The Mormon Defenders offers for the first time in print responses to leading Latter-day Saint apologists who argue that theirs is a true Biblical faith. Calling upon top-notch scholarship, The Mormon Defenders demonstrates that the case for a "Biblical" Mormonism is rooted in misinterpretations of the Scriptures.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
James Patrick Holding is President of Tekton Apologetics Ministries. He holds a Masters degree in Library Science and has written articles for the Christian Research Journal and the Creation Ex Nihilo Technical Journal.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
26 of 32 people found the following review helpful
Most of what is published today on the subject of Mormonism is what I would call "first level" apologetic material. What I mean by that is that it deals with the very basic issues and conversations that will come up between your average evangelical Christian and your average Mormon. The Mormon Church has recognized this, and in recent years, has refined the sophistication level of their arguments, and thus, a Christian confronted with these new (and necessarily more complex) arguments may find themselves ill-equipped.
This is where this book steps in to fill the void by providing answers to the Mormon arguments on the "second" and "third" level of apologetics. As such, it is necessarily more difficult and complex than any first level book on the subject. However, I found it extraordinarily easy to follow, perhaps because I have long since moved beyond the basic stuff. If you are not yet familiar with the first level of information to counter Mormon apologists, this book is not for you, and you will probably find it over your head as did the last reviewer. If you have mastered the basic information, you will easily understand and appreciate this work.
24 of 30 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
In the Mormon Defenders, JP Holding does an excellent job of showing that key Mormon doctrines cannot be supported by the 66 books of the Bible. Holding examines Scriptures used by Mormons in defense of their doctrines, as well as those used by evangelicals against them. Holding pulls no punches, and exposes where both groups misunderstand the Word. However, he does demonstrate that a proper understanding of Scripture simply does not support God as a man, deification (as taught by Mormons), and other Mormon doctrines.
The book is also well organized and easily digestable. Each chapter ends with an analysis of the Mormon claim that their doctrines were part of the early church, and were lost through apostasy due to the influence of Greek thought. Holding shows in each instance that this claim simply doesn't stand up under close scrutiny. In many cases, Greek though would have produced the exact opposite of evangelical ones. Finally, the chapters end with a summary of key points raised.
All in all, and excellent scriptural analysis of the failures of Mormonism.
17 of 21 people found the following review helpful
This is the first book by J.P. Holding, president of the highly effective Tekton Apologetics Ministry, and I hope it won't be the last. While a lot of books were enough to refute most Mormon missionaries, a new breed of Mormon apologetics has emerged. And although this has not filtered through (even according to the laments of these Mormon apologists), it is essential that Christians are prepared for the strongest arguments they could encounter.
The first chapter deals with one of the most blatant examples of contradiction -- the Mormon concept God being an exalted man. Holding first shows that the Mormon case is wanting, by misunderstanding anthropomorphisms, assuming that theophanies represented God's permanent state, and the unwarranted expansion of the Incarnation that was unique to Christ. Then he presents the biblical case against the Mormon teaching of divine embodiment.
This and all the other chapters end with an important discussion of the Mormon charge that the historical Church has apostatised through Hellenistic philosophy. One important point is much like those who claim our biblical texts are corrupted: OK, produce the *uncorrupted originals* or clear proof of what they said, because a charge of corruption can be sustained only if we can show what the extant texts are corrupted *from*. Similarly, Holding shows that there is not the slightest trace of an allegelly uncorrupt Jewish or early church teaching that looks anything like Mormonism. Conversely, the Jewish historian Josephus and the anti-Jewish Roman historian Tacitus confirm that the Jewish concept of God was one of an eternal Creator of all things. And historic Christianity's conception, in the areas of dispute between Mormonism, is firmly based on the biblical Jewish conception. Also, in some chapters, Holding shows that if anything, any Hellenistic influence would have been in the *opposite* direction to historic Christian doctrines.
The chapters all end with a helpful conclusion and key points, but don't skip the meat either!
The second chapter discusses the Christian doctrine of the Incarnation compared to the Mormon teaching of polytheism. The most important part was analysing the New Testament in the historical context of the Wisdom tradition. Here, Wisdom was such an important and eternal aspect of God's nature that it was personified, so it was known as a hypostasis. The New Testament identifies Jesus as this Wisdom of God, equal in *nature* with God while being subordinate in *role* only. Both the Gospels and Epistles have extensive parallels, e.g. Col. 1:16-17 "by him all things were created ... He is before all things and in him all things hold together. Compare Wisdom of Solomon 1:16,7: "for he created all things that they might exist. ... that which holds all things together knows what is said." An extensive endnote also notes the Targumic concept of Memra (word) as another example of Jewish teaching of plurality within the one being of God. Hebrew Christian scholar Dr Arnold Fructenbaum argues strongly that the Johannine Prologue identified Jesus, the Logos (word), as embodying all aspects of the Memra.
