Hugh Nibley respected by theologians

[_zeezrom]

I respect this guy but don't know much about him.

Would you say this is true:

He is respected by Theologians all over the world. No man can come close to His understanding of antiquity and how all civilizations play a role in the plan of man

?

What about historians? was he respected by historians?

[_BartBurk]

I'd be surprised if many theologians even know his name.

[_zeezrom]

I'd be surprised if many theologians even know his name.

why would you be surprised?

[_George Miller]

I respect this guy but don't know much about him.
Would you say this is true:

He is respected by Theologians all over the world. No man can come close to His understanding of antiquity and how all civilizations play a role in the plan of man

What about historians? was he respected by historians?

Nibley was indeed a bright guy. I own every volume in the CWHN except the latest one just released. I have also read each volume at least once. However, this pronouncement is overboard. I think, for the most part, he is unknown amongst non-Mormon historians and theologians. Any new historicist would consider his work problematic.

[_Aristotle Smith]

I respect this guy but don't know much about him.

Would you say this is true:

He is respected by Theologians all over the world. No man can come close to His understanding of antiquity and how all civilizations play a role in the plan of man

Whoever said that is full is crap, on all counts.

What about historians? was he respected by historians?

No one outside Mormondom knows who he is, unless they have friends or buddies inside Mormondom, then they probably get sick of hearing about him. I have read dozens of books on ancient near eastern history and biblical studies. I have seen him cited zero times.

Enumma Elish says he has a scholar friend who is not a member but has some Nibley books. I am curious to see if this friend has ever cited Nibley in any of his work. I would also be curious to know if he purchased those books or if they were gifted to him. If either of those is true it doesn't make the original statement true (he ain't known all of the world no matter how you spin it). But, if there is a small group of non members who do use his work I would be genuinely curious to know how they have used it.

Nibley did do some work in the 50's which was more scholarly and which may still be cited by historians. Most of these works are in Nibley's book "The Ancient State." His dissertation on Roman something-or-other may also still be cited.