Philip Jenkins

Jerry B. Jenkins, born in 1949, is an American author recognized for his extensive body of work across various genres, including biography, self-help, romance, mystery, and young adult fiction. He is particularly renowned for co-authoring the "Left Behind" series with Tim LaHaye, which delves into Christian eschatological themes and has achieved significant commercial success. Jenkins has authored over 200 books, with a notable portion exploring end-times narratives. His faith, influenced by his mother and a painting by Warner Sallman, has been a guiding force in his writing career. He has held positions within Moody Bible Institute's publishing division and served on its Board of Trustees. Jenkins also writes novels based on the television series "The Chosen."

Jenkins has penned over 200 books, encompassing a wide array of genres such as biography, self-help, romance, mystery, and young adult fiction. A significant portion of his work, specifically nineteen of his novels, engages with eschatological themes and settings, most famously through the "Left Behind" series. This series, co-written with Tim LaHaye, explores apocalyptic prophecies and their implications, becoming a major cultural phenomenon. Jenkins has expressed a pragmatic approach to his writing, acknowledging he doesn't aim for literary reverence but focuses on clear storytelling. His other notable works include the novels accompanying the television series "The Chosen."

Born in September 1949, Jerry Bruce Jenkins grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan. His Christian faith was significantly shaped by his mother's guidance and a painting by Warner Sallman. After completing high school, Jenkins pursued studies at Moody Bible Institute and Harper College. His early career included work as a sports reporter even before he could drive, covering local high school sports for newspapers. While at Moody Bible Institute, he also gained experience in broadcast journalism as a night news editor for the institute's radio station, WMBI-FM.

Jenkins has had a long association with Moody Bible Institute, serving in leadership roles within its publishing division and as a writer-in-residence. He also served on the Moody Bible Institute's Board of Trustees for many years and currently sits on the Board of Trustees for Colorado Christian University. In 2001, he purchased the Christian Writers Guild (CWG), an organization founded by Norman Rohrer to provide writing instruction. Jenkins transitioned CWG to an online platform and expanded its offerings, though a later initiative, the Christian Writers Guild Press, faced criticism and was closed. He now runs his own online writing course through the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild.

“I write the best I can. I know I'm never going to be revered as some classic writer. I don't claim to be C. S. Lewis. The literary-type writers, I admire them. I wish I was smart enough to write a book that's hard to read, you know?”