 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
|
|
|
||||||||||
|
 |
The FAIR JournalThe FAIR Journal is published monthly. It contains information about new apologetic information at the FAIR Web site. If you would like to sign up to receive the FAIR Journal automatically, click here. To return to the index of past FAIR Journal issues, click here.
THE FAIR JOURNAL November 2002
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Apologetics: The branch of theology that is concerned with
defending or proving the truth of Christian doctrines. (The
American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth
Edition, 2000.)
INSIDE THE JOURNAL
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* FAIR JOURNAL FEATURE: DOES MORMONISM ATTACK CHRISTIANITY? A claim
made by many anti-Mormon authors, this question is fairly and
effectively analized. Just who is attacking whom?
* FAIR JOURNAL FEATURE: CELSUS AND MODERN ANTI-MORMONISM. Utilizing
comparison and contrast with early Christianity, we find that
detractors of the Church of Jesus Christ are not much different
now than they were 1800 years ago.
* NEW FEATURE ON THE WEBSITE: Quickly navigate to what's "hot" on
the FAIR Web site.
* NEW ON THE WEBSITE: MORAL OBLIGATION AND MORMONISM--A RESPONSE TO
FRANCIS BECKWITH. Continuing with the review of the new book, The
New Mormon Challenge, the assertions and conclusions of Beckwith
are challenged by Blake Ostler. An outstanding review and
response.
* NEW ON THE WEBSITE: MORMONISM 201 ARTICLES. Three new chapter
reviews of Mormonism 101 have been completed and added to the Web
site, covering the temple, Doctrine and Covenants, the Pearl of
Great Price, and the leadership of the Church.
* ASK THE APOLOGIST. The question this month address the charge
that the Articles of Faith have been changed and watered down.
* BOOK STORE NEWS. Hot off the presses--the second edition of Guess
Who Wants To Have You For Lunch?
* 2002 FAIR CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS NOW ON SALE! Did you miss the
FAIR Conference? Now is your chance to hear the speakers
yourself!
* MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT, SCOTT GORDON. Read about what is going on
at the FAIR online bookstore.
* BOOK REVIEWS ON THE WEBSITE. Looking for a review of that book
your friend just gave you?
* ARTICLE SUBMISSIONS. Interested in writing for FAIR? Learn how you can
have your apologetics work published.
* PUBLISHING NOTES. Learn how you can become more involved in FAIR
and how you can reuse the material we publish.
------------------------------
DOES MORMONISM ATTACK CHRISTIANITY?
by Michael R. Ash
While the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saiints (Mormon) claims
that Jesus Christ stands at the head of their church, many
anti-Mormons have vocally challenged their claim to Christianity.
Anti-Mormon publications are found in the thousands. There are
anti-Mormon books, pamphlets, radio programs, Web sites, and even
movies. Protestors are found at Temple open-houses, conferences, and
pageants. Anti-Mormon seminars are sponsored in Protestant chapels and
members are instructed in the evils of Mormonism while LDS marriage
customs and dress practice are criticized. Latter-day Saints have even
been denied the opportunity to assist other Christian organizations in
volunteer work.
Although the LDS Church has not returned fire in like-manner, some
anti-Mormons have claimed that they are not attacking Mormonism, but
are instead, defending themselves against Mormonism for launching the
first attack--against "Christianity." The following examples show that
such a claim is common among the anti-Mormon community.
Read the full paper: http://www.fairlds.org/pubs/LDSattack.pdf
------------------------------
CELSUS AND MODERN ANTI-MORMONISM
by Aaron Christensen
Consistent with the Preacher's instruction that "the thing that hath
been, it is which shall be...and there is no new thing under the sun,"
it is no surprise to find stubbornly repetitive approaches from
anti-Mormons when criticizing The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints, it's doctrines, leaders, scriptures, and followers. This paper
will not concern itself with rehashing the already copious amount of
LDS apologetic literature which seeks to expose these tactics, but
rather, to show that these same tactices have not changed since
ancient times, and have survived in only slightly modified form from
the time that Christians were being fed to the wild beasts in Roman
circuses.
