- 84. President Nelson on Priesthood Keys: A Response (w/ Ed Romine)
In this episode, Skyler is joined by Dr. Ed Romine to review and respond to LDS President Russell M. Nelson’s April 2024 General Conference talk “Rejoice in the Gift of Priesthood Keys”.
Correction/Clarification: I brought up the 1838 First Vision Account, and then made the comparative point with the other accounts in a way that wasn’t as clear as it should've been. More technically, I should have said JSH-1, which includes the First Vision account. The Elijah portion quoted, which was also placed in D&C 2 in 1876, comes from the “Moroni” visit of JSH-1 (notice: not Nephi), and, similarly, that portion is also a part that is not mentioned in the other accounts of Nephi/Moroni.
Moreover, the Sept. 23, 1823 Moroni-visit may more accurately be called the “First Vision” depending on how one argues the dating of what they now call the First Vision (wherein he claims to see God, the Father and Jesus Christ). If the dating is 1820, it would be prior to the Moroni visit in 1823, but would also have a social context that is anachronistic; if 1825, then the context of revival would be fitting, yet it would obviously date to after the Moroni visit.
“Rejoice in the Gift of Priesthood Keys” by Russell M. Nelson
D&C 109; 110; 2; 77; BD: Elias; JSH-1
“Why did Moses, Elias, and Elijah appear in the Kirtland Temple?” (Notice the footnotes on Elias)
The Words of Joseph Smith, edited by Andrew Ehat and Lyndon Cook
History of Church, edited by B.H. Roberts (vol.’s 2, 4, 5, 6)
Jesus the Christ by James Talmage
“Celestial Marriage” by Orson Pratt (August 29, 1852)
“Elijah’s Latter-Day Mission” by Orson Pratt (August 28, 1859)
“Discourse By President John Taylor” (October 21, 1877)
“Discourse By President George Q. Cannon” (May 25, 1884)
The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith by Lyndon Cook
Visions, 3 April 1836 [D&C 110] (Warren Cowdery)
“The Mormon Creed” by Orson Pratt
An Insider’s View of Mormon Origins by Grant Palmer
Power from on High: The Development of Mormon Priesthood by Gregory Prince
Conflict in the Quorum by Gary Bergera
Like A Fiery Meteor: The Life of Joseph F. Smith by Stephen Taysom
“This Is My Doctrine”: The Development of Mormon Theology by Charles Harrell
Mormonism: Shadow or Reality? by Sandra and Jerald Tanner
Temple Made With Hands?; An Earnest Plea to Charismatics (Jason Wallace)
“Doctrine and Covenants 110: From Vision to Canonization” by Trevor Anderson, MA Thesis
Polygamy on the Pedernales: Lyman Wight’s Mormon Village in Antebellum Texas by Melvin Johnson
“Wingfield Scott Watson and His Struggle to Preserve the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite) After the Death of Its Founder” by Kyle Robert Beshears
“God Has Made Us a Kingdom”: James Strang and the Midwest Mormons by Vickie Cleverley Speek
The Kirtland Temple: Biography of a Shared Mormon Sacred Space by David J. Howlett
NOTE (from an earlier episode): Who is Elias? What is the spirit of Elijah? Malachi's Prophecy and John's Fulfillment -
Though in the Bible Elias and Elijah are the same person, with just a difference in the transliteration of the name - Joseph Smith claimed they were different people, and that they (both) appeared to him. In other words, Elias is simply the Greek form of the OT prophet Elijah's Hebrew name. They are the same person. Yet, according to Joseph Smith, they are two different people who both appeared to him.
Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp. 335-338; D&C 110
Why did Moses, Elias, and Elijah appear in the Kirtland Temple? (Notice the footnotes on Elias)
Not only do LDS see the coming of Elijah as actually fulfilled in the Kirtland Temple (though some, including a Mormon prophet outside the LDS church, dispute this) - but they connect the "spirit of Elijah" to temple work (including vicarious rituals for the dead). One irony about this is that John (who is biblically associated with Elijah and the prophecy of Malachi) is born to parents of a priestly lineage (of Aaron) - and yet, one of the LDS distinctives is that the Aaronic priesthood is unable to do sealings, and thus, John would not have qualified in their system.
The Malachi prophecy that the Bible teaches as fulfilled in John the Baptist preparing the way for The Lord features in a key place in Joseph Smith's story (JSH 1. 38-39, D&C 2:1-2); and the spirit of Elijah is described in ways linked to genealogy and temple work, such as: "Elijah would restore the sealing powers so families could be sealed together. He would also inspire people to be concerned about their ancestors and descendants." (here, here also here)
Yet, Jesus says this prophecy of Elijah/Elias (who are one and the same) was fulfilled in John the Baptist. (Matt. 11. 13, 17.12-13). In fact, the prophecy - including the language about turning the hearts of the fathers to the children and vice versa (language of covenant, and covenant-faithfulness, in context) - is literally stated by the angel Gabriel to Zechariah in Luke 1:13-17 to be about the mission of John, specifically.
