In the past, scholars and others have asked whether Mormons are Christian. This work reverses this question by asking, 'are Christians Mormon?'. By identifying Mormon doctrines formerly considered heretical and documenting how these doctrines have recently gained increasing acceptance within mainstream Christian theologies, the work presents some surprising insights. In chapters focusing on subjects such as deification, the divine feminine, and the reopening of the scriptural canon, among others, the book (a) sets out Joseph Smith's teachings on these ideas, (b) summarizes traditional Christian views and criticisms of Joseph's positions, and (c) examines trends in contemporary Christian theology that significantly converge in Joseph's direction. Exploring the convergence of contemporary Christian theology with Mormon doctrines, this book will appeal to a broad range of students and other readers exploring Christian theology and Mormonism.

Autorentext

David L. Paulsen has a PhD in philosophy from the University of Michigan. Previously, he served as the Richard L. Evans Professor for Christian Understanding at Brigham Young University and for ten years as the chairperson of the mountain plains region for the Society of Christian Philosophers. Throughout his forty-plus-year career in academia, he has published extensively on Mormon and Classical Christian theologies.

Hal R. Boyd holds a JD from Yale University. His writing on religion has appeared in a variety of journalistic and academic venues. He currently serves as the Opinion Editor at the Deseret News in Salt Lake City.

Inhalt

Introduction

1 The resumption of revelation and the reopening of the scriptural canon

2 The recovery of New Testament spiritual gifts or charismata

3 God as personal and passible

4 A social model of the Godhead

5 Deification

6 The divine feminine

7 God as eternally self-surpassing

8 The fate of the unevangelized

9 Divine embodiment

10 Concluding reflections