Our prime witness to the philisophical and intellectual threads of
anti-Christian literature in the earliest centuries C.E. is Celsus, a
noted writer whose ideas come to us via the record of Origen, a
brilliant apologist who defended the early Church against the pagan
writers who sought to destroy the new faith. Our concern here is not
Origen's response to the claims, but an analysis of Celsus' claims to
show significant parallels between ancient anti-Christianity and
modern anti-Mormonism. It is important to bear in mind that the
authenticity of Celsus' information is not strictly necessary,
because, like his modern counterparts, important ingredients in the
recipe of maligning the Church include exaggeration, distortion,
sensationalism, and casting everything in the worst possible light.
Read the full paper: http://www.fairlds.org/pubs/Celsus.pdf
------------------------------
NEW FEATURE ON THE FAIR WEB SITE
FAIR's Web development team (led by Allen Wyatt) has added a really
"HOT" new feature to the FAIR Web site. The FAIR Web site continues to
grow and to add articles. In addition to the "Whats New" list we have
on the Web site, we have added a "FAIR HOT SPOTS" box on the left side
of the screen to aid in navigation.
If you don't find your article in one of those lists, you can also
type keywords into the search box. You probably want to start with
simple one-word keyword search (like "Abraham" for the Book of Abraham
or "blacks" for discussions on racism). The Search box can handle
multi-word searches, but as with all search engines, sometimes less is
more.
The Topical Guide is also a wonderful place to find articles of all
kinds. It includes Ensign articles, Encyclopedia of Mormonism
articles, articles on the FAIR Web site, and articles from many other
Web sites across the Internet.
Take a visit to the Web site and check out the new feature. A special
thanks to Allen Wyatt for all his work on the FAIR Web site.
------------------------------
MORAL OBLIGATION AND MORMONISM: A RESPONSE TO FRANCIS BECKWITH
by Blake Ostler
[EDITOR'S NOTE: Blake Ostler continues his response to the new
Evangelical book on the LDS faith, The New Mormon Challenge, with this
review. This new book and the corresponding reviews on the FAIR Web
site, by Ostler, are from a different mold. The claims and arguments
are much more philisophical and depart from the typical anti-Mormon
issues.]
In his contribution to The New Mormon Challenge, Francis Beckwith
argues that the LDS view of God(s) cannot explain the existence of
objective moral obligation and that the "Classical" view which he
purports to defend can.1 Beckwith's essay is an argument based on
meta-ethics and not ethics proper. That is, he bases his arguments on
the theoretical underpinning of moral obligation--"what is the source
and explanation of the fact that we have objective moral obligations?"
--and not on the practical ethical question: "what are we morally
obligated to do?"
Beckwith argues that Latter-day Saints cannot account for the fact of
moral obligation given their view of God. Beckwith argues that the
Evangelical god can explain the existence of moral obligation because
moral laws are grounded in God's nature. Beckwith reviews several moral
theories cursorily and then declares that no meta-ethical theory is
available to Latter-day Saints. This claim is bold indeed, given the
very limited discussion of the issues he provides. His conclusion is
even more daring because he fails to discuss the best candidates for a
Mormon view of meta-ethics. I show that the revelations of the
Restoration point to a profound and thoroughly Christian view of
ethical obligation that is not available to Evangelicals.
In addition, I will show that Beckwith cannot adopt the view that
moral law is grounded in God's nature given the constraints on moral
theory that he outlines in his article. I argue that Beckwith's
position is necessarily false because he takes all moral laws to be
logically necessary. Moreover, I argue that the moral law cannot be
the result of a rational mind if it is grounded in God's nature. I
also argue that if God is necessarily good, as Beckwith's argument
implies, then God is an a-moral being in whom we cannot repose
interpersonal trust. Finally, I argue that the view of God that
Beckwith critiques is not necessarily the LDS position.
