Lds Author Charles Harrell Speaking At Benchmark Books

[LifeOnaPlate]

A friend asked if I could announce an upcoming event for you folks.

Benchmark Books will be hosting a short presentation and book signing on Sept. 7th with Charles Harrell, author of the new book from Kofford Books called "This Is My Doctrine": The Development of Mormon Theology.

Here's the press release:

SPEND AN EVENING WITH AN AUTHOR

We are delighted to announce the publication of “This is My Doctrine:” The Development of Mormon Theology by Charles R. Harrell, published by Greg Kofford Books. We invite you to come to our store to hear the author speak about and sign his book on Wednesday, September 7, 2011. Dr. Harrell will be here from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., speaking at 6:00, and will answer questions and sign books before and after that time.

Many of the principal doctrines defining Mormonism today have developed over the course of the Restoration. This book shows that these doctrines did not originate in a vacuum but were rather prompted and informed by the religious culture from which Mormonism arose. However, Mormons often interpreted these doctrines differently than their Christian neighbors. Early Mormons, like their early Christian and even earlier Israelite predecessors, brought with them their own culturally conditioned theological outlooks which often changed with time.

In this first-of-its-kind comprehensive treatment of the development of Mormon theology, Charles Harrell traces the history of Latter-day Saint doctrines from the times of the Old Testament to the present. He describes how Mormonism has carried on the tradition of the biblical authors, early Christians, and later Protestants in reinterpreting scripture to accommodate new theological ideas while attempting to uphold the integrity and authority of the scriptures. In the process, he probes three questions: How did Mormon doctrines develop? What are the scriptural underpinnings of these doctrines? And what do critical scholars make of these same scriptures? This book provides a fascinating and ground-breaking examination into the rich field of Mormon theology.

Charles R. Harrell, PhD., is an associate professor in Brigham Young University’s School of Technology. He is an ardent theological hobbyist and has published articles on Mormon theology in BYU Studies, The Encyclopedia of Mormonism, and Studies in Scripture.

We hope you will be able to attend this event, but if you can’t and would like to have a book signed or personalized by the author, we will be happy to take a prepaid order and either hold or ship it to you.

Benchmark Books

3269 S. Main St., Ste. 250

Salt Lake City, UT 84115

801-486-3111

I should point out that I've read through some of the book and have some fairly strong reservations about it, especially in terms of scope, methodology, and selection. Hopefully I'll have some time in the future to more fully lay out some of these reservations, but in the meantime I think it's an interesting book that should generate some fun conversation.

[David T]

I read a review copy of this and wrote a review on my blog a little while ago that you can read here: Down The Rabbit Hole: A Review of Charles Harrell's "This Is My Doctrine": The Development of Mormon Theology"

Blair, I look forward to seeing your thoughts. I always appreciate your reviews.

The book in question is at amazon here. The facebook event is here. I'm not going to be anywhere near Utah, but I'd certainly like to hear Harrell's perspective and respond to some questions. Anyone willing to go, return and report?

[RBoylan]

Blair wrote:

==I should point out that I've read through some of the book and have some fairly strong reservations about it, especially in terms of scope, methodology, and selection. Hopefully I'll have some time in the future to more fully lay out some of these reservations, but in the meantime I think it's an interesting book that should generate some fun conversation. ==

Same here. I read it a few days ago. While I found it to be a good volume, I did find it rather annoying at times, taking exception to Harrell's exegesis of texts and his understanding of contemporary biblical scholarship at times. While it is an important text for Mormon studies, it is not for the "faint of heart," if you will. I do look forward to you discussing your reservations with this volume in the near future.

[David T]

FYI for those interested - Kofford Books's Facebook page has a 25% off coupon code running today and tomorrow for all non-ebook items on their site, accessable to those who 'like' it.

[cdowis]

I read a review copy of this and wrote a review on my blog a little while ago that you can read here: Down The Rabbit Hole: A Review of Charles Harrell's "This Is My Doctrine": The Development of Mormon Theology"

I think that one can do both the red and the blue pill.

In this forum I am a gospel hobbiest, I go down the rabbit hole == the doctrine that death originated with Adam is tempered by the concept that death was present in the five days of creation, and the "no death before Adam" applies only to the sixth day.

But I then put on my church hat and find no problem with "no death before Adam" as a scriptural constant, nuances are unnecessary. "Before Adam", evolution, etc are not a gospel topics of discussion.

I am able to wear both hats, selecting either red or blue as necessary.

[RBoylan]

The video of his talk has been posted on youtube:

[David T]

So you know, Charles doesn't begin speaking until the 8:20 mark, so you may want to skip ahead.