Tim LaHaye facts for kids

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Quick facts for kids Tim LaHaye

Born	Timothy Francis LaHaye (1926-04-27)April 27, 1926 Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Died	July 25, 2016(2016-07-25) (aged 90) San Diego, California, U.S.
Occupation	Minister, author
Alma mater	Bob Jones University (B.A.) Western Seminary (D.Min.)
Period	1966–2016
Genre	Religious, apocalyptic, science fiction
Notable works	Left Behind
Spouse	Beverly Ratcliffe (m. 1947)
Children	4

Military career
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Army Air Forces
Battles/wars	World War II European Theater

Timothy Francis LaHaye (April 27, 1926 – July 25, 2016) was an American Baptist minister and author. He wrote over 85 books, both fiction and non-fiction. He is best known for the Left Behind series. This popular series of books is about the end of the world, and he wrote it with Jerry B. Jenkins. LaHaye also helped start the Council for National Policy. This group supports conservative Christian ideas.

Biography
The Left Behind series
Later activities and personal life
Social views
- Global conspiracies
- Views on the Catholic Church
Recognition and awards
Works
- Novels
- Comics
- Poems
- Nonfiction
See also

Biography

Early life and military service

Timothy Francis LaHaye was born in Detroit, Michigan, on April 27, 1926. His father, Frank LaHaye, worked at Ford Motor Company. Sadly, his father died from a heart attack when Tim was only nine years old. This event greatly affected young Tim.

He found comfort in a minister's words at the funeral. The minister spoke about hope and seeing loved ones again through faith. LaHaye later said these words gave him hope.

In 1944, at age 18, LaHaye joined the United States Army Air Forces. He served during World War II in Europe. He was a machine gunner on a bomber plane. After the war, he studied at Bob Jones University. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1950. He also held a Doctor of Ministry degree from Western Seminary.

Ministry work

LaHaye served as a pastor in Pumpkintown, South Carolina. Later, he pastored a church in Minneapolis until 1956. Then, his family moved to San Diego, California. There, he became the pastor of Scott Memorial Baptist Church. This church is now called Shadow Mountain Community Church. He served there for almost 25 years.

In 1971, he started Christian Heritage College. Today, it is known as San Diego Christian College. A year later, in 1972, LaHaye helped create the Institute for Creation Research. This institute is in El Cajon, California.

Involvement in politics

LaHaye became active in politics in the late 1970s. He started many groups to share his views. In 1979, he encouraged Jerry Falwell to create the Moral Majority. LaHaye was on its board of directors. His wife, Beverly LaHaye, also founded a group. It was called Concerned Women for America. This group supports conservative Christian women's causes.

In 1981, LaHaye left his role as a pastor. He wanted to focus more on politics and writing. That same year, he helped found the Council for National Policy (CNP). This is a powerful group that shapes policy. Membership is by invitation only.

LaHaye also supported Ronald Reagan for president. In 1988, he was part of Jack Kemp's presidential campaign. However, he left the campaign quickly. This happened when his views criticizing the Catholic Church became known. Later, he helped the Religious Right support George W. Bush in the 2000 presidential election. In 2007, he supported Mike Huckabee for president. He also served as Huckabee's spiritual advisor.

The Left Behind series

Tim LaHaye is most famous for the Left Behind series. These books are a type of apocalyptic fiction. They describe Earth after an event called the Rapture. Many Christians who believe in pretribulation think this event will happen. In the Rapture, believers are taken to heaven.

LaHaye had the idea for the books around 1994. He was on an airplane and wondered what would happen if the Rapture occurred then. The first book in the series starts with a similar scene. He wrote the books with Jerry B. Jenkins. Jenkins, a former sportswriter, wrote the stories based on LaHaye's ideas.

The series began in 1995. It includes 12 main books for adults. There are also books for younger readers, audiobooks, and graphic novels. The books became very popular. By 2016, over 65 million copies had been sold. Seven of the adult books reached No. 1 on bestseller lists. These lists included The New York Times and USA Today.

LaHaye sold the movie rights for the series. He later said he regretted this choice. He felt the films were not as grand as he had hoped.

Later activities and personal life

In 2001, LaHaye co-hosted a TV show called The King Is Coming. He also gave $4.5 million to Liberty University. This money helped build a new student center and a School of Prophecy. Both opened in 2002 and were named after him. He also served as president of the school.

