'stoned for his Testimony - Part 1
Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 4:38 pm
In 1997, Allan K. Burgess, a well-loved seminary teacher, received the "just dues" of his testimony from the overzealous Amy L. Livingstone, an operative of the FARMS Review. Burgess wrote a book called Timely Truths of the Book of Mormon and according to Livingstone the back cover reads, "focuses on the relevance of the Nephite record to everyday concerns".
Of course, with that admitted upfront, how could Livingstone, following the instructions of the patented Review Method, do anything but set her expectations of the book to contribute a mountain of original research to Near Eastern scholarship and then crush the attempt as a failure while other apologtists look on and yuk it up?
Why do the reviewers for FARMS, like an angry mob of Pharasies, stand an guard 24/7 ready to stone anyone who comes within ten feet of uttering the words "Book of Mormon" without supplying groundbreaking scholarship? (as if anything FARMS has published on the Book of Mormon would be considered scholarship by anyone but FARMS)
But why would anyone picking up Burgess's book think they are getting a "new approach" to Book of Mormon scholarship?
An instant failure! Imagine, a dutiful Latter-Day Saint writing on a book which is the "keystone" of his religion is brutally beaten by a fellow Latter-Day Saint for supporting his views from the foremost official LDS publication, The Ensign, and testimony?
The hatred of Chapel Mormonism runs deep in this angry review. This passage nearly qualifies as speaking evil of the Lord's annointed,
A heiness crime! Especially coming from a seminary teacher! And a telling commentary on what the author of our stoning feels about the Church's educational system.
What could be worse for an Internet Mormon than Sunday School lessons, which everyone knows are rambling and boring? All that will change though when the apologetic coup is realized.
Oh yes, such as the six essays written by Tvedtness? Or the epic, Warfare and the Book of Mormon? A necessary plug for any "Review".
Finally, this "Review" barely followed the ABA formula. The As were very, very thin. About a sentence. The stoning comprised the rest, but that's the fun part, isn't it?
Of course, with that admitted upfront, how could Livingstone, following the instructions of the patented Review Method, do anything but set her expectations of the book to contribute a mountain of original research to Near Eastern scholarship and then crush the attempt as a failure while other apologtists look on and yuk it up?
Livingstone wrote:those looking for a scholarly treatment of Book of Mormon themes are likely to be disappointed ... its shallow approach to the subject matter.
Why do the reviewers for FARMS, like an angry mob of Pharasies, stand an guard 24/7 ready to stone anyone who comes within ten feet of uttering the words "Book of Mormon" without supplying groundbreaking scholarship? (as if anything FARMS has published on the Book of Mormon would be considered scholarship by anyone but FARMS)
Livingstone wrote:Readers looking for a motivational (as opposed to instructional) text will fare better than those expecting a new approach to Book of Mormon scholarship
But why would anyone picking up Burgess's book think they are getting a "new approach" to Book of Mormon scholarship?
Livingstone wrote:he relies most heavily on stories and quotations from the Ensign and other anecdotal sources to support his points
An instant failure! Imagine, a dutiful Latter-Day Saint writing on a book which is the "keystone" of his religion is brutally beaten by a fellow Latter-Day Saint for supporting his views from the foremost official LDS publication, The Ensign, and testimony?
The hatred of Chapel Mormonism runs deep in this angry review. This passage nearly qualifies as speaking evil of the Lord's annointed,
Livingstone wrote:Topics ranging from adversity and repentance to missionary work and warfare are brought up but not pursued beyond rote seminary understanding
A heiness crime! Especially coming from a seminary teacher! And a telling commentary on what the author of our stoning feels about the Church's educational system.
Livingstone wrote:I was left feeling unsatisfied and slightly bored, as though I'd been reading a rambling series of Sunday School lessons
What could be worse for an Internet Mormon than Sunday School lessons, which everyone knows are rambling and boring? All that will change though when the apologetic coup is realized.
Livingston wrote:consideration of the growing body of scholarly literature on the Book of Mormon should also enhance a believer's search for new ways to comprehend and apply these texts
Oh yes, such as the six essays written by Tvedtness? Or the epic, Warfare and the Book of Mormon? A necessary plug for any "Review".
Finally, this "Review" barely followed the ABA formula. The As were very, very thin. About a sentence. The stoning comprised the rest, but that's the fun part, isn't it?
