Why are LDS drawn to biblical studies?

[_Joseph Antley]

I wanted to get some takes on this. I would guess that there are a disproportionate amount of Latter-day Saints who go into academia whose field is related to biblical studies. Do you agree with this? What draws us in? Is it all about apologetics, i.e., we just want to study the Bible so as to prove Mormonism right and the EV's wrong? Or is there something bigger?

What do you think?

[_Euthyphro]

I wanted to get some takes on this. I would guess that there are a disproportionate amount of Latter-day Saints who go into academia whose field is related to biblical studies. Do you agree with this? What draws us in? Is it all about apologetics, i.e., we just want to study the Bible so as to prove Mormonism right and the EV's wrong? Or is there something bigger?

What do you think?

I always guessed that was the case, yeah. Mormon delight in secrets and mysteries of God and his works. I think they figure the more meaning they can wring out of the text the closer they'll be to learning some nugget of hidden godly truth.

Bart Ehrman started out as an evangelical who began studying theology, Bible text history, and biblical languages. He larned himself right out of his faith in God. Do you think Mormon Bible scholars are more or less likely to fall into that trap? Why or why not?

[_Joseph Antley]

Bart Ehrman started out as an evangelical who began studying theology, Bible text history, and biblical languages. He larned himself right out of his faith in God. Do you think Mormon Bible scholars are more or less likely to fall into that trap? Why or why not?

I think that biblical criticism is much more threatening to Evangelicalism than it is to Mormonism.

[_Darth J]

I would say it is because Mormonism views itself as a continuation of the religion in the Bible. That is, the religion known to Moses, Abraham, and early patriarchs, as well as the religion known to Peter, James, John, Paul, etc. are the same religion as Mormonism, in the view of believers in the LDS Church.

That view would not be limited to the LDS Church, however. I think this is true of Mormonism, generally---"Mormonism" being all of the religions claiming to be the continuation of the church that Joseph Smith started. For example:

The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is based on the 'fundamental' teachings of our Savior as recorded in ancient scripture and revealed through modern-day Prophets.

[_Kevin Graham]

LDS are drawn to biblical studies?

Since when?

David Bokovoy will represent one of the few true Bible scholars the Church has. The number of bonafide Bible scholars in the Church over the past century can be counted on one hand.

LDS are drawn to apologetics, which requires having faith in authorities on the Bible. They rely on them the same as they rely on John Gee to defend the Book of Abraham.

[_Joseph Antley]

David Bokovoy will represent one of the few true Bible scholars the Church has. The number of bonafide Bible scholars in the Church over the past century can be counted on one hand.

...are you serious?

[_aussieguy55]

Bart Ehrman started out as an evangelical who began studying theology, Bible text history, and biblical languages. He larned himself right out of his faith in God. Do you think Mormon Bible scholars are more or less likely to fall into that trap? Why or why not?

I think that biblical criticism is much more threatening to Evangelicalism than it is to Mormonism.

that's a strange comment, think of N T Wright, David Hays. English university divinity departments are full of evangelical scholars

[_Kevin Graham]

Well, I should rephrase. There are some BYU professors of Hebrew who have worked on the DSS, but true "Bible" scholars generally are those who master both New Testament Greek along with Old Testament Hebrew. I can't think of any reputable experts in New Testament within the Church. No one who would be considered a New Testament scholar outside BYU. Can you? Most LDS apologetics rely on arguments that derive from interpretations of New Testament texts.

[_Joseph Antley]

Well, I should rephrase. There are some BYU professors of Hebrew who have worked on the DSS, but true "Bible" scholars generally are those who master both New Testament Greek along with Old Testament Hebrew. I can't think of any reputable experts in New Testament within the Church. No one who would be considered a New Testament scholar outside BYU. Can you? Most LDS apologetics rely on arguments that derive from interpretations of New Testament texts.

Off the top of my head, Thomas Wayment, Eric Hunstman, Wilfred Griggs, Frank Judd, and Gaye Strathearn are all New Testament/Early Christian scholars at BYU.

In my OP, I didn't intend biblical scholars who are must be versed in Hebrew and Greek. That's way too limited. Most who specialize in early Christian studies never learn Hebrew; Greek, Latin, Coptic, etc., are far more important.

[_Kevin Graham]

Never heard of them, but I still counted them on one hand.

But the thread seemed to suggest that Mormons were inclined towards biblical studies. Well, compared to what? Compared to other faiths? I think it should be obvious that Mormons are less inclined than other faiths. Evangelicals are far more inclined to get into biblicaal studies. There are numerous Evangelical theological seminaries designed to educate people for this purpose alone. The Church offers New Testament Greek at BYU and employs a handful of experts, but that's about it. Of course a lot of this has to do with the LDS notion that working to become a Bible expert/minister is wrong. Mormons are more inclined to study Greek or Hebrew as a side hobby rather than their primary field of expertise.