New Approaches to the Book of Mormon: Explorations in Critical Methodology

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• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1560850175
• ISBN13: 9781560850175
• Release Date: January 1993
• Publisher: Signature Books
• Length: 460 Pages
• Weight: 1.82 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.5" x 1.5" x 6.5"

Customer Reviews

Challenging and wonderful

Having read the book and the FARMS review I did get a bit puzzled. In some way the FARMS review was a bit patronising - I mean which one of their review isn't? - but at the same time behind all the ad hominen-attacks FARMS did have a point. For those who don't know about FARMS, it is a unit in the Brigham Young University, which does research confirming the historicity of the Book of Mormon (BoM). Metcalfe et al are on the other side of the "battle" challenging the historicity of the BoM thru the historical critical method, the same that is used for any book thru history, be it Bible or the Bagavad Gita! The essays written do make a point too I may say. The researchers are grand names of Mormon history, belonging to both the Utah and Missouri-based branches of the Joseph Smith movement. They do not agree with traditional Mormon scholars when it comes to the question of historicity. Every essay treats - implicitly though - the BoM as a modern 19th century scripture written by Joseph Smith. This is not a new understanding of the presumed authorship of BoM, but it is done in a new way. Every essay tries to let the BoM-text speak for itself, then it compares it to other scriptures in the 19th century and finally concludes that the book is modern. Other essays try to respond to the growing research on the BoM as an ancient historical document (research mainly coming from FARMS). The authors give an insight of the BoM, they show the complexity of the scripture, its deep theological questions - called it what you want: anti-universalistic, modalistic, midrashic - and therefore contribute to the on-going discussion of the sacred, the profane, the factual, the mythical etc. The article about BoM geography by Matheny is done in a superb academic way. Matheny deduces - hypothetically - potential artefacts that should have been left from the civilisations in the BoM. Then she compares it to actual artefacts and concludes what was concluded about the Bible in the late 18th century, that there is no proof. This thorough investigation is counter-argued by Sorensen in his FARMS review, with the same detailed analysis. Hutchinson discusses in an absolute way the sacredness of the scripture being more important than its historicity. How convincing it may sounds, in a traditional belief faith is history, there is no myths, but one true myth. I agree fully with Hutchinsin, being myself liberal and so. Vogel brings up the BoM's message to the 19th century America, which seems to put in question the universalism of those days, ie the teaching that Christ saved us all whether we believe in it och not. Vogel does not say that Joseph copied the different books, but argues that the anti-universalistic discourse in BoM captures the tone of those days. Same goes for Thomas in analysing the sacramental prayer of Moroni and in comparing it with the sacramental prayers of 19th century America. Ashment tries to see how the original language of the BoM could have been an

Remarkabal book for Mormnites

I love this book wotten for monites. It is an umbiased approach to the Book Of Mormon, froma natural point of view. We need the oft-ignored and negelected persopective.Brain Metclaff is well known among scholars, and is quit elike Ayn Rand. He is really schoolarship's answer to Elvis.It is that good.

A Unique Approach to the Book of Mormon

Although the "Book of Mormon" is a fascinating and important piece of 19th century literature which has had a place in American history that should not be dismissed, it seems that very little serious work has been done on the book itself. Certainly, rivers of ink have been spilled on the question "Is the book truly an ancient document?" -- a proposition that is not really in question for anyone except certain devout followers of those Mormon churches which take the book as holy writ. "New Approaches to the Book of Mormon" moves beyond this question. This is no "Anti-Mormon" tract which is attempting to "disprove" the "Book of Mormon" -- this is a series of articles by scholars who want to look more deeply into the book and pull out the implications. As with any book that is a compilation of articles, some have more appeal to me than others and so I'm giving the book only 4 stars. I especially recommend the articles: (1) "Multiply Exceedingly..." -- which is a thoughtful analysis of the population figures given in the "Book of Mormon"; (2) "Anti-Universalist Rhetoric..." which puts some of the theology in the "Book of Mormon" -- which now seems obscure -- back into the context of the theological controversies of the early 19th century; (3) "A Record in the Language of my Father..." which discusses the "Book of Mormon" and its (non-)relationship with ancient languages; (4) "The Priority of Mosiah..." which brings up some compelling points about the order in which the "Book of Mormon" was written; and (5) "Does the Shoe Fit?" which successfully counters the theory advocated by FARMS (the Utah Mormon apologetic group) that the ancient Mayan culture generally fits the "Book of Mormon" Nephite people. If you're interested in the "Book of Mormon", this book will surely be very thought provoking for you. As each article is rather specialized, this probably shouldn't be your first introduction to the "Book of Mormon" -- but for those who already have some familiarity with the "Book of Mormon", I heartily recommend "New Approaches..."

Written by ex-Mormons or Mormons who were later exed?

Contrary to the incorrect information provided by the reviewer below, this book was not written by ex-Mormons. It was written by Mormon scholars who are more concerned with truth than continuing to perform the Mormon practice of "Lying for the Lord". For writing an honest book based on evidence--rather than faith--several of the authors were excommunicated from the Mormon church (against their wishes). If you are interested in the Book of Mormon's historicity you need to read this book and the FARMS review.

Research that pulls no punches

This book really changed my views about the Book of Mormon. The writers (mostly LDS) contend that the Book of Mormon looks more like a 19th century work of "inspired fiction" than like a genuine ancient document. Some writers argue that it isn't important for the Book of Mormon to be historical; most focus their energies on the archaeological, linguistic, and historical questions raised by the book. Since I'd read a lot of Hugh Nibley and John Sorensen's writings, and was exposed to a lot of mainstream LDS apologetics at Brigham Young University, I had some idea of what the arguments in favor of historicity were. This collection took solid swipes at many of them. I'm sure that future research will modify many of the conclusions presented here, but this work is the best collection that I know of bringing together well-researched liberal Book of Mormon scholarship.