Moreover, Luke's presentation of John the Baptist fulfilling prophecy in 3.4-5 is changed by Joseph Smith in order to make these verses about events associated with the second coming. (JST Luke 3, D&C 49.23)
Even the utilization of the ministry of Elijah by Jesus in Luke 4 (where Jesus reads from Isaiah 61) is likewise obfuscated in Mormon teaching - since they have historically treated Isaiah 61 as about liberating spirits from spirit prison (also linked to their temple rituals). (here, D&C 128, D&C 138) Harrell states, relative to this, "Of course, in Mormonism it is more than hearing the gospel that delivers spirits from spirit prison." And "In current LDS discourse on salvation for the dead, Isaiah 61.1-2 is interpreted almost exclusively as having reference to the liberation of spirits from spirit prison, or hell, into paradise once the living perform saving ordinances on their behalf." (p.344)
Mormonism and the Magic World View by D. Michael Quinn
Temple Made With Hands? (Jason Wallace)
"Most modern KJV's follow the revision made by Benjamin Blayney in 1769." (There was the original 1611, the 1612, 1613, 1616, 1629, 1638 - and then in 1769 Cambridge Edition of Benjamin Blayley; The King James Only Controversy by James White, pp. 124-126; also see p. 288, and footnote 13 on that page) On the LDS version of the KJV - "Leaders took steps in the early 1970s to produce their own edition of the KJV that would fill such desires, completing the effort in 1979...[Their] new Bible boasts seven major features distinguishing it from other editions of the KJV..." (Mormons and the Bible by Philip Barlow, pp. 227-228, also here)
God's Secretaries: The Making of the King James Bible by Adam Nicolson
In the Beginning: The Story of the King James Bible and How it Changed a Nation, a Language, and a Culture by Alister McGrath
1h 44m - Jul 22, 2024 - 83. The Creedal Imperative: Why Creeds? (Part 8/9)
In this series, Brendon and Skye are going through the book Crisis of Confidence by Carl Trueman – exploring the reasons why Christians have normally used creeds to guard the faith, and why Mormons have been anti-creedal since their founding. This week we cover chapter six: “On the Usefulness of Creeds and Confessions”.
Christianity and Liberalism; The Person of Jesus by J. Gresham Machen
Crisis of Confidence: Reclaiming the Historic Faith in a Culture Consumed with Individualism and Identity; The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self by Carl Trueman
Christless Christianity; “Charles Finney v. The Westminster Confession” by Michael Horton (also here and here)
The Need for Creeds Today by J.V. Fesko
"The Princeton Seminary Curriculum" by B.B. Warfield
Don’t Fire Your Church Members by Jonathan Leeman
Democratic Religion: Freedom, Authority, and Church Discipline in the Baptist South, 1785-1900 by Gregory Wills
The Church of Christ by James Bannerman
“Pragmatism” by Daniel Larison
Jacques Derrida by Christopher Watkin
1h 35m - Jul 15, 2024 - 82. James Renihan on Divine Impassibility
In this episode, Skyler interviews Dr. James Renihan about his book Confessing the Impassible God: The Biblical, Classical, & Confessional Doctrine of Divine Impassibility.
The LDS have historically rejected any notion of any god being “without body, parts, or passions.” This teaching was even explicitly identified as a Luciferian deception through the character of a Reformed Minister (called a “hireling of Satan”) in the LDS temple until 1990 (also here). Today, we ask Dr. James Renihan if the doctrine of Divine Impassibility is what the Bible actually teaches, what Christians have historically believed – and why Christianity must confess One God “without body, parts, or passions.”
