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Paul S. Boyer

When Time Shall Be No More: Prophecy Belief in Modern American Culture (Studies in Cultural History) Paperback – January 1, 1994

by Paul Boyer (Author)

39 ratings

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Millions of Americans take the Bible at its word and turn to like-minded local ministers and TV preachers, periodicals and paperbacks for help in finding their place in God's prophetic plan for mankind. And yet, influential as this phenomenon is in the worldview of so many, the belief in biblical prophecy remains a popular mystery, largely unstudied and little understood. When Time Shall Be No More offers for the first time an in-depth look at the subtle, pervasive ways in which prophecy belief shapes contemporary American thought and culture. Belief in prophecy dates back to antiquity, and there Paul Boyer begins, seeking out the origins of this particular brand of faith in early Jewish and Christian apocalyptic writings, then tracing its development over time. Against this broad historical overview, the effect of prophecy belief on the events and themes of recent decades emerges in clear and striking detail. Nuclear war, the Soviet Union, Israel and the Middle East, the destiny of the United States, the rise of a computerized global economic order--Boyer shows how impressive feats of exegesis have incorporated all of these in the popular imagination in terms of the Bible's apocalyptic works. Reflecting finally on the tenacity of prophecy belief in our supposedly secular age, Boyer considers the direction such popular conviction might take--and the forms it might assume--in the post-Cold War era. The product of a four-year immersion in the literature and culture of prophecy belief, When Time Shall Be No More serves as a pathbreaking guide to this vast terra incognita of contemporary American popular thought-a thorough and thoroughly fascinating index to its sources, its implications, and its enduring appeal.

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Print length

496 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Belknap Press
Publication date

January 1, 1994
Dimensions

6.14 x 1.24 x 9.25 inches
ISBN-10

9780674951297
ISBN-13

978-0674951297

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Editorial Reviews

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“A splendid, rigorously documented treatise, as up to date as the morning newspaper… No book provides more comprehensive information about the awesome degree to which Biblical literalism and prophetic fervor have invaded the hearts and minds of Americans, rich and poor, educated and ignorant… [Those] who read the book can laugh and weep.”―Martin Gardner, Washington Post Book World

“Paul Boyer traces the roots and branches of the rich, strange complex of biblical exegesis and twisted journalism that he calls ‘prophecy belief.’ When Time Shall Be No More exhaustively describes a strange species of rabid predictions of the wrath to come.”―Anthony Grafton, New Republic

“Splendid… [A] compelling cultural history.”―L. S. Klepp, Village Voice Literary Supplement

“This is one of the most important and impressive books I have ever read in American cultural history. It is richly researched, ably argued, exhaustive in its coverage of the subject of apocalyptic belief in the United States, yet a constant revelation. Indeed, it amounts to the discovery of what many of us in this field have halfway understood but never quite realized, that the dominion of prophecy and ‘end-time’ religion is vast and of utmost importance in understanding the whole of American culture. It will scarcely be possible now not to see the importance of this fringe culture that affects millions of Americans and which, from time to time, finds itself near the very center.”―James Gilbert, University of Maryland

“This is not a facile study, attempting to draw large and arresting conclusions from a mere sample of the evidence. Boyer committed himself to an intense study of popular prophetic belief and the result is a learned, persuasive, and nuanced study of a very important subject. The book is inherently interesting and superbly written.”―Nathan O. Hatch, University of Notre Dame

“It is a work of high quality in every respect and is as good as anything I know of on the subject. In addition to writing well, the author is judicious and insightful in his judgments and maintains a tone of seeking understanding rather than, as do most writers on such topics, taking cheap shots at easy targets. Also and importantly, I found the book engaging and was eager to keep reading.”―George Marsden, University of Notre Dame

From the Back Cover

'When Time Shall Be No More' offers for the first time an in-depth look at the subtle, pervasive ways in which prophecy belief shapes contemporary American thought and culture.

ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0674951298
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Belknap Press
Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 1, 1994
Edition ‏ : ‎ Edition Unstated
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Print length ‏ : ‎ 496 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780674951297
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0674951297
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.6 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.14 x 1.24 x 9.25 inches
Best Sellers Rank: #975,443 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #20,412 in World History (Books)
- #24,587 in United States History (Books)
- #165,515 in Religion & Spirituality (Books)
Customer Reviews:
39 ratings

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Customer reviews

39 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers appreciate the book's historical context, with one review highlighting its thorough discussion of apocalyptic movements throughout history. The book receives positive feedback for its readability. The thought-provoking nature of the content receives mixed reactions from customers.

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History Readability Thought provoking

8 customers mention "History"7 positive1 negative

Customers appreciate the book's historical approach, with one customer noting its thorough discussion of apocalyptic movements throughout history.

"This is a excellent study. it would be great it if was updated to take in the 'left Behind' phenomenon" Read more

"...Granted, Boyer's book is 30 year old, but there is excellent scholarship that challenges his liberal presuppositions about who wrote and when..." Read more

"Paul Boyer was a great historian who did our nation an important service by writing this book...." Read more

"...good look into prophecy belief in the U.S. This book reads like a history of these movements, and in doing so shows the reader how this belief has..." Read more

4 customers mention "Readability"3 positive1 negative

Customers find the book readable, with one mentioning it serves as a good starter for readers.

"...So an old book but still well-worth reading." Read more

"Boyer's book is worth reading. For his time and the subject, his biographical research methodology is about as good as one could seek to accomplish...." Read more

"...The book simply reads as one single strand which makes the breaks irrelevant and makes the reading tedious...." Read more

"...To finish, I think this is a good starter to get any reader into this topic, but it is not a definitive work...." Read more

3 customers mention "Thought provoking"2 positive1 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the book's thought-provoking nature, with some appreciating it as a good look into prophecy belief, while others express mixed feelings.

"...On the other hand, reading it now is a very thought-provoking experience...." Read more

"...This book begs for a deeper look into the prophecy movements...." Read more

"This book is a good look into prophecy belief in the U.S. This book reads like a history of these movements, and in doing so shows the reader how..." Read more

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Michael Samerdyke
Thoughtful and Still Useful
Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2018
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

On the one hand, I wish I had read this book when it was first published. On the other hand, reading it now is a very thought-provoking experience.

Boyer presents a very thorough look at American "apocalypticism," going into depth on the post-1945 era, but doing a good job of showing its origins.

I wish I had read this about 25 years ago, because it would have given me insight into why so many people think about Russia and the Middle East the way they do.

Still, reading the book now shows how sound Boyer's research and conclusions were. This book was published well before the whole "Left Behind" phenomenon took off, and Boyer identified Le Haye as a key thinker and popularizer of apocalypticism. Also, the attitudes of apocalypticism, the distrust of internationalism, globalization and elites, has, if anything, gotten stronger in the intervening years. This book did a lot to explain the link between evangelicals and Donald Trump.

So an old book but still well-worth reading.

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MARTIN HELLMAN
More Americans should read this book!
Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2019
Verified Purchase
Paul Boyer was a great historian who did our nation an important service by writing this book. Usually, a candidate for political office's religious beliefs should be off limits for public scrutiny. But, with a politically important part of our population believing that wars in the Middle East are harbingers of the Second Coming of Christ, we need to ask such questions.

Boyer's book is reasoned and cautious. I was privileged to talk with him before he died and, in several instances, he told me things weren't as bad as I had thought they were. He impressed me as a historian searching for truths whether or not they support his beliefs.

Highly recommended!

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Matthew Smith
A good intro into prophecy belief in the US
Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2012
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
This book is a good look into prophecy belief in the U.S. This book reads like a history of these movements, and in doing so shows the reader how this belief has influenced and grown over time. The author discusses the leaders of these movements as well as some of the celebrities within the movements that exert so much influence over millions of people. Mr. Boyer has obviously done extensive research combing through hundreds of books and archives to resource this history, and the research is certainly evident in this book. The author knows his subject very well which comes through on each page.

Mr. Boyer also discusses the different strands of prophecy belief such as the passive and activist branches. The activist branches being those who actively seek to help bring about the end times by helping to fulfill percieved prophecies in order to bring about god's rapture as soon as possible as opposed to the passive branch that believes that people cannot affect god's plan and that the end is preordained by god and there is nothing that can change that plan. Both sides of this movement are well represented here and thoroughly discussed in an historical context, but this is the problem with the work also.