Read the full paper: http://www.fairlds.org/New_Mormon_Challenge/TNMC06.html
----------------------------------
MORMONISM 201 PROJECT UPDATE
As an ongoing project over the last 12 months, more and more reviews
of the anti-Mormon book, Mormonism 101, have been added to the FAIR
Web site. This month, three more chapter reviews have been added.
CHAPTER NINE: THE DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS AND PEARL OF GREAT PRICE
Reviewed by Michael W. Fordham
Most of Christianity today claim that there are not supposed to be
any more prophets after Christ's day. But this belief is firmly rooted
in tradition, not the Bible. The Bible teaches the opposite of this
traditional belief. "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he
revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." God has always
had direct dealings with man, through the prophets and thru revelation.
"Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord, and not a God afar off?" The Lord
is the one who directs His Church, not man. This is accomplished
through prophets. This is the process God uses, and has used since the
time of Adam. "As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which
have been since the world began." Since "God will do nothing" except
through "his servants the prophets" and He is, after all, "at hand"
and not "afar off," and prophets have been "since the world began," it
is only logical, and biblically correct, to expect God to have the same
relationship with man today.
Christianity claims that God does not change. This is a statement that
Latter-Day Saints agree with. Yet, while making this claim, most of
Christianity says God has changed. They claim we do not need prophets
because Christ came and finished establishing and directing the
"church." Christ did not come to do away with prophets, as traditional
Christians claim. "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the
prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say
unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in
no wise pass from the law, til all be fulfilled." How important are
prophets? If there were no prophets, mankind would be destroyed, in a
spiritual sense. "Where there is no vision, the people perish."
Read the full review: http://www.fairlds.org/Mormonism_201/m20109.html
CHAPTER 15: THE TEMPLE
Reviewed by Benjamin McGuire
It is necessary that the reader understand that the topics of the
temple and the ordinances and ceremonies which are performed inside it
are sacred and special to members of the LDS Church. Faithful members
of the Church do not discuss these topics publicly. This means that
there are portions of Mormonism 101 which, although incorrect, I
cannot correct. Because of the sacred nature of the temple, it would
be inappropriate for me to disclose exactly how McKeever and Johnson
have misrepresented LDS practices. I hope that you will understand
these situations as they arise.
Additionally, I need to point out one more issue that will be referred
to several times in the course of this review. While often used
interchangeably, the terms ordinance and ceremony can have different
connotations. An ordinance is a covenantal act-baptism is an
ordinance, ordaining to the priesthood is an ordinance, confirmation
is an ordinance, etc. A ceremony is the ritual or rite that includes
the ordinance. But a ceremony is often far more than the ordinance. A
wedding ceremony, for example, is a lot more than the 'I do,' and yet,
most of the ceremony is relatively unimportant to the actual ordinance
itself. In the case of a wedding, much of the ceremony is largely
irrelevant to the ordinance itself-the ring ceremony, the giving away
of the bride, taking vows, etc. There is a persistent attempt within
Mormonism 101 to cloud this distinction. The reasons for this will
become apparent as the discussion proceeds.
Read the full review: http://www.fairlds.org/Mormonism_201/m20115.html
CHAPTER 18: THE CHURCH AND IT'S LEADERSHIP
Reviewed by J. Cooper Johnson
McKeever and Johnson spend the first five or six pages of this chapter
quoting former leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints. These quoted statements exhort members of the Church to trust
their leaders (accepted by Church members as apostles and prophets,
just as those who wrote the Bible) and follow their teachings. The
point, McKeever and Johnson conclude, is that trusting in these men,
their teachings and their counsel, is a foolish and destructive path.
