How Wide the Divide?: A Mormon & an Evangelical in Conversation [Paperback]

Craig L. Blomberg (Author), Stephen E. Robinson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 20, 1997

Voted one of Christianity Today's 1998 Books of the Year! Mormons and evangelicals don't often get along very well, at least not once they begin to discuss their religious beliefs. They often set about trying to convert one another, considering the faith the other holds as defective in some critical way. Unfortunately, much of what they say about one another simply isn't true. False stereotypes abound on both sides, preventing genuine and helpful communication. Having discovered this sad state of affairs, Craig Blomberg, a committed evangelical scholar, and Stephen Robinson, a committed Mormon scholar, set out to listen to one another and to ferret out the real agreements and disagreements between them. In the conversation that develops, you will read what each believes about key theological issues--the nature and bounds of Scripture, the nature of God and deification, the person of Christ and the Trinity, and the essentials of salvation--and see how they interact with one another. What they agree on may surprise you. Though this book does not sweep differences under the rug, it is meant to help Mormons and evangelicals know and tell the truth about one another. It does not expect to end evangelistic efforts from either side. In fact, it may help to promote more effective communication because it can help to get rid of misrepresentations from both sides. In the end, however, you will be able to judge for yourself just how wide the divide between them is.

Product Details

• Paperback: 228 pages
• Publisher: IVP Academic (March 20, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830819916
• ISBN-13: 978-0830819911
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (57 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #434,690 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Craig L. Blomberg is distinguished professor of New Testament at Denver Seminary. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland. He is the author, co-author or co-editor of fifteen books and more than eighty articles in journals or multi-author works. A recurring topic of interest in his writings is the historical reliability of the Scriptures. Craig and his wife Fran have two daughters and reside in Centennial, Colorado.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 66 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This book changed my life December 31, 2002

By Scott Wheeler

Format:Paperback

This book is essentially an exercise in intellectual honesty. Both authors (a) realize that there has been virtually zero healthy books written by Evangelicals and little more written by Mormons on the subject and (b) decide to do something about it. Less than a year before I read this book (subsequent to my having read The New Mormon Challenge, which had inspired me to read this) I remember making the comment, based on my only having read Evangelical Christian(?) critiques of Mormonism, "the term Mormon scholar is an oxymoron." Gosh, I felt [stupid]when I read these 2 books. I'm reading Craig Blomberg, who I have been familiar with for some time as an excellent New Testament scholar, actually losing some points to Stephen Robinson. Needless to say, I was shocked! Those guys weren't kidding in The New Mormon Challenge when they said there actually were good Mormon scholars winning the debate for Mormonism over evangelicalism (this was in a paper presented by Mosser and Owen entitled "losing the battle and not knowing it"). I by no means think we (evangelicals) have lost. I don't even think that Blomberg's points were totally defeated, but the book makes you sure of one thing - Nearly all Mormon-evangelical material in the past has been sub-par. This is the 1st step in making it a healthy relationship. I'll never forget how many times I've heard the phrase, "Mormon's just don't know what they believe." Stephen Robinson deals with this statement well. If nothing else, this book should bring some balance to the discussion, whether you're a Mormon who's never heard strong arguments from the Evangelical side, or an Evangelical who's never heard strong arguments from the Mormon side. It is my hope that this book will be the stepping stone to a plethora of scholarly and fair books on the subjects involved with Mormon-Evangelical relations.

32 of 34 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Christian-like fair shake... February 5, 2000

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

...for both authors to express the beliefs of their religions, to the best of their understanding. Finally! An Evangelical gets to state 'his side', and a Mormon gets to state 'his side'... about scripture, God, the Trinity, and salvation... without un-Christian-like rumors and rhetoric.

Both authors are peers who pracice their religions. Both know the doctrines of their denominations. Both say they don't "officially" represent either side... but they try to convey the beliefs to the best of their understanding. From my personal experiences with both sides, both authors are pretty well on target. The Mormon side wasn't written by any of the top Mormon leaders. However, the Evangelical side wasn't written by any of the top Evangelical leaders, either-- and I think that was part of the point of the book.

I wouldn't like someone coming to me and saying, "You believe such-and-such", as if they can read my mind-- espcially if it wasn't true, and they really didn't know what they were talking about. How insulting! ~That is something this book tries to cut through.~ (For example, some thump on the Adam-God theory-- yet, Adam-God is not even in the official Mormon canon, and I have devout Mormon friends who don't embrace that theory.)

The book was a fair look at both sides, done in a Christian spirit of love and respect. It was well worth my time and money.

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Informative January 12, 1998

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

As a Christian looking into Mormonism, I found it interesting to finally read a book that took an honest look at what LDS believe. So many of the books out there are so biased and full of inaccuracies or misleading statements that they are close to worthless.

This book lets a knowledgeable Mormon state his religious views in his own words, comparing them with evangelical positions. An evangelical does the same thing, and the two authors' writings complement each other well. I thought that Robinson was at his strongest in his questioning of the evangelical views of the Trinity, and Blomberg was strongest in stating reasons he believes the Book of Mormono was written in the 19th century. (FWIW, I think they're both right about these.)

I sometimes wonder if the harsh critics of this book have really read it. It's as objective of a look at Mormonism and evangelicalism as you're going to find anywhere. I'd highly recommend it for anyone familiar with evangelical jargon who is studying Mormonism, and for Mormons who want to know what other Christians believe. I think both will be surprised.