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Babylon Rising #1
Babylon Rising
Tim LaHaye created the Left Behind Series, which has become one of the most popular fiction series of all time. Those novels, with more that 50 million copies sold, presented a unique combination of suspense and substance drawn from his lifelong study of Biblical prophecy.
Now Tim LaHaye has created a new series that begins with Babylon Rising. The novels in this new series are even faster-paced thrillers based on prophecies that are not covered in the Left Behind books and that have great relevance to the events of today.
Babylon Rising introduces a terrific new hero for our time. Michael Murphy is a scholar of Biblical prophecy, but not the sedate and tweedy kind. Murphy is a field archaeologist who defies danger to fearlessly hunt down and authenticate ancient artifacts from Biblical times. His latest discovery is his most amazing—but it will send him hurtling from a life of excavation and revelations to a confrontation with the forces of the greatest evil. For the latest secret uncovered by Michael Murphy accelerates the countdown to the time of the end for all mankind.
Now Tim LaHaye has created a new series that begins with Babylon Rising. The novels in this new series are even faster-paced thrillers based on prophecies that are not covered in the Left Behind books and that have great relevance to the events of today.
Babylon Rising introduces a terrific new hero for our time. Michael Murphy is a scholar of Biblical prophecy, but not the sedate and tweedy kind. Murphy is a field archaeologist who defies danger to fearlessly hunt down and authenticate ancient artifacts from Biblical times. His latest discovery is his most amazing—but it will send him hurtling from a life of excavation and revelations to a confrontation with the forces of the greatest evil. For the latest secret uncovered by Michael Murphy accelerates the countdown to the time of the end for all mankind.
400 pages, Paperback
First published October 21, 2003
249 people are currently reading
3817 people want to read
About the author
Tim LaHaye
779 books2,283 followersTimothy "Tim" F. LaHaye was an American evangelical Christian minister, author, and speaker, best known for the Left Behind series of apocalyptic fiction, which he co-wrote with Jerry B. Jenkins.
He has written over 50 books, both fiction and non-fiction.
He has written over 50 books, both fiction and non-fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 232 reviews
October 24, 2021
Even if you absolutely hate books, you most likely have heard of the Left Behind series. For many people, that bestselling apocalyptic saga is all they have experienced and/or know of when it comes to the world of Christian fiction. That's actually a shame, in my opinion; although the story contained in those books is good, Jerry Jenkins' shoddy writing style made it hard for me--a longtime reader of Christian literature--to stomach even three books' worth, which amounts to less than twenty-five percent of the series. Not only that, but there are much better Christian novelists--Melody Carlson, Frank Peretti, Bill Myers, Rachel Hauck, Bodie and Brock Thoene, Janice Thompson, etc.--that don't have the name recognition the Left Behind authors have.
After reading that, you might expect me to give Babylon Rising a negative review, but I won't, because it actually was very good. Although it was created by Tim LaHaye, who also created Left Behind, Greg Dinallo's wordsmithing is far superior to Jerry Jenkins' any day of the week. This is actually my second time reading it; I found the entire series at a yard sale a few years ago, and found the entire series to be riveting, especially the last two or three volumes. This introductory novel doesn't have as much action as the latter three volumes, but that's only because LaHaye and Dinallo need to set up the story for the later volumes. Think of this one as the backstory for a video or computer game as told through an opening cinema sequence or in the game's manual; it may not be as exciting as actually playing it, but you need it to understand how to reach the ending.
EDIT: I could write another review, but, why reinvent the wheel? I pretty much feel the same way as I did rereading this five years ago!
ANOTHER EDIT: I have read this series so many times, I've lost count...but I've enjoyed it every time! It's crazy: I discovered these books thanks to a local garage sale; no joke!
After reading that, you might expect me to give Babylon Rising a negative review, but I won't, because it actually was very good. Although it was created by Tim LaHaye, who also created Left Behind, Greg Dinallo's wordsmithing is far superior to Jerry Jenkins' any day of the week. This is actually my second time reading it; I found the entire series at a yard sale a few years ago, and found the entire series to be riveting, especially the last two or three volumes. This introductory novel doesn't have as much action as the latter three volumes, but that's only because LaHaye and Dinallo need to set up the story for the later volumes. Think of this one as the backstory for a video or computer game as told through an opening cinema sequence or in the game's manual; it may not be as exciting as actually playing it, but you need it to understand how to reach the ending.
EDIT: I could write another review, but, why reinvent the wheel? I pretty much feel the same way as I did rereading this five years ago!
ANOTHER EDIT: I have read this series so many times, I've lost count...but I've enjoyed it every time! It's crazy: I discovered these books thanks to a local garage sale; no joke!
February 23, 2009
After reading the Left Behind series, I was curious about some of the other books written by the same authors so I picked up Babylon Rising and decided to give it a try. It was an excellent book! Babylon Rising introduces the reader to a biblical archaeologist named Michael Murphy and sends us along on his adventures to find artifacts that will authenticate the stories of the Bible. In this first book in the series, Murphy is led by a mysterious man named Methuselah on a dangerous treasure hunt to find the Golden Head of Nebuchadnezzar. However, there is another powerful and deadly group named the Seven that are on this quest and they will stop at nothing to attempt to stop Murphy. The story in this book moves at a lightning pace and Murphy's character reminded me of a religious Indiana Jones. The biblical references are prominent but never overbearing and at times the descriptions made me feel as if I were right there on the hunt. The good versus evil theme of the book is well-written and the ending left me eager to read the next book in the series. I would strongly recommend this book to any fan of Christian fiction or any reader who enjoys a good adventure story!
February 10, 2017
If you don't believe in God, this book might just change your mind. This book is about Michael Murphy, a professor/archeologist who dedicates his life to authenticate the bible by finding biblical artifacts. In this book Murphy focuses on finding the brazen serpent that was given to Moses when he was in the desert and thought to have been destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon. It is a fast paced book without any dull moments. This book is filled with action, history, love and death, adventure, and lectures about the bible, as Murphy teaches his class at Preston university and talks to Bob Wagner, the pastor of his church.