The authors question the "role of such authority," and wonder how
people can "trust these men." I ask the question…is it so difficult to
believe that a religious leader would counsel the adherents of the
religion to follow the teachings of the religion? Would Billy Graham
be found preaching his interpretation of the word of God, yet
following up his sermons with a statement, "but you folks interpret
this stuff however you want…don't mind me…this is just a guess...faith,
works, baptism…your guess is as good as mine?" Of course not! Would
Jerry Falwell teach his doctrine and his interpretation of scripture,
but say to his teachers, "Go teach what you want…you can change
anything you see fit because the doctrine I declare isn't any better
than what you could come up with…feel free to declare whatever you
think." Ridiculous, isn't it? Yet, McKeever and Johnson put forth such
an argument. This is the conclusion reached by these authors. They
would have the members out seeking their own interpretation of
scripture to determine their own doctrine.
Read the full review: http://www.fairlds.org/Mormonism_201/m20118a.html
Access all the reviews of Mormonism 101 here:
http://www.fairlds.org/Mormonism_201/
-----------------------------------
ASK THE APOLOGIST - FAIR Journal feature.
This month's question:
Anti-Mormons claim there were originally 14 Articles of Faith and were
substantially changed and watered-down to our current version of 13
Articles of Faith. Is this true?
Read the answer here: http://www.fairlds.org/Misc/How_Many_Articles_of_Faith_Were_There.html
-----------------------------------
BOOK STORE NEWS: NEW AND HOT OFF THE FAIR PRESSES!
Announcing "Guess Who Wants To Have You For Lunch? A Missionary Guide
to Anti-Mormon Tactics & Strategies, Second Edition."
This great book is NOW IN STOCK! Written by Alan Denison and Darryl
Barksdale, this book is a revealing and insightful look into the
motivations, tactics, strategies, and methods used by anti-Mormons to
try and lead members and potential members astray.
The first edition book was a hot seller and completely sold out. One
member from Chico, California, said it was the first book she read as
a new member and it helped her "deal with her well meaning, non-member
relatives" after she was baptised. She credits the book for helping
her stay active in Church.
Don't miss out on this handy, basic, easy-to-read book. It retails for
only $11.95 (US) plus $2.00 shipping and handling within the USA.
For more information, visit the FAIR online store and click on "This
Month's Specials" at the left side of the screen:
http://store.fairlds.org
-----------------------------------
DID YOU MISS THE 2002 FAIR CONFERENCE?
Do you want to know what all the hype was about? The 2002 FAIR LDS
Apologetic Conference Proceedings are now available on audio CD for
only $19.99!
Click here to visit the FAIR store:
http://store.fairlds.org
Once in the store, click on the link titled "2002 FAIR Conference
Proceedings."
------------------------------
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT, SCOTT GORDON.
As some of you know, we have had some technical problems with our
online bookstore. We have corrected most of those and now have a new
bookstore manager in place. The new manager assures us that she will
provide the best service. If you still have an unresolved problem from
the bookstore, please contact her.
Pre-Christmas specials from the bookstore:
1) Understanding Islam by Dan Peterson. This 2 CD audio set will
help you to understand what Islam is all about. In this
intriguing seminar, Daniel Peterson, a noted scholar and
professor of Islamic Studies and Arabic at BYU, provides a
fascinating look at the history and beliefs of a religion that
encompasses more than 1.4 billion people. Dr. Peterson explains
such things as shared beliefs of Muslims and Mormons, the
historical events that have led to today's fundamentalist
movement, and why some Muslims have such an intense hatred for
the West. $14.95 plus $2.00 shipping and handling.
2) Mormonism: The Faith of the 21st Century by Edward K. Watson.
This is a landmark book and packs one heck of a punch. One
reviewer commented, "I thoroughly enjoyed perusing this volume.
I've found myself turning to it for clear, sound discussions of
questions concerning Mormon theology. And while Watson uses
hundreds of sources and tackles some very difficult questions,
his method is designed for comprehension and appeal to the
non-scholar.
