How Wide the Divide?: A Mormon and an Evangelical in Conversation
EUR 10,44
A Very Significant Book - One can certainly quibble here and there, but this is a very important, even historic, book. Each side is allowed to speak for itself -- I would imagine that this is why some fundamentalist Protestants hate the book so much, and why many fundamentalist book stores have refused to carry it -- and the conversation is carried on in a spirit of honesty and charity. It is a model for such discussion. The two authors do a very creditable job. I recommend this book highly.
A Good Effort to Bridge Beliefs - After reading all of the other reviews I decided to put my two cents in. Whether or not the beliefs of either religion are correct, whether a person agrees with the beliefs of either religion, is not the point of this book--and I don t believe--should be considered when one picks up this book and reads it. I think what the authors intended to do was introduce and explain their beliefs in an open, objective, and non-hostile environment. As a reader, I came away quite refreshed. Many beliefs I have oftened lamented over were explained. I didn t feel that one side was represented better than another side. On the whole I would recommend this book to anyone seeking to better understand the Evangelical side or the Mormon side. What I hope happens is that people from both sides can come together to discuss their beliefs with a very Christian--Christ-like--attitude now that they have an example in the authors how this can be accomplished. One must remember that this is a fairly short book, so neither side can get into great detail, history and doctrine. However, as a brief overview and introduction this book is a keeper.
Learning about Christianity - I read this book because I was attracted to the family-oriented characteristics of the Mormons, but knew little of them, living in England. The Bushman s Mormons in America gave a good teenage-level introduction,but as they are LDS I wanted to read a fair sceptic. The problem is that some of the other books (reading reviews on amazon.com) seem vitriolic by ex-Mormons. What a delight therefore to read How Wide the Divide? . Both authors write very clearly and with mutual-respect. I had anticipated a running conversation, but was very pleased to find that they had used a subtle alternative (which is easier to read than to explain!). I now understand a lot about the Mormon beliefs. The thing that surprised me is that I now know a lot more about mainstream Christianity (and I thought I was a reasonably knowledgeable Christian).
A Christian-like fair shake... - ...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.
A Landmark Book! A Compelling Read! - At last, two qualified representatives discuss and state what they believe without pulling any punches or couching doctrine in PC-speech. I find the book fascinating, intelligent and attitude-changing. I have new-found respect for both factions of Christianity (Evangelical and LDS), a much better understanding, and far less predjudice. I consider this a must read for any human being who seeks to understand rather than to complacently accept rumor-generated hatred. This book sheds much helpful light and I am grateful to the authors.