This is a conversation between Evangelical Christians and Latter Day Saints. We discuss our differences so that we might find common ground. The purpose of this blog is not for Evangelicals to try and convert Mormons, nor for Mormons to convert Evangelicals. Attacks on the history of the LDS church or the life and character of Joseph Smith, although many may find interesting, is not the focus of this blog (though those issues arise from time to time).
The blog was started by Tim(Dando), an Evangelical Christian, and C.John an active Latter Day Saint. C. John has since dropped out of the conversation and Jared has replaced him as co-author. A few other LDS have authored several posting and many others actively comment. Bridget Jack Meyers, an Evangelical, also contributes from time to time. The opinions of all who participate should be considered their own, and not necessarily representational of all in their respective faith traditions.
To read a summation of Tim’s exposure to the LDS faith, read the “Me & Mormons” series found here.
To read Tim’s take on whether or not Mormons are Christians click here. Instead of asking that question, consider asking “Does the LDS Church teach a saving faith?”
To read what Tim hopes to accomplish through this blog click here.
I have a question and I was hoping to find the answer on your “about” page…..
All I want to know is what the picture on the top of the blog represents. I think it’s neat and i’m sure with a story behind it its even neater (is that even a word?)
thanks steph
Yes, you can find more about the picture at this link. Glad you find it interesting.
I’m trying to locate an old friend and his family who were part of the Mormon Church in Westchester CA and have since moved, I have not seen for about 20 years.
Are there any radio stations or tv programs for the Mormon religion where I can call in and speak on the air to find my friend.
Hi!! I started a new blog about a month ago here at WordPress that provides free Book of Mormon downloads in 3 formats: PDF, a single page HTML file, and an executable for windows. My blog is http://www.freebookofmormon.wordpress.com. There are also free Book of Mormon pictures and a free LDS Library. If you like what you see please add me to your blogroll and pass the link around. Steffielynn over at mormonsrock referred me to your blog. Thank you.
Late perhaps for Catari but not for others.
If you call the LDS Membership Records office in SLC, UT they will contact your lost Member and give them your contact information.
It’s amazingly easy. They know where everyone is.
You can have your friend back within the hour.
[...] Tim Dando blogs on the site LDS & Evangelical Conversations as the evangelical Christian in the conversation. He thinks homosexual marriage will remain a decisive issue in California because of the proposed amendment to the state’s constitution to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman. He’s unconvinced, however, that laws about homosexuality will be the source of social change: Whether or not any kind of marriage amendment is passed on the state or national level, I’m confident those are short term stop gaps and we’ll eventually be overturned by a younger generation. As we move forward I think what’s important for us is to be vigilant in emphasizing what we are for rather than what we are against (grace and redemption at the top of the list). We should avoid making sex a political issue and making our churches appear to be voting blocks. [...]
Jack,
Please email me because I would like to tell you where you error on your understanding of “Theosis.” First, I would like to say the reason why evangelicals do not understand nor do they believe in “Theosis,” is due to the fact that they do not have the mysteries that was handed down by a living chain of witnesses (Apostolic Succession). Second, would be due to evangelical’s not having a priesthood therefore they are outside the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. St. Athanasius said, “God became man so man could become godlike” – big difference. Please email me at thetruthproject@hotmail.com and I will send you information on “Theosis.”
http://www.holytransfigurationmonastery.com/valedictory_address
In Christ,
Theo
email me Jack
Theo James ~ Thanks for stopping by.
If you want to explain my errors to me, I don’t really see what’s stopping you from explaining them on the theosis thread—I assume you have more to say than what you’ve said here. Comments on the thread are still open, and while I’m happy to correspond with people in e-mail privately, I’m not wild about e-mail debates. I prefer to discuss things out in the open where they can be questioned, challenged and refined by other readers.
However, it’s already been explained to me (by Blake Ostler) that “theosis” is a bad term for any Protestant understanding of deification as it refers quite specifically to the Orthodox doctrine. That was certainly an amateur error on my part; I’ve never studied theology formally and I did not think my post would garner the attention it did when I was writing it, so I wasn’t as careful as I could have or should have been. So most of the places where I said “theosis” in the article should simply say “deification,” as that’s what I meant. I certainly don’t see how a rejection of the Orthodox priesthood and tradition is going to stop evangelicals from fostering our own understanding of deification in terms of our own doctrines.
It’s really not correct to say evangelicals don’t have a priesthood, btw; we embrace the priesthood of all believers, and some of us are quite passionate about it.
Concerning Athanasius, I don’t have the Greek text of De Incarnatione Verbi Dei handy, but I recall that there’s some alternatives on the word he used which is usually translated “become god,” that it can mean “become divine, become a god, be exalted, be like God,” etc. However, I didn’t even cite Athanasius at any point in my article, so I don’t really see why you’re bringing it up.
All that said, if you still want to send me more sources on Orthodox doctrine of theosis, feel free to e-mail me here, or I can e-mail you. I am taking a patristics class this semester where I imagine I’ll have room to expand my knowledge of the subject quite a bit.