Another important application of historical context is the Semitic Totality Concept. This is applied to the criteria for salvation and in particular the Mormon teaching of baptismal regeneration.
Certainly salvation is by grace through faith not by works (Eph. 2:8-9), so baptismal regeneration is wrong. But under the STC, actions and thoughts were so intimately linked that a faith that produced no works was not a saving faith at all. So in reality, we *will* preform works if we are saved, rather than a case of "we *must* perform works to be saved." IOW works are the fruit of justification, not the root. In particular, (water) baptism is what saved people do, not what people DO to be saved.
It is also important to understand the logic of conditional statements. Some Mormons use passages that suggest a judgement based on works, e.g. Rom. 2:5. But the logic is: IF you persist in obeying the Commandments, THEN you will inherit eternal life. But logically, conditional statements do NOT assert the truth of anything, just what happens IF the condition is met. And the whole point in context is that NO ONE, apart from Christ, has fulfilled the condition of perfect obedience. So our salvation depends on God's grace alone through faith.
Other chapters cover the interesting verse on baptism for the dead, once again with cutting-edge scholarship, human pre-existence, and their particular doctrine of men becoming Gods.
My only gripe is not with the author but with the very annoying American practice of putting footnotes at the end of the book (i.e. endnotes), in chapter order. Especially with Holding's extensive teaching in these notes, it is a pain to have to go to another place to find the note, and also make sure I know what chapter I'm on. Footnotes at the bottom of the page are much better. So I request that publishers produce more reader-friendly books, and resist the pathetic excuses "we have always done it that way" or "scholars prefer it like that". FWIW my three books have footnotes at the bottom of the page, and they have sold over half a million copies, so it can be done!
The first chapter deals with one of the most blatant examples of contradiction -- the Mormon concept God being an exalted man. Holding first shows that the Mormon case is wanting, by misunderstanding anthropomorphisms, assuming that theophanies represented God's permanent state, and the unwarranted expansion of the Incarnation that was unique to Christ. Then he presents the biblical case against the Mormon teaching of divine embodiment.
This and all the other chapters end with an important discussion of the Mormon charge that the historical Church has apostatised through Hellenistic philosophy. One important point is much like those who claim our biblical texts are corrupted: OK, produce the *uncorrupted originals* or clear proof of what they said, because a charge of corruption can be sustained only if we can show what the extant texts are corrupted *from*. Similarly, Holding shows that there is not the slightest trace of an allegelly uncorrupt Jewish or early church teaching that looks anything like Mormonism. Conversely, the Jewish historian Josephus and the anti-Jewish Roman historian Tacitus confirm that the Jewish concept of God was one of an eternal Creator of all things. And historic Christianity's conception, in the areas of dispute between Mormonism, is firmly based on the biblical Jewish conception. Also, in some chapters, Holding shows that if anything, any Hellenistic influence would have been in the *opposite* direction to historic Christian doctrines.
The chapters all end with a helpful conclusion and key points, but don't skip the meat either!
The second chapter discusses the Christian doctrine of the Incarnation compared to the Mormon teaching of polytheism. The most important part was analysing the New Testament in the historical context of the Wisdom tradition. Here, Wisdom was such an important and eternal aspect of God's nature that it was personified, so it was known as a hypostasis. The New Testament identifies Jesus as this Wisdom of God, equal in *nature* with God while being subordinate in *role* only. Both the Gospels and Epistles have extensive parallels, e.g. Col. 1:16-17 "by him all things were created ... He is before all things and in him all things hold together. Compare Wisdom of Solomon 1:16,7: "for he created all things that they might exist. ... that which holds all things together knows what is said." An extensive endnote also notes the Targumic concept of Memra (word) as another example of Jewish teaching of plurality within the one being of God. Hebrew Christian scholar Dr Arnold Fructenbaum argues strongly that the Johannine Prologue identified Jesus, the Logos (word), as embodying all aspects of the Memra.
Another important application of historical context is the Semitic Totality Concept. This is applied to the criteria for salvation and in particular the Mormon teaching of baptismal regeneration.
Certainly salvation is by grace through faith not by works (Eph. 2:8-9), so baptismal regeneration is wrong. But under the STC, actions and thoughts were so intimately linked that a faith that produced no works was not a saving faith at all. So in reality, we *will* preform works if we are saved, rather than a case of "we *must* perform works to be saved." IOW works are the fruit of justification, not the root. In particular, (water) baptism is what saved people do, not what people DO to be saved.
It is also important to understand the logic of conditional statements. Some Mormons use passages that suggest a judgement based on works, e.g. Rom. 2:5. But the logic is: IF you persist in obeying the Commandments, THEN you will inherit eternal life. But logically, conditional statements do NOT assert the truth of anything, just what happens IF the condition is met. And the whole point in context is that NO ONE, apart from Christ, has fulfilled the condition of perfect obedience. So our salvation depends on God's grace alone through faith.
Other chapters cover the interesting verse on baptism for the dead, once again with cutting-edge scholarship, human pre-existence, and their particular doctrine of men becoming Gods.
My only gripe is not with the author but with the very annoying American practice of putting footnotes at the end of the book (i.e. endnotes), in chapter order. Especially with Holding's extensive teaching in these notes, it is a pain to have to go to another place to find the note, and also make sure I know what chapter I'm on. Footnotes at the bottom of the page are much better. So I request that publishers produce more reader-friendly books, and resist the pathetic excuses "we have always done it that way" or "scholars prefer it like that". FWIW my three books have footnotes at the bottom of the page, and they have sold over half a million copies, so it can be done!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
Poor Christian Character
J.P. Holding has many good intentions, but his efforts in apologetics are marred by his use of mockery and insult. As a brother in the Lord I cannot support Holding's ministry. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Mandude
5.0 out of 5 stars
A CRITIQUE OF RECENT LDS/MORMON APOLOGETICS
James Patrick Holding is "President of Tekton Apologetics Ministries ... and has written articles for the 'Creatio Ex Nihilo Technical Journal' and the 'Christian Research... Read more
Published 23 months ago by Steven H. Propp
1.0 out of 5 stars
"Nothing new under the sun!" The Bible tells me so!
Review of James Patrick Holding. The Mormon Defenders: How Latter-day Saint Apologists Misinterpret the Bible. Self-published, 2001. 160 pp. $8.99. Read more
Published on February 7, 2009 by Crazy Horse
5.0 out of 5 stars
A useful answer
Having encountered Mormon apologists and been bemused by their clear misuse of scripture I found this book to be a useful tool in providing answers for their... Read more
Published on January 14, 2008 by Jason Clark
3.0 out of 5 stars
Cut above the con-LDS Fare
This book by James Patrick Holding is a cut above the anti-Mormon fare, and Holding deserves kudos for writing in a very respectful style, and, furthermore, not engaging in the... Read more
Published on November 22, 2006 by Bobby Boylan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent
The biik came is incredibly fast manner, was reasonably priced, and in new condition. Thank you very much for your professionalism.
Published on July 17, 2006 by Thomas E. Elliott
3.0 out of 5 stars
Lot's of research but too many acrobatics.
I like the tone of the book, as it is not as condescending as many other anti-Mormon books that I have read. That is why I gave it 3 stars. Read more
Published on April 14, 2005 by Sam Man
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Scholarly Response to Mormon Apologetics
In "The Mormon Defenders," James Patrick Holding untertakes a critical analysis of the veracity of 7 Mormon doctrines in light of evangelical Biblical scholarship. Read more
Published on July 24, 2003 by Lamont S
4.0 out of 5 stars
Microcosmic Contrasts
Holding's book does an excellent job of delineating differences between Mormon teachings and standard biblical interpretations. That's why I rated it 4 stars rather than 2 or 3. Read more
Published on January 3, 2003 by Kent Ponder
3.0 out of 5 stars
confused
The book seems to be filled with important information, but is a very hard book to read. I struggled to get through it and after finishing it I still don't have a good argument... Read more
Published on January 24, 2002 by Judith Preece
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 11
books:
See all 11 books this book cites
- Baptism for the Dead by Andrew Peterson in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- The Gospel of Luke (The New International Commentary on the New Testament) by Joel B. Green in Back Matter
- From Apostasy to Restoration by Kent P. Jackson in Back Matter
- Behind the Mask of Mormonism: From Its Early Schemes to Its Modern Deceptions by John Ankerberg in Back Matter
- James White by Virgil Robinson in Back Matter
See all 11 books this book cites
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