From My Informant: Stormy Weather Ahead for Brant Gardner?

[_Enuma Elish]

And thanks for the kind words expressed in this thread; a lot of long time internet friends on this board that I admire for both their kindness and critical thought.

Over the years, my focus has transcended more and more to areas of spiritually and social justice independent from and oftentimes antithetical to traditional "apologetics" in any form.

I anticipate that my primary publishing efforts from this point forward will be in areas connected with a historical-critical approach to the Hebrew Bible.

--DB

[_Blixa]

And thanks for the kind words expressed in this thread; a lot of long time internet friends on this board that I admire for both their kindness and critical thought.

Over the years, my focus has transcended more and more to areas of spiritually and social justice independent from and oftentimes antithetical to traditional "apologetics" in any form.

I anticipate that my primary publishing efforts from this point forward will be in areas connected with a historical-critical approach to the Hebrew Bible.

--DB

Wow! That's fascinating. I really look forward to see how this develops.

[_Kevin Graham]

I remember back in the late 90's one of the more popular apologists online was author Michael T. Griffith.

FARMS Review published a blistering critique of some of his stuff and I think it was written by John Tvetdnes.

Through the grapevine I heard Griffith was absolutely furious with the review, and it seemed like he dropped off the face of the earth after that.

Maybe FARMS is trying to show once again how "objective" it is by criticizing some of their own.

Another example is Richard Hopkins' book about Greek Philosophy corrupting Christianity. Benjamin Huff took him to the woodshed on that one and again, Hopkins seems to have disappeared since.

There is a lot of behind the scenes drama going on with these competing apologists, it is rather funny to watch if you have a good view of it. I remember my first FAIR conference sitting beside Roger Cook, who couldn't stop talking to me about how Stephen Robinson was on the edge of apostasy for his views. He then went on a convoluted rant about how the time from April 6th 1830 to the publication of Robinson's book corresponds exactly to the time gap between the birth of Christianity and the apostasy which came with the Trinity doctrine. According to Cook, the Trinity started officially with Balisades (which made no sense to me) and so he used those numbers to insist this couldn't be just a coincidence.

This guy was supposed to be an up and coming LDS scholar in Patristics and he was counting the years for me with a straight face, explaining how Robinson's apologetics was the beginning of the Church's imminent apostasy. He then told me about all the drama between FAIR and FAIR founder Darryle Barksdale, why they kicked him out, and why they almost sued then FAIR member Richard Hopkins, and why Hopkins and Duayne Crowther were at each other's troats, etc. Pretty hilarious stuff.

[_Shulem]

Though once interested in such matters, I no longer engage in apologetics.
--DB

And your testimony will be over all in good time. It's over, pal.

And, you can take the so-called translations of the Book of Mormon and pencil them in between the lines of the Explanations of Facismile No. 3. All of it is a bunch of crap and you know it. You're a dishonest man. I have no respect for you.

Paul O

[_Shulem]

I wish Enuma Elish would become the model for Apologetic method for Mormons. I'm sorry to hear that the field which badly needs people like him is no longer interested.

Not going to happen. His tongue is tied and he is a slave to the cultish Mormon religion and the wicked brethren who run it. His job demands that he toe the line. Get out of line, boy, and YOU'RE FIRED! You'll be on the street looking for a job. So, go ahead and feast upon the words of Facsimile No. 3, like bread from Joe Smith's heaven. The Book of Mormon as are the Explanations of Facismile No. 3, are a lie. And he knows it. That's what makes him so disgusting in my book.

What a joke.

Paul O

[_Shulem]

How are things going for you these days, by the way? Did you wind up getting hired at BYU?

This is my final semester teaching at BYU. It's been a great experience. I loved the students, but I'm moving in a different direction.

Best,

--DB

Sounds hopeful. Perhaps you'll be moving out of the Church? Then you won't have to lug the silly Explanations of Facsimile No. 3 under your arm every Sunday. Just think, you'll finally rid yourself of false translations. Wouldn't that be nice? You can be a real scholar then!

Paul O

[_Shulem]

And thanks for the kind words expressed in this thread; a lot of long time internet friends on this board that I admire for both their kindness and critical thought.

Over the years, my focus has transcended more and more to areas of spiritually and social justice independent from and oftentimes antithetical to traditional "apologetics" in any form.

I anticipate that my primary publishing efforts from this point forward will be in areas connected with a historical-critical approach to the Hebrew Bible.

--DB

You'll get no kind words from me so put me on ignore. I think people on this board are too nice to you when all you do is support the cult and false translations. You're living a lie.

Paul O

[_Doctor Scratch]

How are things going for you these days, by the way? Did you wind up getting hired at BYU?

This is my final semester teaching at BYU. It's been a great experience. I loved the students, but I'm moving in a different direction.

Best,

--DB

That's unfortunate, Dave. Like Kishkumen, I think you could have been a powerful force for good at BYU. But, then again, maybe that's precisely the reason why you are now "moving in a different direction." Who knows--with different people in power, maybe things would have worked out differently?

Regardless, I wish you all the best.

[_why me]

That's unfortunate, Dave. Like Kishkumen, I think you could have been a powerful force for good at BYU. But, then again, maybe that's precisely the reason why you are now "moving in a different direction." Who knows--with different people in power, maybe things would have worked out differently?

Regardless, I wish you all the best.

Maybe he didn't like teaching for a career. It is not for everyone. People decide for themselves what their field of work will be. Dave will be a source for good whatever he does. He has a heart and a soul. But marking exams, correcting papers, reading research papers may at times be very consuming for someone who wishes to do something else.

[_why me]

Mormonism is not a cult. Apologists can be of different minds and still be friends and disagree with each other over issues about Mormonism. I see no reason to make an issue of it.