July 15, 2010
Hooray! The Christian Right has found a charismatic professor/hero who saves the world from the evil international group conspiring to unite the world under one global order... under Satan! Part Indiana Jones, part Robert Langdon, and 100% evangelical Christian, Michael Murphy fights intolerant college administrators, the manipulative mass media, and a very, very evil man with a fondness for falcons while trying to prove the truth and prophecy written in the Bible.
This is a good alternative read for people who think Dan Brown is sacrilegious and will burn in hell, and who don't mind incomplete sentences.
This is a good alternative read for people who think Dan Brown is sacrilegious and will burn in hell, and who don't mind incomplete sentences.
June 6, 2010
Babylon Rising is an adventure featuring Michael Murphy, an Indiana Jones-like character who is an archaeologist, Bible scholar, and professor all rolled up into one manly man. Unlike Indiana Jones, Murphy's main passion in life is to seek out real artifacts to support the writings in the Bible. The story begins with Murphy engaged in an deadly challenge to obtain an archaeological artifact which gives him some valuable clues about a bronze serpent reputed to be from the era of Daniel.
While there are a few seemingly impossible events, what I loved about this book is the wonderful subplots and tensions. Murphy's relationship with a colleague named Isis is so subtle. Isis seems to change throughout the story--yet we are not completely sure what is happening. The characters are are very interesting. I really enjoyed reading this book and will be reading the second in the series as well.
While there are a few seemingly impossible events, what I loved about this book is the wonderful subplots and tensions. Murphy's relationship with a colleague named Isis is so subtle. Isis seems to change throughout the story--yet we are not completely sure what is happening. The characters are are very interesting. I really enjoyed reading this book and will be reading the second in the series as well.
September 29, 2012
The start to the latest series by Left Behind author Tim LaHaye, "Babylon Rising", is an fast moving tale of history, intrigue & religion molded into one. The main focus of the story is Professor Michael Murphy who searches for an artifact that could prove the existence of the prophet Daniel. The story also revolves around a group called the Seven whose ringleader Talon tortures Shane Barrington & uses him to aid in terrorist activities for their group against the Catholic Church. The story itself is an arc itself covering the globe & highlighting the bias in the media & the lengths that people will go for anything. It's as quick moving & enjoyable as the previous books by the author & hopefully is a sign of better things to come in this shorter series.
April 1, 2013
February 8, 2013
Currently I am on page 129 of Babylon Rising. Something that has stuck out so far in this book is the main character Michael Murphy. I admire him the most because he sticks to his faith no matter the circumstances. He has been faced with many tough challenges including going against a lion, ridicule for his faith at the college he teaches at, and potential loss of job, and yet he still keeps a positive attitude and his face looking up. Even though this book is fiction, his motivation to live out his faith gives me energy and encouragement to live out mine.
I finished this book and I loved it. I'm waiting in the public library to get the next one, and continue on in this series.
Currently I am on page 129 of Babylon Rising. Something that has stuck out so far in this book is the main character Michael Murphy. I admire him the most because he sticks to his faith no matter the circumstances. He has been faced with many tough challenges including going against a lion, ridicule for his faith at the college he teaches at, and potential loss of job, and yet he still keeps a positive attitude and his face looking up. Even though this book is fiction, his motivation to live out his faith gives me energy and encouragement to live out mine.
I finished this book and I loved it. I'm waiting in the public library to get the next one, and continue on in this series.
June 30, 2022
One of the problems with Christian thrillers is that the bad guys aren't too bad, but the good guys are sugary sweet. They are completely unrelatable to people in the real world or the Bible. The Bible is filled with flawed people chosen by God to complete some task. This book is not as good as the Left Behind series. I, as the reader, simply don't care what happens to the main characters. They will win in the end, but there is not enough suspense to make me read 3 more books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 25, 2011
This is a great book for someone who likes archaeology (like me)! Besides the suspense, I kept reading to find out if they would be able to get the wanted artifact. The entire Babylon Rising Series is good!
October 14, 2010
I though it was cool that an author could think of two different alternatives to the end times. I would write just one and stick with it....he's must have a good imagination.
I personally loved the book. The pacing was great, and the first chapter grabbed you by the hand and took you in!
The pyramid of the wind was totally cool. And Methusalah (sp?) sounded kinda creepy...I wonder how he got all of his artifacts?
The golden serpant was a need idea, but the idea that the statue of the King of Babalyon was weird. Personally, if I knew that someone could become evil and end the world with it. I would hide it after I found it, not put it on display like Murphy did.
I personally loved the book. The pacing was great, and the first chapter grabbed you by the hand and took you in!
The pyramid of the wind was totally cool. And Methusalah (sp?) sounded kinda creepy...I wonder how he got all of his artifacts?
The golden serpant was a need idea, but the idea that the statue of the King of Babalyon was weird. Personally, if I knew that someone could become evil and end the world with it. I would hide it after I found it, not put it on display like Murphy did.
February 22, 2013
I apologize in advance for the length. You have been warned (or challenged, if you prefer).
Babylon Rising is Tim Lahaye's fictional account of a Biblical archaeologist who gets caught up in his own series of unfortunate events in search of a mysterious Biblical artifact that can prove the credibility of the Bible. Along the way, however, he not only discovers that this artifact holds a secret that is darker and more ancient that he realizes, but also that there are those following his every step that will stop at nothing to take this artifact for themselves.
