I recently referred a friend to one of Ehrman's books - cougarguard.com — unofficial BYU Cougars / LDS sports, football, basketball forum and message board

BlueK · 09-25-2007, 06:59 PM

"Lost Christianities" which is about the myriad of Christian groups that were around in the very early days of Christianity and how different they were from each other, as well as from what emerged as the "orthodox" Christianity we have today. It also covers a lot of the issues he addresses in his more famous book, "Misquoting Jesus." She loved it. She is an LDS convert who grew up in an evangelical family having been taught that the Bible was infallible. This gave her some intellectual support for what she already had accepted by faith. Sometimes I wish more members had interest in these kinds of things or that we at least weren't so quick to follow in step with our evangelical friends in automatically condemning anything academic. I'm in no way downplaying the importance of spiritual conversion. But there is a place for understanding the history that led to why there was a restoration in the first place.

ChinoCoug · 09-25-2007, 07:01 PM

do you think most Mormons would consider the BoM to be "infallible?"

BlueK · 09-25-2007, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChinoCoug

do you think most Mormons would consider the BoM to be "infallible?"

Probably. Even though Moroni himself says there are errors. It passed through human hands in its production, as did the Bible, therefore it might not be 100% perfect. But that's ok. It's scripture. Joseph Smith said it was the "most" correct book, not that it was infallible or perfect.

Indy Coug · 09-25-2007, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChinoCoug

do you think most Mormons would consider the BoM to be "infallible?"

Well, it's allegedly "the most correct of any book on earth".

Sleeping in EQ · 09-25-2007, 07:06 PM

Well said, BlueK. Lost Scriptures, the companion volume to Lost Christianities is great too (but then, I'm sure you knew that).

BlueK · 09-25-2007, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sleeping in EQ

Well said, BlueK. Lost Scriptures, the companion volume to Lost Christianities is great too (but then, I'm sure you knew that).

I haven't read that one yet but it's definitely on my list of things to do. I'm thinking there has to be a place in sunday school for bringing in some of this stuff for the purpose of historical context. I don't know why we don't.

Sleeping in EQ · 09-25-2007, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indy Coug

Well, it's allegedly "the most correct of any book on earth".

Have you considered the possibility that the "most correct book" might be less correct than, for example, an average sculpture or painting? Certainly at some point as books get smaller they become "booklets," and then just "documents", but that the "most correct book" might be less correct, say, than a sunbeam showing his love for his dad by drawing one of those pictures with huge heads and hands never seems worthy of consideration.

And in what sense is it correct? In its descriptions of historical objects? In the truths it contains?

The bookness--the medium itself--is rarely examined.

I'm not picking on you Indy. I'm just throwing out some food for thought.

ChinoCoug · 09-25-2007, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indy Coug

Well, it's allegedly "the most correct of any book on earth".

doctrinally not factually.

Indy Coug · 09-25-2007, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChinoCoug

doctrinally not factually.

I didn't present that as a "yes" or "no" response.

09-25-2007, 06:59 PM	#1
BlueK Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 2,368	I recently referred a friend to one of Ehrman's books "Lost Christianities" which is about the myriad of Christian groups that were around in the very early days of Christianity and how different they were from each other, as well as from what emerged as the "orthodox" Christianity we have today. It also covers a lot of the issues he addresses in his more famous book, "Misquoting Jesus." She loved it. She is an LDS convert who grew up in an evangelical family having been taught that the Bible was infallible. This gave her some intellectual support for what she already had accepted by faith. Sometimes I wish more members had interest in these kinds of things or that we at least weren't so quick to follow in step with our evangelical friends in automatically condemning anything academic. I'm in no way downplaying the importance of spiritual conversion. But there is a place for understanding the history that led to why there was a restoration in the first place. Last edited by BlueK; 09-25-2007 at 07:01 PM.

09-25-2007, 07:01 PM	#2
ChinoCoug Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NOVA Posts: 3,005	do you think most Mormons would consider the BoM to be "infallible?" __________________ 太初有道

09-25-2007, 07:06 PM	#5
Sleeping in EQ Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: The People's Republic of Monsanto Posts: 3,085	Well said, BlueK. Lost Scriptures, the companion volume to Lost Christianities is great too (but then, I'm sure you knew that). __________________ "Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good; " 1 Thess. 5:21 (NRSV) We all trust our own unorthodoxies.