October 2002
LATIN – apologeticus GREEK – apologetikos Apologetics: “The branch of theology that is concerned with defending or proving the truth of Christian doctrines” (The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 4th edition, Houghton Mifflin Company, 2009).
JOURNAL CONTENTS
- NEW ON THE WEBSITE: SALVATION BY GRACE ALONE? A brief but excellent analysis of the issue of salvation by grace and how faith and works fit it to the equation.
- NEW ON THE WEBSITE: DID LEHI USE EGYPTIAN? EXAMINING JEWISH-EGYPTIAN RELATIONS IN THE 7TH CENTURY B.C. The Book of Mormon was written in reformed Egyptian? Everyone knows that faithful followers of the Jewish religion would never have used Egyptian to write a sacred record, right? This issue is examined. .
- NEW ON THE WEBSITE: CRI AND SALVATION FOR THE DEAD. Can those who die without hearing about Jesus Christ be saved? Using statements from the Christian Research Institute as an example, this issue is analyzed. .
- NEW ON THE WEBSITE: ANTI-MORMONS ON TEMPLE SQUARE–A Photo Essay. The opposition continues to grow at General Conference time. More and more vocal critics of our faith are appearing on Temple Square. See some of the action in these amazing photos. .
- ASK THE APOLOGIST. The question this month addresses the charge the LDS exhibiting “blind faith.” .
- COMMUNITY FIRESIDE VIDEO AND AUDIO PRESENTATION. Ross Baron’s presentation, one of the most requested presentations of the 2001 FAIR Conference, is now available in video and audio format FREE on the FAIR website. .
- 2002 FAIR CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS NOW ON SALE! Did you miss the FAIR Conference? Now is your chance to hear the speakers yourself! .
- MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT, SCOTT GORDON. .
- BOOK REVIEWS ON THE WEBSITE. Looking for a review of that book your friend just gave you? .
- JOIN THE FAIR APOLOGETICS LIST. The FAIR Journal isn’t the only communication forum available to FAIR members. .
- ARTICLE SUBMISSIONS. Interested in writing for FAIR? Learn how you can have your apologetics work published. .
- PUBLISHING NOTES. Learn how you can become more involved in FAIR and how you can reuse the material we publish.
SALVATION BY GRACE ALONE?
by John T. Tvetnes
Traditionally, Christian churches have believed that salvation comes through the grace of God but that God expects us to demonstrate our faith by performing good works, including baptism. Though the concept of works was challenged by some of the Reformers, most Protestant churches nevertheless continue to admonish good works and to practice baptism and confirmation. In recent decades, more and more Christian groups have come to rely on grace alone, believing that baptism, while permitted, is unnecessary for salvation, and that good works are a gift of the Spirit that comes to believers after they have accepted Christ.
By contrast, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints continues to follow the beliefs of the early Christian community, that salvation comes by a combination of grace, faith, obedience to God’s will, and the ordinances of baptism and confirmation. The Church’s beliefs are summed up in the third and fourth of the Articles of Faith:
3. We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
4. We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
These beliefs, though based on teachings found in the New Testament, are often challenged by those Christian groups who believe that grace alone brings salvation. It is this concept that is examined in this article.
Read full article at:
Salvation by Grace Alone? by John Tvedtnes
DID LEHI USE EGYPTIAN? EXAMINING JEWISH-EGYPTIAN RELATIONS IN THE 7TH CENTURY B.C.
by Ben McGuire
In his on-line book, Mormon Claims Answered, anti-Mormon author Marvin Cowan states the following:
1 Nephi 1:1-4 says Lehi, a devout Jew living in Jerusalem, kept a sacred record in the Egyptian language. But Jews were enemies of the Egyptians in 600 BC. King Josiah was killed in a battle with Egypt about 608 BC. and Judah paid tribute to Egypt after that (II Chron. 35:20-36:4). Since Hebrew was the sacred language and the Lord was then “against Egypt” (Jer. 46:1-2), no devout Jew would write in Egyptian.
This paper explains how this perspective cannot be established in light of either the biblical text or the historical evidence, and posits that it is quite reasonable to suppose that a Jew living in Jerusalem at the time of Lehi could in fact know Egyptian and be required to use it extensively in his professional and private dealings.
Read the FAIR Paper here:
Did Lehi Use Egyptian? Examining Jewish-Egyptian Relations in the Seventh Century B.C. by Ben McGuire
CRI AND SALVATION FOR THE DEAD
by Joel Honea
What happens to those who die without ever having an opportunity to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ and accept Him as their Savior? What of those who live in nations where the gospel is not preached? Many have wondered about the unique position of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints regarding salvation for the dead. Some, like Dr. Krister Stendahl, former dean of the Harvard Divinity School, have named this their “holy envy” of the Latter-day Saints.1 Others have chosen to treat this doctrine with ridicule and disrespect. Still others have attempted to put forth a differing view.
For example, the Christian Research Institute (CRI) teaches that if a person dies without accepting Christ, they are lost to hell forever with no chance of salvation. Not only does this perspective not offer these people or their descendants any hope, it is also unsupported in the scriptures. This article is a brief attempt to explain why.
Read the entire article here:
CRI and Salvation for the Dead by Joel Honea
ANTI-MORMONS ON TEMPLE SQUARE A PHOTO ESSAY
by Allen Wyatt
They say that a picture is worth a thousand words. FAIR member Allen Wyatt attended General Conference earlier this month and took pictures of anti-Mormon Christians protesting. These pictures provide a small glimpse at the efforts of some critics of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These pictures were taken October 4-6, 2002, in Salt Lake City. Protesters positioned themselves all around Temple Square and along the west side of the Conference Center.
