Books by Carl E. Olson
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Will Catholics Be Left Behind?
A Catholic Critique of the Rapture and Today's Prophecy Preachers
Chosen by the Associated Press as one of the best religious books of 2003.
Chosen by the Associated Press as one of the best religious books of 2003.
This powerful and timely book, written by a former Fundamentalist, is a thorough critique of the popular Fundamentalist notion of the "Rapture"—the belief that Christians will be removed from earth prior to a time of Tribulation and the Second Coming. It examines the theological, historical, and Biblical basis for "premillennial dispensationalism", the belief system based around the Rapture, and popularized in the best-selling Left Behind books and taught by "Bible prophecy" writers Tim LaHaye, Hal Lindsey, Jack Van Impe, and many others. Written for both the lay person and the serious student, this book combines an engaging, popular approach with detailed footnotes and exhaustive research.
Beginning with the big picture, it focuses first on key concepts such as eschatology, the Parousia, and the relationship between the Kingdom and the Church. It then examines the Book of Revelation, providing insights into the nature and purpose of that difficult, final book of the Bible. Another chapter looks at the concept of the "millennium" and how it has been understood by various Christians over the centuries. Olson then shows how Left Behind creator LaHaye’s many works of "Bible prophecy" are filled with attacks on Catholicism, and often rely on sensationalism, shaky scholarship, and subjective interpretations of Scripture.
Olson, a former dispensationalist, also presents a history of apocalyptic belief and theology, beginning with the Early Church Fathers and including the Montanists, St. Augustine, Joachim of Fiore, the Protestant Reformers, and the American Puritans. He shows how John Nelson Darby, an ex-Anglican priest, developed the premillennial dispensationalist system, which hinges on the Rapture, in the 1830s and how Darby relied upon faulty assumptions about Jesus Christ, the Church, and the Bible.
The second part of the book, "A Catholic Critique of Dispensationalism," focuses on three important topics: the relationship between Israel, the Church, and the Kingdom; the interpretation of Scripture; and the nature of the Rapture event. Filled with a wealth of information drawn from both Protestant and Catholic sources, this section provides a complete rebuttal to the premillennial dispensationalist system and the "left behind" theology. The book concludes with a reflection on the Catholic understanding of the end times, salvation history, and the final judgement. Glossaries of key persons and terms are also included.
A strong, but fair, critique of a dangerous and popular belief, Will Catholics Be "Left Behind"? provides Catholics and Protestants, lay people and clergy, and students and scholars with important answers and information about the roots and meaning of the "Rapture".
Praise for Will Catholics Be “Left Behind”?
"A detailed and effective Catholic critique of sundry forms of 'Bible prophecy," millennialism, and other excitements about the End Time. More than that, Olson provides a compelling and orthodox vision of time, eternity, and the Last Things. A useful work of popular apologetics." — First Things
“Olson has given us a comprehensive, scholarly, and indispensable resource: a must-read for Catholics needing a response to the hard sell to the end-times enthusiasts—or those simply pondering Christ's return for themselves.” — National Catholic Register
"Millions of Americans believe the Lord will snatch them up any day now, leaving the rest of us to the horrors of a seven-year tribulation. The hitch is that the ‘Rapture’ has no pedigree. As Carl Olson shows, no Catholic or Protestant believed in it prior to the nineteenth century. It is an authentic Fundamentalist ‘invention’."— Karl Keating, author, Catholicism and Fundamentalism
"In this extraordinary book, Carl Olson uses a surgeon’s scalpel to cut through the mass of confusion that dominates contemporary reflection on the Last Things. Achieving far more than a refutation of millennialist errors and other disordered apocalyptic theories, he illumines the Church’s majestic vision of time and eternity and demonstrates that Jesus Christ is the Lord of History and its end."— Michael O'Brien, author, Father Elijah
"End times fervor continues to ignite Christians in the twenty-first century. Prophecy preachers and Rapture proponents abound. Where did these new ideas come from? How did they become so popular? Are Catholics being left behind or are they actually way ahead? Olson sorts out the complicated, researches the history and presents it clearly and simply. He has done us all a great service, not Catholics only, but all Christians."— Steve Ray, author, Upon This Rock
"Carl Olson has joined personal experience with extensive research to provide an in-depth examination of today’s ‘prophecy preachers’ and the confused, confusing notions they have packaged as entertainment for an often-unsuspecting audience." — Paul Thigpen, Ph.D., author, The Rapture Trap
