’ve answered a lot of questions… Is there anything you would like to say in closing? |
| Jerry_Jenkins says, It’s been fun, sorry I was late…thanks to everyone for participating, and to the staff. |
| Newseditor says, Thanks for joining us tonight, Jerry! |
| Jerry_Jenkins says, My pleasure. Thanks for having me. |
| Fritzpw_admin says, Thank you for coming everyone. I hope you enjoyed our chat with Jerry Jenkins. Please don’t forget to join us for our next event. The topic will be Harry Potter and our guest will be expert, Richard Abanes. Come and get your Harry Potter questions answered on Tuesday, Nov. 27 at 9 p.m. ET right back here in the Auditorium. |
| Fritzpw_admin waves at everyone. |