Each picture is accompanied by some comments by the photographer, as well as some links that provide additional information to explain the sensationalistic claims of the protesters. Unfortunately the nature of pictures don’t convey the yelling and screaming being done by many of the protesters.
We allow all people to worship who, where, or what they may–and trust the reader can determine if picketing a sacred edifice is Christian behavior.
See the photo essay here:
Anti-Mormon protesters at the October 2002 LDS General Conference by Allen Wyatt
ASK THE APOLOGIST
FAIR Journal Feature
Welcome to Ask the Apologist. Here we post questions that we receive from FAIR Journal subscribers, from the Web site, or from the FAIR Apologetics list. FAIR apologists will answer the questions, and the results reported here and on the Web site.
Q. Do Latter-day Saints blindly follow their leaders and simply do what they are told? And are they instructed to do so by the Latter-day Saint leaders?
Read the answer:
Do Mormons Believe in Blind Obedience?
COMMUNITY FIRESIDE VIDEO/AUDIO PRESENTATION–Now available FREE on the FAIR Web site.
Ross Baron, an Institute of Religion Director from southern California, delivered a presentation at the 2001 FAIR conference reporting on and describing a Community Fireside implemented in a southern California Stake. It is a revolutionary concept and has everyone wanting to know more. You can now view and/or listen to Brother Baron’s presentation on the FAIR Web site.
View the video or listen to the audio here:
DID YOU MISS THE 2002 FAIR CONFERENCE?
Do you want to know what all the hype was about? The 2002 FAIR LDS Apologetic Conference Proceedings are now available on audio CD for only $19.99!
Click here to visit the FAIR store:
Once in the store, click on the link titled “2002 FAIR Conference Proceedings.”
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
SCOTT GORDON.
In an effort to make FAIR easier to find on the Internet, we have changed the URL (the Internet address). We have removed the hyphen from the address to make it www.fairlds.org. Hopefully this will make it easier for you to find the Web site and it will make it easier for you to tell your friends about us.
We are also working hard to translate some of our articles into different languages. If you would like to help, e-mail us at [email protected].
We appreciate your support. Without your contributions of dollars, articles, and time, FAIR wouldn’t be able to provide the support and services that it does. FAIR is a non-profit corporation with an all volunteer staff. We count on your support.
Feel free to e-mail me with any suggestions at my new e-mail address: FAIR President.
Scott Gordon, President Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research
BOOK REVIEWS ON THE FAIR WEBSITE
Looking for a review of that book a friend just gave you? Try searching the 90 book reviews found on the FAIR Web site (FAIR reviews and FARMS and others). Reviews of most books critical of the LDS faith can be found here.
JOIN THE FAIR APOLOGETICS LIST
FAIR sponsors two mailing lists. You already subscribe to one of them–this one, which is used to publish the monthly FAIR Journal. It is a great tool for those who want to keep on top of the latest in apologetic efforts here at FAIR.
Our other mailing list, the FAIR Apologetics list, is a different type of beast. It is an unmoderated list in which FAIR members share their thoughts and outlooks on points of doctrine and discuss how to respond to recent and oft-repeated criticisms of the LDS Church. It is a “safe harbor,” so to speak, where those dedicated to defending the restored gospel of Jesus Christ can meet and discuss matters of common interest.
It is also a very busy list, with more than 100 messages per day quite common. Even so, the topics discussed and the viewpoints exchanged are both fascinating and enlightening.
If you want to be part of the FAIR Apologetics list, we invite you to apply. You can do so here:
ARTICLE SUBMISSIONS
We welcome article submissions for the FAIR Web site. If you would like to submit an article, please review the editing guidelines at:
Submit your article to the FAIR Journal Editor. An appropriate article would be one that affirms the truthfulness of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
While LDS apologetics (in the broadest sense) deals with refuting critics of the Church, articles don’t necessarily have to deal with anti-Mormonism, but may deal with some new evidence of the Book of Mormon, some interesting scripture interpretation, a viewpoint or quote from the early Christian Fathers or other historical figure, an interesting lesson idea, an inspiring missionary story, Church history, or your view on a current event related to the Church or a piece from a historical journal.
We may also accept articles from people who are not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that may not necessarily meet the guidelines of supporting the church if it is a topic of general interest to people involved in apologetics.
A submission may range in length from several pages to a single paragraph.
PUBLISHING NOTES
FAIR is not owned, controlled by or affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. All research and opinions provided in the FAIR Journal and on the FAIR Web site (http://www.fairlds.org) are the sole responsibility of FAIR, and should not be interpreted as official statements of LDS doctrine, belief or practice.
If someone has forwarded this e-journal to you and you would like to join you should go to www.fairlds.org and click on the FAIR Publications link.
If you are very interested in apologetics and would like to actively participate in FAIR you should consider joining our apologetics e-mail list. Visit www.fairlds.org and click on the Join FAIR link to join this list.
If you manage your own e-mail list, and wish to include some of these thoughts or articles on your list, contact us through our Web site, at this page: www.fairlds.org/contact.psp. We have a fairly liberal policy of using our material so long as you contact us first to gain permission and clearly identify that your source was FAIR and by adding a link to the FAIR Web site (www.fairlds.org).
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