As a Christian alternative to today's literature, this book provides an exciting story that combines adventure with Biblical truth. In third person fashion, Lahaye jumps not only between the worlds of the characters involved in the story, but also between our time and that of ancient Babylon--providing extra substance to the overall story. He also incorporates casual mentions of God, and sermons and lectures that might inspire the reader to feel as though he/she has stepped into the halls of a seminary. All of this with the Indiana Jones-inspired adventures of Michael Murphy, who manages to escape death at least three times with margins that only narrow as the book continues. As I previously mentioned, this book is a great Christian alternative to literature.
However, as a literary piece itself, I was not as thrilled. This book contained an inconsistent tone, several dull moments which seemed irrelevant to the story, and a plot which, although good in itself, was underdeveloped and filled with hidden interests of the author.
From the very first chapter, Lahaye really knows how to create a suspenseful tale. Murphy is immediately framed as an adventurous man with physical endurance enough to support his dangerous habits of going after vague clues in search of a desired artifact. This works well to grasp the reader's attention as Murphy encounters his first adventure--and first clue. The tone in this segment reflects one focused heavily on events, without as much interest as development in the story line (which is appropriate, given the events that occur). I was pleased to see that, in the next chapter, as the scene changes to Babylon, the tone was adjusted to one which had more style and allure. As he explored the other characters, he also used tones appropriate for them--the ruthless businessman, the sadistic tormentor, and the mysterious men who ruled both of them. While I believe the character development could use a little more work in regards to personal history of each character, I can understand that this story did not necessarily see such things as a priority.
By about chapter five, it became evident to me that the author was comfortable with creating brief sporadic moments of suspense to add to the story. This began as a great technique to build excitement within the text. However, he also grew too comfortable with 3-5 page chapters which, while explaining all that was necessary to the story line, did not take the time to develop as many elements of tone that I would have liked (such as the more complex aspects of emotion and thought processes of each character). He often left character development up to dialogue, rather than taking full benefit from the advantage of third person. Although I must appreciate the times when character development was complete (which was primarily early on), I wish that I would have been able to see such development and character change as the story changed.
Much of the substance within the chapters between ten and thirty contained more information than plot. With the exception of chapter 18, these were some of the slowest chapters of the book. While I understand the need for plot development, I sometimes wondered at this reasoning. Along with dull development, Lahaye makes no secret of his stance (or even what he does for a living outside of writing). Devoting entire chapters to Biblical archaeology lectures and other sermons, I found his attempts tiresome. The lectures often repeated information that was already stated to the reader, and the sermons teetered on the balance between being too short (as to not thoroughly explain its purpose) and simply being overly "preachy" (for lack of a better term). As a Christian myself, I applaud Lahaye's vision of his evangelistic opportunities through this book. After a while, though, I felt that it may have been too much, and could inevitably keep some non-Christians from reading some of his other books if they find his approach uncomfortable. I appreciate what Lahaye wants to accomplish--but sometimes subtlety is more effective.
I will say that the book did begin to pick up around the thirty's chapters (30-39), which is what carried me through to the end of the book. I feel as though these chapters (and the rest of the book) did wrap up nicely and make up for the moments of dullness. Although the ending was a little disappointing, I realized that this was the best that I could hope for with a book that was the first in its series.
I gave it 3 out of 5 stars. I liked it will enough to read it and even recommend it to someone looking for an exciting story with heavy Biblical undertones. I did not like it enough to recommend it to someone whom I know is looking for flow and style.
Tim Lahaye is a great author. I have no doubt that his nonfiction works are wonderful masterpieces that only lend themselves positively to his already growing list of credentials. As a fiction writer, I think his style could use a little more work. I have no doubt that this is little more than a seminary scholar writing a work that is out of his element. At the same time, I have no doubt that his skill can be polished and perfected (just as any other).
Babylon Rising is Tim Lahaye's fictional account of a Biblical archaeologist who gets caught up in his own series of unfortunate events in search of a mysterious Biblical artifact that can prove the credibility of the Bible. Along the way, however, he not only discovers that this artifact holds a secret that is darker and more ancient that he realizes, but also that there are those following his every step that will stop at nothing to take this artifact for themselves.
As a Christian alternative to today's literature, this book provides an exciting story that combines adventure with Biblical truth. In third person fashion, Lahaye jumps not only between the worlds of the characters involved in the story, but also between our time and that of ancient Babylon--providing extra substance to the overall story. He also incorporates casual mentions of God, and sermons and lectures that might inspire the reader to feel as though he/she has stepped into the halls of a seminary. All of this with the Indiana Jones-inspired adventures of Michael Murphy, who manages to escape death at least three times with margins that only narrow as the book continues. As I previously mentioned, this book is a great Christian alternative to literature.
However, as a literary piece itself, I was not as thrilled. This book contained an inconsistent tone, several dull moments which seemed irrelevant to the story, and a plot which, although good in itself, was underdeveloped and filled with hidden interests of the author.
From the very first chapter, Lahaye really knows how to create a suspenseful tale. Murphy is immediately framed as an adventurous man with physical endurance enough to support his dangerous habits of going after vague clues in search of a desired artifact. This works well to grasp the reader's attention as Murphy encounters his first adventure--and first clue. The tone in this segment reflects one focused heavily on events, without as much interest as development in the story line (which is appropriate, given the events that occur). I was pleased to see that, in the next chapter, as the scene changes to Babylon, the tone was adjusted to one which had more style and allure. As he explored the other characters, he also used tones appropriate for them--the ruthless businessman, the sadistic tormentor, and the mysterious men who ruled both of them. While I believe the character development could use a little more work in regards to personal history of each character, I can understand that this story did not necessarily see such things as a priority.
By about chapter five, it became evident to me that the author was comfortable with creating brief sporadic moments of suspense to add to the story. This began as a great technique to build excitement within the text. However, he also grew too comfortable with 3-5 page chapters which, while explaining all that was necessary to the story line, did not take the time to develop as many elements of tone that I would have liked (such as the more complex aspects of emotion and thought processes of each character). He often left character development up to dialogue, rather than taking full benefit from the advantage of third person. Although I must appreciate the times when character development was complete (which was primarily early on), I wish that I would have been able to see such development and character change as the story changed.