James Renihan lectures:
- "God Before the Beginning”
- “The Eternal God’s Eternal Love”
- “The Trinity: The Foundation of Our Faith”
Also mentioned were his books:
- Faith and Life for Baptists: The Documents of the London Particular Baptist General Assemblies, 1689-1694
- A Toolkit For Confessions: Symbolics 101 – Helps for the Study of English Puritan Confessions of Faith
Against the Gods by John Currid
All That Is In God by James Dolezal
The Suffering of the Impassible God by Paul Gavrilyuk
Christianity and Classical Culture by Jaroslav Pelikan
Brigham Young: 10.192 ; 13.309
John Taylor: JD 14.267-70
LDS Temple transcript: here and here
“Strange Creeds of Christendom” by LeGrand Richards
“The Only True God and Jesus Christ Whom He Hath Sent” by Jeffrey Holland
The Great Apostasy; Jesus the Christ by James Talmage
The Truth, The Way, The Life: An Elementary Treatise on Theology by B.H. Roberts
The God Who Weeps; Wrestling the Angel by Terryl Givens
Brigham Young clearly taught that “the God that I serve is progressing eternally, and so are his children: they will increase to all eternity, if they are faithful.” (JD 11.286) However, there has been some voices to the contrary, though still stated within a context which accepts eternal progression (i.e. gods becoming gods by obedience to law, acquisition of knowledge, etc, etc)
Compare President Wilford Woodruff and Elder Bruce R. McConkie on the question of eternal progression:
- "If there was a point where man in his progression could not proceed any further, the very idea would throw a gloom over every intelligent and reflecting mind. God himself is increasing and progressing in knowledge, power, and dominion, and will do so, worlds without end. It is just so with us. We are in a probation, which is a school of experience." (Wilford Woodruff, JD 6.120)
- "Now may I suggest the list of heresies. Heresy one: There are those who say that God is progressing in knowledge and is learning new truths. This is false - utterly, totally, and completely. There is not one sliver of truth in it." (Bruce R. McConkie; Seven Deadly Heresies; Notice the condemnation of earlier men of higher church-rank then himself - including but not limited to Presidents/Prophets Brigham Young and Wilford Woodruff.)
Even Orson Pratt, in his "confession" and "apology" for opposing Brigham Young on the eternal progression of even the highest gods, stated that “[w]e are told that every God will continue to progress in knowledge to all ages of eternity; and we are told this by the highest authority on the earth.” (the line was in the original sermon, edited out of JD 7.371-76, but see Conflict in the Quorum by Gary Bergera, p.163. To see more context on the issue, Bergera's book is well-worth reading.)
1h 16m - Jul 8, 2024 - 81. Excursus: Joseph Smith's Anti-Creedal Imperative (Part 7/9)
In this episode, Skye flies solo further analyzing the Mormon anti-creedal imperative. Building on the coverage in Part One of the Creedal Imperative series, Skye analyzes whether it it just creeds – or perhaps it is a deeper issue that would affect their view of canon, and even written texts at all? This is all occurring within the background of the Mormon paradox of on the one hand, the impulse toward exclusivity – and on the other hand, the trend toward a type of conformity that downplays any distinctives.
JSH-1; 1 Ne 13; D&C 46.2 ; D&C 84; D&C 123
History of the Church, edited by B.H. Roberts (vol.’s 3, 5, and 6)
Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, edited by Joseph Fielding Smith
George A. Smith: JD 11.9; JD 13.292-293
John Taylor: JD 14.267-70
Wilford Woodruff: JD 24.236
Elias: An Epic of the Ages by Orson F. Whitney
Mormon Doctrine; A New Witness for the Articles of Faith by Bruce R. McConkie
“But Arise and Stand Upon Thy Feet” by Harold B. Lee
A Marvelous Work and a Wonder; “Strange Creeds of Christendom” by LeGrand Richards
LDS Temple transcript: here and here
Wrestling the Angel by Teryl Givens (also here)
Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling by Richard Bushman
Mormonism in Transition by Thomas Alexander
Jason Wallace: An Earnest Plea to Charismatics
1h 5m - Jul 1, 2024 - 80. The Creedal Imperative: Why Creeds? (Part 6/9)
In this series, Brendon and Skye are going through the book Crisis of Confidence by Carl Trueman – exploring the reasons why Christians have normally used creeds to guard the faith, and why Mormons have been anti-creedal since their founding. This week we cover chapter five: “Confession as Praise”.
Christianity and Liberalism; The Person of Jesus by J. Gresham Machen
Crisis of Confidence: Reclaiming the Historic Faith in a Culture Consumed with Individualism and Identity; The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self by Carl Trueman
Christless Christianity; “Charles Finney v. The Westminster Confession” by Michael Horton (also here and here)
The Need for Creeds Today by J.V. Fesko
War Against the Idols by Carlos Eire
Disruptive Witness by Alan Noble
Cultural Liturgies series by James K. A. Smith
1h 30m - Jun 24, 2024 - 79. Pastor James Phelps Interview (Part 2/2)
In this week's episode, we finish an interview with Pastor James Phelps from Crossroads Church about his life story.
Growing up LDS, we hear his story of leaving Mormonism to then being converted to Christianity. His story includes going from serving an LDS mission in Taiwan - to then being an elder in a faithful Christian church in Sandy. He also shares with us that he will be leading a church-plant in southern Utah later this year.
Check out: Ask LDS Questions
Sermons: "The Remedy for Gospel Amnesia: Galatians 5.1-6" and "Living Life at the End of the World: 1 Thessalonians 5.1-11"
1h 13m - Jun 17, 2024 - 78. Pastor James Phelps Interview (Part 1/2)
In this week's episode, we begin an interview with Pastor James Phelps from Crossroads Church about his life story.