He also provided money for the LaHaye Ice Center at Liberty University. This ice center opened in 2006.

Tim LaHaye married Beverly Ratcliffe in 1947. She was also an activist and author. In July 2016, they celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary. They had four children, nine grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren. They lived in the Los Angeles area.

LaHaye passed away on July 25, 2016, in San Diego, California. He was 90 years old and had suffered a stroke. His funeral service was held at Shadow Mountain Community Church. He is buried at Miramar National Cemetery in San Diego.

Social views

Global conspiracies

LaHaye believed that certain groups were secretly influencing world events. He thought the Illuminati was one such group. He believed these groups wanted to change America into a "one-world socialist state."

He also thought other groups were working to remove Christian values. These included the Trilateral Commission and the American Civil Liberties Union. He also mentioned major TV networks and newspapers.

Views on the Catholic Church

LaHaye was critical of the Catholic Church. He called it a "false religion." He believed some of its teachings were not truly Christian. These views led to his removal from Jack Kemp's 1988 presidential campaign.

Despite his criticisms, he praised director Mel Gibson's 2004 film The Passion of the Christ. He said everyone should see it. He also supported Newt Gingrich, a Catholic convert, for president in 2012.

Recognition and awards

Time Magazine named Tim LaHaye one of the 25 most influential evangelicals in America. In 2001, the Evangelical Studies Bulletin called him the most influential Christian leader of the past 25 years.

He received an Honorary Doctorate in Literature from Liberty University.

Works

LaHaye wrote over 85 books during his life.

Novels

Left Behind series (with Jerry B. Jenkins)

Oct. 1995, Left Behind: A Novel of the Earth's Last Days
Oct. 1996, Tribulation Force: The Continuing Drama of Those Left Behind
Oct. 1997, Nicolae: The Rise of Antichrist
Aug. 1998, Soul Harvest: The World Takes Sides
Feb. 1999, Apollyon: The Destroyer Is Unleashed
Aug. 1999, Assassins: Assignment: Jerusalem, Target: Antichrist
May. 2000, The Indwelling: The Beast Takes Possession
Nov. 2000, The Mark: The Beast Rules the World
Oct. 2001, Desecration: Antichrist Takes the Throne
Jul. 2002, The Remnant: On the Brink of Armageddon
Apr. 2003, Armageddon: The Cosmic Battle of the Ages
Mar. 2004, Glorious Appearing: The End of Days
Apr. 2007, Kingdom Come: The Final Victory

Before They Were Left Behind series (prequel):

March 2005, The Rising: Before They Were Left Behind
November 2005, The Regime: Before They Were Left Behind
June 6, 2006, The Rapture

Left Behind: The Kids series (spin off):

The Vanishings: Four Kids Face Earth's Last Days Together (1998)
Second Chance: The Search For Truth (1998)
Through the Flames: The Kids Risk Their Lives (1998)
Facing the Future: Preparing for Battle (1998)
Nicolae High: The Young Trib Force Goes Back to School (1999)
The Underground: The Young Trib Force Fights Back (1999, with Chris Fabry)
Busted!: The Young Trib Force Faces Pressure (2000, with Chris Fabry)
Death Strike: The Young Trib Force Faces War (2000, with Chris Fabry)
The Search: The Struggle to Survive (2000, with Chris Fabry)
On the Run: The Young Trib Force Faces Danger (2000)
Into the Storm: The Search for Secret Documents (2000, with Chris Fabry)
Earthquake!: The Young Trib Force Faces Disaster (2000, with Chris Fabry)
The Showdown: Behind Enemy Lines (2001, with Chris Fabry)
Judgment Day: Into Raging Waters (2001, with Chris Fabry)
Battling the Commander: The Hidden Cave (2001, with Chris Fabry)
Fire from Heaven (2001, with Chris Fabry)
Terror in the Stadium: Witnesses Under Fire (2001, with Chris Fabry)
Darkening Skies: Judgment of Ice (2001, with Chris Fabry)
Attack of Apollyon: Revenge of the Locusts (2002)
A Dangerous Plan: Race Against Time (2002, with Chris Fabry)
Secrets of New Babylon: The Search for an Imposter (2002)
Escape from New Babylon: Discovering New Believers (2002, with Chris Fabry)
Horsemen of Terror: The Unseen Judgment (2002, with Chris Fabry)
Uplink from the Underground: Showtime for Vicki (2002, with Chris Fabry)
Death at the Gala: History in the Making (2003, with Chris Fabry)
The Beast Arises: Unveiling the Plan (2003, with Chris Fabry)
Wildfire: Into the Great Tribulation (2003, with Chris Fabry)
The Mark of the Beast: Dilemma in New Bablyon (2003, with Chris Fabry)
Breakout!: Believers in Danger (2003)
Murder in the Holy Place: Carpathia's Deadly Deception (2003, with Chris Fabry)
Escape to Masada: Joining Operation Eagle (2003, with Chris Fabry)
War of the Dragon: Miracles in the Air (2003, with Chris Fabry)
Attack on Petra: Through the Inferno (2004, with Chris Fabry)
Bounty Hunters: Believers in the Crosshairs (2004, with Chris Fabry)
The Rise of False Messiahs: Carpathia's Evil Tricks (2004)
Ominous Choices: The Race for Life (2004, with Chris Fabry)
Heat Wave: Surviving the Fourth Bowl Judgment (2004, with Chris Fabry)
The Perils of Love: Breaking Through the Darkness (2004, with Chris Fabry)
The Road to War: Facing the Guillotine (2004, with Chris Fabry)
Triumphant Return: The New Jerusalem (2004, with Chris Fabry)

