Line upon Line: Essays on Mormon Doctrine (Essays on Mormonism Series) [Paperback]

Gary James Bergera (Author)

Book Description

Series: Essays on Mormonism Series | Publication Date: March 15, 1989

Line Upon Line brings together in one book some of the most thoughtful and compelling essays on Mormon doctrine and theology that have appeared in print. The contributors offer reflective, historical discussions of development of Mormon doctrine from the statements of church leaders, the writings of LDS theologians, and canonized scripture. These essays are the results of careful study by trained historians and skilled researchers who hope to foster greater thought and attention to the evolution of ideas which are often taken for granted. Noting the relative strengths and weaknesses of various theological or doctrinal teachings, they suggest that differences of opinion can indicate the presence fo genuine and sincere faith.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

One of only two major books on Mormon Theology in the past 20 years. Writen for our day by some of the best minds on Mormonism.

Product Details

• Paperback: 198 pages
• Publisher: Signature Books (March 15, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0941214699
• ISBN-13: 978-0941214698
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,728,102 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Book, March 29, 2005

By 

Gil G. Mesh "Gil" (CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Line upon Line: Essays on Mormon Doctrine (Essays on Mormonism Series) (Paperback)

This was my first exploration into Mormon though and is one of my favorite books of Mormon Theology. It opens up topics like the Holy Chost, the Elohim/Jehovah debates and the concept of a Mother in Heaven in a way that strengthened my faith rather than diminished it. I was able to read and explore Mormon theological development and gain an understanding that God works through human beings that have their own opinions as well. This may be a difficult book for those that feel that every word a prophet speaks is divinely inspired, but it also holds the door open that many of the "true" concepts in current LDS thought have developed over time in-spite of human error.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SOME CHALLENGING AND THOUGHT-PROVOKING ESSAYS ON LDS HISTORY/DOCTRINE, February 28, 2011

By 

Steven H. Propp (Sacramento, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Line upon Line: Essays on Mormon Doctrine (Essays on Mormonism Series) (Paperback)

The editor writes in the Introduction to this 1989 collection of essays from Signature Books (publisher of many parhbreaking books dealing with the LDS/Mormon church), "Each of the sixteen essays selected for inclusion ... addresses a particular doctrinal or theological topic--usually one upon which different views and opinions exist. The authors ... hope to foster greater reflection and generate responsible discussion ... and to suggest that differences of opinion, far from implying unorthodoxy, can indicate the presence of a genuine and sincere faith."

Here are some quotations from the book:

"This (definition of monotheism), however, redefines monotheism and does not account for the fact that Mormonism teaches the existence of gods who are not the Father, Son, or Holy Ghost." (Pg. 9)
"This veil lecture, dictated by Brigham Young in 1877, clearly implied that Adam was God the Father by explaining that prior to coming to this earth, Adam and Eve had been resurrected and exalted on a former world." (Pg. 43)
"This argument (that Brigham Young had never really taught the Adam-God theory as popularly presented) was effective, but it obviously would not suffice for church members who had heard Young publicly preach the Adam-God doctrine..." (Pg. 45)
"One reason why little theology was developed about a heavenly mother is that the scriptural basis for the doctrine was slim." (Pg. 107)
"The difficulty of harmonizing Joseph Smith's teaching that spirits have no beginning with the contemporary Mormon belief that spirits some into existence through a spirit birth has been resolved in two different ways." (Pg. 122)

9 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A Little Obscure, April 14, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Line upon Line: Essays on Mormon Doctrine (Essays on Mormonism Series) (Paperback)

You may find some of these essays interesting because of the historical material (i.e., quotes from GA's and other church teachings and historical details), but, in general, the essays cover topics far too obtuse to be of interest to the general reader. However, if you are interested in 'deep theological questions,' you may find the discusssions interesting.