Much of the substance within the chapters between ten and thirty contained more information than plot. With the exception of chapter 18, these were some of the slowest chapters of the book. While I understand the need for plot development, I sometimes wondered at this reasoning. Along with dull development, Lahaye makes no secret of his stance (or even what he does for a living outside of writing). Devoting entire chapters to Biblical archaeology lectures and other sermons, I found his attempts tiresome. The lectures often repeated information that was already stated to the reader, and the sermons teetered on the balance between being too short (as to not thoroughly explain its purpose) and simply being overly "preachy" (for lack of a better term). As a Christian myself, I applaud Lahaye's vision of his evangelistic opportunities through this book. After a while, though, I felt that it may have been too much, and could inevitably keep some non-Christians from reading some of his other books if they find his approach uncomfortable. I appreciate what Lahaye wants to accomplish--but sometimes subtlety is more effective.
I will say that the book did begin to pick up around the thirty's chapters (30-39), which is what carried me through to the end of the book. I feel as though these chapters (and the rest of the book) did wrap up nicely and make up for the moments of dullness. Although the ending was a little disappointing, I realized that this was the best that I could hope for with a book that was the first in its series.
I gave it 3 out of 5 stars. I liked it will enough to read it and even recommend it to someone looking for an exciting story with heavy Biblical undertones. I did not like it enough to recommend it to someone whom I know is looking for flow and style.
Tim Lahaye is a great author. I have no doubt that his nonfiction works are wonderful masterpieces that only lend themselves positively to his already growing list of credentials. As a fiction writer, I think his style could use a little more work. I have no doubt that this is little more than a seminary scholar writing a work that is out of his element. At the same time, I have no doubt that his skill can be polished and perfected (just as any other).
December 1, 2025
This book is very similar to the Left Behind books, so if you enjoy the good and the bad of those books, you will find the same here. The plot is fun enough, but in the end it's pretty much a Christianized Indiana Jones with Theology shoehorned in wherever it can be inserted. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy literature that points to God. I love me some C.S. Lewis, and I even read the whole Left Behind series (I may have not read all of the weird sequel books about life after Armageddon - I don't remember). But this one is a little heavy handed and preachy for me. Probably won't be indulging in the rest of the series.
January 11, 2025
More like 4.5
May 31, 2020
Plot: Dr Michael Murphy is a biblical archaeologist who is searching for the truth about the 70 weeks prophecy of the book of Daniel, amid the threats from the media, terrorists, murders of colleagues, snake worshippers, and the UN, even pressing on despite the disloyalties of friends and his wife’s unavenged death.
Rating: 4 stars
Recommend: for Christians who want to understand the end times
Warning: lots of murders and assassinations. Some instances of adultery, drunkenness and choking to death.
Rating: 4 stars
Recommend: for Christians who want to understand the end times
Warning: lots of murders and assassinations. Some instances of adultery, drunkenness and choking to death.
March 31, 2021
Nui characters were inconsistent. Storyline unbelievable. Only a little exciting....I'm not interested in the sequels.
June 18, 2021
This book is what you'd get if Sherwood Pictures (Facing the Giants, Fireproof, Courageous) was in charge of rebooting Indiana Jones.
When I read this book in high school, I thought it was the greatest book I'd ever read. Having a degree in religious studies including classes with an actual archeologist, I can see that this isn't remotely how anything is done and it's no wonder protagonist Michael Murphy doesn't have a Ph.D.
The plot overall is fine. Give the team of LaHaye and Dinallo one-star. Murphy searches for a Biblical artifact (Moses' bronze serpent) which was used as a scavenger hunt-style map to the ultimate prize: the golden head of Nebuchadnezzar's statue. And then you have to take away a point because for some reason, this head was the prize, but it was the easiest of the artifacts to find at the end of the story. We as readers also see the bronze serpent have a literal, though unstated power, but the head doesn't seem to have one, soooo.... why does the cult want the head? Why is Murphy more obsessed with the head than the serpent? Who knows?
On the subject of these artifacts, Murphy has people in high places that just let him take artifacts out of foreign countries without any repercussions or legal battles apparently. The head ends up with the U.S. "where it belongs" apparently and the Iraqi government whose soil they took it from are just completely okay with it.
Murphy and his cohorts handle the artifacts like they are water bottles and he literally just carries it in his hands to show his freshman level class.
The main antagonist for the first half of the book is the dean who thinks "Biblical archeology" is not a valid class for accreditation, despite it being a class offered on many, if not most, uses campuses in the real world. Among the various straw men for "liberals and secularists are literally against Christians and will do anything to squash us", this is the worst.
The Seven want to form a one-world government and issue in the reign of Lucifer and the Beast. It's unclear why they want to do this and one wonders why anyone who believes the Biblical prophecy would actively attempt to bring it about as a proponent of the losing side, but I digress. They try in the most idiotic ways imaginable to frame evangelical Christians (and the book is extremely insistent on it being EVANGELICAL Christians and not Christians as a whole who are being attacked.) Why? Again, we don't know. Presumably that comes around in a different book.
The writing was stilted from a half-page conversation with a sheikh that explains Christianity in the most rudimentary way possible, a way that a sheikh would have absolutely heard before, only for that to come back around in the too-neatly-tied ending that sees Murphy land stateside with the golden head and be handed a letter from the sheikh that says he became a Christian because of that inane conversation.
There were other detraction in the writing like Murphy arriving at what he acknowledges as an eight-story building, climbing to and subsequently falling through the roof, landing in a giant net, coming to and thinking "I wonder how many floors this giant building has" and "does it have a ceiling?" two pages later.
I have almost nothing to commend this book for other than readability. It is a fast read, but that's not saying anything because so are other books that are significantly better.
