Bibliographic Entry
Blomberg, Craig L., and Stephen E. Robinson. How Wide the Divide?. Downer Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1997.
Content Summary
This book attempt to show the common ground between Christianity and Mormonism by examining the individual areas of Scripture, God, Christ, the Trinity and Salvation. The summation of the author’s findings is that although there are great differences there is also much common ground that can be used to strengthen our relationship together and bring unity to the ecumenical community.
The book is written in a point, counterpoint style where Craig L. Blomberg is bringing the point with an accusational tone from an Evangelical point of view, and Stephen E. Robinson the counterpoint with a defensive tone from a Mormon point of view. Blomberg pretty much stays with major areas of disagreement between Evangelicals and Mormons, but also gives a strong basis for Christian orthodoxy while Robinson tries to correct he disagreements, identify our similarities and blur the edges of difference between them.
In the area of Scripture, Blomberg points out that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) believe the Biblical Canon is still open. He states that the canon must considered open at least in principle, but adds that it is closed in practice (p. 58). Robinson would argue that the canon remains open and that the Prophet Joseph Smith was given divine revelation from Jesus himself to fill in the blanks in the canonized
Certain movements are more diverse than others, but significant racial, ethnic and class divisions remain. Divisions on the
On the other hand, many strongly disagree with these statements and believe the two conversions share uncanny similarities. One of the strongest similarities between the two conversions is that both Michael and Jacob's conversions share the common thread of change, as they navigate the complexities of faith, identity, and relationships. While some emphasize the common thread of undergoing a conversion experience, others focus on the distinct differences between Mormonism and Catholicism, which weakens the idea of these similarities. The comparison between Michael's conversion to Mormonism and Jacob's conversion to Catholicism brings to light the diversity within religious traditions and the unique paths individuals take in their own spiritual journeys. Michael's embrace of Mormonism and Jacob's adoption of Catholicism reflect their individual quests for meaning and belonging within specific religious communities.
Mormon culture has developed over the years in many different ways. I never knew its significance until I observed many different people’s lives on the Brigham Young University-Idaho’s campus. They all have the similar beliefs, ideas, knowledge, behavior, material creations that are learned and shared, which was transmitted through a language. The specific culture shares many beliefs, but yet there are differences in these subcultures that we find in Mormonism. The differences have to do with their personalities, personal influences, and the opinions that come out of those things.
Mormonism is known as one of the most successful (in present time) and government involved religions from the 1800’s. Joseph Smith, who had much curiosity in religion, and what was real and what was made up, founded the religion. He claimed that Jesus Christ and God himself visited him and that they told him, .all denominations have strayed from the truth and that he should not join any of them. After that event, he didn’t think much of it and moved on through his life. Once he told his father of his vision, he was scorned, and went to seek forgiveness. When praying for his sins to be relinquished he received a vision by the angel named Moroni, who spoke of a book written on gold plates and buried in a nearby hillside. As Smith went to the gold plates, he continued translating what became the Book of
In reviewing the scripture readings presented for this lesson, each religion has one intrinsic similarity; that is the belief in God. Where both Islam and Judaism view God as one entity, Christians believe in the Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit), ("Islam, Judaism and," 2004-2013). Review of the scripture
He also addresses the historical understanding of the Restoration Movement reminding us that it began in an affirmation that existing creeds were wrong. He reminds us that the historic creeds, of course, have not been changed; but the attitude of religious people toward these creeds have changed very perceptibly.
Retrieved from http://ilearn.byui.edu Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. (1989). The Doctrine and covenants of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints . Salt Lake City, UT: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Christofferson, D. T. Oct 2011 How to Study the Book of Mormon Latter-day Saint scholars (pp. 361-378).
