Knowing our Neighbor: Mormonism’s Failure at Pluralism

Last updated on: August 1, 2007 at 6:15 pm By TT

One of the key features of modernity is the increasing interaction of peoples of different geographical, cultural, and religious backgrounds. While it is a mistake to assume that pre-modern societies did not interact with other cultures, what makes modernity distinctive is the extent to which this interaction occurs. This condition has lead to a variety of responses, from constructively engaging, to ignoring, to eradicating the Other. Consequently, one of the main focuses in ethics has become how to deal with... Read more

Timing Tithing

Last updated on: July 27, 2007 at 11:16 pm By TT

In my understanding of the GHI, there is no answer to the question that I have about tithing, so I wanted to throw it out to get some feedback. The question concerns when one should pay their tithing. There are many members of the church who pay tithing on their income the moment that they receive it. Others pay it at the beginning of the month. Others pay it once a year. I am interested in whether or not one... Read more

When Did We Stop Being Christians?

Last updated on: July 27, 2007 at 4:58 pm By TT

I have a historical question that hopefully someone out there can help me figure out. When was the first time that Mormons were excluded from Christianity by Evangelicals or others? I have a feeling that it is pretty late, like sometime in the second half of the 20th century. Critics complain that Mormons have recently begun to emphasize their “Christianity”, but my theory is that Mormons have only recently done so because the charge that Mormons aren’t Christians is just... Read more

S#!% Gets Real! Spoiler-free review of Harry Potter 7

Last updated on: July 21, 2007 at 11:59 pm By nitsav

The gloves are off, and all the filler scenes of cuteness like going to a Hogwarts dance are gone. I found it very satisfying, energetic, and I have no complaints. Except that the movie can’t come fast enough. (more…) Read more

Spontaneous Sacrament Meeting Talk

Last updated on: July 21, 2007 at 10:43 am By nitsav

Last Sunday, before Sacrament meeting, one of the counselors approached me and my wife with a slip of paper. “We don’t think our speakers are going to show up today, and this is our backup procedure.” The paper read, “please take a few minutes to discuss a favorite scripture or two that has strengthened your faith in Christ, brought you comfort, or deepened your understanding of the Gospel.” As it turned out, the speakers did not show up and the... Read more

Missing the Forest

Last updated on: July 15, 2007 at 7:26 pm By nitsav

In my home ward, my Dad is the SP, and my Mom has taught Institute, Seminary, and Continuing Ed. for adults for many years. The GD class tends to be made up of those actually interested in original setting and scholarly interpretations, as well as the usual kinds of discussion and application. Consequently, the class tends to be happy when all three of us end up in GD, twice yearly or so. I happened to be home once last year... Read more

The ethics of the Apologetic toolkit

Last updated on: July 14, 2007 at 10:53 am By johnc

To explain why it isn’t completely impossible (or unusually irrational) to hold to a certain form of belief appears to be the chief purpose for all apologetics. With that in mind, it seems to me that there are two fundamentals approaches to the endeavor. Neither, ultimately, is going to dissuade the determined disbeliever from their viewpoint, but one is better designed for the unbeliever and the other better suited to the choir. (more…) Read more

The Nature of Jesus’ Suffering

Last updated on: July 13, 2007 at 2:18 pm By lxxluthor

I’ve been pondering the Atonement lately and I recently had some inspiration that I’d like to share. I don’t expect everyone to agree with me but I am interested in discovering what people think of my idea and how they view different aspects of the Atonement. Part of my thoughts concerned the nature of Jesus’ suffering and so I think I’ll start with that. (more…) Read more

Probing Interviews

Last updated on: July 12, 2007 at 9:32 am By TT

There is a recent movement in a stake that I am aware of for Bishops and Branch Presidents to have more “probing interviews.” The goal is to ask more specific questions, especially about the Law of Chastity in order to uncover sins. These interviews are mostly the youth interviews, pre-mission interviews, and interviews with members who have already acknowledged worthiness issues. However, it has been suggested that Temple Recommend interviews also be more “probing,” encouraging members to define what they... Read more

The Song of Songs and Divine Eros

Last updated on: July 7, 2007 at 9:06 am By TT

It might surprise many Christians to know that for nearly a millennium, the Song of Songs (aka Canticles, aka Song of Solomon) in the Old Testament was perhaps the single most important book of scripture. There are more medieval commentaries on this book than any other book in the Bible. Modern readers find this especially strange since there is no explicit message of God, divine law, moral imperatives, or any other “obvious” sign of its religious nature. In fact, modern... Read more