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Biblical Mormonism presents an intriguing view of numerous Bible doctrines, which it considers under the general headings of "An Introduction to the Biblical Sciences," "Mormon Theology," "Mormon Soteriology," and "Mormon Eschatology." In considering these major themes, the author first makes profound observations on Textual Criticism, Inerrancy, Apologetic Analysis, and basic Rules of Biblical Hermaneutics. With that foundation, he moves to Mormon Theology, with penetrating chapters on The Nature and Characteristics of God, The Number of God, and God and Man—a chapter which covers the pre-mortal existence of spirits, becoming like God, eternal families, and Gods many and Lords many.
Chapters in Part II, Mormon Soteriology, include Who's Preaching Another Gospel?, The Gospel of Faith, The Necessity of Gospel Ordinances, and An Assurance of Salvation, which considers various ramifications of Positionalism.
In Part III, Mormon Eschatology, a lengthy chapter titled Salvation for the Dead, Resurrection and Judgment considers the spirit world and the location of Paradise, the nature of eternal punishment and the accountability of all men, and numerous aspects of judgment and resurrection.
This book is carefully and thoroughly documented. The author shows a strong awareness of various current evangelical theologians as well as anti-Mormon critics, and repeatedly answers and rebuts their theological assumptions and assertions. It is a valuable presentation of major Mormon apologetic themes and doctrines, and is recommended for both Mormons and non- Mormons. Both can learn from its comparison of their conflicting theological positions.
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Preface, 11
1. How Firm A Foundation!
An Introduction to the Biblical Sciences, 17
Biblical Inerrancy, 18
An Introduction to Textual Criticism, 20
Old Testament Texts, 21
New Testament Texts, 23
Known Errors in the Biblical Texts, 25
Translating the Texts, 26
Inerrancy Versus Completeness, 28
Interpreting the Bible, 29
An Introduction to Apologetic Analysis, 31
An Early Loss of Understanding, 32
Hermeneutics, 32
False Hermeneutics, 35
Two Examples of Exegesis, 36
Textual Contradictions (Acts 9:7 and 22:9), 36
Doctrinal Contradictions (Colossians 1:15), 37
The Value of Exposition, 40
Conclusion, 40
Table 1: Rules of Biblical Hermeneutics, 42-48
Rules for the Interpretation of Sentences, 42
How May We Know the Purpose of the Author?, 42
Rules By Which the Meaning of Words Shall Be Ascertained, 43
How Can We Know Figurative Language?, 45
Rules for the Interpretation of Figurative Language, 46
Rules for Interpreting Rare Words, 47
Interpreting Scripture as a Whole, 47
Interpreting the Old Testament in Light of the New, 48
Interpreting the Scriptures, 48
Part 1: Mormon Theology
2. The Nature and Characteristics of God, 51
God the Father Has a Body of Flesh and Bones, 55
The Image of God, 55
Lessons from the Resurrection of Christ, 57
Lessons from the Sonhood of Christ, 60
Answers to Counter-arguments, 60
The Father of Man Is Infinite, 62
Omnipresence, 63
Omniscience, 64
Perfection, 65
Omnipotence, 65
Eternal, Immutable, and Uncreate, 67
The Creation of God the Son, 70
Conclusion, 74
3. The Number of God, 75
God Is One, 76
The Triune God of Historic Orthodoxy, 78
The Nicene Creed, 81
Old Testament Arguments For a Triune God, 85
The Nicene Creed Contradicts the Bible, 91
The One God of the Bible, 92
Jesus Christ Is Jehovah, 98
The Father and The Son Vs. the Nicene Creed, 99
The Hierarchy of the Godhead, 100
The Kenosis, 100
The Virgin Birth, 101
Christ's Pre-mortal Exaltation, 103
A Vertical Line of Authority, 107
Conclusion, 107
4. God and Man, 109
Children of God, 110
The Pre-Mortal Existence of Spirits, 113
Angels, 113
Evil Brothers, 115
Fellows, 117
Foreknowledge, 117
Memories, 118
Intelligences, 118
Becoming Like God, 119
Christ's Testimony of Man's Potential, 123
Eternal Families, 126
Gods Many and Lords Many, 130
Conclusion, 133
Part 2: Mormon Soteriology
5. Who's Preaching Another Gospel?, 137
What Is the Gospel?, 138
Laws or Ordinances in the Evangelical Gospel, 140
The Fulfillment and Abrogation of the Law of Moses, 142
Differentiating Mormonism from the Evangelical Gospel, 144
The Lordship Salvation Controversy, 147
Permanent Salvation, 153
Another Gospel?, 155
Conclusion, 157
6. The Gospel of Faith, 159
From and For What Are Men Saved?, 159
Salvation From Physical Death, 160
Salvation From Spiritual Death, 160
Eternal Life, 161
"By Grace Are Ye Saved . . . and That Not of Yourselves", 163
Past, Present, and Future Sin, 163
Justification, 165
Sanctification, 167
The Power of the Gospel, 170
"You Have Been Saved", 171
"Through Faith", 173
God's Standard, 175
"Not of Works", 176
Faith, A Work?, 180
The "Faith" of Other Inspired Writers, 182
"Lest Any Man Should Boast", 185
Conclusion, 187
7. The Necessity of Gospel Ordinances, 189
What Shall We Do To Be Saved?, 190
Repentance, 191
Baptism, 193
The Household of Cornelius, 197
The Thief on the Cross, 198
Unchanging Ordinances, 199
The Gift of the Holy Ghost, 206
Endurance to the End, 208
The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, 210
Conclusion, 214
8. An Assurance of Salvation, 217
Positionalism, 220
Is Positionalism Biblical?, 221
Sealing, 225
Election, 226
Losing Salvation or Finding True Security?, 227
Conclusion, 235
Part 3: Mormon Eschatology
9. Salvation for the Dead, Resurrection and Judgment, 239
The Spirit World, 240
Where Is Paradise?, 243
Salvation for the Dead, 245
Christ's Mission to the Dead, 246
Baptism for the Dead, 249
Procrastined Repentance, 252
Eternal Punishment, 253
The Accountability of All Men, 254
The Records, 257
The Book of Life, 258
Universal Resurrection, 259
Judgment and Resurrection, 261
The Resurrection of the Unjust, 262
The Resurrection of the Just, 264
Three Degrees of Glory, 265
The Resurrection of Life, 267
The Resurrection of Damnation, 268
Conclusion, 270
Appendix A. An Overview of External Evidence for the Accuracy of Old and
New Testament, 273
Texts, 273
The Old Testament, 273
The New Testament, 275
Appendix B. Lost Scripture, 281
Table 2: Lost Scripture, 285
Bibliography, 287
Scripture Index, 291
Old Testament, 291
New Testament, 292
Book of Mormon, 298
Doctrine And Covenants, 298
Pearl of Great Price, 298
Subject Index, 299
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