A Dissertation

[Valentinus1]

An institute teacher sent me a copy of his dissertation, recently. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Calgary. I began reading it last night (amongst all the other stuff I have to read) and it seems like it will be fascinating.

"The Thin Line: Reason and Revelation in Contemporary Mormonism"

Ch1. "Where is the Mormon Theologian?"

-On Theology and Professional Theologians
-Reason and Revelation
-Revelation and Science
-Mormon Neo-Orthodoxy
-Reason and Revelation in Contemporary Mormonism

Ch2. "The New Mormon History: The Beginning of the Storm"
-Objectivity and the New Mormon History
-Realism and Idealism in the Writing of History
-Supernatural in the Natural World
-Revelation: Propositional or Historical?
-Revelation and the Quest for Historical Understanding
-Revelation and the Modern Historical Profession

Ch3. "The Book of Abraham: A Case Study for the Relationship between Reason and Revelation"

-A History of the Papyri
-The Initial Reaction
-The Translation of the Book of Mormon
-The Sacred Canopy
-Text as Scripture
-The Relationship Undergirding Mormon Arguments

Ch4. "Reasoning in the Light and Shadow of Revelation"
-A Brief History of Dialogue and Sunstone
-Exploring Issues
-The Impact of the 1978 Revelation on Reason and Revelation
-Science and Religion
-The Book of Mormon, Lamanites and Science

Ch5. "Capturing the Heart and Mind"

-The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind
-Is There a Scandal of the Mormon Mind?
-Possibilities for a Relationship

Ch6. "Christ and Culture: A Post-Liberal Mormon Context
-Christ and Culture
-Five Types
-The Great Mormon Goldmine: Continuing Revelation
-The Religious Studies Quagmire
-Religious Studies and Theology
-Religious Studies and the Problem of Revelation

Appendix: The State of Mormon Studies

_____________________

I am going to try and read as much as possible but with the semester starting it may take me a year to read.

[Archaea]

that looks fascinating depending upon his treatment of the matters.

I wouldn't mind a look through.

[Valentinus1]

Originally Posted by Archaea

that looks fascinating depending upon his treatment of the matters.

I wouldn't mind a look through.

He maintains his own objectivity and doesn't seem to carry any bias in any direction so far. If you would like, I can email it to you as an attachment. Let me know.

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by Valentinus1

He maintains his own objectivity and doesn't seem to carry any bias in any direction so far. If you would like, I can email it to you as an attachment. Let me know.

It's not short and requires focused reading, but my first perusal makes me believe he did a professional work on it. Thank you. We need more discussion of the engagement of Mormonism and the larger culture such as this. I don't think I can opine as to whether the author succeeds until I contemplate it further but the discussion is worthwhile.

[Valentinus1]

Originally Posted by Archaea

It's not short and requires focused reading, but my first perusal makes me believe he did a professional work on it. Thank you. We need more discussion of the engagement of Mormonism and the larger culture such as this. I don't think I can opine as to whether the author succeeds until I contemplate it further but the discussion is worthwhile.

He is a fascinating man. His family is just as amazing. His son left about 4 months ago on his mission to Brazil. He almost didn't go because of church officials asking members to vote the affirmative on Prop 102 (AZ) and Prop 8 (CA). He is a humanitarian and very concerned for the rights and well being of all US citizens though not a homosexual himself. Good young man. We keep in contact.

As for the dissertation...it does take time and focus. Definitely a discussion that many of us should be having not just with ourselves but the church worldwide.

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by Valentinus1

He is a fascinating man. His family is just as amazing. His son left about 4 months ago on his mission to Brazil. He almost didn't go because of church officials asking members to vote the affirmative on Prop 102 (AZ) and Prop 8 (CA). He is a humanitarian and very concerned for the rights and well being of all US citizens though not a homosexual himself. Good young man. We keep in contact.

As for the dissertation...it does take time and focus. Definitely a discussion that many of us should be having not just with ourselves but the church worldwide.

It's taking time but I like his effort and encourage other members to make similar efforts. With work such as these we can engage in a broader dialogue with the larger religious communities.

[Valentinus1]

Originally Posted by Archaea

It's taking time but I like his effort and encourage other members to make similar efforts. With work such as these we can engage in a broader dialogue with the larger religious communities.

I agree. I would recommend it for studying and not just leisure reading.