Keystone Ep. 29: LDS Scholar: This is where Christianity went WRONG
May 13, 2025
Terryl Givens, a renowned Latter-day Saint scholar and author, joins David Snell to dive into the provocative differences between Latter-day Saint beliefs and mainstream Christianity, particularly regarding the nature of God. They explore the theological shifts in early Christianity and the implications of concepts like divine love and atonement. Givens discusses the complexities of the Trinity and God's embodiment, encouraging a rethinking of traditional views while emphasizing relationships shaped by love and forgiveness.
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God as Love Revealed
- The core Christian understanding from John is that God is love, revealed fully in Jesus Christ's actions.
- This contrasts with views emphasizing God's sovereignty over love, highlighting God's empathy and connection to humanity.
Differing Views on Atonement
- Traditional Christian theology centers God's glory, making the atonement about God's honor.
- Latter-day Saints see God's purpose as anthropocentric, focusing on our happiness and eternal life.
Where Christianity Went Awry
- Christianity shifted away from Origen's universalism and Pelagius' free will around the 5th century.
- This shift prioritized divine grace over human freedom and narrowed salvation to a limited elect.