When I read this book in high school, I thought it was the greatest book I'd ever read. Having a degree in religious studies including classes with an actual archeologist, I can see that this isn't remotely how anything is done and it's no wonder protagonist Michael Murphy doesn't have a Ph.D.
The plot overall is fine. Give the team of LaHaye and Dinallo one-star. Murphy searches for a Biblical artifact (Moses' bronze serpent) which was used as a scavenger hunt-style map to the ultimate prize: the golden head of Nebuchadnezzar's statue. And then you have to take away a point because for some reason, this head was the prize, but it was the easiest of the artifacts to find at the end of the story. We as readers also see the bronze serpent have a literal, though unstated power, but the head doesn't seem to have one, soooo.... why does the cult want the head? Why is Murphy more obsessed with the head than the serpent? Who knows?
On the subject of these artifacts, Murphy has people in high places that just let him take artifacts out of foreign countries without any repercussions or legal battles apparently. The head ends up with the U.S. "where it belongs" apparently and the Iraqi government whose soil they took it from are just completely okay with it.
Murphy and his cohorts handle the artifacts like they are water bottles and he literally just carries it in his hands to show his freshman level class.
The main antagonist for the first half of the book is the dean who thinks "Biblical archeology" is not a valid class for accreditation, despite it being a class offered on many, if not most, uses campuses in the real world. Among the various straw men for "liberals and secularists are literally against Christians and will do anything to squash us", this is the worst.
The Seven want to form a one-world government and issue in the reign of Lucifer and the Beast. It's unclear why they want to do this and one wonders why anyone who believes the Biblical prophecy would actively attempt to bring it about as a proponent of the losing side, but I digress. They try in the most idiotic ways imaginable to frame evangelical Christians (and the book is extremely insistent on it being EVANGELICAL Christians and not Christians as a whole who are being attacked.) Why? Again, we don't know. Presumably that comes around in a different book.
The writing was stilted from a half-page conversation with a sheikh that explains Christianity in the most rudimentary way possible, a way that a sheikh would have absolutely heard before, only for that to come back around in the too-neatly-tied ending that sees Murphy land stateside with the golden head and be handed a letter from the sheikh that says he became a Christian because of that inane conversation.
There were other detraction in the writing like Murphy arriving at what he acknowledges as an eight-story building, climbing to and subsequently falling through the roof, landing in a giant net, coming to and thinking "I wonder how many floors this giant building has" and "does it have a ceiling?" two pages later.
I have almost nothing to commend this book for other than readability. It is a fast read, but that's not saying anything because so are other books that are significantly better.
September 18, 2010
I love the idea of this series of books. Relearning the bible stories a different way is cool.
But there is something that makes me dislike the author. I have read a few books from this series and what bugs me so much is the "voice" he uses with the character of the main character's assistant. It's almost as thigh he makes her act dumb because she is a woman. He describes her as really smart but the things that he has her say are insulting to the intelligence he presents her with.
But there is something that makes me dislike the author. I have read a few books from this series and what bugs me so much is the "voice" he uses with the character of the main character's assistant. It's almost as thigh he makes her act dumb because she is a woman. He describes her as really smart but the things that he has her say are insulting to the intelligence he presents her with.
March 10, 2019
Reading more like a first draft of a cable-TV movie, authors Tim LaHaye and Greg Dinallo pen an incredibly disjointed thriller which features an implausible plot and incredibly wooden characters.
If you like heavy-handed, moralistic messages, this book may be right up your street. But if you are someone who looks beyond the obvious and seeks to find answers in a more subtle or enlightened way, don't bother with Babylon Rising.
If you like heavy-handed, moralistic messages, this book may be right up your street. But if you are someone who looks beyond the obvious and seeks to find answers in a more subtle or enlightened way, don't bother with Babylon Rising.
January 26, 2009
Eh. It has potential but I really didn't like how everything seemed to come so easy to the main character. He wanted to find something, and he did. There was action, adventure and love lost...all features of a great book...but I think there should have been more struggle.
February 5, 2010
Didn't get through the first third. I enjoy religion as much as the next Christian but there was a little too much testimony in this author's style. I enjoyed the Dan Brown books, though, so I know that it can be done. Shallow am I, I know...
June 3, 2011
It only took me 2 days to read this one. I just couldn't put it down, I was hooked. The story line was great and I thought it proceeded at a nice quick pace.
July 12, 2015
Very suspenseful!!!
Great story. Loved it will download book number 2 today. Tim LaHaye is one of my all time favorite authors!!!!
Great story. Loved it will download book number 2 today. Tim LaHaye is one of my all time favorite authors!!!!
January 31, 2019
This book is just awful. The writing is awful. The characters are awful. The editing is awful.
October 7, 2024
Loved it..
January 8, 2013
Tim LaHaye
Binnen de Christelijke wereld is de serie 'De Laatste Bazuin' van Tim LaHaye en Jerry B. Jenkins een begrip en het is zelfs een hype geweest. Er zijn zo'n 80 miljoen boeken van deze serie verkocht en zijn bestsellers geworden.
LaHaye, een dominee uit San Diego, Californië schreef naast deze invloedrijke serie nog veel meer boeken. Naast de fictieve boeken, waar hij om bekend staat, ook meer dan 60 niet fictieve boeken over heel veel verschillende onderwerpen, maar, zo zegt hij zelf, schrijft hij het liefste over Bijbelse profetie.
In het kort
Het boek begint snel zonder rekening te houden met de lezer bij een mysterieuze ontmoeting met een man die zich 'Methusalem' noemt. De held van het verhaal, Michael Murphy, moet een test doorstaan om een belangrijk artefact in handen te krijgen.
Wanneer Murphy ook deze testen doorstaat krijgt hij een deel van de gouden slang uit Numeri 21:4-9. Hij gaat op zoek naar de echtheid van dit artefact om op deze manier de Bijbel te bewijzen. Om het tweede stuk in handen te krijgen haalt Murphy vele capriolen uit.
