Selling Fear: Conspiracy Theories and End-Times Paranoia

by Gregory S. Camp

Book Overview

A host of Christian teachers have tapped into conspiracy theories to design their own end-times scenarios. But how do their prophetic schemes hold up against Scripture, logic, and history? Historian Gregory Camp offers a sane counterbalance.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0801057213
• ISBN13: 9780801057212
• Release Date: January 1997
• Publisher: Baker Publishing Group (MI)
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.88 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 8.9"
• Age Range: 16 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 11 and higher

Customer Reviews

Mine eyes have seen the glory....

I ordered and read this book with no real opinion when I got it. I was somewhat tentative on it till I hit the chapter on the speculation of the end time. I am a Christian, brought up in the old time pentecostal movement of the 50's. The end was near. Very near. I saw people over the years cite one event after another. I saw the anti-christ's name change from Hitler to Stalin, to.... And I saw the beast and the mark of the beast change. And I hit the place where he said that every generation since the middle of the 1800's thought they were the last generation. And I thought, "no, the pentecostals of the 50's were the first to think that." Then I remembered the scriptures that talk about the people in the first century thinking they were the last. And I remembered "Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord". And my studies of the war of southern rebellion started coming back. The people in that time thought they were the last. I remember my dad telling me that his parents thought that WWI was the beginning of Armegeddon, and I remember the discussions in the late 40's (I was under 7 years old) where my uncles thought that Hitler was still alive and he was the antichrist, ready to come back and rule. Then there was the bomb that would fulfill the prophecies...And the book became alive. This is how it has been, probably since a month after Jesus left this earth. One after another speculating. Beg, borrow or buy one of these books. Read it. Then make up your mind. It cause you to pick up another book, the bible and read the promises of God and not waste time on speculation.

Christian believers beware of Fear mongering.

As a student of Dr. Camp and one who has the utmost respect for Dr. Camp's work. "Selling Fear, Conspiracy Theories, and End Time Paranoia should be in every Christian Believer's home. This book does not have a Christian bias towards end time speculation, but gives an outstanding explanation of how modern day prophetic interpretion is communicated. Dr. Camp brings a balanced voice to the debate.

Should rumors and paranoia mix with Christian teaching?

This book is a comprehensive analysis of the incorporation of secular Conspiracy Theory into prophecy teachings. Beginning with the Illuminati legend, Camp explores such conspiracies as Freemasonry, the Federal Reserve, the Council on Foreign Relations and related groups. "Selling Fear" is the result of years of research and is extensively documented. This book does not really question the basic tenets of Conspiracy Theory so much as trace out its development and pseudo historical basis. Unlike Daniel Pipes book, there is nothing particularly daring here, and Dr. Gregory shows exceptional sensitivity to a Conspiritist audience. A well-balanced book that all Christians who have bought into this system of thinking should read.