This book begs for a deeper look into the prophecy movements. Throughout the entire work I felt it needed something more like a psychological or sociological approach to go with the historical rendering. The book simply scratches the surface and leaves the reader wanting these deeper looks into the leaders and the millions of people who follow end time prophecies.

Another problem with the book is that the author tends to use the same sources over and over again. This means his chapter breaks do not really break anything at all. The book simply reads as one single strand which makes the breaks irrelevant and makes the reading tedious. The same authors and preaches are constantly quoted over and over again in each chapter which leaves no natural breaks in the reading.

To finish, I think this is a good starter to get any reader into this topic, but it is not a definitive work. This book leaves the reader wanting a deeper look into these movements. The reason I don't take off for this is the author is up front from the beginning that his book is not that deeper look. His is an historical look at this movement which leaves the deeper studies to others. I do give this work a high mark even with the problems it has because the book does deserve to be read. I recommend this book but with reservations.

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Richard E. Hayes
Quest for certainty
Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2015
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
"When ... time shall be no more ... and the roll is called up yonder, I'll be there" (popular Christian hymn).

If you believe bible prophecy exegesis, read this book to be amazed at the range of ideas proclaimed as certainties by prophecy preachers. If you think it's nonsense, or are unaware of it, read this book to understand a belief system, widely held by intelligent Americans, which affects national policy -- claims to be "the exceptional nation," to fight "the axis of evil," that "... the purpose of our great land is to rid this world of evil ..." --President Bush. (Paradox: prophecy preachers say human effort cannot rid the world of evil or improve the world, nothing can prevent God's plan for history, which includes continued growth of evil, The Tribulation and Armageddon; yet like other Americans they advocate a strong military defense for the nation.)

Google "bible prophecy" and see nearly six million hits. It's a hot topic.

Boyer spent years wading through a vast literature of bible prophecy writing in the U.S. since WW2. His extensive quotation saves us from the ordeal of reading any of it. The word "antichrist" appears in the Bible only in letters of John -- "even now there are many antichrists" 1 Jn 2.18 (that is, persons who deny Jesus is the Christ/Messiah). Theologians and preachers for 2000 years have built a huge edifice of speculation on this word, linking Gog from Ezekiel and The Beast from Revelation. In each generation, religious and political leaders have been labeled The Antichrist. Boyer wrote before LaHaye's "Left Behind" prophecy/fantasy novels (16 volumes, 1995-2007, 65 million copies, four films, a PC game). It's worthwhile to try to understand this persistent belief system about Rapture, Tribulation, the number of The Beast 666, Second Coming, Armageddon, The Millennium, Last Judgement. Failed predictions of the imminent end of the world (from Jesus and Paul to Pat Robertson and Edgar Whisenant), of a Russian invasion of Israel, of Nuclear Holocaust, have not diminished the power of prophecy preachers.

Boyer, history professor at the University of Wisconsin, grew up in the Brethren of Christ Church (Mennonite) in Dayton, a church founded by his grandfather. His memoir of his grandfather's mission is MISSION ON TAYLOR STREET: THE FOUNDING AND EARLY YEARS OF THE DAYTON BRETHREN IN CHRIST MISSION (1987). He quotes his grandfather (pgs 295, 447) saying in 1942 that the war was fulfillment of a prophecy of Jesus.

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Timrek the Gorf
The end is(n't) nigh
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 10, 2016
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Anyone considering this book already knows what they're looking for: this is a very niche field. Boyer's book is a great addition to the literature on end time belief: it looks in great detail at old timey panics and practices and, in some ways more fascinatingly, much more modern hysterias and wayward thinking, too. A learned, fascinating, readable (and big) book.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Thoughtful and Still Useful

5.0 out of 5 stars More Americans should read this book!

4.0 out of 5 stars A good intro into prophecy belief in the US

5.0 out of 5 stars Quest for certainty

Top reviews from other countries

4.0 out of 5 stars The end is(n't) nigh

Thoughtful and Still Useful

More Americans should read this book!

A good intro into prophecy belief in the US

Quest for certainty

The end is(n't) nigh