Met behulp van zijn vrouw,Laura Murphy, en professor Isis McDonald komt hij uiteindelijk achter de plaats van het derde stuk, maar zo gemakkelijk komt hij niet aan het derde en uiteindelijke deel. Er zijn meer mensen op zoek naar deze artefacten, namelijk de Zeven. Dit duistere en geheimzinnige genootschap wil het gebruiken om duistere machten los te laten en zo Babylon te laten herrijzen. Dit genootschap gaat letterlijk over de levens van mensen.
Met McDonald gaat hij op zoek en vind hij ook het derde stuk, maar ook de handlanger van de Zeven komen ze in het heetst van de strijd tegen. Gelukkig helpt de moderne apparatuur van Murphy om achter de grote schat te komen.
Persoonlijke Interpretatie
LaHaye gaat in op de profetieën van het omstreden Bijbelboek 'Daniël' en daar waar hij in de serie 'De Laatste Bazuin' schreef in de toekomst, schrijft hij 'Babylon' in het heden. Hij gaat door in het thema van de eschatologie van 'De Laatste Bazuin' met daarin de boodschap dat de Openbaring van Johannes dichterbij is dan ooit en dat we op de vooravond staan van grootste veranderingen.
Hij schrijft vanuit zijn visie over Daniël. Hij zet hem neer als een echte, ooit bestaande profeet, waarbij er nog profetieën werkelijkheid moeten worden. Dit is een aspect dat niet door alle theologen word ondersteund. Dit boek is een roman over het uitkomen van wat deze profeet heeft gezegd, wat het voor vele Christenen een aantrekkelijk boek word.
Tevens wordt zijn ideeën over een globale samenzwering duidelijk uiteengezet, waarbij de Zeven een archetype hiervan is. Diverse bronnen op het internet schrijven dat LaHaye in het boek Rapture Under Attack schrijft over het bestaan van de Illuminati. Hij is er van overtuigd dat deze groepering een realiteit is en de bron is voor vele onmenselijke acties in de laatste 200 jaar. Deze overtuiging komt heel duidelijk naar voren in het boek 'Babylon'.
Door deze visies wordt de boodschap van de eindtijd vanuit het perspectief van de Evangelische Christenen, namelijk de wederkomst van Jezus en de toorn van God die over de aarde komt als climax van deze wereld, heel duidelijk. Het boek verwijst naar een plan van de Zeven die ondanks het 'falen' in dit deel toch echt wordt nagestreefd.
LaHaye neemt de lezer, mijns inziens, succesvol mee in de avonturen van de Bijbelse Indiana Jones. Het boek gaat verder dan de Bijbel en maakt stoffige geschiedenis tot een spannend goed. Als Evangelisch Christen sta ik achter de mening dat Daniël een profeet was, waarvan nog voorspellingen van moeten uitkomen en ik deel de mening over de eindtijd.
Als ik kijk vanuit de doelgroep, Evangelische Christenen, is dit boek zeker interessant. Vooral in de zin vanuit het beeldend maken en een hedendaagse weergave geven aan diverse eschatologische boeken.
Vanuit mijn achtergrond vind ik het een interessant boek voor niet-gelovigen of anders gelovigen om een kijkje te nemen in een van de visies van de toekomst die bestaat onder de Evangelische Christenen.
Oordeel
Het is een interessant en leuk boek, maar bij tijd en wijlen mis ik snelheid in het boek. Soms gaat de lijn heel snel en andere momenten is het verhaal droog en traag. Dit droge en trage word versterkt door de grote hoeveelheid vlakke karakters die LaHaye gebruikt. Mede daardoor geef ik het boek maar 3 sterren.
Bij het einde van het boek vond ik hem goed genoeg om het volgende deel te lezen, maar dat deel moet de serie bewijzen.
---------------------
Bronnen
Tim LaHaye Ministries, Tim LaHaye's Biography. Internet, 08 januari 2013.(https://timlahaye.com/shopcontent.asp...)
Tim LaHaye Ministries, Tim LaHaye's Biography. Internet, 08 januari 2013.(https://timlahaye.com/shopcontent.asp...)
Tim LaHaye Ministries, Author Facts. Internet, 08 januari 2013.(https://timlahaye.com/shopcontent.asp...)
Wikipedia Nederland, Artefact (archeologie). Internet, 08 januari 2013.(http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artefact...
Nederlandse Bijbelgenootschap, Numeri 21. Internet, 08 januari 2013.(http://www.biblija.net/biblija.cgi?m=...)
Wikipedia Nederland, Eschatologie. Internet, 08 januari 2013.(http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eschatol...)
Americans United, Left Behind, If Best-selling End-times Author Tim Lahaye Has His Way, Church-state Separation Will Be... Left Behind. Internet, 08 januari 2013.(https://blog.au.org/church-state/febr...)
New Age Guide, New age: Details about 'Tim Lahaye'. Internet, 08 januari 2013.(http://www.new-age-guide.com/new_age/...)
Leaving Fundamentalism, Fundamentalists, the Illuminati, Freemasons, and the UN. Internet, 08 januari 2013.(http://leavingfundamentalism.wordpres...)
Boekentaal, Personages. Internet, 08 januari 2013.(http://www.boekentaal.info/id106.htm)
Binnen de Christelijke wereld is de serie 'De Laatste Bazuin' van Tim LaHaye en Jerry B. Jenkins een begrip en het is zelfs een hype geweest. Er zijn zo'n 80 miljoen boeken van deze serie verkocht en zijn bestsellers geworden.
LaHaye, een dominee uit San Diego, Californië schreef naast deze invloedrijke serie nog veel meer boeken. Naast de fictieve boeken, waar hij om bekend staat, ook meer dan 60 niet fictieve boeken over heel veel verschillende onderwerpen, maar, zo zegt hij zelf, schrijft hij het liefste over Bijbelse profetie.
