Leaving Left Behind

by Mike Wilson, Leonard Sweet (Foreword by)

Overview

Positive psychologists have proven that positivity leads to success, but most Christians in America have chosen to believe a single eschatological theory that leads to pessimism and cynicism. Pessimistic Christians put themselves in Christian bubbles and focus on self-preservation, and when a mind is clouded by negativity, interpretations of biblical prophecy lean toward the pessimistic possibilities. The fantastic writing of the Left Behind books has popularized premillennial dispensationalism with good intentions, but that interpretation of biblical prophecy teaches that sinfulness will continually increase until Jesus throws up his hands in disgust and secretly raptures worthy Christians, leaving behind unworthy sinners to suffer the wrath of the antichrist. Teaching that questionable theory produces negativity that hinders the Christian mission. When Christians believe that they cannot succeed in leading most of the world to Jesus, they will fail to put in the effort that success would require. Jesus, on the other hand, taught his followers that nothing will prevail over his church, and that teaching inspired them to sacrifice everything for the Christian mission. This is not a promise of prosperity without effort or of inevitable success, but biblical positivity is an energizing force that will help Christians flourish.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781725282209
Publisher:	Wipf & Stock Publishers
Publication date:	01/19/2021
Pages:	172
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.37(d)

About the Author

Mike Wilson is the lead pastor of New Life Wesleyan Church in Gillette, Wyoming (www.newlifegillette.com). Mike is the husband of Darci and father of Lincoln (4) and Titus (1). Mike (originally from Olathe, Kansas) is a fourth-generation pastor who received his undergraduate (ministry) and graduate (MBA) degrees from Oklahoma Wesleyan University in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, and his doctorate (DMin) degree from Portland Seminary at George Fox University in Portland, Oregon.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“If you are curious about how biblical optimism could reform the missional posture of the church, then Leaving Left Behind is your go-to resource. This book provides a biblically rooted, culturally relevant, and application-based pathway to better understanding how positivity can advance the mission of the church. Instead of embracing a ‘get me out of this world now’ posture, Wilson makes the case for believers to embrace a ‘keep me in the world now’ mentality. You will be inspired to embrace God’s mission and give God your best—right here, right now.”


—Ed Love, Director of Church Multiplication for The Wesleyan Church





“Amidst an epidemic of pessimism, anger, and fear, Mike Wilson offers hope, not just for the local church but for the world Jesus died to save. His positivity, however, is rooted in something deeper than human progress or prosperity theology—it’s anchored in the Scriptures and the saving work of Christ.”


—Joshua M. McNall, Professor of Theology, Oklahoma Wesleyan University





“When an old car is restored, its value becomes obvious and its purpose restarted. There is some code in our nature that I believe God purposefully put . . . a code that values taking something broken and getting it working again. Mike’s book will help you see an incredibly viable approach to restoring what is broken in the church, but even better, how restoring it can actually get restarted what God intended to be happening all along.”


—David Kinnan, Lead Pastor of Fountain Springs Church





“We live in a culture that has been beat up enough, and the church does not need to add to this. Mike Wilson provides a framework for an optimistic outlook that the Bible provides. The message of the church should be about hope, grace, and a positivity that produces a passion for progress. Mike’s emphasis on ‘grace-focused teaching’ is energizing. As he shares, ‘The goal of the church is not to separate from culture, but to shape it.’ Culture is best shaped through the optimistic message of redemption. Mike provides this message.”


—Phil Stevenson, District Superintendent of the Pacific Southwest District of The Wesleyan Church





“Mike Wilson reminds us that the pessimism of the American evangelical church has led us to a grossly myopic view of our culture and our salvation, driving far too many to turn away from Christianity at just the moment when they need it most. Leaving Left Behind is a powerful wake-up call for pastors and churches alike, pressing us out of the mire of cynicism and directly to the hope and joy of Jesus Christ.”


—Jennie A. Harrop, author of The Jesus Quotient

Editorial Reviews

If you are curious about how biblical optimism could reform the missional posture of the church, then Leaving Left Behind is your go-to resource. This book provides a biblically rooted, culturally relevant, and application-based pathway to better understanding how positivity can advance the mission of the church. Instead of embracing a ‘get me out of this world now’ posture, Wilson makes the case for believers to embrace a ‘keep me in the world now’ mentality. You will be inspired to embrace God’s mission and give God your best—right here, right now.”

—Ed Love, Director of Church Multiplication for The Wesleyan Church



“Amidst an epidemic of pessimism, anger, and fear, Mike Wilson offers hope, not just for the local church but for the world Jesus died to save. His positivity, however, is rooted in something deeper than human progress or prosperity theology—it’s anchored in the Scriptures and the saving work of Christ.”

—Joshua M. McNall, Professor of Theology, Oklahoma Wesleyan University



“When an old car is restored, its value becomes obvious and its purpose restarted. There is some code in our nature that I believe God purposefully put . . . a code that values taking something broken and getting it working again. Mike’s book will help you see an incredibly viable approach to restoring what is broken in the church, but even better, how restoring it can actually get restarted what God intended to be happening all along.”

—David Kinnan, Lead Pastor of Fountain Springs Church



“We live in a culture that has been beat up enough, and the church does not need to add to this. Mike Wilson provides a framework for an optimistic outlook that the Bible provides. The message of the church should be about hope, grace, and a positivity that produces a passion for progress. Mike’s emphasis on ‘grace-focused teaching’ is energizing. As he shares, ‘The goal of the church is not to separate from culture, but to shape it.’ Culture is best shaped through the optimistic message of redemption. Mike provides this message.”

—Phil Stevenson, District Superintendent of the Pacific Southwest District of The Wesleyan Church



“Mike Wilson reminds us that the pessimism of the American evangelical church has led us to a grossly myopic view of our culture and our salvation, driving far too many to turn away from Christianity at just the moment when they need it most. Leaving Left Behind is a powerful wake-up call for pastors and churches alike, pressing us out of the mire of cynicism and directly to the hope and joy of Jesus Christ.”

—Jennie A. Harrop, author of The Jesus Quotient

From the Publisher