During the 58th annual meeting (November 16, 2006) of the Evangelical Theological Society in Washington DC, Michael S. Heiser presented a paper, “You’ve Seen One Elohim, You’ve Seen Them All?  A Critique of Mormonism’s Apologetic Use of Psalm 82.”  He critiqued some of Daniel C. Peterson’s lengthy discourse, “‘Ye Are Gods’: Psalm 82 and John 10 as Witnesses to the Divine Nature of Humankind.” (Which evidently, the authors of The New Mormon Challenge briefly challenged.  Also, James White of Alpha & Omega Ministries has put in his two cents on the topic.)  

In return, David E. Bokovoy responded to Michael Heiser’s paper, and it ended up as a scholarly exchange in The FARMS Review (Vol. 19, No. 1, 2007).

On Bloggernacle, back in March, Nitsav at Faith Promoting Rumor introduces this exchange between Heiser and Bokovoy, and then follows up with another post in August.  (You will find the blog name, Nitsav, in Psalm 82.  Of course, my real name, Elon, is semitic.  Fun stuff.)

In August, David Bokovoy places a provocative statement on the Mormon Apologetics and Discussion Board: (more…)

Even though Mr. Hitchens is not happy, I am.  The Lord makes my heart glad this week (Psalm 16:11)

These words are fitting.

“Praise ye the LORD.  Praise ye the LORD from the heavens:  praise him in the heights.  Praise ye him, all his angels:  praise ye him, all his hosts.  Praise ye him, sun and moon:  praise him, all ye stars of light.  Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens.  Let them praise the name of the LORD:  for he commanded, and they were created.  He hath also stablished them for ever and ever:  he hath made a decree which shall not pass.  Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:  Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word:  Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:  Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:  Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth:  Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children:  Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.  He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him.  Praise ye the LORD.”

Drive to Rigby, Idaho.  Philo T. Farnsworth, the brilliant inventor of modern television, grew up there.

He is all over the front page of today’s Post Register in Idaho Falls. (more…)

First, the LDS blog, New Cool Thang, fired me up with their charge of bibliolatry among evangelicals.

Secondly, Alister McGrath provoked my thoughts on Christian bibliolatry when I read his book, The Dawkins Delusion?  Atheist Fundamentalism and the Denial of the Divine (Intervarsity Press, 2007), castigating both atheist and Christian fundamentalism.

Thirdly, Ted Olsen chimes in on the Christianity Today blog with Moreland’s accusations of bibliolatry among evangelicals.  Today, I noticed Francis Beckwith’s sensitive comment in the thread on “Roman magisterium”. 

And I also, today, read Blake Ostler’s post on New Cool Thang that could be helpful in explaining Mormon magisterium (if this would be an accepted term by LDS).

I initiated my first question on bibliolatry last Friday.  But now, I want to backup to a section I read in McGrath’s book on NOMA (nonoverlapping magisteria) and POMA (partially overlapping magisteria).

I am wondering if there would be a common link where McGrath, Beckwith, and Ostler all believe in POMA, whereas some conservative evangelicals and Christian fundamentalists believe in nonoverlapping magisteria of Scripture.

Here is an excerpt from McGrath’s latest book fleshing this out: (more…)

Blake Ostler is interacting with some things that have been on my mind.

We discussed this in October.

And now ETS is discussing this in November.  I did ask in the thread how Dr. Moreland’s accusation of bibliolatry might be distinguished from LDS accusations of bibliolatry. (more…)

My preparation for this Sunday’s thanksgiving message has led me from Psalms to Genesis, back to Psalms, and then on to Hebrews.  I look forward to the time of exalting God on this Lord’s Day.  There is so much to be thankful for in America.

How can we as a people harden our hearts?

But here is again a side question for LDS that has been bugging me, today.  Which chief deity of all does the LDS Melchizedek priesthood, fundamental to church life and authority, point to? (more…)

Here it is, The Shepherd’s Scrapbook.  I am encouraged.  It offers free resources to the other side of happy, humble, godly Puritanism that Craig Harline didn’t quite convey in his latest book.

Happy Thanksgiving.

The post by Dave, Getting to know evangelicals, has provoked me to share this post, Getting to know Mormons.

Carolyn Jessop in her book Escape (NY:  Broadway Books, 2007) writes this about her Mormon family:

My children were terrified of the outside world.  We were taught that everyone outside our community was evil.  Impending doom is an integral part of the FLDS culture.  Instead of playing hide-and-seek as children, we played apocalypse.  The belief is that when God comes to destroy the wicked, everyone outside the community will be killed.  But those who’d proved their worth would be lifted up to the celestial kingdom and preserved as God’s chosen people.” (4) (more…)

I am excited about the upcoming Thanksgiving season.

Can Jesus be praised and thanked as the Most High this Thanksgiving? (more…)