Distinctive Christianity

In this episode, we welcome Dr. W. Paul Reeve to discuss his book Religion of a Different Color: Race and the Mormon Struggle for Whiteness . Though many will know some of the history of the race-based priesthood and temple ban within the LDS community (that was ended in 1978) – most do not know the history of the racializing of the Mormon community itself by the broader American public. In this e...

In this episode, we welcome back Dr. William Dennison to discuss the new book The Problem of Evil by Christian and Reformed philosopher Cornelius Van TIl. Dr. Dennison has edited this previously unpublished work, and written a very helpful introductory essay to aid the reader in seeing the relevance of Van Til's essay to more contemporary discussions. Dr. D frames both some believing and non-b...

In this episode, we welcome back Dr. Loren Pankratz to discuss his article: “Mormonism’s ‘Great Secret,’ Freedom, and Evil” . What is the Problem of Evil, both in terms of the existence of evil and of “gratuitous evil”? Is it a problem of equal weight upon the Christian and LDS traditions, given their differing views of the nature of God and gods? Today, Loren takes us through the Christian thinki...

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Richard M. Gamble to the show to discuss his book In Search of the City on a Hill: The Making and Unmaking of an American Myth . How did the teaching of the Incarnate Lord, Christ Jesus – a warning to Christians, ministers and about the Church – become secularized and mythologized into a defining mission of the political kingdom of the USA? We start off discussing C...

In this episode, we welcome back Dr. Kim Riddlebarger to discuss his book The Lion of Princeton: B. B. Warfield as Apologist and Theologian . Who was Benjamin Breckinridge Warfield and why does he matter, even today? From B.B.’s work in textual criticism to apologetics, his work on patristics to his career reviewing books – the great Princeton professor is as relevant as ever, addressing and impro...

In this episode, we release on our podcast feed an interview conducted by Bradley Campbell of God Loves Mormons with Dr. Matthew Emadi about the biblical temple - how it points to and is fulfilled in Christ Jesus. The interview also discusses some implications for how we understand and discuss LDS temples and Mormon temple theology. Original Video - Utah Pastor: Why Latter-day Saints Miss the TRUE...

In this episode, we welcome back Dr. Matthew Emadi to discuss John 14.28 , wherein Jesus Christ states: “for The Father is Greater than I”. Do Christians get Christ right? LDS prophets and apostles, as well as laymen and apologists have used this verse to defend the LDS Jesus as a lesser god than their (and Jesus’) Heavenly Parents are. How have Christians understood this passage, how have they un...

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Paul Gottfried to discuss his book Fascism: The Career of a Concept . Given the problem of definition and of historical ignorance that often colors modern political discourse, what even is (and is not) fascism? In other words, what is a “single, coherent account” of fascism, the definition of which is “historically and conceptually delimited”? Paul takes us into the...

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Christopher Watkin to discuss his book Jacques Derrida . There are things that Derrida saw as myths and illusions – such as logocentrism and phonocentrism. There are many myths people wrongly put upon Derrida – such as language being meaningless, him being a complete “moral relativist”, being a “Marxist”, and confusing objective truth with determinate truth. From wh...

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Ignacio Garcia to discuss his book Eduardo Balderas: Father of Church Translation, 1907-1989 . Translating LDS Scripture, Hymns, manuals, magazines, general conferences, and even the Temple ceremonies into Spanish – Eduardo remains one of the most important LDS figures of the twentieth century, all with hardly any broad recognition today. Dr. Garcia takes us through...

In this interview, we welcome Dr. Vern Poythress to discuss his book Redeeming Science: A God Centered Approach . Given the predominant view of conflict between science and religion, how do we as Christians faithfully approach both Scripture and the world around us? What is scientific law, and how is it an “analogous mystery” of the attributes of the Triune God? Why is there so much naturalistic p...

In this episode, we interview Dr. Leonardo De Chirico about Pope Francis and the legacy of his pontificate. From Jorge Bergoglio’s earlier days as a Jesuit priest, to his official theology as the head of the Roman Catholic Church - what is Francis’s theology, and what is his relation to Roman Catholicism, more generally? Leo takes us through these questions and more, with a particular focus on the...

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Mark David Hall to discuss his book Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land: How Christianity Has Advanced Freedom and Equality for All Americans . Who were the Puritans and did they fit the stereotypes modern people often have of them? What was the context of the Salem Witch Trials? Did the American War for Independence fit within or violate the Christian traditio...

