Bridging the divide: the continuing conversation between a Mormon and an Evangelical provides another chapter in the ongoing saga of interfaith dialogues.

• Author: Millet, Robert L.
• Position: Religion

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RELIGION IS A TOUGH thing to talk about, especially when there are theological differences between the participants in the conversation. Most traditional Christian groups have managed to bend, stretch, and cut one another enough slack so that what outsiders would perceive to be significant differences are acknowledged, but allowed, under the large umbrella of Christendom. Thus, differences in such fundamental doctrines and practices as to what it takes to be saved; the involvement (or noninvolvement) of men and women in their own conversion process; priestly hierarchies, necessity, and mode of baptism and other sacraments; manifestations of the Spirit; pre- or post-millennialism; and Lordship salvation, etc. are understood to be less vital than more central and saving truths, thereby permitting variation and variety among the children living under one large roof.

In recent years, interfaith dialogues have gone forward between such groups as Roman Catholics and Lutherans, Catholics and Evangelicals, Orthodox and Lutherans, and Orthodox and Pentecostals. In addition, on a much more limited, but nonetheless worthwhile, basis, meaningful conversations have gone on between Evangelicals and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) on such topics as the nature of God and fallen humanity; work of the Atonement; proper place of grace and works; deification; Trinity; status of scripture, creeds, and sola scriptura; place of religious authority; and several other concepts.

In 1997, our colleagues Craig Blomberg of Denver Seminary and Stephen Robinson of Brigham Young University broke new ground through the publication of How Wide the Divide? A Mormon and an Evangelical in Conversation, addressing themselves at some length to the issues of scripture, God, Christ, and salvation. "This is a landmark book, the first of its kind--an engaging dialogue between scholars of two 'opposing' religious communities presented in a context of civility and mutual respect," comments Ronald Enroth, professor of sociology at Westmont College. "It will have substantial significance, both to Mormons and to Evangelicals, and is sure to generate discussion."

Indeed it has, eliciting praise and criticism from both sides. There were those who felt as though one or the other had conceded too much, had compromised too much in some way, or did not represent his own faith tradition boldly or even accurately. There were those who simply felt it inappropriate for a Christian to engage in serious dialogue with one who is, by most Evangelical standards of measure, a non-Christian; to do so was to "legitimize" the LDS claim to a place under the Christian umbrella. On the other hand, many Latter-day Saints were satisfied, feeling that they finally had been given their day in court--permitted to tell their own story in a national publication.

It was in the aftermath of How Wide the Divide? that the two of us (Millet, a professor, and Johnson, a former...