Tim LaHaye, Author of "Left Behind," Dies

Christian writer and evangelist Dr. Tim LaHaye has died on Monday morning (July 25th).  He was a respected evangelical leader and New York Times best-selling co-author of the "Left Behind" book series. He was 90 years of age. Dr. LaHaye passed away in a hospital in San Diego after suffering a stroke.

"Tim was one of the most godly men I have ever known," Christianity Today quoted David Jeremiah as saying.

LaHaye was the son of a Detroit autoworker who grew up to become a respected pastor.  Born in Detroit, Michigan on April 27, 1926, he was an Air Force veteran. LaHaye is perhaps most noted for his blockbuster best-selling book series "Left Behind," which he co-authored with Jerry B. Jenkins.

"Thrilled as I am that he is where he has always wanted to be, his departure leaves a void in my soul I don't expect to fill until I see him again," Jenkins said of his co-author's passing. Jenkins said that Dr. LaHaye had become a "spiritual giant" to him. 

"The Tim LaHaye I got to know had a pastor's heart and lived to share his faith," Jenkins said. "He listened to and cared about everyone, regardless of age, gender, or social standing. If Tim was missing from the autograph table or the green room of a network television show, he was likely in a corner praying with someone he'd just met-from a reader to a part-time bookstore stock clerk to a TV network anchorman." 

David Jeremiah, the founder of Turning Point Radio and Television Ministries, replaced LaHaye as senior pastor of the former Scott Memorial Baptist Church, now known as Shadow Mountain Community Church. Jeremiah also said he believes LaHaye would continue to influence many Christians through his books, organizations and the people he touched.

"Whose life hasn't been affected in some way by this man?" wrote the two-year-old Oklahoma-based ministry Prophecy Watchers on LaHaye's passing. "This is a great man of God and if the Lord takes him home, he leaves behind a wonderful legacy. In the words of Steve Green, 'May all who come behind us find us faithful.'"

The late pastor founded Tim LaHaye Ministries, Pre-Trib Research Center, and two accredited Christian high schools. He also helped Dr. Henry Morris establish the Institute for Creation Research.

He also wrote scores of books both in fiction and non-fiction genres and co-authored with Jerry B. Jenkins the widely popular apocalyptic series, "Left Behind."

While Christianity Today ranks the "Left Behind" series among the most influential books on evangelicalism, The Washington Post praised the books as great literature for both Christian and non-Christian readers.

The popularity of the series spawned into multiple movie adaptations, video games and graphic novels.

"Thrilled as I am that he is where he has always wanted to be, his departure leaves a void in my soul I don't expect to fill until I see him again," said Jenkins in an obituary for his co-author.

He also wrote a tribute for LaHaye, describing him as someone who "had a pastor's heart and lived to share his faith."

He said that LaHaye's absence from the autograph table or the green room of a television network would only mean he's somewhere praying for someone else, even if they had only just met.

 

 

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