“This Is My Doctrine”: The Development of Mormon Theology PDF Download

Author: Charles R. Harrell
Publisher: Greg Kofford Books
ISBN:
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 598

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Book Description
The principal doctrines defining Mormonism today often bear little resemblance to those it started out with in the early 1830s. This book shows that these doctrines did not originate in a vacuum but were rather prompted and informed by the religious culture from which Mormonism arose. Early Mormons, like their early Christian and even earlier Israelite predecessors, brought with them their own varied culturally conditioned theological presuppositions (a process of convergence) and only later acquired a more distinctive theological outlook (a process of differentiation). In this first-of-its-kind comprehensive treatment of the development of Mormon theology, Charles Harrell traces the history of Latter-day Saint doctrines from the times of the Old Testament to the present. He describes how Mormonism has carried on the tradition of the biblical authors, early Christians, and later Protestants in reinterpreting scripture to accommodate new theological ideas while attempting to uphold the integrity and authority of the scriptures. In the process, he probes three questions: How did Mormon doctrines develop? What are the scriptural underpinnings of these doctrines? And what do critical scholars make of these same scriptures? In this enlightening study, Harrell systematically peels back the doctrinal accretions of time to provide a fresh new look at Mormon theology. “This Is My Doctrine” will provide those already versed in Mormonism’s theological tradition with a new and richer perspective of Mormon theology. Those unacquainted with Mormonism will gain an appreciation for how Mormon theology fits into the larger Jewish and Christian theological traditions.

Author: Charles R. Harrell
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781589581258
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
The principal doctrines defining Mormonism today often bear little resemblance to those it started out with in the early 1830s. This book shows that these doctrines did not originate in a vacuum but were rather prompted and informed by the religious culture from which Mormonism arose. Early Mormons, like their early Christian and even earlier Israelite predecessors, brought with them their own varied culturally conditioned theological presuppositions (a process of convergence) and only later acquired a more distinctive theological outlook (a process of differentiation). In this first-of-its-kind comprehensive treatment of the development of Mormon theology, Charles Harrell traces the history of Latter-day Saint doctrines from the times of the Old Testament to the present. He describes how Mormonism has carried on the tradition of the biblical authors, early Christians, and later Protestants in reinterpreting scripture to accommodate new theological ideas while attempting to uphold the integrity and authority of the scriptures. In the process, he probes three questions: How did Mormon doctrines develop? What are the scriptural underpinnings of these doctrines? And what do critical scholars make of these same scriptures? In this enlightening study, Harrell systematically peels back the doctrinal accretions of time to provide a fresh new look at Mormon theology. "This Is My Doctrine" will provide those already versed in Mormonism's theological tradition with a new and richer perspective of Mormon theology. Those unacquainted with Mormonism will gain an appreciation for how Mormon theology fits into the larger Jewish and Christian theological traditions.

Author: Terryl Givens
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
ISBN: 0199794928
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 423

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Book Description
"Wrestling the Angel, Vol. I is the first in a two part study of the foundations of Mormon thought and practice, situated in the context of an overview of the Christian tradition. The book traces the essential contours of Mormon thought as it developed from Joseph Smith to the present. Terryl L. Givens, one of the nation's foremost Mormon scholars, offers a sweeping account of the history of Mormon belief, revealing that Mormonism is a tradition still very much in the process of formation."--Provided by the publisher.

Author: Kurt Widmer
Publisher: McFarland
ISBN: 9780786474028
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Until around the latter part of the 20th century, Mormonism has been presented in scholarly reconstructions as a religion that has not changed significantly from its beginnings, whose presently-held beliefs existed as a central core of doctrine at the church's founding in 1830. The author argues, instead, that the development of Mormonism has been primarily due to external events, popular, cultural, philosophical, religious and scientific, and that these influences have led to the emergence of several streams of thought that are actually in opposition to the early beliefs of the church. Mormonism can be seen as a reflection of the development of American society and culture from the early 1800s to the present. The major aim of this work is to establish a proper chronology for the development of Mormon thought, specifically in its concept of the nature of God.

Author: J. Warner Wallace
Publisher: David C Cook
ISBN: 1434705463
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 224

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Book Description
Written by an L. A. County homicide detective and former atheist, Cold-Case Christianity examines the claims of the New Testament using the skills and strategies of a hard-to-convince criminal investigator. Christianity could be defined as a “cold case”: it makes a claim about an event from the distant past for which there is little forensic evidence. In Cold-Case Christianity, J. Warner Wallace uses his nationally recognized skills as a homicide detective to look at the evidence and eyewitnesses behind Christian beliefs. Including gripping stories from his career and the visual techniques he developed in the courtroom, Wallace uses illustration to examine the powerful evidence that validates the claims of Christianity. A unique apologetic that speaks to readers’ intense interest in detective stories, Cold-Case Christianity inspires readers to have confidence in Christ as it prepares them to articulate the case for Christianity.