"What a wonderful book on millennial movements. Olson’s book will help people think carefully through the decisions to take part in millennial movements rather than allow emotional appeals to determine their decisions. As an extra benefit, Olson’s research highlights important and frequently little known data about millennial thoughts." — Fr. Mitch Pacwa, S.J., author, Catholics and the New Age
"In a jittery post-9/11 world, Christians (including Catholics) can often fall for the latest End Times fad, only to be more burned by the fire insurance than by the fire. Avoid the fear and heartache of false prophecy. Carl Olson provides a much needed dose of biblical truth, solid Catholic wisdom and good humor to the current crop of pop prognostications from the manufacturers of Left Behind." — Mark P. Shea, author, Making Senses Out of Scripture
The Da Vinci Hoax
Beginning with the big picture, it focuses first on key concepts such as eschatology, the Parousia, and the relationship between the Kingdom and the Church. It then examines the Book of Revelation, providing insights into the nature and purpose of that difficult, final book of the Bible. Another chapter looks at the concept of the "millennium" and how it has been understood by various Christians over the centuries. Olson then shows how Left Behind creator LaHaye’s many works of "Bible prophecy" are filled with attacks on Catholicism, and often rely on sensationalism, shaky scholarship, and subjective interpretations of Scripture.
Olson, a former dispensationalist, also presents a history of apocalyptic belief and theology, beginning with the Early Church Fathers and including the Montanists, St. Augustine, Joachim of Fiore, the Protestant Reformers, and the American Puritans. He shows how John Nelson Darby, an ex-Anglican priest, developed the premillennial dispensationalist system, which hinges on the Rapture, in the 1830s and how Darby relied upon faulty assumptions about Jesus Christ, the Church, and the Bible.
The second part of the book, "A Catholic Critique of Dispensationalism," focuses on three important topics: the relationship between Israel, the Church, and the Kingdom; the interpretation of Scripture; and the nature of the Rapture event. Filled with a wealth of information drawn from both Protestant and Catholic sources, this section provides a complete rebuttal to the premillennial dispensationalist system and the "left behind" theology. The book concludes with a reflection on the Catholic understanding of the end times, salvation history, and the final judgement. Glossaries of key persons and terms are also included.
A strong, but fair, critique of a dangerous and popular belief, Will Catholics Be "Left Behind"? provides Catholics and Protestants, lay people and clergy, and students and scholars with important answers and information about the roots and meaning of the "Rapture".
Praise for Will Catholics Be “Left Behind”?
"A detailed and effective Catholic critique of sundry forms of 'Bible prophecy," millennialism, and other excitements about the End Time. More than that, Olson provides a compelling and orthodox vision of time, eternity, and the Last Things. A useful work of popular apologetics." — First Things
“Olson has given us a comprehensive, scholarly, and indispensable resource: a must-read for Catholics needing a response to the hard sell to the end-times enthusiasts—or those simply pondering Christ's return for themselves.” — National Catholic Register
"Millions of Americans believe the Lord will snatch them up any day now, leaving the rest of us to the horrors of a seven-year tribulation. The hitch is that the ‘Rapture’ has no pedigree. As Carl Olson shows, no Catholic or Protestant believed in it prior to the nineteenth century. It is an authentic Fundamentalist ‘invention’."— Karl Keating, author, Catholicism and Fundamentalism
"In this extraordinary book, Carl Olson uses a surgeon’s scalpel to cut through the mass of confusion that dominates contemporary reflection on the Last Things. Achieving far more than a refutation of millennialist errors and other disordered apocalyptic theories, he illumines the Church’s majestic vision of time and eternity and demonstrates that Jesus Christ is the Lord of History and its end."— Michael O'Brien, author, Father Elijah
"End times fervor continues to ignite Christians in the twenty-first century. Prophecy preachers and Rapture proponents abound. Where did these new ideas come from? How did they become so popular? Are Catholics being left behind or are they actually way ahead? Olson sorts out the complicated, researches the history and presents it clearly and simply. He has done us all a great service, not Catholics only, but all Christians."— Steve Ray, author, Upon This Rock
"Carl Olson has joined personal experience with extensive research to provide an in-depth examination of today’s ‘prophecy preachers’ and the confused, confusing notions they have packaged as entertainment for an often-unsuspecting audience." — Paul Thigpen, Ph.D., author, The Rapture Trap
"What a wonderful book on millennial movements. Olson’s book will help people think carefully through the decisions to take part in millennial movements rather than allow emotional appeals to determine their decisions. As an extra benefit, Olson’s research highlights important and frequently little known data about millennial thoughts." — Fr. Mitch Pacwa, S.J., author, Catholics and the New Age