In the two-part series, The Mormons, this four hour documentary by Frontline and the American Experience examines the development and growth of the Mormon faith. The documentary explores both the history and the present reality of the Mormon faith, allowing the viewer inside the compelling and often misunderstood religion. The first part of this documentary explores the birth of Mormonism and the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints under the charismatic leadership of Joseph Smith, while the second segment studies the contemporary Mormon Church (including the discussion of Mormon missionaries, homosexuality, and the role of women). Although I was aware of some of the history of Mormonism (my mom was raised in the LDS
People and religion are a part of everyday life. The world is sure to be empty without the existence of God’s creation. When people and religion are viewed as different, the history, beliefs, and practice are formed unrealistically by outsider, more so than an insider. In an interview with a LDS, the author attempts to write and summarize a Mormon‘s journey through life with God and others.
One of the largest struggles for members in the church is animosity of non-members. On one hand, many express their dislike of the LDS church without even knowing what Sacrament Meeting is or the full the title of the “Mormon church” (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints). On the other hand, there are a number supposed experts about Mormon doctrine. Some have belonged to the Church themselves at one point, leaving after finding unresolved dissonance between their beliefs and the Gospel. Others are often learned scholars, criticizing the Mormon doctrine to prove their own views. The following paper involves the latter of the two in an analysis of Ezekiel 37:15-17, a Biblical scripture that the LDS Church believes to refer to The Book of Mormon.
Mormonism is a religious group part of the main branch of the Latter Day Saints movement, led by Joseph Smith in New York during the 1820s. Mormons believed in the Bible, as well as other scriptures, such as the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon was about Jesus’s travels around the Americas. They also believed that it was Christian to have more than one wife, but to non-Mormons this was abhorrent. Many violent outbreaks have occurred with Mormons and their neighboring states. Technically, Mormons didn’t have a choice to move or not. Because of their different religion, they were forced West, all the way from New York to Utah. Utah had a very open government allowing the Mormons to vote and have a say in government decisions. It also provided
No, Mormon religion is not the same as Christianity. Although our book refers to the upcoming of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints as a “Christian Movement.” The religion is much different than Christianity. During the Second Great Awakening when Mormonism was forming, Mormons wanted their religion to be new and distinguished from Christians. Mormon religion traces its origins to Joseph Smith, while Christians trace their origins to Jesus Christ. Along with this, Mormons did not believe that they were the same as Christians. Rather than believing in the Bible, Mormons believed in their own book, “The Book of Mormon.” Most Christians felt that the “Book of Mormon” was not equal to the Bible. Christians also did not believe in the
Throughout human history, people have had faith in a higher power. In the course of thousands of years, each different group has proclaimed its beliefs to be true. Compared to the existence of mankind or Christianity, the religion in which I grew up, Mormonism, is relatively new. By contrasting the Church’s doctrine with my knowledge of world history and my encounters with people of other religions, I have become curious about defining morals, ethics, and supposedly divine truths across religious foundations and then seeing where I stand in the mix of it all. I’ve read thousands of pages of religious texts from the Bible to the Qur’an to Confucian teachings in my attempt to define right and wrong, truth and lies, good and evil. But I’ve truly
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has been the center of much attention throughout modern history, whether it be about the polygamists, the Book of Mormon, or Joseph Smith seeing God, or the restored priesthood. Though the church is known to have these forms of controversies, we see through history that no organization or group is free from mistakes and criticism. Throughout history in general, there has always been some sort of religious contention around the globe. A large point of contention then and even now is the factor of race in religion and the certain rules and restrictions implemented into the religion regarding race.
At the first glance, Islam and Christianity appear to have nothing in common, however; as you go beyond the surface, they appear to have many similarities such as their beliefs of God, their beliefs of life after death, their holy scriptures, and their prayers. These religions, although are two entirely different beliefs, share a similar origin. Like many other religions, they both claim to be the one and only true way to God. In order to truly see and understand their similarities, one must date back to the rise and birth of Christianity and Islam. Throughout the course of this essay, I will compare the many facets that show the alikeness between these two growing religions.