“All religious beliefs prompt rejection.  Souls are reincarnated?  Ridiculous.  The Bible is divinely inspired?  Dangerous nonsense.  Muhammad is the prophet of God?  Poppycock.  Jesus rose from the dead? Absurd.  It is the common fate of doctrines to be dismissed; you’d almost think that’s what they were made for.  But not all beliefs are dismissed in the same way.  Some get an airy wave of the hand; others, a thoughtful shake of the head, with pursed lips indicating a tinge of regret;  still others, the stern wag of a hectoring finger.  But of all the religious teachings I know, none–not even the belief that some people are eternally damned–generates as much hostility as the Christian doctrine we call “original sin.”

– Alan Jacobs (2008 )

Dr. Kim Clark is pushing BYU-Idaho along.

It is a great mission field in Rexburg, Idaho.

“Return . . . for I am merciful”

I am adding it to my sidebar.  It will be base camp for discussion on repentance and renewal in Idaho.

1.  Some think the Bible leaves too many questions about theology.

2.  Some think LDS revelation answers the divisions that evangelical denominations had among themselves about theology.  I ask myself, “How big and fundamental were the divisions about God?”

3.  And then some think LDS scriptures only created more questions and confusion about theology with the belief of God(s) and Goddess(es).

The King James Bible declares propositions.  Conservative evangelicals derive belief from those propositions.  Yet so do LDS.  Dan Peterson has some ideas.  Blake Ostler has some ideas.  Kevin Barney has some ideas. 

Based on the King James Version, I have a solid idea what to believe and trust about God.  But in 2009, I have no idea, no idea really,  what the LDS Church believes in common consent about LDS Heavenly Father and LDS Heavenly Mother and all the other Gods and Goddesses.  And yet isn’t this the heart of religion?

This ought to be the biggest discussion in 2009.  Blake Ostler likes to discuss details.  Kevin Barney likes to discuss details.  And I wonder if the 2009 LDS Prophet and Apostles (Sent Ones) by God like to discuss details.  Do they honestly like the KJV details about God?  Blake’s details about God?  Kevin’s details about God?  Or their own ideas?

I am not “Bored in Vernal”.  I am “Confused in Ammon”.

We need a new conference in the I-15 Corridor. 

[Btw, I caught your comment, Steve E., before it vanished. – chuckling]

I look forward to that date coming up in our church family.

And tonight, reading the words of my friend, Dennis, my pulse has only quickened in anticipation.

Did you guys catch this final song, “Carol of Joy”, in the 2008 BYU performance?  ForrestWorks lead you to the glory of God in masterful melody.  Hear the song.

The beautiful gospel lyrics of this song originate from Eileen.  The deeply moving music comes from Dan.  Both are godly artists at BJU; and both know the rich, warm salvation of Jesus Christ, the fount of all grace.

Thank you, Mr. Staheli.

Click here.

You are all invited.

I like to read.  And I am trying to tidy up my sidebars.

I have had a good time with my sisters and their families this holiday season.  Check out my sister’s blog in “My affiliations”.

There would be three books that I would desire for the conversation between us: (more…)