Distinctive Christianity

Brendon Scoggin and Skyler Hamilton
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Comparing Mormon and Creedal Christian Thought

  1. 219. Daniel Stevens on Reading the Psalms with the Author of Hebrews

    3D AGO

    219. Daniel Stevens on Reading the Psalms with the Author of Hebrews

    In this episode, we welcome Dr. Daniel Stevens to discuss his book Songs of the Son: Reading the Psalms with the Author of Hebrews. Starting with the issue of how truly interconnected are the Old and New Testaments, we ask about how the Psalms should help us to see the Bible, in its diversity, as a unified whole. Is Christ Jesus objectively in the Psalms or is the New Testament often a collection of subjective reader-responses (with privilege)? What is the teaching of Hebrews on the matter, how does the author view the Psalms - and why does this matter when it comes to the claims of Christ? Listen in as we ask Dr. Stevens about “prosopological exegesis”, and how we can see that the one God who speaks in the Epistle includes and involves the personal voices of Father, Son and Holy Spirit – with even glimpses into the Father and the Son speaking to each other, and God the Holy Spirit speaking to the congregation. Why is the “divine conversation” between God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit key to the entire argument of the Epistle to the Hebrews, as a whole? Moreover, we hear this play out in how the Psalms point to Christ Jesus, and how the author of Hebrews helps us see greater clarity and resolution in the Psalms given the life, death, resurrection and exaltation of Jesus. The God-man himself is the source and substance of any hope fallen and sinful man has in entering the true Promised Land and being reconciled with the unique and sovereign God who created all things and upholds them in His power. Moreover, perhaps the pattern Hebrews models directly impacted the early Church’s Creeds, both in terms of doctrine and grammar. Book: Songs of the Son: Reading the Psalms with the Author of Hebrews Other resources by Dr. Stevens: - The Theme of Promise in the Epistle to the Hebrews: A Promise Remains - “More Than Red Letters: Jesus’s Teaching Across the New Testament” (TGC) - “Is It Valid? A Case for the Repunctuation in Hebrews 9:17” (JBL) Other resources: Divine Discourse in the Epistle to the Hebrews by Madison Pierce The Paradox of Sonship: Christology in the Epistle to the Hebrews by R.B. Jamieson The Royal Priest: Psalm 110 in Biblical Theology by Matthew Emadi God, Grace, and Righteousness in Wisdom of Solomon and Paul’s Letter to the Romans: Texts in Conversation by Jonathan Linebaugh Uncovering the Theme of Revelation in Romans 1:16-3:26 by Marcus Mininger “King Follett Discourse”; “The Sermon in the Grove” by President-Prophet Joseph Smith - See also D&C 93, 132; JST John 1; Abraham 3, 4 “Be Ye Therefore Perfect” by LDS President-Prophet Spencer W. Kimball Wrestling the Angel; The God Who Weeps by Terryl Givens

    1h 43m
  2. 218. Matt O'Reilly on Free to Be Holy

    APR 27

    218. Matt O'Reilly on Free to Be Holy

    In this episode, we welcome Dr. Matt O’Reilly to discuss his book Free To Be Holy: A Biblical Theology of Sanctification. What is biblical holiness – and how does biblical holiness relate to the Gospel of Grace? What does it mean to “be holy” as God is holy, and what is the role of God, the Holy Spirit in the sanctification of the believer? From the Garden of Eden to Isaiah 6, and from the “Holiness Code” of Leviticus to our Savior’s Sermon on the Mount, Dr. O’Reilly argues that holiness is an “integrative doctrine” - aiding the attentive reader to understand one of the deep threads of Bible, from our creation in the image of God to being conformed to the image of Christ. How do we properly understand holiness and sanctification without compromising the Gospel of Grace? Does man have a “sin nature”? And when Christ calls us to “be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” – how do we properly understand the text, in context? Listen in as Dr. O’Reilly helps deepen our understanding of God, man, sin, nature – and the entire purpose God has for those who are made in his image and likeness. Book: Free To Be Holy: A Biblical Theology of Sanctification Also, by Dr. O’Reilly: Reconstructing Methodism: Crucial Issues Facing the Global Methodist Church Paul and the Resurrected Body: Social Identity and Ethical Practice Other resources: Christianity and Liberalism by J. Gresham Machen Against God and Nature: The Doctrine of Sin by Thomas McCall Desiring the Kingdom; Imagining the Kingdom by James K. A. Smith Paul and the Person: Reframing Paul’s Anthropology by Susan Grove Eastman The Holiness of God by R.C. Sproul Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Harold B. Lee The Miracle of Forgiveness by President Spencer W. Kimball (also here) “Call to the Holy Apostleship” by President (then-Elder) Russell M. Nelson 1 Ne. 3:7; D&C 82:7; 130:20-21 Scourby: Romans; Isaiah; Matthew

