Share This
Description
This work attempts to construct a Latter-day Saint theology of religions. It does so by seeking to systematize Latter-day Saint approaches to christology, pneumatology and eschatology in relation to themes associated with theology of religions. This task has not been attempted before. There has been a debate about the possibility of a Mormon theology and such elements of Latter-day Saint beliefs have not be systematized in this way before. As such the book utilizes theology from mainstream Christianity to pose questions of, and expand the boundaries of Latter-day Saint theology. This approach is justified through the supercessionary view that Latter-day Saints hold with regard to their position in relation to mainstream Christianity. The theology is careful to maintain Latter-day Saint orthodoxy and not go beyond these boundaries.The three theological chapters are the most original aspects of the book. In developing a Christology the work has built on the writings of Andrus and Bruce R. McConkie who have been described as "LDS thinkers influential on Mormon ideas of atonement", in addition to authors such as Talmage and Joseph Smith himself. The systematization of these writings is useful with regard to this book, but is not unique. However, the use that this book makes of such a christology to explore a theology of religions is unique. The use of models of the atonement, not in common use within Latter-day Saint writings, enables a wider understanding of the application and the scope of the atonement. The moral influence and Christus Victor models are seen to be supported by Latter-day Saint teachings but have not been harnessed previously to enable the atoning nature of the whole of Christ's life to be explored, and the possibility of Christ remaining victor in a universal salvation. Extending this constructive systematizing of Mormon theology into pneumatology is perhaps the most unique contribution of this book. The book reflects two dialectical strands within Mormon theology. On the one hand, Mormonism is fundamentally exclusivist with regard to other religions and on the other hand, it suggests other religions reflect the light of Christ. In trying to think through this tension, the final section of the book will use the Mormon linear view of eternal existence, known as the plan of salvation, as a model to argue for the existence of a continuum along which all of humanity travels. As progression is made along this continuum people accumulate knowledge, truth, and Spirit and develop in relationships. This continuum leads towards fulfilment in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The book will posit a Latter-day Saint paradigm for engagement with other religions that takes account of this fulfilment, and the two dialectical strands developed and examined throughout the book. This paradigm will maintain the exclusivist missiological purpose of Mormonism, while still advocating the possibility of the building on, and learning from, truths evident in other religions.
Tag This Book
This Book Has Been Tagged
Our Recommendation
Notify Me When The Price...
Log In to track this book on eReaderIQ.
Track These Authors
Log In to track James Holt on eReaderIQ.