Post by alan4jc on Jan 11, 2007 11:25:43 GMT -5
This is a letter from my friend to his new boss, who wanted some book suggestions. I thought it might be edifying to the Saints here.
Speaking the Truth in Love to Mormons:
a few tips and a few recommended books
I, Brad Scheelke, have been a full-time Christian literature missionary in Logan, Utah for 23 years. Mormons compromise 90% of the 100,000 residents in our valley. The Lord has given me much opportunity over the years for long conversations about sin and salvation with probably over a thousand of Mormon, some whom I have long-term relationships with, but most of whom I have met only once. Most of these conversations have been one-to-one or in small groups--Mormon missionaries, bishops, Institute teachers, old ladies, returned missionaries, inactive members, teenagers, etc. I rarely discuss the errors of the Mormon church, but rather ask questions to get to know the person and hear what is important to him/her, and then ask questions about personal worthiness via the law (ten commandments) to help the person become bothered by his/her own sinfulness. I speak freely about judgment and hell (outer darkness in their lingo). Only very rarely do Mormons get angry in these conversations about their sin. Why? The conflict is not between him and me, but rather between him and his conscience, with God alone as the judge. The law is used NOT to get an unbeliever to change behavior, but rather to create honesty and concern about his/her sin. An unbeliever’s conscience is God’s powerful ally. This is the easy way to get past the surface (quickly) and speak to a Mormon about his/her sin and the sacrifice of Christ. It is friendly, honest and often enjoyable. Some Mormons come back for more conversation, some even return regularly.
My recommendations are for the Christian who wants to get into the action of real, honest and significant relationships with real Mormons. If you want to prove Mormons wrong (Mormon bashing), then this list will not help you. There are hundreds of books on the contradictions in Mormon history and theology. As I meet Christians here in Utah, I often ask them about their experience in Mormon culture. Most express a sinful attitude of irritation, annoyance, anger, or even hatred toward Mormons. Mormons are unbelievers, whom the Bible states to be spiritually blind. Does not your heart go out to every physically blind person you see? Oh how rude (sinful) it is to be irritated at a blind man! Let’s become so sensitive to our own rudeness (sin) toward spiritually blind people, that we confess it so quickly that only God notices our sin. Love them so much that they can hear it in your voice (please, no emotionalism).
At our mission station we stock many books on Mormonism and witnessing to Mormons. BUT, there is only one that I recommend. Speaking the Truth in Love to Mormons, by Mark Cares opened the doors for me 14 years ago. This brother pastors a church in Mormon country. The first half of the book gets you inside a Mormon’s head and heart to see what motivates him/her–goals, plans, authority, culture, attractions, and stresses. This is very helpful as religious experience has a grip on the Mormon heart. The second half explains how to use God’s powerful word, hard-hitting law, and sweet gospel to reach Mormons. The appendix contains a very extensive and helpful dictionary of Mormonese. Again this is the only Mormon-specific book I whole-heartedly recommend for learning how to witness. It is now self-published and a bit difficult to obtain (truthinloveministry.net).
Two other authors/sources, not Mormon-specific, are very helpful in becoming ever more proficient at using the law kindly and surgically. The Way of the Master, by Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron (wayofthemaster.com), and One Heartbeat Away, by Mark Cahill (markcahill.org), are must reads. They have other helpful materials. I’ve given the latter book to many Mormons. I strongly urge you get a little practice with the use of the law before reading books that focus on refuting Mormonism. Otherwise, there will be two temptations: 1) to get puffed up and distracted into Mormon bashing, or 2) to get intimidated into passivity by the convolutions of Mormon theology or by the potential of heated arguments. That said, here are four Mormon-specific books that you may find helpful.
Mormon are taught that their beliefs are rooted in the Bible, and are taught to ask certain questions (with answers) to prove they are right and all others are misled. These few same questions, which are commonly asked, often catch outsiders by surprise. Answering Mormons’ Questions, by Bill McKeever, and Mormons Answered Verse by Verse, by Reed and Farkas, give biblical clarity to these questions in simple straight-forward ways. In Beyond Mormonism: an Elder’s Story, by Jim Spencer (mazeministry.com), the author relates his story of joining Mormonism, embracing it fully, and then questioning and finally leaving Mormonism, having found Christ. It is a kind and gracious insider’s look at Mormonism–its beliefs and religious experiences. I Love Mormons, by David Rowe, is a new book written by a brother with much past experience and observation of Mormon bashing. He calls Christians to love Mormons by getting close to them and understanding them. He convincingly helps the reader grasp the depths of how Mormons understand truth by way of their feelings. This is something that few of us outsiders really grasp and consider. Of course I am convinced that using God’s law kindly and clearly (not bashing), will naturally overcome this obstacle. None of these four books considers using the law in reaching Mormons. I see this as a huge drawback.
We have many free materials: books, tracts, cd’s, a DVD, etc. to help believer s to witness. We also have the above books. Feel free to contact us for materials or with questions. If you stop by, we can go visit a Mormon together. Remember: pray, love, be completely humble, and speak the truth boldly and clearly using the law and the gospel. And no bashing!
