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“Christians, especially pastors, need thoughtful resources to equip themselves to reach Latter-day Saints with the gospel. Beshears provides just such a resource, written with the charitable tone he hopes evangelicals will adopt when engaging Latter-day Saints.” - TGC

Discussion

Tue, 07/07/26

I've read just over half of Beshears's book. He certainly knows his stuff about the LDS. His Ph.D. from SBTS was on Mormon history, and this book is thoroughly researched and footnoted.

My one issue with Beshears so far is that he is too irenic when it comes to Mormonism. A charitable tone is one thing; a conciliatory approach is another. He usually states disagreement with Mormonism in the third person, often distancing himself from it, such as "traditional Christians tend to keep the Latter-day Saint doctrine of God at arm's length, situating it outside of classical definitions and descriptions of his nature" (p. 178).

Beshears begins in chapter 1 by saying Christians and Mormons have much in common and should develop closer social alliances. He does not seem to be a fan of "traditional Christians" who seek to expose Mormonism, compare it to Christianity, equip other Christians to evangelize Mormons, or engage Mormonism's cultural influence. Rather, he calls on Christians to love their Mormon neighbors by getting to know what they believe and engaging them in dialogue.

Sounds all very nice and Christlike. However, I don't see this same irenic attitude exemplified by Jesus, Paul, or John when it comes to false teachers and perversions of the gospel. Paul, specifically, is very clear about how Christians should view perversions of the gospel and those who perpetuate them (see Galatians 1). John doesn't tell us to love false teachers and dialogue with them (see 1 John). They don't pretend that false teaching is just "perhaps a different understanding" of God's Word.

Consequently, this book has been helpful to better understand Mormonism, but I believe its approach conceals the real and eternal dangers of this cult.