Growing up LDS, we hear his story of leaving Mormonism to then being converted to Christianity. His story includes going from serving an LDS mission in Taiwan - to then being an elder in a faithful Christian church in Sandy. He also shares with us that he will be leading a church-plant in southern Utah later this year.
Check out: Ask LDS Questions
Sermons: "The Remedy for Gospel Amnesia: Galatians 5.1-6" and "Living Life at the End of the World: 1 Thessalonians 5.1-11"
1h 13m - Jun 10, 2024 - 77. The Creedal Imperative: Why Creeds? (Part 5/9)
In this series, Brendon and Skye are going through the book Crisis of Confidence by Carl Trueman – exploring the reasons why Christians have normally used creeds to guard the faith, and why Mormons have been anti-creedal since their founding. This week we cover chapter four: “Classical Protestant Confessions”.
Christianity and Liberalism; The Person of Jesus by J. Gresham Machen
Crisis of Confidence: Reclaiming the Historic Faith in a Culture Consumed with Individualism and Identity; The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self by Carl Trueman
Christless Christianity; “Charles Finney v. The Westminster Confession” by Michael Horton (also here and here)
The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis
"The Greatness Commision: Christ, Individualism, and the Meaning of Cultural Diversity"; Reflections on the Christian Life by Anthony Esolen
The Faith We Confess: An Exposition of the Thirty-Nine Articles by Gerald Bray
The Augsburg Confession with a Historical Introduction and Notes by Charles Krauth
With Heart and Mouth: An Exposition of the Belgic Confession by Daniel Hyde
The Good News We Almost Forgot: Rediscovering the Gospel in a 16th Century Catechism by Kevin DeYoung
Saving the Reformation: The Pastoral Theology of the Canons of Dort by W. Robert Godfrey
The Westminster Confession: A Commentary by A.A. Hodge
God’s Ambassadors: The Westminster Assembly and the Reformation of the English Pulpit, 1643-1653; Confessing the Faith by Chad Van Dixhoorn (also here)
For the Vindication of the Truth: Baptist Symbolics Volume 1; To the Judicious and Impartial Reader: Baptist Symbolics Volume 2 by James Renihan
The Bondage of the Will by Martin Luther
Institutes of the Christian Religion; Letter to Sadoleto by John Calvin
Dialogue on the Two Natures in Christ by Peter Martyr Vermigli
Zwingli: God’s Armed Prophet by F. Bruce Gordon
Martin Bucer: An Introduction to His Life and Theology by Donald K. McKim and Jim West
Cyril Lucaris: Calvinist Patriarch/Orthodox Saint (Jason Wallace; and here)
Justified in Christ: The Doctrines of Peter Martyr Vermigli and John Henry Newman and their Ecumenical Implications by Chris Castaldo
“John a Lasco: A Polish Religious Reformer in England, 1550-1553" by Richard Glen Eaves and William A. Carter
Jacob Arminius: Theologian of Grace by Keith Stanglin (also of note: here and here)
1h 26m - Jun 3, 2024 - 76. Russ Robinson: From Bible-belt to Utah Valley
In this episode, Skye interviews Russ Robinson about his story and some of the history of First Baptist Church of Provo in Utah County. He was a pastor at this local Baptist church for 14 years.
Russ preaching on John 1
“The Heresy of Racial Superiority – Confronting the Past, and Confronting the Truth” by Al Mohler
For comparison: here, and here
Watchman on the Tower: Ezra Taft Benson and the Making of the Mormon Right by Matthew Harris
1h 48m - May 27, 2024 - 75. The Creedal Imperative: Why Creeds? (Part 4/9)
In this series, Brendon and Skye are going through the book Crisis of Confidence by Carl Trueman – exploring the reasons why Christians have normally used creeds to guard the faith, and why Mormons have been anti-creedal since their founding. This week we cover chapter three: “The Early Church”.
Correction: The dates for Heber C. Kimball are June 14, 1801 – June 22, 1868. The dates for Jedediah M. Grant are February 21, 1816 – December 1, 1856. Thus, Kimball lived for 11.5 more years than Grant. Sorry for the silly mistake! I think the Grant comment must have had something to do with either phases or goals of Young’s presidency, rather than length of service. (The mistake was mine, not Sister J's)
Christianity and Liberalism; The Person of Jesus by J. Gresham Machen
Crisis of Confidence: Reclaiming the Historic Faith in a Culture Consumed with Individualism and Identity; The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self by Carl Trueman
Christless Christianity; “Charles Finney v. The Westminster Confession” by Michael Horton
Heresies: The Image of Christ in the Mirror of Heresy and Orthodoxy by Harold O. J. Brown
Christianity at the Crossroads by Michael Kruger
Early Christian Doctrines by J.N.D. Kelly
The Cruelty of Heresy by C. FitzSimons Allison
Institutes of the Christian Religion; Letter to Sadoleto by John Calvin
The Story of Creeds and Confessions by Ryan Reeves and Donald Fairbairn
Credo by Jeroslav Pelikan
1h 22m - May 20, 2024 - 74. Multiple Mortal Probations (MMP) w/ The Hamilton Boys
Given recent coverage of MMP in the news, including two interviews with historians of Mormonism, Skyler and Colin give their immediate reaction to what they see as PR-Mormonism obfuscating the point and purpose of the doctrine. With all due respect, these historians either should know better - or at least be interested in knowing better!