In het kort
Het boek begint snel zonder rekening te houden met de lezer bij een mysterieuze ontmoeting met een man die zich 'Methusalem' noemt. De held van het verhaal, Michael Murphy, moet een test doorstaan om een belangrijk artefact in handen te krijgen.
Het risico van de dood was elke keer heel groot en heel reëel. Methusalem nam zijn sadistische spelletjes klaarblijkelijk even serieus als de wetenschap achter zijn vondsten. En kennelijk had hij genoeg geld om niet alleen de aanschaf van de artefacten te sponsoren, maar om toe geven aan zijn wildste ideeën om Murphy in de meest ingewikkelde vallen te lokken. Zou hij Murphy inderdaad laten sterven als het ooit zo ver kwam? Pagina 9
Wanneer Murphy ook deze testen doorstaat krijgt hij een deel van de gouden slang uit Numeri 21:4-9. Hij gaat op zoek naar de echtheid van dit artefact om op deze manier de Bijbel te bewijzen. Om het tweede stuk in handen te krijgen haalt Murphy vele capriolen uit.
'En, heeft iemand vorige week nog iets belangwekkends gedaan? Persoonlijk ben ik in Samaria geweest.'
Zijn studenten toonden slechts flauwe belangstelling. Moeilijk Publiek, dacht Murphy. Hij weerstond de verleiding hun aandacht op een makkelijke manier te trekken door er 'en beschoten door een Arabier' aan toe te voegen. Pagina 114
Met behulp van zijn vrouw,Laura Murphy, en professor Isis McDonald komt hij uiteindelijk achter de plaats van het derde stuk, maar zo gemakkelijk komt hij niet aan het derde en uiteindelijke deel. Er zijn meer mensen op zoek naar deze artefacten, namelijk de Zeven. Dit duistere en geheimzinnige genootschap wil het gebruiken om duistere machten los te laten en zo Babylon te laten herrijzen. Dit genootschap gaat letterlijk over de levens van mensen.
Laura wist niet waar de krankzinnige het over had, maar ze kon niet spreken, zo krachtig was de druk van zijn hand op haar keel. Haar luchtpijp werd dichtgedrukt. Pagina 208
Met McDonald gaat hij op zoek en vind hij ook het derde stuk, maar ook de handlanger van de Zeven komen ze in het heetst van de strijd tegen. Gelukkig helpt de moderne apparatuur van Murphy om achter de grote schat te komen.
Persoonlijke Interpretatie
LaHaye gaat in op de profetieën van het omstreden Bijbelboek 'Daniël' en daar waar hij in de serie 'De Laatste Bazuin' schreef in de toekomst, schrijft hij 'Babylon' in het heden. Hij gaat door in het thema van de eschatologie van 'De Laatste Bazuin' met daarin de boodschap dat de Openbaring van Johannes dichterbij is dan ooit en dat we op de vooravond staan van grootste veranderingen.
Hij schrijft vanuit zijn visie over Daniël. Hij zet hem neer als een echte, ooit bestaande profeet, waarbij er nog profetieën werkelijkheid moeten worden. Dit is een aspect dat niet door alle theologen word ondersteund. Dit boek is een roman over het uitkomen van wat deze profeet heeft gezegd, wat het voor vele Christenen een aantrekkelijk boek word.
Tevens wordt zijn ideeën over een globale samenzwering duidelijk uiteengezet, waarbij de Zeven een archetype hiervan is. Diverse bronnen op het internet schrijven dat LaHaye in het boek Rapture Under Attack schrijft over het bestaan van de Illuminati. Hij is er van overtuigd dat deze groepering een realiteit is en de bron is voor vele onmenselijke acties in de laatste 200 jaar. Deze overtuiging komt heel duidelijk naar voren in het boek 'Babylon'.
Door deze visies wordt de boodschap van de eindtijd vanuit het perspectief van de Evangelische Christenen, namelijk de wederkomst van Jezus en de toorn van God die over de aarde komt als climax van deze wereld, heel duidelijk. Het boek verwijst naar een plan van de Zeven die ondanks het 'falen' in dit deel toch echt wordt nagestreefd.
LaHaye neemt de lezer, mijns inziens, succesvol mee in de avonturen van de Bijbelse Indiana Jones. Het boek gaat verder dan de Bijbel en maakt stoffige geschiedenis tot een spannend goed. Als Evangelisch Christen sta ik achter de mening dat Daniël een profeet was, waarvan nog voorspellingen van moeten uitkomen en ik deel de mening over de eindtijd.
Als ik kijk vanuit de doelgroep, Evangelische Christenen, is dit boek zeker interessant. Vooral in de zin vanuit het beeldend maken en een hedendaagse weergave geven aan diverse eschatologische boeken.
Vanuit mijn achtergrond vind ik het een interessant boek voor niet-gelovigen of anders gelovigen om een kijkje te nemen in een van de visies van de toekomst die bestaat onder de Evangelische Christenen.
Oordeel
Het is een interessant en leuk boek, maar bij tijd en wijlen mis ik snelheid in het boek. Soms gaat de lijn heel snel en andere momenten is het verhaal droog en traag. Dit droge en trage word versterkt door de grote hoeveelheid vlakke karakters die LaHaye gebruikt. Mede daardoor geef ik het boek maar 3 sterren.
Bij het einde van het boek vond ik hem goed genoeg om het volgende deel te lezen, maar dat deel moet de serie bewijzen.
'Ik heb er nu persoonlijk belang bij.' Pagina 346
---------------------
Bronnen
Tim LaHaye Ministries, Tim LaHaye's Biography. Internet, 08 januari 2013.(https://timlahaye.com/shopcontent.asp...)
Tim LaHaye Ministries, Tim LaHaye's Biography. Internet, 08 januari 2013.(https://timlahaye.com/shopcontent.asp...)
