Mormons and Catholics

This will be the first installment of a new series where I point out notable articles, blog discussions, or news items about Mormonism or Catholicism that may be attention worthy to the other faith. Some of the items will not be current. Right now I keep better tabs on the Mormon side of things but hopefully that will change over time. On to my picks.Two Times and Seasons Bloggers tackle issues of authority

Ed Johnson in Arguments and Authority finds a logical fallacy in a LDS church publication geared toward teens. He wrote: “One could argue that the use of a flawed argument to support a teaching lessen it’s authority. In fact, one could argue that the use of any argument, flawed or not, reveals that the source of the teaching is not revelation, but personal interpretation or extrapolation.” Some interesting comments:

• If, however, one invests a speaker with authority because one believes that yielding one’s will and decision-making to another is a kind of transcendent virtue, then the flawed argument by the speaker is probably irrelevant. (#10)
• While it is true that authorities don’t get their authority by virture of some innate characteristic that each has, it is also true that to be an authority is almost always to occupy a position within a culture, society, etc., a position in relation to other persons, things, and practices. (#18)
• [W]e are commanded to obey the prophets and church leaders. We are not commanded to agree with them. (#19)
• More practically, overselling either revelation or logical argument has very serious risks. (#28)
• It’s not the pattern of the Lord to give reasons. We can put reasons to commandments. When we do we’re on our own. (Quoting Elder Oaks #31)
• I usually assume the conclusion of the argument is correct, and find a different, more convincing way of arriving there. (#59)
• Some, having once had a witness that the Church is true and that the Brethren are God’s spokesmen, need no further witness to follow quickly and unquestioningly each and every word of the prophets, seers and revelators. Others of us (I am one) return to the fount of truth, the Holy Spirit, when difficult or controversial counsel is given, to help determine or understand if and how it is applicable in our lives. (#84)
• I don’t have a problem with Oak’s premise that pure reason alone cannot possibly lead to faith, as I believe such a Thomas Aquinas like notion to have been successfully superceded by existentialism. . .(# 115)

Farms Review contributor Nate Oman discusses The Rhetorical Burden of Authority. He suggests that “Any Mormon who wishes to offer vocal public criticisms of Mormon authority should explain not simply why Mormon authority doesn’t cover this situation or why it is illegitimate.” Like the other entry, many of the commenters present models for understanding authority and how to dissent properly. I point these blog entries out because I am preparing for an upcoming review of an outsider of Catholicism who criticises its history of authority. I am trying to position myself to look at the same data from the position an insider would take.

Puritanism without Calvinism

Nate Oman and commenters look at Mormonism’s Puritan heritage for possible influences and the challenges converts from this background could have faced from marked differences. For example, the Puritans did not like ritual and so that influence may have created difficulty in introducing temple rites. What about Quaker influence? If Mormonism inherited Quaker missionary zeal, they have at least toned down some of the obnoxiousness. “Quaker women were known to enter Puritan meeting houses naked and call out that we are all naked in the eyes of God and encourage the Puritans to listen to their inner voice.” (# 15) This thread sheds light on the question of whether Mormonism was a restoration or just an eclectic product of its culture.

Two Priesthoods

I would like to introduce both my Mormon and Catholic readers to Wilfried Decoo with this archival blog post. Although formerly a Catholic and now a Mormon, Wilfried now has many positive things to say about his former faith. He has influenced me a lot about being sensitive to those in other faiths and cultures. The values he has retained from Catholicism are clearly an asset to the Mormon community. This article has him tagging along with his uncle, a Catholic priest, and both of them giving a dying man final blessings.

Quick Picks

More positive interfaith quotes in comment #6

Vatican Excommunicates Chinese Bishops

Jimmy Akin’s Response

“It’s not a Christian film, it’s a Mormon film.” Ignorance strikes again.

Edward Peters on Baptizing TomKat’s Baby

Dr. Peters recently wrote:

I have suggested that the most theologically significant decision reached by CDF under Cdl. Ratzinger was its 2001 declaration that Mormon baptism is invalid, despite eligible ministers and recipients, and despite proper matter and form. Reopening a debate that seemed settled since the time of Sts. Augustine and Cyprian, Mormon baptisms are invalid apparently solely on the basis of intention, that fifth, and in many ways most elusive, of the factors impacting sacramental validity.