    1h 24m
  3. 217. Paul Gutacker on The Old Faith in a New Nation

    APR 20

    217. Paul Gutacker on The Old Faith in a New Nation

    In this episode, we welcome Dr. Paul Gutacker to discuss his book The Old Faith in a New Nation: American Protestants and the Christian Past. Given a construct of “biblicism” - the standard narrative of American evangelicalism often assumes or involves the ahistoric and anti-traditional. Yet, as Dr. Gutacker both argues and writes: “American Protestants never read, or argued over, the Bible alone.” What was the place, role, and priority of the past in the polemics of early American history? Indeed, how does the key role that history played in the arguments all throughout the period of 1780-1864 contribute to a proper understanding of the “democratization of American Christianity”? What were the sources so often studied and cited in debates among all the Christian denominations – as well as their historiographical tendencies and patterns of analysis? From many of the Founding Fathers to Baptist minister James P. Boyce and the founding of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary – to even Restorationism, or the “Christian movement” - the arguments among Christians are saturated with appeals to history, and past Christian thinkers. Indeed, “religious memory contributed to denominational competition”. Moreover, far from “biblicism” alone leading to an inevitable impasse during the crisis surrounding the Civil War, tradition was no more able to settle the debates regarding slavery and even the place of the Church, either. Listen in as we hear Dr. Gutacker take us into this, and even more regarding questions of the Great Tradition, the place of history, and even how the blind spots of the past may help us be more sensitive to the blind spots of the present. Book: The Old Faith in a New Nation: American Protestants and the Christian Past Also check out: Brazos Fellows The Democratization of American Christianity by Nathan O. Hatch The Civil War as a Theological Crisis by Mark Noll How To Think by Alan Jacobs Dominion by Tom Holland Evangelicals and Tradition by D. H. Williams The Spirit of Early Christian Thought; Liberty in the Things of God by Robert Louis Wilken “General History of the Baptist Denomination” by David Benedict

    1h 6m
  4. 216. Bradley Campbell on LDS Theology: Joseph Smith's King Follett Discourse (Part 2/2)

    APR 14

    216. Bradley Campbell on LDS Theology: Joseph Smith's King Follett Discourse (Part 2/2)

    In this episode, we welcome back and finish our interview with Bradley Campbell of God Loves Mormons (GLM) and the Mormonism Research Ministry (MRM). We ask Bradley about five more topics that indicate change over time in LDS teaching, what these changes indicate about the “official” teachings of the LDS church, and why it matters. Moreover, we discuss Joseph Smith’s King Follett Discourse, his most famous and important sermon – and ask whether it is Mormon doctrine. Indeed, we end with a discussion about the difficulty of determining “official doctrine” in the LDS theological system – and why it matters, especially from a Christian perspective. God Loves Mormons (GLM; YouTube) Mormonism Research Ministry (MRM) Utah Christian Research Center (also here) Videos: - “5 More Things the LDS Church No Longer Teaches” - “This One Sermon Might Prove That Joseph Smith was a Fraud” - “Why do Christians seem to Misrepresent Mormonism?” - “The LDS Church denied this for 100 years...until now” Please check out our interview with Dr. Loren Pankratz about Blake Ostler’s revisionism about the King Follett Discourse. Hear our previous interviews with Bradley here: - LDS Theology: Past and Present (Part 1/2) - LDS Theology: Past and Present (Part 2/2) - On the LDS Presiding Patriarch - Interviews Dr. Matthew Emadi about the Temple

    1h 40m
  5. 215. Bradley Campbell on LDS Theology: Past and Present, Again (Part 1/2)

    APR 13

    215. Bradley Campbell on LDS Theology: Past and Present, Again (Part 1/2)

    In this episode, we welcome back and begin our interview with Bradley Campbell of God Loves Mormons (GLM) and the Mormonism Research Ministry (MRM). We ask Bradley about five more topics that indicate change over time in LDS teaching, what these changes indicate about the “official” teachings of the LDS church, and why it matters. Moreover, we discuss Joseph Smith’s King Follett Discourse, his most famous and important sermon – and ask whether it is Mormon doctrine. Indeed, we end with a discussion about the difficulty of determining “official doctrine” in the LDS theological system – and why it matters, especially from a Christian perspective. God Loves Mormons (GLM; YouTube) Mormonism Research Ministry (MRM) Utah Christian Research Center (also here) Videos: - “5 More Things the LDS Church No Longer Teaches” - “This One Sermon Might Prove That Joseph Smith was a Fraud” - “Why do Christians seem to Misrepresent Mormonism?” - “The LDS Church denied this for 100 years...until now” Please check out our interview with Dr. Loren Pankratz about Blake Ostler’s revisionism about the King Follett Discourse. Hear our previous interviews with Bradley here: - LDS Theology: Past and Present (Part 1/2) - LDS Theology: Past and Present (Part 2/2) - On the LDS Presiding Patriarch - Interviews Dr. Matthew Emadi about the Temple

