{"id":85117,"date":"2020-05-15T12:26:08","date_gmt":"2020-05-15T18:26:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/admin.patheos.com\/blogs\/danpeterson\/?p=85117"},"modified":"2020-05-15T23:44:46","modified_gmt":"2020-05-16T05:44:46","slug":"on-reading-isaiah-as-latter-day-saints","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/danpeterson\/2020\/05\/on-reading-isaiah-as-latter-day-saints.html","title":{"rendered":"On reading Isaiah as Latter-day Saints"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"DSS<\/a>
A portion of the second-century BC Great Isaiah Scroll from Qumran
(Wikimedia Commons public domain image)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Today,\u00a0Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship<\/em> published a kind of roundtable on Latter-day Saint approaches to the writings of the prophet Isaiah. \u00a0Interpreter<\/em> welcomes a variety of faithful perspectives. \u00a0We hope that you\u2019ll enjoy these three quite different pieces and that you will find them of value:<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cAn Other Approach to Isaiah Studies\u201d<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

by Joshua M. Sears<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Abstract:<\/strong> A\u00a0recent review of Joseph\u00a0M.\u00a0Spencer\u2019s book <\/em>The Vision of All: Twenty-Five Lectures on Isaiah in Nephi\u2019s Record made the case that the book contains several challenges and problems, in particular that it advocates a\u00a0theologically deficient interpretation of Isaiah that denies Isaiah\u2019s witness of Jesus Christ. This response provides an alternative reading of Spencer\u2019s work and suggests these assertions are often based on misunderstanding. At stake in this conversation is the question of whether or not there is more than one valid way to read Isaiah that draws upon a\u00a0faithful, Restoration perspective. While Spencer may interpret and frame some things differently than some other Latter-day Saint scholars, the prophecies of Isaiah provide enough richness and possibility to accommodate a\u00a0chorus of faithful approaches.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Importance of Authorial Intention\u201d<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

by Donald W. Parry<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Abstract:<\/strong> It is important when evaluating the words of others to consider the intention of their writing. It also does not hurt to consider what may go on behind the scenes before an article (or a book review) even reaches a\u00a0particular readership.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cHow Not to Read Isaiah\u201d<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

by John Gee<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Abstract:<\/strong> In the Book of Mormon, Nephi draws upon his own knowledge of the Jewish people, their culture and language, and the surrounding area to add to his understanding of Isaiah\u2019s words, and commends that approach to his reader. In his book <\/em>The Vision of All, it is clear that Joseph Spencer lacks knowledge in these topics, and it negatively affects his interpretation of Isaiah. Specifically, this lack of knowledge causes him to misinterpret the role of the Messiah in Isaiah\u2019s teachings, something that was clear to Isaiah\u2019s ancient readers.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Review of Joseph\u00a0M.\u00a0Spencer, The Vision of All: Twenty-five Lectures on Isaiah in Nephi\u2019s Record<\/em> (Salt Lake City: Greg Kofford Books, 2016). 318 pages. $59.95 (hardback); $29.95 paperback.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

***<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

If you enjoy reading Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship<\/em>, or listening to the Interpreter Radio Show and its weekly scripture roundtables, or studying the books that the Foundation publishes, or all of the above, and\/or if you\u2019re looking forward to the debut of the Foundation\u2019s Witnesses<\/em> film project, I hope that you\u2019ll consider making at least a small donation<\/a> to help us to cover our expenses.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u00a0 \u00a0 Today,\u00a0Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship published a kind of roundtable on Latter-day Saint approaches to the writings of the prophet Isaiah. \u00a0Interpreter welcomes a variety of faithful perspectives. \u00a0We hope that you\u2019ll enjoy these three quite different pieces and that you will find them of value: \u00a0 \u201cAn Other […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1019,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[56,1356,2181,1809,7650,8139,5319,975,201,1369,3016,3211,2905,1815,7179,11545,788,7653,11548,11542,4486,7647],"class_list":["post-85117","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-book-of-mormon","tag-christ","tag-christian","tag-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints","tag-donald","tag-gee","tag-hebrew","tag-interpreter","tag-isaiah","tag-jesus","tag-john","tag-joseph","tag-latter-day-saint","tag-lds","tag-messiah","tag-messianic","tag-mormon","tag-parry","tag-reading","tag-redeemer","tag-savior","tag-spencer"],"yoast_head":"\nOn reading Isaiah as Latter-day Saints<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"    Today,\u00a0Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship published a kind of roundtable on 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