Brad Scheelke
Oasis Books
76 East 400 North
Logan Utah 84321
435-753-8697
oasisbook@juno.com
Speaking the Truth in Love to Mormons:
a few tips and a few recommended books
I, Brad Scheelke, have been a full-time Christian literature missionary in Logan, Utah for 23 years. Mormons compromise 90% of the 100,000 residents in our valley. The Lord has given me much opportunity over the years for long conversations about sin and salvation with probably over a thousand of Mormon, some whom I have long-term relationships with, but most of whom I have met only once. Most of these conversations have been one-to-one or in small groups--Mormon missionaries, bishops, Institute teachers, old ladies, returned missionaries, inactive members, teenagers, etc. I rarely discuss the errors of the Mormon church, but rather ask questions to get to know the person and hear what is important to him/her, and then ask questions about personal worthiness via the law (ten commandments) to help the person become bothered by his/her own sinfulness. I speak freely about judgment and hell (outer darkness in their lingo). Only very rarely do Mormons get angry in these conversations about their sin. Why? The conflict is not between him and me, but rather between him and his conscience, with God alone as the judge. The law is used NOT to get an unbeliever to change behavior, but rather to create honesty and concern about his/her sin. An unbeliever’s conscience is God’s powerful ally. This is the easy way to get past the surface (quickly) and speak to a Mormon about his/her sin and the sacrifice of Christ. It is friendly, honest and often enjoyable. Some Mormons come back for more conversation, some even return regularly.
My recommendations are for the Christian who wants to get into the action of real, honest and significant relationships with real Mormons. If you want to prove Mormons wrong (Mormon bashing), then this list will not help you. There are hundreds of books on the contradictions in Mormon history and theology. As I meet Christians here in Utah, I often ask them about their experience in Mormon culture. Most express a sinful attitude of irritation, annoyance, anger, or even hatred toward Mormons. Mormons are unbelievers, whom the Bible states to be spiritually blind. Does not your heart go out to every physically blind person you see? Oh how rude (sinful) it is to be irritated at a blind man! Let’s become so sensitive to our own rudeness (sin) toward spiritually blind people, that we confess it so quickly that only God notices our sin. Love them so much that they can hear it in your voice (please, no emotionalism).
At our mission station we stock many books on Mormonism and witnessing to Mormons. BUT, there is only one that I recommend. Speaking the Truth in Love to Mormons, by Mark Cares opened the doors for me 14 years ago. This brother pastors a church in Mormon country. The first half of the book gets you inside a Mormon’s head and heart to see what motivates him/her–goals, plans, authority, culture, attractions, and stresses. This is very helpful as religious experience has a grip on the Mormon heart. The second half explains how to use God’s powerful word, hard-hitting law, and sweet gospel to reach Mormons. The appendix contains a very extensive and helpful dictionary of Mormonese. Again this is the only Mormon-specific book I whole-heartedly recommend for learning how to witness. It is now self-published and a bit difficult to obtain (truthinloveministry.net).
Two other authors/sources, not Mormon-specific, are very helpful in becoming ever more proficient at using the law kindly and surgically. The Way of the Master, by Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron (wayofthemaster.com), and One Heartbeat Away, by Mark Cahill (markcahill.org), are must reads. They have other helpful materials. I’ve given the latter book to many Mormons. I strongly urge you get a little practice with the use of the law before reading books that focus on refuting Mormonism. Otherwise, there will be two temptations: 1) to get puffed up and distracted into Mormon bashing, or 2) to get intimidated into passivity by the convolutions of Mormon theology or by the potential of heated arguments. That said, here are four Mormon-specific books that you may find helpful.
Mormon are taught that their beliefs are rooted in the Bible, and are taught to ask certain questions (with answers) to prove they are right and all others are misled. These few same questions, which are commonly asked, often catch outsiders by surprise. Answering Mormons’ Questions, by Bill McKeever, and Mormons Answered Verse by Verse, by Reed and Farkas, give biblical clarity to these questions in simple straight-forward ways. In Beyond Mormonism: an Elder’s Story, by Jim Spencer (mazeministry.com), the author relates his story of joining Mormonism, embracing it fully, and then questioning and finally leaving Mormonism, having found Christ. It is a kind and gracious insider’s look at Mormonism–its beliefs and religious experiences. I Love Mormons, by David Rowe, is a new book written by a brother with much past experience and observation of Mormon bashing. He calls Christians to love Mormons by getting close to them and understanding them. He convincingly helps the reader grasp the depths of how Mormons understand truth by way of their feelings. This is something that few of us outsiders really grasp and consider. Of course I am convinced that using God’s law kindly and clearly (not bashing), will naturally overcome this obstacle. None of these four books considers using the law in reaching Mormons. I see this as a huge drawback.
We have many free materials: books, tracts, cd’s, a DVD, etc. to help believer s to witness. We also have the above books. Feel free to contact us for materials or with questions. If you stop by, we can go visit a Mormon together. Remember: pray, love, be completely humble, and speak the truth boldly and clearly using the law and the gospel. And no bashing!
Brad Scheelke
Oasis Books
76 East 400 North
Logan Utah 84321
435-753-8697
oasisbook@juno.com