Babylon Rising series

October 2003, Babylon Rising, with Greg Dinallo
August 2004, The Secret on Ararat, with Dr. Bob Phillips, Ph.D
September 2005, The Europa Conspiracy, with Dr. Bob Phillips, Ph.D
August 29, 2006, The Edge of Darkness, with Dr. Bob Phillips, Ph.D

The Jesus Chronicles series (with Jerry B. Jenkins)

John's Story: The Last Eyewitness (2006)
Mark's Story: The Gospel According to Peter (2007)
Luke's Story: By Faith Alone (2009)
Matthew's Story: From Sinner To Saint (2010)

The End series (with Craig Parshall)

Edge of Apocalypse (2010)
Thunder of Heaven (2011)
Brink of Chaos (2012)
Mark of Evil (2014)

Standalone novels

Come Spring (2005, with Gregory S. Dinallo)
Always Grace (2008, with Greg Dinallo, Gregory S. Dinallo)

Comics

Left Behind Graphic Novel series (with Jerry B. Jenkins)

Left Behind: A Graphic Novel of Earth's Last Days (2001, with Aaron Lopresti, Jeffrey Moy)
Tribulation Force: The Continuing Drama of Those Left Behind (2002, with Brian Augustyn)

Poems

Our Favorite Verse (1986, Beverly LaHaye)

Nonfiction

Self-help

Spirit-Controlled Temperament (1966)
How to Be Happy Though Married (1968)
Transforming Your Temperament (1971)
The Beginning of the End (1972)
How To Win Over Depression (1974)
Ten Steps to Victory Over Depression (1974)
Opposites Attract (1977)
Understand Your Man: Secrets of the Male Temperament (1977)
Understanding the Male Temperament (1977)
Six Keys to a Happy Marriage (1978)
Spirit-Controlled Family Living (1978)
Your Temperament Can Be Changed (1978)
Anger Is a Choice (1982, with Dr. Bob Phillips, Ph.D)
How to Manage Pressure Before Pressure Manages You (1983)
Increase Your Personality Power (1984)
The Coming Peace in the Middle East (1984)
Your Temperament: Discover Its Potential (1984)
Why You Act the Way You Do (1987)
Finding the Will of God in a Crazy, Mixed-Up World (1989)
If Ministers Fall, Can They Be Restored? (1990)
Our Life Together (1990, with Richard Exley)
I Love You, But Why Are We So Different?: Making the Most of Personality Differences in Your Marriage (1991)
Smart Money (1994, with Jerry Tuma)
The Spirit-Filled Family: Expanded for the Challenges of Today (1995, with Beverly LaHaye)
Gathering Lilies from Among the Thorns: Finding the Mate God Has for You (1998, with Beverly LaHaye)
The Power of the Cross (1998)
The Act of Marriage After 40 (2000, with Beverly LaHaye, Mike Yorkey)
Soul Survivor series:
- Mind Siege: The Battle for the Truth (2000, with David A. Noebel)
- All the Rave (2002, with Bob DeMoss)
- The Last Dance (2002, with Bob DeMoss)
- Black Friday (2003, with Bob DeMoss)
Perhaps Today: Living Everyday in the Light of Christ's Return (2001, with Jerry B. Jenkins)
The Transparent Leader: Spiritual Secrets of Nineteen Successful Men (2001, with Dwight L. Johnson, Dean Nelson)
Heart Attacked: How to Keep and Guard Your Heart for God (2002, with Ed Hindson)
Seduction of the Heart (2002, with Ed Hindson)
Embracing Eternity: Living Each Day with a Heart Toward Heaven (2004, with Jerry B. Jenkins, Frank M. Martin)
Jesus and the Hope of His Coming (2004, with Jerry B. Jenkins)
Turn Your Life Around: Break Free from Your Past to a New and Better You (2006, with Tim Clinton)
The Essential Guide to Bible Prophecy: 13 Keys to Understanding the End Times (2012, with Ed Hindson)
A Quick Look at the Rapture and the Second Coming (2013)

