Me, My Shelf, & I – How Latter-day Saints and Evangelicals understand the Bible differently
Apr 3, 2025
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In this engaging discussion, Stephen Smoot, a doctoral candidate in Semitic languages, Dr. Ben Spackman, an expert in American religious history, and Travis Anderson, a missionary assistant, delve into the intricate differences in biblical interpretation between Latter-day Saints and Evangelicals. They tackle topics like Sola Scriptura, ongoing revelation, and proof texting, all while sharing personal anecdotes and humorous insights. The panel emphasizes the importance of context in understanding scripture and encourages constructive dialogue across faith traditions.
The concept of Sola Scriptura emphasizes scripture as the ultimate authority for evangelicals, contrasting with Latter-day Saints' belief in ongoing revelation through living prophets.
Latter-day Saints view scripture as dynamic and subject to interpretation, while evangelicals typically see it as a fixed and unchanging text.
Engaging with diverse scholarly perspectives, including Jewish interpretations, can illuminate differences and enrich understanding of scripture for Latter-day Saints.
Discussions around grace and works reveal significant theological misunderstandings, yet both Latter-day Saints and evangelicals ultimately seek transformation through their relationship with God.
Deep dives
Understanding Sola Scriptura
Sola Scriptura, or scripture alone, is a foundational principle for many evangelical Christians, emphasizing that the Bible is the ultimate authority in matters of faith. This concept originated from the Protestant reformers who sought to eliminate what they considered human additions to Christianity that had accumulated over centuries. For many Latter-day Saints, however, the understanding and interpretation of scripture also involves living prophets and continuing revelation, which contrasts with the evangelical view. As a result, there is often a miscommunication between Latter-day Saints and evangelicals due to their differing assumptions about authority in religious matters.
The Role of Prophets in Interpretation
For Latter-day Saints, prophets play a crucial role in providing revelation and interpretation of scripture, a perspective that distinguishes them from many evangelical traditions. This belief leads to the understanding that scripture is not static; it continues to be interpreted and can evolve through ongoing revelation. In contrast, evangelicals tend to view scripture as a fixed text that does not require additional interpretation from modern prophets. As such, discussions around scriptural interpretation often become contentious, with both sides believing that they have the correct understanding of the same foundational texts.
Encountering Different Interpretations
Engaging with opposing viewpoints can be enlightening and help refine one's understanding of faith. One example is the exercise of reading Jewish scholarship on the Old Testament, which reveals interpretations that are sometimes markedly different from traditional Latter-day Saint beliefs. This exploration can lead to the realization that many interpretations can coexist and that a deeper understanding of scripture can arise from acknowledging various perspectives. Such engagement not only deepens one’s own beliefs but also enhances the ability to converse effectively with those who hold differing views.
The Complexity of Grace and Works
The concepts of grace and works are often misinterpreted in conversations between Latter-day Saints and evangelicals, leading to significant misunderstandings. Evangelicals commonly assert that salvation comes purely through grace and faith, while Latter-day Saints often emphasize the necessity of works and obedience to commandments. However, both traditions ultimately seek a transformation through their relationship with God, albeit expressed in different theological frameworks. The discussion surrounding grace and works highlights the rich yet complex dynamics of both theology and personal faith journeys.
Reading the Scriptures in Context
To fully understand the scriptures, it's critical to read them in context, considering the historical and cultural background of the texts. Many Latter-day Saints have realized the value of engaging with diverse resources, including Jewish and evangelical scholarship, to enrich their understanding of both the Old and New Testaments. When discussions about scriptural passages arise, being informed about the cultural nuances can enhance the conversation and offer a more robust interpretation. In this way, Latter-day Saints can confidently share their beliefs while acknowledging potential differences in understanding.
Building a Relationship Through Engagement
Engagement with those who hold differing beliefs helps to cultivate understanding and builds a foundation for respectful dialogue. Missionaries and members are encouraged to approach discussions with curiosity rather than defensiveness, asking questions that promote exploration rather than opposition. This method not only fosters goodwill but also allows individuals to express their perspectives more clearly, leading to more meaningful exchanges. Ultimately, constructive dialogue can transform contentious conversations into opportunities for growth and mutual understanding.
Recognizing the Value of Expertise
The view on expertise within religious discussions varies significantly between different faith traditions, including Latter-day Saints and evangelicals. While evangelicals often lean towards individual interpretation of scripture without reliance on external authority, Latter-day Saints recognize the importance of scholarly input and expertise in understanding their doctrines. This difference can sometimes create barriers in conversation, as some members may feel uncertain facing well-informed opponents. Embracing academic resources and engaging with expert perspectives can empower individuals in their discussions and provide a broader view of shared scriptures.
In this special episode, Sarah Allen, Jennifer Roach Lees, and Zachary Wright host a panel discussion on the topic “How Latter-day Saints and Evangelicals understand the Bible differently.”
Panel participants:
Stephen Smoot: https://www.plonialmonimormon.com/
Dr. Ben Spackman: https://benspackman.com/
Travis Anderson: @missionarydiscussions1286
References in this episode:
JSH 1:12–13
Dr. Christian Smith, “pervasive interpretive pluralism”. (The Bible Made Impossible: Why Biblicism Is Not a Truly Evangelical Reading of Scripture by Dr. Christian Smith)
Dr. James Kugel: https://www.jameskugel.com/ (The Idea of Biblical Poetry: Parallelism and Its History by Dr. James Kugel)
Deutero-Isaiah in the Book of Mormon: Latter-day Saint Approaches by Joshua M. Sears (chapter from They Shall Grow Together: The Bible in the Book of Mormon by Dr. Charles Swift and Dr. Nicholas J. Frederick, Editors)
Relational Grace: The Reciprocal and Binding Covenant of Charis by Dr. Brent J. Schmidt https://brentschmidt.org
Relational Faith: The Transformation and Restoration of Pistis as Knowledge, Trust, Confidence, and Covenantal Faithfulness by Dr. Brent J. Schmidt https://brentschmidt.org
References in this episode:
