Jettboy pigeonholes me thus: “You are the ultimate example of the wolf in sheep’s clothing vs. just a wolf.”
When reading Paradox’s post over at the Waters of Mormon about anti-Mormons, I couldn’t help but think about the distaste some LDS have for preachers who hold to historic evangelical doctrine. Reading some of the recent books published by LDS, targeting both America’s teens and the upper educated literate, I have found the historical preacher to be highlighted as the enemy or at least a poor connector to human culture, decency, true understanding, and compassionate love. Would you like some examples?
If you hang around LDS friends much, you will soon be introduced to the label, “anti-Mormon”. If you hang around Jettboy, you will be introduced to the title, “wolf in sheep’s clothes”. Presently, he would definitely be an anti-Todd Wood. Don’t you think?
I think Jettboy believes I am subtly sneaking around among LDS communities under the pretense of a false compassion, but inwardly seeking whom I may spring upon and devour for my own selfish gain and appetite.
There is no doubt that I desire to show Christ’s love and kindness to my LDS friends. God knows how much I have failed in times past in this regard (and I will continue to struggle in the future because of my sinful nature). But in the process of following the good Shepherd, I do desire with all my heart to tear down fences that barricade sheep from their Master.
Some might think this is being a wolf. But for those who think that, they accuse me of falsely using the Christian language to bring in another Jesus and another gospel.
What Jettboy brings up to the public face of the internet for consideration, this is a huge biblical heart issue in private conversations all around the I-15 corridor.
I am all engaged right now to discuss the biblical label of “wolf in sheep’s clothes”. Especially with the watch dogs of modern Mormon communities.
Jesus in Idaho Falls 
Don’t worry about it Todd.
I got called the same thing in a debate over at Touchstone Magazine’s Mere Comments blog a few months back.
We tend to get a bit touchy – on both sides of the theological divide.
Seth, Jettboy and I are both Idaho natives, we both use much of the very same Bible language, but one of us is dead wrong about the true nature of the Shepherd, His sheep, and wolves.
And I think Jettboy and I both would heartily agree to that.
Depends how you’re defining a “wolf” I guess.
To be honest, I found your blog when I was “researching” prospective new churches.
If I were to judge your church based on this blog alone, I would never attend. Especially as a “post-mormon.”
Tate, I don’t blame you.
Did you notice the name of Jettboy’s blog?
As maybe you have experienced the hurt of “straight and narrow” Mormonism, the last thing you probably want to do is jump into “straight and narrow” historical Christianity.
I am going to be at an Evangelical/Mormon conference this weekend in SLC. Have you heard about it? It would be great to see you, friend. I would like to hear your story. All I would do is listen.
And btw, if I saw Jettboy at the conference, too, I would try to strike up a friendly chat.
While I would like to go, and had originally thought of going, I have a family committment on Saturday.
And no, my experience is not of the “straight and narrow” mormonism, more of the “going thru the motions” variety. But that’s a story for another day.
“going thru the motions” is miserable. It happens a lot in modern evangelicalism with the streamlined, polished mega church variety and the traditions of Christian fundamentalism (where there might be more pride in traditions than heart conviction and true worship).
Regarding websites, HI4LDS, is mostly in tune with my intense intersections with devout LDS friends. In Idaho Falls, there is plenty of joint social, community, and political interfaith action but little public discussion on biblical statements and topics that really matter much to me. Hence, this blog. There has really been no marketing on my part to use this blog to crowd people into the Berean Baptist Church family. The Lord just draws people who are hungry for serious discussion in the Word.
But saying that, we just had a young family this past Sunday attend because of the internet connection.
Two guys in our church family are in the process of building a new website in order to replace our famous “one-pager” in existence (that is proof right there of how much we rely on marketing). It will have blog capabilities, where some in our church family, who are much better communicators than me, will be writing regular articles. And this will not at all be the flavor of HI4LDS (though I will continue this blog).
Tate, you would be surprised by our Sunday morning worship. We are wrapped in wonderful tradition that I love (a steeple on our church pointing up to the skies, people dressing up for the Lord, hymn singing, etc.), but the conversation is informal and radically different. And I mean radically different from the usual fare in Idaho Falls.
And sometimes we do break out in full-blown, powerful assembly-wide conversation about our incredible God right in the middle of the service.
I tell people to not let the outward package of tradition necessary scare them. I can think of someone right now who wouldn’t come to our church, just because we had a steeple on top of our relatively new building like the LDS ward buildings. This individual was trying to escape the connecting culture, and the steeple was a dreaded reminder. It’s all very interesting.
Hey Todd:
It is easy to get defensive when it comes to religion. Don;t forget that many of us Mormons left for two years of missionary service to try and convert others to Mormonism. I went to Georgia which is like Baptist heaven. I am sure that as I went around trying to spread my version of the word, that some thought my attempts at being nice and polite were hiding something sinister.
It is easy to question someone’s motives when you don’t really know them.
When Mormon missionaries go out, we wear name tags and white shirts and ties. There is not much deception going on about what we are trying to do. I hope that there is no deception going on with how you interact with Mormons.
You have always seemed like a nice person, but one never really knows. I will try to assume that people like you (and Tim and Bill and others) are sincere in what you are doing. But I will always be skeptical.
Nothing personal.
Hi Eric. Thanks for dropping in. You are always welcome to join in the discussion here. So is Jettboy. People like Jettboy have the freedom to challenge my motives.
In all the niceness and politeness here in Idaho Falls, missionaries do want to change my thinking. In my niceness and politeness, I do desire to see people’s hearts turned to the Christ of historic Christianity. I don’t try to hide this fact on the streets or on the world wide web.
This is the fundamental heart issue for me. But at times I can be a bear, maybe a more accurate description; just ask my wife. 🙂
There are wolves. No doubt about it. But in the discussion, we need to flesh out the biblical parameters of a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Ultimately, a wolf in Christian clothing is all about personal satisfaction, gain and advancement through the trappings of Christianity rather than it being all about God’s glory and God’s alone.
Todd
I also served two years on a mission. The responses I recieved from ministers generally was to either drive away, not answer the door, or I’d get a conversation if I caught them when they didn’t see us coming. The conversation would get to authority, and after an initial claim by them of feeling called, they would admit eventually to having received no revelation for calling. So I ask, with no revelation from God why are you all preaching in his name and assuming to know what the Bible is about?
Scripture is where holy men of God speak as they are inspired by the Holy Ghost. It isn’t for private interpretation. You claim to be sincere. And I don’t doubt you believe that in your head. But I would support Jettaboy’s point (though I haven’t read his slant on it) that you are in sheeps clothing. With no revelation how sure are you that you aren’t a wolf?
I would suggest to you that you should find out God’s opinion on whether you should teach this or that from God himself, just as those who wrote that scripture you are interpreting, did.
Yes, Doug, I think a church family ought to spend as much or more time on their knees as in the scriptures. We have four corporate prayer meetings running each week. We need more. We are utterly dependent upon God to pour down upon us his Spirit from on high.
A bishop (I look to myself as one) ought to spend hours in personal prayer each week before he even addresses anyone on Sunday. A pastor/elder/bishop has no business proclaiming anything if he is not deeply in prayer.
You got that right. The Scriptures are of no private interpretation.
What are you preaching this Sunday?
I actually have it off, and am trying to decide where to attend.
It might come down to the science of “eeny meeny miny moe…”
In a commentary, Dick Lucas charges me that I had better not dare stand in the pulpit to preach this passage until I am well prepared by the Lord.
We are going to take our first plunge into the Bread of Life discourse in John 6 this Sunday.
We are beginning one of the greatest adventures of our life.
(of course, I say that about every passage.)
Todd
If you recieve revelation then that is Scripture: As I have quoted above. If you truly are recieving this revelation then you are qualified to answer any question put to you, as Christ promised his Apostles. Yet you have declared yourself unable to answer many questions I have put to you.