Why would any LDS believe MMP, to begin with? Are there any historical and theological reasons to believe it? Do people believe it in spite of Mormonism, or because of Mormonism? Is it only extreme crazy-people and/or criminals who would believe it?
Please note the correction below.
To get the most out of this interview, one may consult these two interviews (at least the indicated time stamps) prior to hearing our discussion:
- "Are Chad and Lori Daybell's beliefs in line with LDS teachings? Religious expert explains." (East Idaho News); especially timestamp: 26:22-28:33
- "LDS Historian on Chad Daybell Beliefs" (Hidden True Crime); especially timestamp: 1:03:00-1:15:34
Also, of interest, e.g.:
- Lori Vallow's cousin (who is himself a "faithful LDS", currently!) is also open to the doctrine
- As well as the straw man of the doctrine presented by Melanie Gibb (1:01:15f)
- Sunstone
Correction: Orson F. Whitney was bishop of the 18th Ward, not the 19th Ward. Also, I mentioned the Improvement Era as a source. I had conflated some sources in my memory and misstated this piece of evidence. The Improvement Era article in mind was “A Lesson from the Book of Job” in November 1918. The term is not here.
The source that was in mind is from Orson’s Saturday Night Thoughts, in which he cites an author named Maeterlinck. He mentions how a play of his “inspired mind” was Mormon in its understanding. However, it is actually in a different play of Maeterlinck, The Mountain Path, that the term “expiations” was used. Given Orson F. Whitney’s own views, it is an interesting connection – though clearly not as direct as was stated in the episode. I apologize for the error.
It is interesting to note that Orson cites Eliza R. Snow, who –in her works in their totality - are evidence of MMP, in both citations above.
The hypocrisy of calling out historians on details while getting a few wrong myself is not lost on me. However, I hope these couple details don’t detract from the overall reaction toward this pattern of historian-minimization that I was so critical of in this episode.
1h 54m - May 13, 2024 - 73. Jason Wallace on Cyril Lucaris's Protestant Confession (Part 2/2)
In this episode, Pastor Jason Wallace joins us to discuss his recent video Cyril Lucaris: Calvinist Patriarch/Orthodox Saint. Who was Cyril Lucaris, and what do we know about him? Was his Confession authentic, and does it indicate that he was Protestant? And what are the implications for Eastern Orthodox claims about the Christian faith, and their arguments against Protestantism?
We also take the time to go through some highlights from Lucaris's Eastern Confession of the Christian Faith, largely inspired by his own reading of scripture - as well as his agreement with The Belgic Confession.
Cyril Lucaris: Calvinist Patriarch/Orthodox Saint
The Failure of Eastern Orthodoxy
Protestant Patriarch: The Life of Cyril Lucaris, 1572-1638 by George Hadjiantoniou
Eastern Confession of the Christian Faith
Disillusioned by Joshua Schooping
When Grace Comes Home; When Grace Transforms; When Grace Comes Alive by Terry Johnson
The Courage to Be Protestant by David Wells
War Against the Idols by Carlos Eire
1h 44m - May 6, 2024 - 72. Jason Wallace on Cyril Lucaris: Calvinist Patriarch of the East (Part 1/2)
In this episode, Pastor Jason Wallace joins us to discuss his recent video Cyril Lucaris: Calvinist Patriarch/Orthodox Saint. Who was Cyril Lucaris, and what do we know about him? Was his Confession authentic, and does it indicate that he was Protestant? And what are the implications for Eastern Orthodox claims about the Christian faith, and their arguments against Protestantism?
We also take the time to go through some highlights from Lucaris's Eastern Confession of the Christian Faith, largely inspired by his own reading of scripture - as well as his agreement with The Belgic Confession.