In this episode, we welcome back Dr. Lydia McGrew to discuss the accounts of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ in the Gospels. What are some of the most popular criticisms of the Resurrection accounts, and how should we think through the issues involved? Considering the widespread dismissal of Christ’s bodily resurrection (in time and space), as well as what is often poor argumentation in defense o...

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Ardel Caneday to discuss his book The Race Set Before Us: A Biblical Theology of Perseverance and Assurance . When Jesus teaches “But the one who endures to the end will be saved” - how should we understand this text? How should Christians approach the juxtaposition of promise and warning in scripture without doing damage to the assurance of salvation on one hand, a...

In this episode, we conclude our interview with Bill McKeever, founder and president of Mormonism Research Ministry . We ask Bill about how he started researching Mormon history and theology, and what led to the founding of MRM. Bill then takes us through a bunch of examples of how he separates fact from folk-tale in Mormon historical claims, and why it matters. We end with a question as to whethe...

In this episode, we welcome Bill McKeever, founder and president of Mormonism Research Ministry (MRM). We ask Bill about how he started researching Mormon history and theology, and what led to the founding of MRM. Bill then takes us through a bunch of examples of how he separates fact from folk-tale in Mormon historical claims, and why it matters. We end with a question as to whether he, as a Chri...

In this episode, we welcome back Dr. Kyle Beshears to discuss his article: “‘That Sacred Depository’: Biblical Content in Joseph Smith’s 1832 First Vision Account” . The earliest account of “The First Vision”, and written in Joseph Smith’s own handwriting - Kyle takes us through the substantive message of the 1832 account via an analysis of the Biblical citations, allusions, and echoes. Is there m...

In this episode, we welcome back Pastor Jason Wallace to discuss his new documentary “The Cult of Alcoholics Anonymous” . What is the true story of the religious founding of Alcoholics Anonymous, and what does it reveal about the organization, the Twelve Steps, and even Bill Wilson himself. Going back to Frank Buchman and the Oxford Group – Jason takes us through the dangers of both liberalism and...

In this episode, we welcome back Dr. Michael Haykin to discuss his book Patrick of Ireland: His Life and Impact . Who was Patrick of Ireland, and why does he matter today? What is the real history of Patrick, and what was the core of his theology? In this episode, Dr. Haykin takes us through some of the life and times of this great saint – as well as highlights from his Confession. What was the Ch...

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Nicholas Perrin to discuss his article “The Temple, A Davidic Messiah, and a Case of Mistaken Priestly Identity (Mark 2:26)” . What is “the Abiathar Problem”, and what are people missing who use this passage to assume the evangelist Mark (or even Jesus, Himself) made a mistake? Dr. Perrin takes us through the “mystery” of Abiathar’s appearance in Mark 2.26 and demon...

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Samuel Emadi to discuss his book From Prisoner to Prince: The Joseph story in biblical theology . Sam takes us through highlights of the Joseph Story (Genesis 37-50), and its place in Genesis, as a whole. Moreover, how was the Joseph Story used by the Lord in the Parable of the Tenants and in Stephen’s Speech? Why did the early Christians so clearly see Joseph as a...

In this episode, we interview Dr. Loren Pankratz about his article “Was Joseph Smith a Monarchotheist? An Engagement with Blake Ostler’s Theological Position on the Nature of God” . Loren takes us through how LDS philosopher Blake Ostler is not only making theological claims, but historical claims regarding Joseph Smith’s theology – some of which are at odds with the plain reading and more mainstr...

In this episode, we interview Dr. Thomas G. Alexander about his book John A. Widtsoe: Scientist and Theologian, 1872-1952 . We cover some basics of Widtsoe’s biography, including a prestigious career as a scientist and public administrator - in addition to being an LDS Apostle who wrote a lot about LDS doctrine and practice. What was Widtsoe’s contributions in Mormon history and thought – and what...

In this episode, we welcome  Virgil Walker , Vice President of Ministry Relations for G3 Ministries, to discuss his article: “The Truth Behind MLK’s Social Gospel” . Virgil takes us through highlights of MLK’s views of essential doctrines of the Christian Faith. What do the primary sources, written by MLK himself, reveal about his views of God, Scripture, Jesus Christ, the Virgin Birth and Resurre...