Friday, June 01, 2007
Book Announcement: Claiming Christ
Here's a controversial new book due out later this year: Claiming Christ: A Mormon-Evangelical Debate by Gerald R. McDermott and Robert L. Millet. A kind of follow-up to Craig L. Blomberg and Stephen E. Robinson's How Wide the Divide: A Mormon and an Evangelical in Conversation, I'm not sure what to expect from this project.
I have read McDermott's God's Rivals: Why Has God Allowed Different Religions? and Millet's A Different Jesus? The Christ of the Latter Day Saints. I was extremely disappointed with both of them. Therefore, it is with some hesitancy that I will take up their combined dialogue and read it when it comes out. At the same time, I recognize this work's importance in contemporary evangelical and Mormon discussion, so it will be important to critically engage.
In any case, here is the book's description:
You can also read the introduction online (in PDF format).
I have read McDermott's God's Rivals: Why Has God Allowed Different Religions? and Millet's A Different Jesus? The Christ of the Latter Day Saints. I was extremely disappointed with both of them. Therefore, it is with some hesitancy that I will take up their combined dialogue and read it when it comes out. At the same time, I recognize this work's importance in contemporary evangelical and Mormon discussion, so it will be important to critically engage.
In any case, here is the book's description:
Some have predicted that Mormonism will be the third-largest faith in America by the middle of the twenty-first century, yet confusion abounds regarding what Mormons actually believe, especially about Jesus. Do Mormon beliefs and evangelical Christian beliefs differ significantly, or are their views similar enough to be considered the same faith? Can Mormon and evangelical believers learn from one another and even work together?
In Claiming Christ, respected scholars Gerald McDermott, an evangelical, and Robert Millet, a Mormon, engage in a back-and-forth exchange comparing evangelical and Mormon views on one of the most significant issues dividing and uniting the two faiths: the identity of Jesus. Throughout the conversation they exhibit genuine respect for one another, seeking to clear up misconceptions and find common ground even as they dig deeply into each faith's texts and traditions. The result is a fair, thoroughly researched analysis that will be a valuable resource for pastors, students in college and seminary apologetics courses, and lay Mormon and evangelical believers seeking to understand the differences and similarities in how Mormons and evangelicals view Jesus.
You can also read the introduction online (in PDF format).
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3 Comments:
I have been disappointed by past books, but I will read this book, too.
Thanks for the heads up.
I have found McDermott's books very helpful and refreshing pieces of scholarship for theological reflection and missional praxis. Since the McDermott and Millet book has not been read yet, even though some have found other books by these two disappointing, I would encourage readers to withhold judgment until the volume is available. I had the privilege of reading an advance copy of drafts of chapters as the project developed and I provided editorial feedback, and I think the reader will appreciate this effort.
John,
Thank you for your comment. I do plan on reading the book and hope that it is helpful and informative. Maybe after this work comes out you can post some of your thoughts or provide a review.
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