"In a jittery post-9/11 world, Christians (including Catholics) can often fall for the latest End Times fad, only to be more burned by the fire insurance than by the fire. Avoid the fear and heartache of false prophecy. Carl Olson provides a much needed dose of biblical truth, solid Catholic wisdom and good humor to the current crop of pop prognostications from the manufacturers of Left Behind." — Mark P. Shea, author, Making Senses Out of Scripture
The Da Vinci Hoax
Exposing the Errors in The Da Vinci Code
The Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown’s best selling novel, purports to be more than fiction: it claims to be based on fact and scholarly research. Brown wants his readers to believe that he is revealing the long-concealed truth about Jesus, Mary Magdalene, and early Christianity, a truth that he says has been suppressed by the malevolent and conspiratorial forces of the Catholic Church. The novel alleges that there has been throughout history a secret group of true followers of a Gnostic Jesus and his wife, Mary Magdalene, the true “Holy Grail”.
Almost everything most Christians and non-Christians think they know about Jesus, according to Dan Brown, is completely wrong, the result of Catholic propaganda designed to hide the truth from the world.
But are The Da Vinci Code’s claims fact or just plain fiction? Is the novel well-researched as claimed? What is the truth about Jesus, Mary Magdalene, and the early Church? Has the Catholic Church distorted the real Jesus? Why is the novel so popular? What about the anti-Catholic, anti-Christian agenda behind the novel?
Best selling author Carl E. Olson and journalist Sandra Miesel answer these and other important questions. Their painstaking research into The Da Vinci Code and its sources reveals some surprising truths. No one who has read or heard about The Da Vinci Code should miss this provocative and illuminating new book.
• The Da Vinci Hoax is also available as a Book On CD.
Praise for The Da Vinci Hoax:
“The title of this book by Carl Olson and Sandra Miesel says it all. The authors of The Da Vinci Hoax deserve our gratitude for exposing in considerable detail and with a sure touch the fabrications of Dan Brown’s book. Theirs is the definitive debunking.” — Cardinal Francis George, Archbishop of Chicago
“You'll save yourself precious time and money, and hang on to your common sense, if you skip The Da Vinci Code and go straight to Carl Olson's and Sandra Miesel's wonderful The Da Vinci Hoax. Conspiracy theories are always alluring, but nothing satisfies like the truth -- and Olson and Miesel do a superb job of defending the Catholic faith against one of the strangest pieces of fiction of our time.” — Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., Archbishop of Denver
“Finally! Someone has taken the trouble to counter the absurdities of The Da Vinci Code, and to confront all the anti-Christian and anti-Catholic rhetoric that book has inspired. In writing their own well-informed and well-argued text, Olson and Miesel have done a real service, not just to Christians, but to anyone weary of contemporary fads and foolishness. And unlike the
original Code, The Da Vinci Hoax is a delight to read." — Philip Jenkins, Distinguished Professor of History and Religious Studies, Pennsylvania State University
“In The Da Vinci Hoax, Carl Olson and Sandra Miesel bring their considerable analytical powers to bear on the phenomenally successful novel by Dan Brown. The Da Vinci Code is a writhing nest of neo-Gnostic myths, blatant falsehoods, half-truths and absurd suppositions presented as facts--indeed, it is one of the most odious cases of revisionist history that have appeared during the past two centuries. Olson and Miesel dissect it carefully--break the code of the Code, as it were--revealing not only Brown’s distortions of history but the underlying malice in his ‘fictional’ attack on Christianity. The Da Vinci Hoax is more than a refutation of a single book; it is an antidote to a poisonous genre that is growing in contemporary writing. This is a fascinating read and very good medicine!” — Michael O’Brien, Author, Father Elijah: An Apocalypse
“I’ve painfully watched some usually-sensible university students fall victim to The Da Vinci Code disease. I’ll enjoy having this clearly-written antidote to prescribe.” — Marvin Olasky, Professor, The University of Texas at Austin and Editor-in-chief, World Magazine
“Olson and Miesel have done a superb and meticulous job of dissecting the fraud which is The Da Vinci Code. Not only Christians, but all fair-minded people owe them a debt of gratitude.” — James Hitchcock, Professor of History, St. Louis University
The Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown’s best selling novel, purports to be more than fiction: it claims to be based on fact and scholarly research. Brown wants his readers to believe that he is revealing the long-concealed truth about Jesus, Mary Magdalene, and early Christianity, a truth that he says has been suppressed by the malevolent and conspiratorial forces of the Catholic Church. The novel alleges that there has been throughout history a secret group of true followers of a Gnostic Jesus and his wife, Mary Magdalene, the true “Holy Grail”.