    1h 47m
  6. 214. Tanner Talbot on The Arizona Tucson Mission Disaster

    APR 6

    214. Tanner Talbot on The Arizona Tucson Mission Disaster

    In this episode, we welcome Tanner Talbot to discuss his LDS mission experience as documented in his article “The Arizona Tucson Mission Disaster: An LDS Church Cover Up?”. We begin with his upbringing in the LDS Church, as well as some of the cultural pressures and dynamics which are key to understanding the place and importance of serving an honorable full-time mission in and for the LDS church. We hear about some of the expectations and impressions communicated by the leadership and laity of the LDS church about what a mission experience will be – and then spend time hearing about what Tanner’s experience, on the ground, actually was. With dynamics such as perfect obedience leading to increased spirituality and church-growth-results being a constant message to the missionaries, we hear about what the moral state, and mental state, of many of these missionaries actually was – within what turned out to be something of a unique mission where the LDS church hid many who should not (for themselves, and for others) have been on such a mission. We hear of the mental and emotional turmoil (in addition to even physical danger) Tanner suffered as a result of what was, at best, negligence on the part of the LDS leadership – and what this did to Tanner, spiritually. We then turn to how Tanner eventually faced the full impact of his LDS mission – and how he was eventualy freed by the (Christian) Gospel and the Christ Jesus of the Bible. Article:“The Arizona Tucson Mission Disaster: An LDS Church Cover Up?” Also check out: A Call for Reform - “The Great Apostasy Lie: A 2,000 Year Timeline of Saved By Faith Alone” Other resources: Recent LDS Statement on Translations Check out the ESV Study Bible (also here) Scribes and Scriptures by John Meade and Peter Gurry Core Christianity by Michael Horton Christianity and Liberalism by J. Gresham Mache The Freedom of a Christian; The Bondage of the Will by Martin Luther Institutes of the Christian Religion; “Letter to Cardinal Sadoleto” by John Calvin An Insider’s View of Mormon Origins; Restoring Christ: Leaving Mormon Jesus for Jesus of the Gospels by Grant Palmer Mormon Enigma: Emma Hale Smith by Linda King Newell and Valeen Tippetts Avery Publication of pictures of Seer Stone: here and here “Bear Up Their Burdens with Ease” by Elder David Bednar “The Church Impotent: The History and Theology of Dispensationalism” (Ancient Paths TV)

    2h 55m

  7. MAR 30

    213. CFM: Exodus

    In this episode, Casey and Skyler discuss and critique the official 2026 LDS Come, Follow Me manual’s coverage of Exodus. Please read (and even listen) to Exodus (ESV, KJV) Come, Follow Me – Home and Church (Old Testament Manual) Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual “Exceeding Great and Precious Promises” by Elder David A. Bednar “The Reflection in the Water” by Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf Early Mormonism and the Magic World View by D. Michael Quinn “This Is My Doctrine”: The Development of Mormon Theology by Charles Harrell Wrestling the Angel by Terryl Givens Joseph Smith As Scientist; A Rational Theology by Elder John A. Widtsoe The Pentateuch: Life in the Presence of God by J. Daniel Hays An Introduction to the Old Testament by Edward J. Young Biblical Theology by Geerhardus Vos Who Is God? by Richard Bauckham The Meaning of the Pentateuch by John Sailhamer The Bible Among the Myths by John Oswalt Israel in Egypt; Ancient Israel in Sinai; “’These Things Happened’: Why a Historical Exodus Is Essential for Theology” by James K. Hoffmeier Ancient Egypt in the Old Testament; Against the Gods by John Currid Thanksgiving by David Pao The Temple and the Church’s Mission by G.K. Beale Westminster Shorter Catechism The Heidelberg Catechism: A Historical, Theological and Pastoral Commentary by R. Scott Clark God, Language and Scripture by Moises Silva The Mystery of the Trinity by Vern Poythress Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God; Knowing God by J. I. Packer

    2h 53m
  8. 212. Ed Romine on Spurgeon's Christ-Centered Hermeneut

    MAR 23

    212. Ed Romine on Spurgeon's Christ-Centered Hermeneut

    In this episode, we welcome back Pastor Ed Romine to discuss his book The Booming Baritone Bell of England, specifically his third chapter: “The Christ-Centered Hermeneut: A Christ-Centered Hermeneutical Foundation for Spurgeon’s Evangelism”. What is Hermeneutics, and how should the methodological principles of interpretation be tuned to the type of text we are engaging with? Given Spurgeon’s view of the Bible, how does (and does not) that mean he interprets the Bible like any other book? What did Spurgeon mean by “spiritualizing” the text, and how did he think that should be limited when both interpreting and preaching the text of Scripture? Moreover, Ed gives us a sample of a worship service at The Metropolitan Tabernacle and how the Word of God was at the center. He also helps us understand the distinction between expositions and sermons, and gives us some insight and samples into how these played out for those attending. Ed writes, “For Spurgeon, all of the Bible speaks of Christ Jesus”. Listen in and hear how that was the case, and why that matters for today. Book: The Booming Baritone Bell of England Check out: First Baptist Church of Provo Past interview with Dr. Romine about Spurgeon: Part One, Part Two Other resources: Tethered to the Cross by Thomas Breimaier Spurgeon the Pastor by Geoffrey Chang Interpreting Scripture with the Great Tradition; Contemplating God with the Great Tradition by Craig Carter

    1h 10m
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About

Comparing Mormon and Creedal Christian Thought

Information

  • Creator
    Brendon Scoggin and Skyler Hamilton
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    219
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Distinctive Christianity

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