On the back cover of the book we read, "Edward Watson uses forty
Bible versions and more than sixty Bible Dictionaries,
Hebrew-English and Greek English Lexicons all of which are from
the leading non-Mormon scholars in examining the usage and
interpretation of pertinent biblical words and passages. He also
draws from Kabbalistic writings, Rabbinical literature, the
Pseudepigrapha, Apocrypha, the Church Fathers, Philo, Josephus,
Dead Sea Scrolls, Targums and even theoretical physics and modern
cosmology in presenting Mormon thought in a logical and biblical
manner.
The retail is $39.95, however, we have it on sale for $29.95 plus
$2.00 shipping and handling.
More information on what is available at the book store is available
here:
http://store.fairlds.org
Just click on the "This Month's Specials" link on the left side of the
screen.
-Scott Gordon
FAIR President
-----------------------------------
BOOK REVIEWS ON THE FAIR WEBSITE
Looking for a review of that book a friend just gave you? Try
searching the 90 book reviews found on the FAIR website (FAIR reviews
and FARMS and others).
Most books critical of the LDS faith can be found here.
http://www.fairlds.org/apol/ai186.html
-------------------------------
ARTICLE SUBMISSIONS
We welcome article submissions for the FAIR Web site. If you would
like to submit an article, please review the editing guidelines at:
http://www.fairlds.org/EdStyle.pdf
Submit your article to the FAIR Journal Editor, Cooper Johnson
(FAIR contact page). An appropriate article would be one that
affirms the truthfulness of The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints.
While LDS apologetics (in the broadest sense) deals with refuting
critics of the Church, articles don't necessarily have to deal with
anti-Mormonism, but may deal with some new evidence of the Book of
Mormon, some interesting scripture interpretation, a viewpoint or
quote from the early Christian Fathers or other historical figure,
an interesting lesson idea, an inspiring missionary story, Church
history, or your view on a current event related to the Church or a
piece from a historical journal.
We may also accept articles from people who are not members of The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that may not necessarily
meet the guidelines of supporting the church if it is a topic of
general interest to people involved in apologetics.
A submission may range in length from several pages to a single
paragraph.
------------------------------
PUBLISHING NOTES
FAIR is not owned, controlled by or affiliated with The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. All research and opinions provided
in the FAIR Journal and on the FAIR Web site (http://www.fairlds.org)
are the sole responsibility of FAIR, and should not be interpreted as
official statements of LDS doctrine, belief or practice.
If someone has forwarded this e-journal to you and you would like to
join you should go to www.fairlds.org and click on the FAIR
Publications link.
If you are very interested in apologetics and would like to actively
participate in FAIR you should consider joining our apologetics e-mail
list. Visit www.fairlds.org and click on the Join FAIR link to join
this list.
If you manage your own e-mail list, and wish to include some of these
thoughts or articles on your list, contact us through our Web site, at
this page: www.fairlds.org/contact.psp. We have a fairly liberal policy of using our
material so long as you contact us first to gain permission and
clearly identify that your source was FAIR and by adding a link to the
FAIR Web site (www.fairlds.org).
Past issues of the FAIR Journal: www.fairlds.org/FAIR_Journal/
If you would like to sign up to receive the FAIR Journal automatically, click here. To return to the index of past FAIR Journal issues, click here.
|
|
FAIR is not owned, controlled by or affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. All research and opinions provided on this site are the sole responsibility of FAIR, and should not be interpreted as official statements of LDS doctrine, belief or practice. If you like what FAIR does and you agree with our mission, we invite you to support FAIR in any way you are able. You can make a donation, or visit our Membership page for additional support ideas. FAIR only succeeds through the efforts of our gracious volunteers.
|
|
Welcome |
Topical Guide |
FAIR Publications |
Join & Support FAIR |
Message Boards
Last Updated
June 12, 2006
You can send comments/suggestions using our contact page. |
