Peter Lalonde is a man with a nose for the business side of Bible prophecy. Normally end time writers and commentators begin their career at the level of books, videos, or radio. In Lalonde's case, he managed to leapfrog right into the world of television. During the 1980s he was the host of a program called This Week in Bible Prophecy.
He did author the books: 2000 A.D. Are You Ready? and 301 Startling Proofs and Prophecies. Lalonde also produced a video called Left Behind, that had no relation to the novel Left Behind.
In the 1990s Lalonde ended his prophecy ministry and moved into the realm of movie production. Peter is now the President of Cloud Ten pictures. Along with his brother Paul, they have produced the end-time films: Tribulation, Revelation, Apocalypse, and Left Behind.
Lalonde has a talent for being able to relate the general subject of prophecy to the common person. His gift for plain speak does have a serious flaw. Lalonde repeatedly sacrifices Bible truth for a smooth flowery presentation. He was widely scorned for toning down the Bible references in the screen version of Tim Lahaye's Left Behind book.
Simply getting people attention with a movie that has a token Christian theme does not mean you're changing their spiritual lives for better. Lalonde makes the mistake of thinking viewership automatically implies eventual salvation: "Sometimes it's hard to get that special someone in your life to listen to the gospel message. But we get tons and tons of letters from people who tell us, "you know, I never watch Christian television but I love your show and watch it every week"
I've met Lalonde several times at prophecy conferences, and every time I see him at one of these meetings he leaves me with a bad impression. When dealing with people at his book table, he displayed a very haughty spirit. The main job of a prophecy speaker is to serve the public. Lalonde repeatedly acted as if the public was there to service his ego.
I know of two end time authors who can testified that Lalonde seems to think itis a privilege to be able to speak with him. I almost laughed myself silly when one of his employees contacted me about promoting one of Cloud Ten's movies on the Rapture Ready site. As an incentive, I was offered the opportunity to talk to Mr. Big himself via instant message email. They would have better luck trying to bribe me with a box of Twinkies. I had to decline the offer. I would have been too nervous to correspond with such a powerful man.
I can not stand Christian leaders who think they are a little more special than everyone else. This type of attitude is totally contrary to the word of God.
But Jesus called them [unto him], and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. (Mat 20:25-28)
Review by Todd Strandberg