Cyril Lucaris: Calvinist Patriarch/Orthodox Saint
The Failure of Eastern Orthodoxy
Protestant Patriarch: The Life of Cyril Lucaris, 1572-1638 by George Hadjiantoniou
Eastern Confession of the Christian Faith
Disillusioned by Joshua Schooping
When Grace Comes Home; When Grace Transforms; When Grace Comes Alive by Terry Johnson
The Courage to Be Protestant by David Wells
War Against the Idols by Carlos Eire
1h 5m - Apr 29, 2024 - 71. Kyle Beshears on Mormon Apologist: Wingfield Watson (Part 2/2)
In this episode, Skye interviews Dr. Kyle Beshears on his dissertation “Wingfield Scott Watson and His Struggle to Preserve the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite) After the Death of Its Founder”. Who was Mormon prophet James Strang? Who was Wingfield Watson? What is their place in Mormon history, theology, and practice?
“Wingfield Scott Watson and His Struggle to Preserve the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite) After the Death of Its Founder” by Kyle Robert Beshears
The Rajah Manchou of Vorito; The Book of the Law of the Lord by James Strang
“God Has Made Us a Kingdom”: James Strang and the Midwest Mormons by Vickie Cleverley Speek
The Kingdom of Saint James by Milo M. Quaife
Assassination of a Michigan King: The Life of James Jesse Strang by Roger Van Noord
“The Mormon Succession Crisis of 1844” by D. Michael Quinn
A Voice of Warning by Parley Pratt; Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt
Ezra T. Benson: JD 2.348
George Q. Cannon: JD 13.45-47
Conflict in the Quorum by Gary Bergera
Like a Fiery Meteor: The Life of Joseph F. Smith by Stephen Taysom
Joseph Smith III: Pragmatic Prophet by Roger Launias
1h 7m - Apr 22, 2024 - 70. Kyle Beshears on Mormon Prophet: James Strang (Part 1/2)
In this episode, Skye interviews Dr. Kyle Beshears on his dissertation “Wingfield Scott Watson and His Struggle to Preserve the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite) After the Death of Its Founder”. Who was Mormon prophet James Strang? Who was Wingfield Watson? What is their place in Mormon history, theology, and practice?
“Wingfield Scott Watson and His Struggle to Preserve the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite) After the Death of Its Founder” by Kyle Robert Beshears
The Rajah Manchou of Vorito; The Book of the Law of the Lord by James Strang
“God Has Made Us a Kingdom”: James Strang and the Midwest Mormons by Vickie Cleverley Speek
The Kingdom of Saint James by Milo M. Quaife
Assassination of a Michigan King: The Life of James Jesse Strang by Roger Van Noord
“The Mormon Succession Crisis of 1844” by D. Michael Quinn
A Voice of Warning by Parley Pratt; Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt
Ezra T. Benson: JD 2.348
George Q. Cannon: JD 13.45-47
Conflict in the Quorum by Gary Bergera
Like a Fiery Meteor: The Life of Joseph F. Smith by Stephen Taysom
Joseph Smith III: Pragmatic Prophet by Roger Launias
1h 18m - Apr 15, 2024 - 69. The Creedal Imperative: Why Creeds? (Part 3/9)
In this series, Brendon and Skye are going through the book Crisis of Confidence by Carl Trueman – exploring the reasons why Christians have normally used creeds to guard the faith, and why Mormons have been anti-creedal since their founding. This week we cover chapter two: “The Foundations of Creedalism”.
Pastor Brendon sermons.
Christianity and Liberalism; The Person of Jesus by J. Gresham Machen
Crisis of Confidence: Reclaiming the Historic Faith in a Culture Consumed with Individualism and Identity; The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self by Carl Trueman
Christless Christianity; “Charles Finney v. The Westminster Confession” by Michael Horton
Institutes of the Christian Religion; Letter to Sadoleto by John Calvin
The Story of Creeds and Confessions by Ryan Reeves and Donald Fairbairn
Credo by Jeroslav Pelikan
When Grace Comes Alive: Living Through the Lord’s Prayer by Terry Johnson
The Lord’s Prayer by Wesley Hill
The Church of Christ by James Bannerman
Don’t Fire Your Church Members by Jonathan Leeman
The Young Bultmann by William Dennison
Destroyer of the Gods by Larry Hurtado
Christianity at the Crossroads by Michael Kruger
Paul and His Predecessors by A.M. Hunter
1h 25m - Apr 8, 2024 - 68. The Creedal Imperative: Why Creeds? (Part 2/9)
In this series, Brendon and Skye are going through the book Crisis of Confidence by Carl Trueman. This week we cover chapter one: “The Cultural Case against Creeds and Confessions”.
We invite you to worship with us on any Sunday - at First Baptist Church of Provo or Christ Presbyterian Church in Magna. We welcome visitors!
