MatthewG Stages an Ambush at MAD

[_harmony]

Though obviously there exists some significant overlaps, Biblical scholarship and Book of Mormon scholarship are two separate fields.

And the majority of those within Biblical scholarship look at Book of Mormon scholarship as.... legitimate? valid? Or the way you look at Latayne?

Did you read Raymond Westbrook's endorsement of the legal analysis John Welch adopts for ancient scripture in the book The Legal Cases in the Book of Mormon?

What does Westbrook say about John Tvedtnes?

[_Enuma Elish]

Hello Gadianton,

If degrees and scholarship were entirely "separate issues" as you claim, then DCP wouldn't fall all over himself trying to connect the output of FARMS to the degrees of the authors which, according to you, have nothing to do with their scholarly output. I'll be sure to quote you to him the next time he goes down this path.

I’m sorry. You must not be aware of the fact that DCP has always defended the use of both academic and non-professional scholars in the FARMS Review under the premise that arguments should be judged on their own merit, rather than according to a person’s credentials.

I agree with his perspective on the matter.

Hello Tak,

David that may be true.. but some observers may view your blog as a personal temple to your own intelligence and vanity..

No doubt. Fortunately, I truly don’t care if someone wrongfully assumes that my website is a personal temple to my own intelligence and vanity.

Hello Harmony,

And the majority of those within Biblical scholarship look at Book of Mormon scholarship as.... legitimate? valid?

Again, biblical scholarship is not the same as Book of Mormon scholarship. Someone can be a Book of Mormon scholar without being a Bible scholar and of course, vice versa.

Or the way you look at Latayne?

And how do I look at Latayne?

I haven’t read anything she’s written. She may have the most compelling arguments ever penned for all I know. Still, that wouldn’t change the fact that she has a religious degree from a non-accredited divinity school.

For all I know, Latayne’s brilliance may cause me to leave Mormonism and embrace the post biblical view of radical monotheism, but that would never change the fact that her degree is basically equivalent to an advanced certificate given Institute graduates in the LDS Church’s educational system.

best,

--DB

[_Mister Scratch]

Now, given the context of this, what are you led to believe? Do you in any way suspect that among that rather larger number would be things like scripture quizzes and screw-around pieces for SHIELDS? Or, instead, are you led to believe that Tvedtnes is a hardcore scholar who has produced an astonishing body of work?

I believe that Tvedtnes is a hardcore Book of Mormon scholar (in fact one of the finest ever) and I would assume that a list of 300 published articles would include both academic and non-academic works.

But that's not what I'm asking, Dave. I said: "given the context of this." I said nothing about a comprehensive "list."

You see: the issue here--as with Latayne--is one (supposedly) of honest representation. You claim that a person with a degree from a non-accredited place of learning ought to say, outrightly, that his/her degree is not from an accredited university, and that to not do so is dishonest, or unscrupulous, or unsavory in some way. (At least, that is what you seem to be implying.) If that is so, wouldn't you also need to insist that Tvedtnes somehow indicate that his scholarly output has been considerably less than "300 articles"?

[_Latayne]

It's true that I've been away from the LDS world for a long time. I guess I've lost touch with the increased value of an advanced certificate from an Institute. Is that true, that it's equivalent to my education?

--Undergrad degree with honors from the University of New Mexico (accredited), master's degree with honors from Trinity Theological Seminary and School of the Bible (accredited at the time I believe through the University of Liverpool, although undoubtedly someone can verify that for me), and original research, curriculum development and teaching, and a committee-approved dissertation for my Ph D from Trinity Southwest University (unaccredited.)

Latayne C Scott
www.latayne.com

[_Enuma Elish]

Hello Latayne,

It's true that I've been away from the LDS world for a long time. I guess I've lost touch with the increased value of an advanced certificate from an Institute. Is that true, that it's equivalent to my education?

Please note that I did not say that your "education" is equivalent to an advanced certificate from an LDS Institute.

It's not.

I stated correctly that a PhD in religious studies from a non-accredited conservative Christian divinity school is basically equivalent to one of our LDS students who graduates from a four year Institute program and then goes on to earn a certificate of advancement in religious studies.

Trinity Southwest Bible school calls their graduate degree a "PhD," the LDS Church Educational System calls their degree an "advanced certificate."

In my mind, they're both commendable accomplishments.

[_Latayne]

Thank you for clearing that up.

Latayne C Scott
www.latayne.com

[_Gadianton]

I’m sorry. You must not be aware of the fact that DCP has always defended the use of both academic and non-professional scholars in the FARMS Review under the premise that arguments should be judged on their own merit, rather than according to a person’s credentials.

I actually am aware that DCP defends everyone who writes for FARMS. But that does not contradict what I stated. That one of DCP's favorite tactics is to promote the apologetics of his apologists by raving over their secular degrees and attainments that have nothing to do with their apologetics.

[_harmony]

Hello Harmony,

Hi, EE. Nice to see you again.

And the majority of those within Biblical scholarship look at Book of Mormon scholarship as.... legitimate? valid?

Again, biblical scholarship is not the same as Book of Mormon scholarship. Someone can be a Book of Mormon scholar without being a Bible scholar and of course, vice versa.

That's not what I meant. Sorry I was not clear. I'll try again.

How do the majority of scholars within the Biblical scholarship world (and outside the Book of Mormon scholarship world) view Book of Mormon scholarship? Do they see Book of Mormon scholars as legitimate? Do they see Book of Mormon Studies as valid? Do they give any respect to any aspect of the Book of Mormon, or do they think of it as... how did you put that?... worthy only of an advanced certificate rather than a degree?

I'm trying to guage the respect given to Mormon Studies scholars from Biblical Scholars, and I guess I'm pretty clumsy about it. Sorry!