Over the past two centuries relations between Mormons and evangelicals could at best be described as guarded and suspicious and at worst as antagonistic and hostile. In recent years, however, evangelicals and Mormons have frequently found themselves united against certain influences in society—militant atheism, growing secularism, ethical relativism and frontal attacks on marriage, the family and religious liberty.With this background, a group of nine Mormon and ten evangelical scholars undertook a remarkable journey over a period of fifteen years to discuss differences and investigate possible common ground. The essays in this book reflect thoughtful, respectful and nuanced engagements on some of the most controversial topics that haveinflamed passions in the past.Evangelical contributors include



- Craig Blomberg

- Christopher Hall

- Gerald McDermott

Among the Mormon participants are



- Spencer Fluhman

- Camille Fronk Olson

- Grant Underwood

They and thirteen others consider what they have learned about honest, frank and respectful dialogue while also taking up key doctrines for both communities. The results may surprise you as the nature of God, authority, grace and more are all discussed with both candor and generosity.



Richard J. Mouw (PhD, University of Chicago) is a senior research fellow at the Henry Institute for the Study of Religion and Politics at Calvin University. He previously served as the president of Fuller Theological Seminary (1993–2013) and directed their Institute of Faith and Public Life (2013–2020). In 2007, Princeton Theological Seminary awarded him the Abraham Kuyper Prize for Excellence in Reformed Theology and Public Life. He is the author of over twenty books, including UncommonDecency, Adventures in Evangelical Civility, Restless Faith, and All That God Cares About.



Robert L. Millet is coordinator of the Office of Religious Outreach and professor emeritus of religious education at Brigham Young University. He is the author of A Different Jesus? The Christ of the Latter-day Saints; Claiming Christ: A Mormon-Evangelical Debate, co-authored with Gerald R. McDermott; and Bridging the Divide: The Continuing Conversation Between a Mormon and an Evangelical, co-authored with Pastor Gregory C. V. Johnson.



Prefaces by the Editors, Richard J. Mouw and Robert L. Millet

Part I: The Nature of the Dialogue



1. The Dialogue: Backgrounds and Context, Derek J. Bowen



2. Reflections After Fifteen Years, Robert L. Millet



3. What Drew Me to Dialogue. . . and Why I?m Still Talking, J. Spencer Fluhman



4. My Dreams for Mormon-Evangelical Dialogues, Craig L. Blomberg



5. Responding to Millet and Fluhman, James E. Bradley



6. A Serious call to Devout and Holy Dialogue: Going Deeper in Interfaith Discussions, Gerald R. McDermott



7. Apologetics as if People Matter, Dennis Okholm



8. From Calvary to Cumorah: The Significance of "Sacred Space," Richard E. Bennett



9. Mormon-Evangelical Dialogue: Embracing a Hermeneutic of Generosity, Rachel Cope



10. Temple Garments: A Case Study in the Lived Religion of Mormons, Cory B. Willson



11. Mormons and Evangelicals in the Public Square, J. B. Haws



12. An Evangelical at Brigham YoungUniversity, Sarah Taylor

Part II: Specific Doctrinal Discussions



13. How many Gods? Mormons and Evangelicals Discussing the Debate, Craig L. Blomberg



14. The Trinity, Christopher A. Hall



15. Divine Investiture: Mormonism and the Concept of Trinity, Brian D. Birch



16. Praxis: A Lived Trinitarianism, Bill Heersink



17. Theological Anthropology: The Origin and Nature of Human Beings, Grant Underwood



18. "How Great a Debtor": Mormon Reflections on Grace, Camille Fronk Olson



19. Authority Is Everything, Robert L. Millet



20. Revealed Truth: Talking About Our Differences, Richard J. Mouw



21. Two Questions and Four Laws: Missiological Reflections on LDS and Evangelical Missions in Port Moresby, C. Douglas McConnell



22. Becoming As God, Robert L. Millet



23. Is Mormonism Biblical? J. B. Haws



Afterword, Robert L. Millet



Notes



Contributors



"Fifteen years ago, the prospect of evangelicals and Mormons engaged in theological conversation struck some as preposterous and others as hopeful. Talking Doctrine demonstrates that the balance tilts decisively toward the latter rather than the former."



"Some people wonder why they should engage in conversation with persons of other faiths. Short of conversion, what is to be gained? Here is the answer from Mormons and evangelicals who have been talking to one another for many years. They tell you what they learned and how these conversations changed their lives. One cannot help but wonder if this is not the kind of talk the world needs more of."



"Richard Mouw and Robert Millet have compiled an outstanding collection of essays that place Jesus' core message at the center of interfaith dialogue: true disciples interact in love and mutual respect. These pioneers of the evangelical-Mormon conversation have much to teach us all by their words and examples alike."



"The ongoing Mormon-evangelical dialogue has been a model of charitable listening and mutual education, but also of challenging confrontations expressed in just the right way. This book features high-level exchanges growing out of that dialogue, with an unusually compelling mix of exposition, apologetics and evangelism (from both sides to both sides). It is an important landmark on an important journey."



"Times are changing. For nearly two centuries, wariness—if not hostility—has marked the relationship between Mormons and evangelicals. But in the past fifteen years a small but courageous band of academics on both sides has met to see what could be done. These thoughtful essays by dialogue participants mark a major contribution to that effort. They describe the history of the project, designate places where bridges might be built and call for honest respect where they cannot. Simply put, thebook offers a valuable moment of repose for measuring the past, taking stock of the present and offering hope for the future."



"The book is very readable and speaks to all people, no matter the level of awareness of Christian doctrine, because all readers can benefit by improving how they approach other religions. Whatever pulls readers to engage this book, even if only curiosity, it will be worth their time."