Dale Posted January 19, 2009 Posted January 19, 2009 I would suspect seerstones are throughly discussed in this book?I could not find or remember the topic discussed in Faith and Reason. The Shaken Faith Syndrome book did get into the subject. (Ch.27, "Magic," Treasure Digging, and the Young Joseph Smith. ) The treatment got into everything people need to know on the subject.
MAsh Posted January 19, 2009 Author Posted January 19, 2009 The only need as far as i see your books as not meeting is i see a need for hefty alternatives to skeptics books. What i would like to see is a big believers alternative to Mormonism: Shadow or Reality?.I disagree. The first half of Shaken Faith Syndrome deals with the general problems, assumptions, and naive paradigms that, when examined, should provide reasonable alternatives to most anti-LDS accusations. While the 2nd half deals with specific issues, it doesn't (and couldn't) deal with every issue. If, however, readers take to heart the topics discussed in the first part, that wouldn't be necessary.Plus i would like to see in print are sets of scholarly essays covering topics like are raised in books like American Apocrypha.FARMS already has such essays.Faith promoting books are ok, but critics have an advantage in they have gotten out some deep materials getting out their research.How is this an exclusive advantage of critics?A problem results when a persons only type of apologetic resource are your two books and they are still overwhelmed with the Tanner's big book. Your stuff is ok with smaller fry critics, but not with meeting critics able to throw everything at the reader.See above.So i see your books as well meeting a basic current need but should not be an end to publishing projects.I wouldn't have suggested otherwise.
MAsh Posted January 19, 2009 Author Posted January 19, 2009 I would suspect seerstones are throughly discussed in this book?I could not find or remember the topic discussed in Faith and Reason. The Shaken Faith Syndrome book did get into the subject. (Ch.27, "Magic," Treasure Digging, and the Young Joseph Smith. ) The treatment got into everything people need to know on the subject.Pg. 22 in Of Faith and Reason.
Dale Posted January 21, 2009 Posted January 21, 2009 Michael The FARMS Review devoted to reviewing New approaches to The Book of Mormon is as close to such a single resource that i am aware of. But such a collection was not quite like the Signature Books volume. My FARMS Review has falen apart, but by Signature Books volume is still holding up. Today i was reading out of Zondervan's The New Mormon Challenge volume. Instead of knowing of a similar believer's volume i instead have to use the FARMS Review. The FARMS Review is a good resource, but i have to depend on two reviews i printed off. FAIR also has extensive reviews of the book. But i know of no comparable volume i can purchase dealing with Book of Mormon critical issues. If there are collections of essays like the ones i am looking for i am unaware of them. I find volumes like Echoes and Evidences of the Book of Mormon as handy. I just wish for volumes tackling Book of Mormon criticism coming from scholars in a similar handy essay collection format. I do run into reviews and essays from time to time on critics issues. But unless i have something printed off the internet or purchased i can't alway's access the research. And at times i have been without internet access, so what i have bought is all i have. Because of cost i selectively choose book's that will have the most value for my personal collection. So hearing you had a new book coming out i had to buy it.
