Latter-Day Saint Theology Among Christian Theologies bookcover

Latter-Day Saint Theology Among Christian Theologies

Craig Blomberg 

(Foreword by)

This title will be released on

calendar iconMarch 13, 2025

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Description

How do the beliefs of Latter-day Saints compare with traditional Christian theology?

Grant Underwood provides answers to this question that are clear, detailed, and thoughtful. Writing for a broad and interested Christian audience, he systematically brings Mormon thought into conversation with main currents of Christian theology. He focuses on major topics that have engaged Christian thinkers over the years: who God is, who Jesus Christ is, who we are, how we are saved, what the church is, and what the future holds for human history as well as for individual human lives. Most chapters follow a format in which relevant themes are introduced with an overview of significant Christian reflection on the topic followed by an exploration of Latter-day Saint thought on the subject.

Throughout the book, Underwood's goal is to analyze, not catechize. While the author is a practicing Latter-day Saint, that reality only enhances his appreciation for the theology produced by centuries of fellow Christians of faith who in Anselm's words have diligently and devoutly "sought understanding." Underwood seeks to facilitate mutual understanding among Christians who may worship differently, who conceive of God and God's relations with humanity differently, and who articulate their religious beliefs in terms and concepts that are unfamiliar to each other. Readers of this book are invited to approach its sympathetic presentation of such Christian theologies, including that of the Latter-day Saints, with an openness and curiosity that can lead to a more accurate, nuanced understanding of the doctrines discussed.

Product Details

PublisherWilliam B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
Publish DateMarch 13, 2025
Pages640
LanguageEnglish
TypeBook iconHardback
EAN/UPC9780802884404
DimensionsN/A

About the Author

Grant Underwood is professor of history and Richard L. Evans Chair of Religious Understanding at Brigham Young University. He was founding co-director of the American Academy of Religion's Mormon Studies Group and has co-directed a National Endowment for the Humanities summer seminar for university professors and college teachers on Joseph Smith and Mormonism. Additionally, he has published a number of articles and books, such as The Millenarian World of Early Mormonism, that seek to explicate and contextualize the doctrine and history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His most recent book is Latter-day Saint Theology among Christian Theologies.

Reviews

"Anyone who still identifies Mormonism with the anti-Christian 'cults' should read this wonderful book. Grant Underwood is a gifted Latter-day Saint historian who has established his reputation as an authoritative chronicler of developments in Mormon doctrinal teachings. Now in this impressive work he shows us how Latter-day Saint thought should be seen as occupying a legitimate place in the theologies of the broad Christian community. Underwood treats the major themes of classical theology--such as the divine attributes, Christ's atoning work, grace, 'good works, ' and the power of the Holy Spirit--with empathy, clarity, and an obvious desire to be faithful to the heart of the Gospel. This book is a groundbreaking accomplishment in fostering mutual understanding where there has long been theological name-calling!"
--Richard J. Mouw, Fuller Theological Seminary

"In this monumental work, Grant Underwood, drawing on decades of ecumenical experience, produces a good-faith effort that assists interested readers in understanding the similarities and differences between Christian theology broadly defined and Latter-day Saint theology. Using the former to set the theological agenda for the latter, Underwood's work exhibits a genuine appreciation for the individual scholars and traditions that he engages. Eschewing the kinds of polemical approaches often found in theological comparisons between the Latter-day Saint tradition and other religious traditions, Underwood succeeds in producing a landmark publication that facilitates a better understanding of Latter-day Saint theology for those outside the tradition, as well as theological students located within it. Both the author and the publisher are to be commended for producing this fine volume."
--John Christopher Thomas, Pentecostal Theological Seminary

"Underwood provides readers a comprehensive tour de force of Latter-day Saint beliefs. With consummate care, he details where Mormonism parallels and departs from core elements of Christian theology. This is an indispensable analysis by a scholar who knows his tradition inside and out."
--Colleen McDannell, University of Utah

"Knowing that in the past his church was a marginalized minority, often portrayed as a cult with little or nothing in common with orthodox Christian faith, Grant Underwood has spent a lifetime exploring how the Latter-day Saints fit into the history and theology of the larger Christian world. In this remarkable book, he addresses that question with scholarship of the highest order--well-informed, balanced, and gracious. This book embodies the insights of both the world-class scholar and the gentle and generous Christian that I have known Grant Underwood to be for many, many years."
--Richard T. Hughes, Lipscomb University

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