I thought one of the better informed apologists was John Tvedtnes. His Hebrew was excellent, his knowledge of Jewish thought was extensive, and he explored many areas between Mormonism and Judaism. Yes, he was coerced to make sure Mormonism always remained on top and the most interesting and correct and doctrinally accurate, etc., but in my view, and this has now become a bias of mine, since I am really studying Hebrew/Judaism must more completely now than I ever have, in my view, a better approach overall is to combine the Jewish spirituality with the Mormon one under the rubric of all Israel, not just this tribe or that. And maybe I am being quite naïve (wouldn't surprise me in the least), but this approach would actually interest far more than turn them off. A good solid analysis of the Tribe of Judah (forget the stupid thinking of converting now, gads those days are SO over, it's time to understand and build bridges and brotherhood already - hell I didn't even need a revelation from Jesus to state that truth) and their view of scripture, and USING them, alongside with Mormons' views and use of scriptures, integrating them together like a zipper does two sides of a jacket - well, that could be seriously enlightening, spiritually uplifting, and intellectually enlarging and very fun to do. It would be simply over the top SENSATIONAL to begin inviting Jewish leaders to speak to Mormons in the sacrament meetings, and to have them teach Mormons Hebrew in Sunday Schools. DAMN! ***I would GO BACK to church for that!***Lem
Thanks for writing about this Philo, I don't study this area as much as I probably should, so I always enjoy peeking in on your studies when you post. Your comment about Protestantism and meaning in scripture is fascinating food for thought. It also puts the near-constant mopologetic search for new and more parallelisms in an interesting light.
Why on earth is this not happening at all?! All today's idiots do is sit their dead dumb asses on piles of money instead of piles of learning and knowledge. Joseph Smith gave them the key of studying biblical languages himself. Packer is dead already, good gawd move forward already will ya?! Open up, expand, say something significant for once that actually is exciting. Time to come back to life!