Talking Doctrine: Mormons and Evangelicals in Conversation

by Richard Mouw; Robert L. Millet

Publisher:

IVP Academic

, 2015

Overview

Over the past two centuries relations between Mormons and evangelicals could at best be described as guarded and suspicious and at worst as antagonistic and hostile. In recent years, however, evangelicals and Mormons have frequently found themselves united against certain influences in society―militant atheism, growing secularism, ethical relativism and frontal attacks on marriage, the family and religious liberty. With this background, a group of nine Mormon and ten evangelical scholars undertook a remarkable journey over a period of fifteen years to discuss differences and investigate possible common ground. The essays in this book reflect thoughtful, respectful and nuanced engagements on some of the most controversial topics that have inflamed passions in the past.

Evangelical contributors include Craig Blomberg, Christopher Hall, Gerald McDermott.

Among the Mormon participants are Spencer Fluhman, Camille Fronk Olson, Grant Underwood.

They and thirteen others consider what they have learned about honest, frank and respectful dialogue while also taking up key doctrines for both communities. The results may surprise you as the nature of God, authority, grace and more are all discussed with both candor and generosity.

Key Features

• Presents the essays of a group of nine Mormon and ten evangelical scholars.
• Reflects thoughtful, respectful and nuanced engagements on some of the most controversial topics.
• Discusses differences and investigates possible common grounds of a journey over a period of 15 years.

Contents

• Prefaces by the Editors, Richard J. Mouw and Robert L. Millet
• Part I: The Nature of the Dialogue
• 1. The Dialogue: Backgrounds and Context, Derek J. Bowen
• 2. Reflections After Fifteen Years, Robert L. Millet
• 3. What Drew Me to Dialogue. . . and Why I’m Still Talking, J. Spencer Fluhman
• 4. My Dreams for Mormon-Evangelical Dialogues, Craig L. Blomberg
• 5. Responding to Millet and Fluhman, James E. Bradley
• 6. A Serious call to Devout and Holy Dialogue: Going Deeper in Interfaith Discussions, Gerald R. McDermott
• 7. Apologetics as if People Matter, Dennis Okholm
• 8. From Calvary to Cumorah: The Significance of “Sacred Space,” Richard E. Bennett
• 9. Mormon-Evangelical Dialogue: Embracing a Hermeneutic of Generosity, Rachel Cope
• 10. Temple Garments: A Case Study in the Lived Religion of Mormons, Cory B. Willson
• 11. Mormons and Evangelicals in the Public Square, J. B. Haws
• 12. An Evangelical at Brigham Young University, Sarah Taylor
• Part II: Specific Doctrinal Discussions
• 13. How many Gods? Mormons and Evangelicals Discussing the Debate, Craig L. Blomberg
• 14. The Trinity, Christopher A. Hall
• 15. Divine Investiture: Mormonism and the Concept of Trinity, Brian D. Birch
• 16. Praxis: A Lived Trinitarianism, Bill Heersink
• 17. Theological Anthropology: The Origin and Nature of Human Beings, Grant Underwood
• 18. “How Great a Debtor”: Mormon Reflections on Grace, Camille Fronk Olson
• 19. Authority Is Everything, Robert L. Millet
• 20. Revealed Truth: Talking About Our Differences, Richard J. Mouw
• 21. Two Questions and Four Laws: Missiological Reflections on LDS and Evangelical Missions in Port Moresby, C. Douglas McConnell
• 22. Becoming As God, Robert L. Millet
• 23. Is Mormonism Biblical? J. B. Haws
• Afterword, Robert L. Millet
• Notes
• Contributors

Praise for Talking Doctrine

The ongoing Mormon-evangelical dialogue has been a model of charitable listening and mutual education, but also of challenging confrontations expressed in just the right way. This book features high-level exchanges growing out of that dialogue, with an unusually compelling mix of exposition, apologetics and evangelism (from both sides to both sides). It is an important landmark on an important journey.

Mark Noll, Francis McAnaney Professor of History, University of Notre Dame, author of Protestantism: A Very Short Introduction

Some people wonder why they should engage in conversation with persons of other faiths. Short of conversion, what is to be gained? Here is the answer from Mormons and evangelicals who have been talking to one another for many years. They tell you what they learned and how these conversations changed their lives. One cannot help but wonder if this is not the kind of talk the world needs more of.

—Richard Bushman, Gouverneur Morris Professor Emeritus of History, Columbia University, author of Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling

Fifteen years ago, the prospect of evangelicals and Mormons engaged in theological conversation struck some as preposterous and others as hopeful. Talking Doctrine demonstrates that the balance tilts decisively toward the latter rather than the former.

—Randall Balmer, Dartmouth Professor in the Arts Sciences, chair of the department of religion, Dartmouth College, author of The Making of Evangelicalism

Product Details

• Title: Talking Doctrine: Mormons and Evangelicals in Conversation
• Authors: Richard Mouw, Robert L. Millet
• Publisher: IVP Academic
• Print Publication Date: 2015
• Logos Release Date: 2024
• Pages: 256
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
• Subjects: Evangelicalism—Relations—Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Evangelicalism—Relations—Mormon Church; Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—Relations—Evangelicalism; Mormon Church—Relations—Evangelicalism; Evangelicalism; Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—Doctrines
• ISBNs: 9780830898824, 0830898824, 083084080X, 9780830840809
• Resource ID: LLS:9780830898824
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2025-05-20T06:46:49Z