Christianity and Liberalism; The Person of Jesus by J. Gresham Machen
Crisis of Confidence: Reclaiming the Historic Faith in a Culture Consumed with Individualism and Identity; The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self by Carl Trueman
Christless Christianity; “Charles Finney v. The Westminster Confession” by Michael Horton
Institutes of the Christian Religion; Letter to Sadoleto by John Calvin
The Story of Creeds and Confessions by Ryan Reeves and Donald Fairbairn
Credo by Jeroslav Pelikan
No Place For Truth; Above All Earthly Pow'rs by David F. Wells
Nostalgia; Out of the Ashes; Politically Incorrect Guide to Western Civilization; Reclaiming Catholic Social Teaching by Anthony Esolen
The Trinitarian Theology of Cornelius Van Til by Lane Tipton
An Introduction to Systematic Theology by Cornelius Van Til
The Young Bultmann by William Dennison (also Dr. Dennison's review of Lane Tipton's book, cited above, in New Horizons)
Schleiermacher by Terence Tice
Apostles of Reason by Molly Worthen
Orthodox yet Modern: Bavinck's Use of Friedrich Schleiermacher by Cory Brock
The Incarnation of God by John Clark and Marcus Peter Johnson
Being Mortal by Atul Gawande
The Bourgeois Trilogy by Deirdre McCloskey
Factfulness by Hans Rosling
Progress by Johan Norberg
Religion and the Rise of Capitalism by Benjamin Friedman
American Awakening by Joshua Mitchell
A Time to Build; The Great Debate by Yuval Levin
The Rational Optimist; How Innovation Works by Matt Ridley
The Territories of Science and Religion; The Fall of Man and the Foundations of Science; The Bible, Protestantism, and the Rise of Natural Science by Peter Harrison
The Victory of Reason by Rodney Stark
How the Catholic Church Built Western Civilization by Thomas Woods
Galileo Revisited by Dom Paschal Scotti
The Savior of Science; The Origins of Science and the Science of its Origins by Stanley Jaki
1h 30m - Apr 1, 2024 - 67. The Creedal Imperative: Why Creeds? (Part 1/9)
In this series, Brendon and Skye are going through the book Crisis of Confidence by Carl Trueman – exploring some of the reasons why Christians have normally used creeds to guard the faith, and why Mormons have been anti-creedal since their founding.
We invite you to worship with us on any Sunday - at First Baptist Church of Provo or Christ Presbyterian Church in Magna. We welcome visitors!
JSH-1; 1 Ne 13; D&C 46.2 ; D&C 84; D&C 123
History of the Church, edited by B.H. Roberts (vol.’s 3, 5, and 6)
Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, edited by Joseph Fielding Smith
The Great Apostasy; Jesus the Christ by James Talmage
The Truth, the Way, the Life by B.H. Roberts
“The Mormon Creed” by Orson Pratt
George A. Smith: JD 13.292-293
John Taylor: JD 14.267-70
Wilford Woodruff: JD 24.236
Mormon Doctrine; A New Witness for the Articles of Faith and “Our Relationship with the Lord” by Bruce R. McConkie
A Marvelous Work and a Wonder; “Strange Creeds of Christendom” by LeGrand Richards
“Apostasy and Restoration” by Dallin Oaks
“The Things of Which I Know” ; “What Are People Asking About Us?” by Gordon Hinckley
LDS Temple transcript: here and here
The American Transcendentalists: Essential Writings, edited and with an introduction by Lawrence Buell
The American Religion by Harold Bloom
Religious Seekers and the Advent of Mormonism by Dan Vogel
“’No Creed to Circumscribe My Mind’: Joseph Smith, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Romantic Theology” by Jared Hickman
“’Build, Therefore, Your Own World’: Ralph Waldo Emerson, Joseph Smith, and American Antebellum Thought” by Benjamin E. Park (Journal of Mormon History, Vol. 36, Winter 2010: Iss. 1)
“Frontier Kantianism: Autonomy and Authority in Ralph Waldo Emerson and Joseph Smith” by Ryan W. Davis [The Journal of Religious Ethics, Vol. 46, No. 2 (June 2018), pp. 332-359]
“Minding Business: A Note on the ‘Mormon Creed’” by Michael Hicks (BYU Studies)
Mormonism; Wrestling the Angel by Terryl Givens (also here)
Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling by Richard Bushman
Christianity and Liberalism; The Person of Jesus by J. Gresham Machen
Crisis of Confidence: Reclaiming the Historic Faith in a Culture Consumed with Individualism and Identity by Carl Trueman
Christless Christianity; “Charles Finney v. The Westminster Confession” by Michael Horton
Institutes of the Christian Religion; Letter to Sadoleto by John Calvin
The Story of Creeds and Confessions by Ryan Reeves and Donald Fairbairn
Credo by Jeroslav Pelikan
1h 23m - Mar 25, 2024 - 66. Matthew Emadi on the Melchizedek Priesthood
In this episode, Skye interviews Dr. Matthew Emadi on his book The Royal Priest: Psalm 110 in Biblical Theology. Psalm 110 is the most quoted or alluded Old Testament text in the New Testament – and today we are going to learn from one of the leading experts on this important biblical text.
