It has been far too long since I have posted about Theo1689 — the infamous Canadian Christian apologist who is on a one-man message board mission to convince Mormons of the theological “error of their ways.” For those unfamiliar with my previous treatment of Theo’s “Bible vs. Mormonism” views please see here, here, here, and [...]
Without reservation I can state that Matthew 11:28-30 are my favorite verses in all the Christian canon. The King James Version (KJV) reads: Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and [...]
One of the unfortunate consequences of the marginalization of Mormonism in American culture is the persistence of an “us vs. them” attitude that is pervasive throughout Mormon culture. From its beginnings, Mormonism faced tremendous religious criticism (as does any new religious tradition) from mainstream Christianity. This religious criticism subsided (but did not disappear) when [...]
For my one or two (thanks Mom) loyal readers I must apologize for the delay in putting this post together. A paper which I recently presented at the American Academy of Religion’s Mid-Atlantic regional meeting has taken up most of my free time between school and work. For those of you who have an interest in learning [...]
Tomorrow I will be presenting a paper at the American Academy of Religion’s Mid-Atlantic regional meeting. The topic is Mormonism’s unique theology of gender. In my paper, I offer up a perspective on Joseph Smith’s teachings regarding exaltation and sexuality which may seem foreign to some “modern” Latter-day Saints. Essentially, I argue that Joseph Smith’s [...]
If you have not read my previous post on Theo1689, it may be helpful for you to browse what I have written there to provide context for what I discuss here. Before seeking to answer Theo1689’s questions about Mormon doctrine and dogma as it relates to the Biblical text, it is important to put a [...]
In my previous post I discussed my general impressions of Matt Slick and CARM. (Incidentally, if you would like to read an “insiders” perspective on the goings-on at CARM, read here and here.) Within the context of that discussion I briefly mentioned the CARM discussion forums. These forums are heavily moderated and cover a wide [...]
When we consider systems of ethics and morals it is plain to see that such systems are developed and exist to prescribe attitudes, and actions relative to those things that we recognize have value. … However, a non-believer also makes value judgments about the natural world and those value judgments are informed by either the intrinsic value of the object alone, or the intrinsic value in addition to materialistic or other notions.
As such, our interaction and dialogue – if such dialogue exists – is defined not by an effort to understand and identify commonalities but rather, is punctuated with constant efforts to undermine, gain rhetorical advantage, and demonstrate – at least to ourselves and those with whom we share similar beliefs – how absurd, inane, and plainly stupid each other’s position really is. … More than any other passage in the New Testament, these verses convey what is at the heart of the message of Jesus; that we must gain a lasting victory over our enemies not by full engagement, but rather by transcending the very notion and concept of enemies itself; by consciously removing ourselves from the cycle of animosity which has hitherto animated and consumed us.
Armand Mauss has designated four categories of Mormon doctrine as “an operational construct [and] not a theological one”, which was “derived from empirical induction, rather than from anything formal.”[1] Mauss’ structure proves to be extremely useful in evaluating and judging the authenticity of Mormon doctrine and observing how these various doctrines find place within not [...]