Almost everything most Christians and non-Christians think they know about Jesus, according to Dan Brown, is completely wrong, the result of Catholic propaganda designed to hide the truth from the world.
But are The Da Vinci Code’s claims fact or just plain fiction? Is the novel well-researched as claimed? What is the truth about Jesus, Mary Magdalene, and the early Church? Has the Catholic Church distorted the real Jesus? Why is the novel so popular? What about the anti-Catholic, anti-Christian agenda behind the novel?
Best selling author Carl E. Olson and journalist Sandra Miesel answer these and other important questions. Their painstaking research into The Da Vinci Code and its sources reveals some surprising truths. No one who has read or heard about The Da Vinci Code should miss this provocative and illuminating new book.
• The Da Vinci Hoax is also available as a Book On CD.
Praise for The Da Vinci Hoax:
“The title of this book by Carl Olson and Sandra Miesel says it all. The authors of The Da Vinci Hoax deserve our gratitude for exposing in considerable detail and with a sure touch the fabrications of Dan Brown’s book. Theirs is the definitive debunking.” — Cardinal Francis George, Archbishop of Chicago
“You'll save yourself precious time and money, and hang on to your common sense, if you skip The Da Vinci Code and go straight to Carl Olson's and Sandra Miesel's wonderful The Da Vinci Hoax. Conspiracy theories are always alluring, but nothing satisfies like the truth -- and Olson and Miesel do a superb job of defending the Catholic faith against one of the strangest pieces of fiction of our time.” — Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., Archbishop of Denver
“Finally! Someone has taken the trouble to counter the absurdities of The Da Vinci Code, and to confront all the anti-Christian and anti-Catholic rhetoric that book has inspired. In writing their own well-informed and well-argued text, Olson and Miesel have done a real service, not just to Christians, but to anyone weary of contemporary fads and foolishness. And unlike the
“In The Da Vinci Hoax, Carl Olson and Sandra Miesel bring their considerable analytical powers to bear on the phenomenally successful novel by Dan Brown. The Da Vinci Code is a writhing nest of neo-Gnostic myths, blatant falsehoods, half-truths and absurd suppositions presented as facts--indeed, it is one of the most odious cases of revisionist history that have appeared during the past two centuries. Olson and Miesel dissect it carefully--break the code of the Code, as it were--revealing not only Brown’s distortions of history but the underlying malice in his ‘fictional’ attack on Christianity. The Da Vinci Hoax is more than a refutation of a single book; it is an antidote to a poisonous genre that is growing in contemporary writing. This is a fascinating read and very good medicine!” — Michael O’Brien, Author, Father Elijah: An Apocalypse
“I’ve painfully watched some usually-sensible university students fall victim to The Da Vinci Code disease. I’ll enjoy having this clearly-written antidote to prescribe.” — Marvin Olasky, Professor, The University of Texas at Austin and Editor-in-chief, World Magazine
“Olson and Miesel have done a superb and meticulous job of dissecting the fraud which is The Da Vinci Code. Not only Christians, but all fair-minded people owe them a debt of gratitude.” — James Hitchcock, Professor of History, St. Louis University