Author: Travis Kerns
Publisher: B&H Publishing Group
ISBN: 1433692171
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 288

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Book Description
The Saints of Zion is a fresh look at the history and theology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Although hundreds of books have been published on this topic, The Saints of Zion is an attempt to explain Latter-day Saint history and beliefs from their own perspective. Relying heavily on Latter-day Saint sources for exploration and explanation, the work’s purpose is to present Latter-day Saint theology in such a way that Latter-day Saints would see their beliefs represented fairly and accurately. After presenting a short history and exploration of beliefs, the work turns to present an effective evangelistic methodology for reaching Latter-day Saints with the gospel of the New Testament Jesus.

Author: Patrick Q. Mason
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
ISBN: 1317638263
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 266

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Book Description
What is Mormonism? A Student’s Introduction is an easy-to-read and informative overview of the religion founded by Joseph Smith in 1830. This short and lively book covers Mormonism’s history, core beliefs, rituals, and devotional practices, as well as the impact on the daily lives of its followers. The book focuses on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Salt Lake City-based church that is the largest and best-known expression of Mormonism, whilst also exploring lesser known churches that claim descent from Smith’s original revelations. Designed for undergraduate religious studies and history students, What is Mormonism? provides a reliable and easily digestible introduction to a steadily growing religion that continues to befuddle even learned observers of American religion and culture.

Author: Chris Jensen
Publisher: R. R. Bowker
ISBN: 9781737475002
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 346

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Book Description
"Amazingly enough, Christ is the Jehovah of the Old Testament and the God of Israel. It was Christ who led the nation of Israel out of Egyptian bondage, and it was he who gave and fulfilled the Law of Moses." This book is different from other books about the Latter-day Saints (LDS) in at least two ways. First, it focuses on details of LDS doctrine that are relatively unknown, even to church members. Second, because its purpose is to inform, not persuade, it presents these details in a neutral, unflinching, warts-and-all way. The reader can then decide for him- or herself what to believe. As Jensen states in his Introduction, he wrote the book for three audiences. First, he wrote it for himself. Although he grew up in the church and served a church mission, he was often confused about the more cryptic points of LDS doctrine, of which there are many. For example, if someone had asked him to explain in detail the LDS position on angels, or Jews, or Zion, he knew wouldn't have been able to. So he wrote the book to understand - to "get to the bottom of" - the church's more obscure beliefs and follow the implications to their logical conclusion. Second, he wrote it for non-Mormons who are curious about the religion and seek a book that is unbiased and informative while also being light and readable. Third, he wrote it for members of the church who are fuzzy on the details of the topics discussed in the book and would like to understand them better. The church has always placed great stock in education, especially as it relates to God's plans for us. This book will help educate church members on the finer points of their doctrine - on what one actually believes, or should believe, as a Latter-day Saint. Were Adam and Eve married? Is there a hell of fire and brimstone? Does the earth have a spirit? Does Satan have a body? Who are the Lost 10 Tribes? Where did Noah set off from in his ark? Will animals and plants be resurrected? In this book, you'll find unflinching answers (from the LDS perspective) to those important and interesting questions - and many more.

Author: Gary James Bergera
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 212

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Book Description
Line Upon Line brings together for the first time in one book some of the most thoughtful and compelling essays on Mormon doctrine and theology that have appeared in recent years. Among the contributors are Thomas G. Alexander, Peter C. Appleby, George Boyd, David John Buerger, Van Hale, Boyd Kirkland, Blake Ostler, Stephen L Richards, Kent E. Robson, Thaddeus E. Shoemaker, Vern Swanson, Dan Vogel, and Linda P. Wilcox. For anyone who has assumed that Mormon doctrine appeared whole-cloth in a single revelation, Line Upon Line is an important primer. No issue, however central to Latter-day Saint theology, is exempt from gradual development over time. This includes the nature of God, the progression of the soul, free agency, the possibility of repentance and forgiveness through a divine sacrifice, the creation of the world, evolution of the species, and the nature and origin of evil. In Line Upon Line, sixteen thoughtful, compelling essays offer reflective historical discussions of the development of Mormon doctrine from the statements of church leaders to the writings of LDS theologians to canonized scripture, rather than on the authors' personal speculations. Noting the relative strengths and weaknesses of various theological or doctrinal teachings due to limited human understanding, the contributors suggest that differences of opinion can indicate the presence of genuine and sincere faith that God's truth is nevertheless present in scriptural metaphor.

Author: Kurt Widmer
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 224

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Book Description
Until the latter part of the twentieth century, Mormonism has been presented in scholarly reconstructions as a religion that has not changed significantly from its beginnings, that presently held beliefs existed as a central core of doctrine at the church's founding in 1830. The author argues, instead, that the development of Mormonism has been primarily due to external events, popular, cultural, philosophical, religious and scientific, and that these influences have led to the emergence of several streams of thought that are actually in opposition to the early beliefs of the church. Arguably, Mormonism can be seen as a reflection of the development of American society and culture from the early 1800s to the present. The major aim of this work is to establish a proper chronology for the development of Mormon thought, specifically in its concept of the nature of God. The book contains a comprehensive bibliography and index.