Tim LaHaye Ministries, Author Facts. Internet, 08 januari 2013.(https://timlahaye.com/shopcontent.asp...)
Wikipedia Nederland, Artefact (archeologie). Internet, 08 januari 2013.(http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artefact...
Nederlandse Bijbelgenootschap, Numeri 21. Internet, 08 januari 2013.(http://www.biblija.net/biblija.cgi?m=...)
Wikipedia Nederland, Eschatologie. Internet, 08 januari 2013.(http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eschatol...)
Americans United, Left Behind, If Best-selling End-times Author Tim Lahaye Has His Way, Church-state Separation Will Be... Left Behind. Internet, 08 januari 2013.(https://blog.au.org/church-state/febr...)
New Age Guide, New age: Details about 'Tim Lahaye'. Internet, 08 januari 2013.(http://www.new-age-guide.com/new_age/...)
Leaving Fundamentalism, Fundamentalists, the Illuminati, Freemasons, and the UN. Internet, 08 januari 2013.(http://leavingfundamentalism.wordpres...)
Boekentaal, Personages. Internet, 08 januari 2013.(http://www.boekentaal.info/id106.htm)
November 28, 2023
I was very disappointed in the publishers of this book, for allowing an unfinished ebook to be published and circulated. This is clearly a rough draft that hasn't been edited. Throughout the entire book, words are missing, punctuation is missing, names are completely missing from sentences. Chapter 50 is so full of mistakes within just a few paragraphs, I had to reread the first few paragraphs a few times to try to figure out what was happening.
Disappointment of the ebook being unedited aside, I loved the idea of this book. Seven world leaders coming together for ultimate world domination. The book of Daniel. Prophecy. However, there were just too many other story lines that didn't come together at the end. There was also much in Murphys story that was just unbelievable. Like his willingness to meet with a stranger every now and then to go head to head with death for a challenge. I could give more examples but I'll stop here. I've enjoyed Tim LaHayes work in the past so I'll probably give a few other books from him that are on my TBR a chance. But this book gets a 1 star.
Disappointment of the ebook being unedited aside, I loved the idea of this book. Seven world leaders coming together for ultimate world domination. The book of Daniel. Prophecy. However, there were just too many other story lines that didn't come together at the end. There was also much in Murphys story that was just unbelievable. Like his willingness to meet with a stranger every now and then to go head to head with death for a challenge. I could give more examples but I'll stop here. I've enjoyed Tim LaHayes work in the past so I'll probably give a few other books from him that are on my TBR a chance. But this book gets a 1 star.
March 24, 2020
I am unsure how I feel about this book. I found the insults against Christians to be quite humorous. They're so unrealistic that it's funny. I kept reading in the hopes that there would be more of these gems. I was not disappointed. I had low expectations going into this, and I tried to read it in a more humorous light to make it more entertaining for myself.
Something I didn't care for so much: There are no gray characters. The antagonists are strictly evil for the sake of being evil. The protagonists are strictly good. Anyone who is not a Christian is put in a pretty negative light. It just seems so unrealistic. I didn't connect with the characters but I'm gonna read the next book anyway. I need some more insults.
The writing style ticked me off. He used "and" as the first word in his sentences way to often. The one thing I retained from elementary school is that you're supposed to avoid that at all costs.
Something I didn't care for so much: There are no gray characters. The antagonists are strictly evil for the sake of being evil. The protagonists are strictly good. Anyone who is not a Christian is put in a pretty negative light. It just seems so unrealistic. I didn't connect with the characters but I'm gonna read the next book anyway. I need some more insults.
The writing style ticked me off. He used "and" as the first word in his sentences way to often. The one thing I retained from elementary school is that you're supposed to avoid that at all costs.
May 22, 2022
Babylon Rising provides a decent series launch, introducing Michael Murphy a professor of Biblical prophecy who takes an Indiana Jones-style approach when it comes to hunting down ancient relics. I really enjoyed the tie-ins to the Book of Daniel and end-times prophecies. The characters are good, but I wished they'd been more strongly developed. I'm a fan of the Left Behind series, but felt this was more plot driven and my connection to the characters wasn't as strong.
It is however, a book of adventure that spans continents, introduces a secret society with nefarious plans, a nasty villain, and an admirable MC. Many readers are certain to enjoy this and I would hope the character development would become more prominent in the titles that follow.
It is however, a book of adventure that spans continents, introduces a secret society with nefarious plans, a nasty villain, and an admirable MC. Many readers are certain to enjoy this and I would hope the character development would become more prominent in the titles that follow.
June 29, 2020
Un poco mejor que los libros de este género, pero no es para tirar cohetes tampoco. Tiene algunas cosas que sorprenden, pero como siempre el autor parece que en lugar de querer contar una buena historia tenga la obsesión de hacernos tragar que lo que a él le gusta es lo mejor. En otros libros el amor por USA, hace que el autor vaya dejando comparaciones con otros lugares y acabe triunfando el americano sobre cualquier nación, y en este libro el amor del autor por su dios hace que no pare de darnos lecciones sobre como su religión es la mejor y triunfa sobre ellas, convirtiendo incluso a los infieles.
6
6
May 7, 2018
Tim Lahaye has written a wonderful start to a series called Babylon Rising.
In this first of the series you meet biblical archeologist Michael Murphy. Professor Murphy is known as finding proof that the stories in the Bible are true by finding artifacts that are mentioned in it.
Murphy gets a clue on one of these artifacts and goes on a wild and dangerous adventure to locate it.
This book definitely keeps you turning the pages for more!
In this first of the series you meet biblical archeologist Michael Murphy. Professor Murphy is known as finding proof that the stories in the Bible are true by finding artifacts that are mentioned in it.
Murphy gets a clue on one of these artifacts and goes on a wild and dangerous adventure to locate it.
This book definitely keeps you turning the pages for more!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 232 reviews