Soon - Jerry Jenkins

Soon, by Jerry Jenkins, convinces me that some authors really don't write outside of their favorite genre. Jenkins is well-known for co-authoring the Left Behind series, and this book follows in that genre's footsteps.

The book tells the story of Dr. Paul Stepola, an up-and-coming young agent in the NPO. World War III has been over for 30 years, and the United Seven States of American have formed the National Peace Organization to keep an eye on anything which might break the world peace. This includes Christians and any sort of religious group. The only religion is peace and conformity to the national government.

With the main character being named Paul, it's not hard to guess what happens in the book. Jenkins' story definitely holds interest and engages the reader. Throughout the entire book, though, I had the sneaking suspicion that I was just reading a prequel to the Left Behind books. Really, the most interesting plot bit in this story was a parallely between the seven churches in the book of Revalation and the untrue Seven States of America, in which the book is set.

As always, my problem with end times novels is unchanged. The Bible tells us quite a bit about the end-times in the book of Revelation, but not enough to predict how they may occur in this world. A novel is written to be entertainment. The events in Soon are Jerry Jenkins' interpretation of the end times. With such a book, I may find myself believing that this novel will someday 'come true,' or that it foretells the actual end times (I argue ad hominem). After all, it's written to fit in with the prophecies of Revelation.

Soon has an interesting plot, and I'll probably track down the second book in the series one of these days. Just remember when you read it that this novel is not the straight truth about events that will happen someday. The Bible is the only account of the end times that we can actually trust, and be sure to read all end-times novels as just that: novels.

~ Andrew J.