If anyone at BYU wants to hear what I say in the classroom, they don’t need to attach a voice activated recorder under the classroom teacher’s chair with velcro. Feel free to put the recorder on the table. I’ll even start it for you. Or you can sit in on my class. All are welcome. Or, for that matter, you can listen to classroom recordings I have made myself. Really, there is no need to go to the expense of... Read more
Expand is a new web page focused on LDS intellectual issues; well worth following. Discussion by Ralph Hancock here. Read more
Art, Mysticism, Ignatius of Loyola, Teresa of Avila, deification, Maximus the Confessor, mystical union, beatific vision, early Protestant mysticism, esotericism, heresy, demonic visions, false mysticism, inquisition Read more
It is strange that being in favor of contextual, historical, scholarly, rigorous, historical, detailed study of scripture is viewed by some as opposing the Brethren. Read more
Some people have objected to the little satire I posted about the new Maxwell Institute (MI) a few days ago. Let me clarify. 1- I didn’t write it; a friend sent it to me. 2- I posted it because I thought it was an amusing and illustrative satire. 3- It is neither an argument nor an accusation. It is a satire; part of satire is exaggeration. However, it does illuminate a fundamental concern with the new direction of the MI. Classic FARMS took a... Read more
Here are some official statements; the first from the Church The second from Brent Top, Dean of Religious Education Here are course descriptions for the four new courses: 1- Jesus Christ and the Everlasting Gospel 2- Foundations of the Restoration 3- Teachings and Doctrine of the Book of Mormon 4- The Eternal Family Read more
Discussion of relics and mysticism, desert monasteries, contemplation, meditation, seeing God, Augustine’s mystic visions Read more
To illustrate my concerns regarding the change in CES/BYU curriculum, let’s look at the study of the Book of Mormon. Today, students are required to take two classes on the Book of Mormon. Each religion class meets two hours per week for fourteen weeks a semester = 28 hours per semester, or 56 hours total. The new curriculum requires one two hour class on the “Teachings and Doctrine of the Book of Mormon,” or 28 hours. Note, the amount of... Read more
Dionysius the Areopagite, Dionysius, Pseudo-Areopagite, celestial hierarchies, angelic hierarchies, icons, mysticism, esotericism Read more
Mysticism, Esotericism, Desert Fathers, Antony, miracles, withdrawal, Simeon Stylites, Trinity, Christophany, Francis of Assisi, Pilgrimage Read more
Enigmatic Mirror
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In