This lecture from my 1989 Institute Class, “Defending the Faith,” demonstrates conclusively that the LDS Doctrine of Deity, though unusual in many respects, is completely vindicated by the Holy Bible!
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Great job, once again.
Really interesting to listen to these “That’s what I firmly believed back then” lectures! While I understand you don’t believe it now, I am curious if you were aware back then how much you were arguing against a strawman version of the Trinity rather than what what (thoughtful and studious) orthodox Christians actually believe. For the record, I don’t believe in either, but I find that Mormons don’t really understand the Trinity concept and thus bring up superficial gotchas that aren’t really gotchas according to the orthodox concept of the Trinity.
In any case, thanks for sharing these. Would love to see current-day RFM debate 1989 RFM.
The Orthodox view however is not based on the Bible but on “traditions.” So, it’s a different situation. What RFM appears to be doing here is refuting a particular line of attack which comes from sects other than Orthodox.
To be clear, I didn’t mean orthodox as in Eastern Orthodox theology; just the traditional (orthodox) beliefs of the vast majority of (generally Protestant and Roman Catholic) Christians. I think “young RFM” is intending to argue against their view of the Trinity. But most of the “gotchas” don’t actually conflict with their concept of “three eternal consubstantial separate persons.” (No matter the genesis of that concept.)
Cheers.
Dear Matthew,
Thanks for your comments. I want you to know that I did my best to argue based on what the “actual” doctrine of the Trinity is.
I admit that I may have failed in some regard, and if so, I apologize.
I am aware that many people who claim to believe in the Trinity are often actually believing in a variant of the Trinity; sometimes a variant that has been labeled “heresy” a long time ago.
I take comfort from the quote from some smart Catholic scholar whose name I can’t remember, “If somebody says they understand the Trinity, then you can know they don’t understand the Trinity!”
Thanks for listening!
Like mentioned in an earlier comment, a debate between young and old Rfm and would be incredibly fun. I greatly enjoy listening to these old recordings! Thank you for sharing them, Rfm. Here is an idea for current: perhaps, go through these examination style “stop the tape” then commentary. This would be a lot of work, but would be incredibly insightful for understanding the complexities of the issues, and how years of growth transformed your perspectives. Just an idea if looking for future episode content. I eagerly wait for every next episode! Thanks again!
Thanks for the comments, Curtis.
A number of listeners have suggested that type of episode where I go back and comment on myself from thirty-years ago.
I have decided that, at least for now, the value in having these Institute classes unedited and in their original form outweighs such an exercise, at least for me.
I think there is value in having them stand as an accurate reflection of where I was back in 1989.
And wouldn’t it be funny if the 1989 RFM ended up reconverting the 2020 RFM back to Mormonism?