Reason #71: The insights of Representational Research
What follows is the second of a five-part series that Zondervan published on their academic blog, Koinonia. The subject matter may repeat some previous “365″ posts, but I will nonetheless publish them for those who might not want to scroll back through all the previous posts. The Mormon Mirage, 2 of 5 by Latayne C. Scott A Former Member Looks at the Mormon Church Today Understanding Representational Research One very useful thing about once being so catastrophically wrong about a god — and all associated things religious — is that I am reluctant to say I can never again be mistaken, even in the most crucial areas of my faith. I have found, as have many ex-Mormons, that such an experience can make one tenuous and fearful. Most...
Reason #70 –Can’t We All Just Get Along?
What follows is the first of a five-part series that Zondervan published on their academic blog, Koinonia. The subject matter may repeat some previous “365″ posts, but I will nonetheless publish them for those who might not want to scroll back through all the previous posts. The Mormon Mirage, part 1 of 5 by Latayne C. Scott Latayne C. Scott is the author of numerous books on Mormonism from a Christian perspective, including The Mormon Mirage. She is also a former member of the LDS church. We’ve asked her to share some thoughts on Mormonism and Christianity with us here at Koinonia. - Andrew A Former Member Looks at the Mormon Church Today 1 of 5: Can’t We All Just Get Along? Zondervan’s new edition of The Mormon...
Reason #69: Because Mormonism Poisons the Biblical Well
A recent guest on Chris Arnzen’s hour-long radio program, Iron Sharpens Iron, was Sandra Tanner. As well as being Brigham Young’s great, great granddaughter, she is also one of the world’s most authoritative experts on Mormonism. She and her late husband Jerald archived and distributed many of the documents from early LDS history to which I never had access when I was a Mormon. In fact, Sandra probably did more to help me leave Mormonism than any other person other than my husband. In her Iron Sharpens Iron interview (mp3 available here, too), Sandra discussed why it is that so many people leave Mormonism and want nothing to do with the Bible. Sandra describes this, saying that because Mormons spend so much time depreciating the Bible...
Reason #67: Because it necessitates dependence on current leaders rather than reasoning
When the LDS Church reversed its policy of denying priesthood to black male members, the announcement left many of the church’s apologists holding the bag. One example is that of Bruce R. McConkie, an apostle of the Mormon Church and universally regarded by me and other BYU student as the source of what indeed his book, Mormon Doctrine, purported to be. Bruce R McConkie took the most authoritative information and reasoned from it. Then, when blacks were grated the LDS priesthood, he had to say: “Forget everything that I have said, or what President Brigham Young or President George Q. Cannon or whoever has said in days past that is contrary to the present revelation. We spoke with a limited understanding and without the light and knowledge...
Ah, Sweet Fame, You are so Fleeting!
What a terrific weekend this was for me! I awakened Saturday morning to the news that my new novel, Latter-day Cipher, had hit the 8,000 ranking on Amazon.com. Wow! For a Christian book from a new novelist, God really did a wonder. In addition, it was #15 on Amazon’s bestseller list of Christian mysteries. (Six of the top slots were The Shack paperback, The Shack ebook, The Shack audiobook, The Shack in Spanish and two other Shacks.) Well, Cipher has lost some of its lofty ratings but remains on the best seller list in its Amazon category. All praise and glory to God.