Abulafia Posted February 12, 2009 Posted February 12, 2009 Well, I just spent a good degree of time listening to Rommelators you.tube reviews on this book. (in 4 parts) (Golly does he speak fast)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7qbfmLyGy0...feature=relatedI don't think this book is for me. Perhaps for the LDS faithful, already convinced, but for someone like me, I don't think there is anything that would convince me to change my current beliefs. It doesn't appear that Mike has any intention of giving a balanced approach or offering a naturalistic explanation in any of the sections....or even offering an opposite view...So, I won't be buying it...and I'm sure no-one will be losing any sleep over that fact:)Mary
MAsh Posted February 12, 2009 Author Posted February 12, 2009 Well, I just spent a good degree of time listening to Rommelators you.tube reviews on this book. (in 4 parts) (Golly does he speak fast)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7qbfmLyGy0...feature=relatedI don't think this book is for me. Perhaps for the LDS faithful, already convinced, but for someone like me, I don't think there is anything that would convince me to change my current beliefs. It doesn't appear that Mike has any intention of giving a balanced approach or offering a naturalistic explanation in any of the sections....or even offering an opposite view...So, I won't be buying it...and I'm sure no-one will be losing any sleep over that fact:)MaryThe target audience is LDS members. The purpose of the book is to expose the typical member to a small sampling of the many interesting pro-LDS arguments advanced by the likes of FARMS, BYU, Nibley, etc. Most members, quite frankly, are unfamiliar with how much fascinating material has been published.I see the book as somewhat of a companion to SFS. Some members who, when introduced to potentially challenging LDS issues, falter becasue [A] they don't know of answers to the challenges, and because they may assume (or may be told by anti-LDS critics) that there is no pro-LDS evidence for the claims of JS. SFS addresses [A], OFR addresses .Nevertheless, I may toss and turn tonight knowing that you won't buy a copy. Mike
Dale Posted February 14, 2009 Posted February 14, 2009 I feel this book stands up mostly to my scrutiny as i am picky to avoid endorsing evidences that do not satisfy me. If i felt my critics books would lay waste to the credibility of the evidences use i would not recommend the book. I mentally compare the content of pro-Restoration book's like this with the best critics counter-responses i have in my library.
MAsh Posted February 14, 2009 Author Posted February 14, 2009 I feel this book stands up mostly to my scrutiny as i am picky to avoid endorsing evidences that do not satisfy me. If i felt my critics books would lay waste to the credibility of the evidences use i would not recommend the book. I mentally compare the content of pro-Restoration book's like this with the best critics counter-responses i have in my library.Would you mind emailing me something I might use on my OfFaithandReason.com website in the Reviews section? (mash@xmission.com)
lostindc Posted February 15, 2009 Posted February 15, 2009 Would you mind emailing me something I might use on my OfFaithandReason.com website in the Reviews section? (mash@xmission.com)Mike,That is not your real email is it? Is so that is pretty funny. Anyways, Shaken Faith Syndrome is really good. I have found a lot of gold nuggets in it. I will be buying your new book this weekend.
MAsh Posted February 16, 2009 Author Posted February 16, 2009 Mike,That is not your real email is it? Is so that is pretty funny. Anyways, Shaken Faith Syndrome is really good. I have found a lot of gold nuggets in it. I will be buying your new book this weekend.It's my real email Thanks for the comments and feel free to send a review to add to my Reviews page (for either book).Mike
Dale Posted February 16, 2009 Posted February 16, 2009 Michael i am not certain i have anything thoughtful to e-mail you. I know of certain books like the New Mormon Challenge by Zondervan that sought to rebut Book of Mormon evidences. FARMS in two reviews adequately defended their evidences. That book probably was the best critics attempt to interact with evidences supportive of Joseph Smith. I use my knowledge to stand up for myself with critics. I am not LDS, but Reorganized LDS/Community of Christ, but i have mentioned your book on our Community of Christ message board. Not being a scholar and having a hard time expressing your book in words i appreciated you having the intro to your book in PDF format. Someone wanted me to describe Book of Mormon evidences and your section titles gives it as simple as i can think of.
consiglieri Posted February 16, 2009 Posted February 16, 2009 I am about a third of the way through Mike Ash's new book.I think Mike has done a great service by taking items from a variety of sources and compiling them in one book, just hitting the high points.Although I have encountered nothing so far with which I was not already familiar, there is a certain power in just covering hit after hit after hit after hit.When all together in one place, this book becomes a solid defense brief for Joseph Smith's prophetic calling.Nice work, Mike!All the Best!--Consiglieri
MAsh Posted February 16, 2009 Author Posted February 16, 2009 Thanks for your comments, Dale & Consiglieri.Mike
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