Joseph Smith, in the last section of his last sermon (“The Sermon in the Grove”) stated that: “All men are liars who say they are of the true Church without revelations of Jesus Christ and the Priesthood of Melchisedek, which is after the order of the Son of God.” Today, we ask a scholar on the topic of Melchizedek and of the Melchizedek Priesthood what the Bible teaches on the matter.
Dr. Emadi is a pastor at Crossroads Church in Sandy, Utah – as well as a professor at Salt Lake School of Theology.
The Royal Priest: Psalm 110 in Biblical Theology by Matthew Emadi
JST Genesis 14 ; Alma 13 ; D&C 84
Come Follow Me Manual ; Gospel Principles Manual and here
The Third Thousand Years by Cleon Skousen
The Old Testament Made Easier by David Ridges
Evidences and Reconciliations by John Widtsoe
John Taylor: JD 21.243-244 (also here)
1h 35m - Mar 18, 2024 - 65. Jeffrey Holland: LDS Reject the Trinity and are "Christian", too (Part 2/2)
In this episode, Brendon and Skyler continue to go through Jeffrey Holland’s October 2007 General Conference address titled “The Only True God and Jesus Christ Whom He Hath Sent”. This continues the analysis of the LDS treatment of the Biblical doctrine of the Trinity and the historic Christian creeds and confessions.
We invite you to worship with us on any Sunday - at First Baptist Church of Provo or Christ Presbyterian Church in Magna. We welcome visitors!
NOTE: Joseph Fielding Smith defined the Godhead as “the supreme governing council in the heavens”. (Doctrines of Salvation 1:1) Also, notice how it is Joseph Smith – in the Book of Mormon - who confuses the persons of the Godhead; Smith would be a more apt target than the Trinitarian Creeds that, although they affirm One Being - do not confuse the persons of the Trinity. (see Mos. 15.2-4f; Morm. 9.12; Ether 3.14; 4.12; and JST Luke 10.22 - footnote b)
“The Only True God and Jesus Christ Whom He Hath Sent” by Jeffrey Holland
Lectures on Faith ; JSH-1.19-20 ; BOM Title Page
History of Church 6:473-479 (also, here)
2 Ne. 31.21; Mormon 7.7; Ether 4.12 ;Abraham 4 ; Mosiah 15 ; D&C 20.28 ; 121.28,32 ;130; 132
Brigham Young: JD 1.49-51 (and here); JD 4:218 ; JD 11:268
A Marvelous Work and a Wonder; “Strange Creeds of Christendom” by LeGrand Richards
Are Mormons Christians? by Stephen Robinson
Mormonism: Shadow or Reality? by Sandra and Jerald Tanner
An Insider’s View of Mormon Origins by Grant Palmer
Mormonism and the Magic World View by D. Michael Quinn
Mormon Enigma: Emma Hale Smith by Linda King Newell
By His Own Hand Upon Papyrus: A New Look at the Joseph Smith Papyrii by Charles Larson (also here, here, here and here)
The Mound Builder Myth: Fake History and the Hunt for a “Lost White Race” by Jason Colavito
Jason Wallace: here, here and here
The Forgotten Trinity by James White; Simply Trinity by Matthew Barrett
The Trinity: An Introduction by Scott Swain; The Attributes of God: An Introduction by Gerald Bray; The Person of Christ: An Introduction by Stephen Wellum
God the Son Incarnate: The Doctrine of Christ by Stephen Wellum
All That Is In God by James Dolezal
The Trinitarian Theology of Cornelius Van Til by Lane Tipton
The Transfiguration of Christ by Patrick Schreiner
Confessions by St. Augustine
Christless Christianity by Michael Horton
The Origenist Controversy by Elizabeth Clark
Early Christian Doctrine by J.N.D. Kelly
God in Patristic Thought by G. L. Prestige
The Destroyer of the Gods by Larry Hurtado
Who Is God? By Richard Bauckham
Christianity and Classical Culture by Jaroslav Pelikan
“The Image of God and the Anthropomorphite Controversy in fourth-century Monasticism” by Graham Gould - in R. J. Daly (ed.), Origeniana Quinta: Papers of the Fifth International Origen Congress, Boston College, 14–18 August 1989 (Bibliotheca Ephemeridum Theologicarum Lovaniensium, 105; Leuven: Peeters Press, 1992), pp. 549–57
“The Divine Council in Late Canonical and Non-Canonical Second Temple Jewish Literature” by Michael Heiser
The Bible Among the Myths by John Oswalt
An Introduction to the Old Testament by Edward J. Young
Treaty of the Great King by Meredith Kline
The Gospel of Matthew (NICNT) by R.T. France
The Gospel According to John by D. A. Carson
1h 42m - Mar 11, 2024
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