History:

Faith of Our Founding Fathers (1987)
Hitler, God & the Bible (2012, with Ray Comfort)

Politics

The Hidden Censors (1984)

Religion

Revelation Unveiled (1973)
Revelation: Illustrated and Made Plain (1973)
How to Study the Bible for Yourself (1976)
The Ark on Ararat (1976, with John D. Morris)
Life in the Afterlife: What Really Happens After Death? (1980)
The Battle for the Mind/Family series:
- The Battle for the Mind (1980)
- The Battle for the Family (1981)
The Battle for the Public Schools (1982)
The Race for the 21st Century (1986)
No Fear of the Storm: Why Christians Will Escape All the Tribulation, AKA Rapture Under Attack: Will Christians Escape the Tribulation?, AKA The Rapture: Who Will Face the Tribulation? (1992)
Understanding Bible Prophecy for Yourself (1992)
Jesus: Who Is He? (1996)
Understanding the Last Days (1998)
Bible Prophecy: What You Need to Know (1999)
Are We Living in the End Times? (1999, with Jerry B. Jenkins)
Tim LaHaye Prophecy Study Bible (2000)
The Complete Bible Prophecy Chart (2001, with Thomas Ice)
The Merciful God of Prophecy: His Loving Plan for You in the End Times (2002)
End Times Controversy: The Second Coming Under Attack (2003)
God Always Keeps His Promises (2003, with Jerry B. Jenkins)
The Promise of Heaven (2003, with Jerry B. Jenkins)
These Will Not Be Left Behind: Incredible Stories of Lives Transformed After Reading the Left Behind Novels (2003, with Jerry B. Jenkins)
A Kid's Guide to Understanding the End Times (2004, with Jerry B. Jenkins, Chris Fabry)
Jesus Is Coming Soon!: A Kid's Guide to Bible Prophecy and the End Times (2004, with Jerry B. Jenkins)
Why Believe in Jesus? (2004)
The Authorized Left Behind Handbook (2005, with Jerry B. Jenkins, Sandi L. Swanson)
The Best Christmas Gift (2005, with Greg Dinallo, Gregory S. Dinallo)
A Party of Two: The Dating, Marriage, and Family Guide, AKA Party of Two: Lessons for Staying in Step in Dating, Marriage, and Family Life (2006, with Beverly LaHaye)
The Popular Bible Prophecy Workbook: An Interactive Guide to Understanding the End Times (2006, with Ed Hindson)
Global Warning: Are We on the Brink of World War III? (2007, with Ed Hindson)
The Popular Bible Prophecy Commentary: Understanding the Meaning of Every Prophetic Passage (2007, with Ed Hindson)
Jesus: Why the World Is Still Fascinated by Him (2009)
The Book of Revelation Made Clear: A Down-to-Earth Guide to Understanding the Most Mysterious Book of the Bible (2014, with Timothy E. Parker)
Target Israel: Caught in the Crosshairs of the End Times (2015, with Ed Hindson)
Bible Prophecy for Everyone: What You Need to Know About the End Times (2016)
Who Will Face the Tribulation?: How to Prepare for the Rapture and Christ's Return (2016)