Disqus - Latest Comments for elchupacabras

Re: The Reformation turns 500. Do you have your Luther Playmobil action figure at the ready? I do.

elchupacabras — Tue, 24 Oct 2017 18:32:21 -0000

/Luther thought you needed baptism and the Lord’s Supper and that’s about
it// Yes and no. Both are considered to be efficacious only when combined with the Word. God administers the Holy Sacraments himself. As per the Book of Concord, "For to be baptized in the name of God is to be baptized not by men, but
by God Himself. Therefore, although it is performed by human hands, it
is nevertheless truly God's own work.'

//And even then it wasn’t the power of the church that saved you, but
faith// But it is the Church that administers the Sacraments. The Sacraments are channels of grace and it is through the normative act of baptism that faith is bestowed. This is antithetical to LDS doctrine (as was alluded to).

It seems odd that any LDS would look up to Luther. I really don't get it.

While we are on the topic-- why did the LDS Church emasculate "A Mighty Fortress?" The LDS version only uses that stanza. Everything else is different.

(Full disclosure: Ex-Mormon, LCMS member looking at entering Seminary)

Re: Studying Mormon history leads to the loss of faith?

elchupacabras — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 20:06:12 -0000

And now you're doubting my existence as a goat sucker! Merry Christmas!

Re: Studying Mormon history leads to the loss of faith?

elchupacabras — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 17:52:31 -0000

No, Mormon history was not the total reason I sent in my letter to SLC and removed my garments-- it was likely more theological. That said, when uncovering the ugly parts of history, my decision to leave was a no-brainer.

I'm also glad you mentioned coffee, Dan! For years, I looked at non-Mormons with envy for years as the savory aroma tantalized my senses. You're just jealous that you can't partake of a cup of French-roasted bliss. Coffee is evidence that God exists.

Re: No mention of Joseph Smith at First Presidency “Smithmas” devotional?!?!?

elchupacabras — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 10:44:18 -0000

As if that really deterred me. :-)

Re: No mention of Joseph Smith at First Presidency “Smithmas” devotional?!?!?

elchupacabras — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 10:43:08 -0000

I would concur that there are some bad Evangelical services. Some of them are full of drivel. But seriously, where is the theology in an LDS Sacrament meeting? Most of the talks are pretty bad and represent experiential theology. Anything passes at times. I've heard it all (especially when I lived in Mexico).

You say that body and blood are mere symbols? Jesus did not. Always knew you were a closet Zwinglian! And yes, my own church's practice calls me to be SUSPICIOUS of sacramentarians:

http://bookofconcord.org/hi...

Re: No mention of Joseph Smith at First Presidency “Smithmas” devotional?!?!?

elchupacabras — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 10:36:19 -0000

Thanks, Daniel! :-)

Re: No mention of Joseph Smith at First Presidency “Smithmas” devotional?!?!?

elchupacabras — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 09:07:19 -0000

Theology did. It didn't help having a Christless number of sacrament meetings. I feel sorry for you Mormons. Sacrament meetings are likely the most boring thing I could ever imagine. It's awesome to hear intellectually stimulating exegesis of the Bible with the preaching of the law and Gospel where I am at now. No longer is it "bread and water" but the body and blood of Jesus.

Re: No mention of Joseph Smith at First Presidency “Smithmas” devotional?!?!?

elchupacabras — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 08:07:03 -0000

Curiously, this is one of the things that lead me out of Mormonism. The last two Christmas "Sacrament Meetings" that I attended before resigning, there was absolutely NO mention of Christ other than during the Mormon "communion" with bread and water (prison food). One Sunday was all about Joe Smith's life and "contributions," whereas the other was a smattering of talks about everything from family history to the Word of Wisdom. Oh well-- much happier to be out than I ever was in. Merry Smithmas, Dan!

Re: Mormons and Creedal Christians: Common Ground? | Ralph Hancock | First Things

elchupacabras — Fri, 13 May 2016 10:22:49 -0000

This is quite absurd. Even LDS apologists now say that this is ridiculous:

http://publications.mi.byu....

Unfortunately, as recent as 2010, I've personally seen this presented to congregations in Mexico in front of "Prophet" Tom Monson. If you speak Spanish, I discuss these supposed "connections."

http://www.pesquisasmormona...

Re: Mormons and Creedal Christians: Common Ground? | Ralph Hancock | First Things

elchupacabras — Thu, 12 May 2016 10:09:52 -0000

If you accept both Old and New Testaments, you must harmonize the teachings which stipulate STRICT monotheism. Look at the text itself, not the Q'uran. Show me a Bible verse that advocates "polytheism."

Re: Mormons and Creedal Christians: Common Ground? | Ralph Hancock | First Things

elchupacabras — Thu, 12 May 2016 10:07:34 -0000

The Mormon baptismal formula is TRITHEISTIC. Since the 4th century, it has long been declared as heresy. Many of us do understand the actual points of disagreement. I am an ex-Mormon who has formally studied systematic theology at the university level. The issue is that you likely don't understand what the Trinity is.

Re: “The Mosque That Is as American as Apple Pie”

elchupacabras — Sun, 13 Dec 2015 21:23:37 -0000

So, Daniel, has Muḥammad ibn `Abd Allāh been baptized by the Mormons?

Re: “Child sees angels bear President Monson up at General Conference”

elchupacabras — Sun, 11 Oct 2015 22:31:29 -0000

Good catch, Dr. Shades. And of course, in typical Dan Peterson style, he won't take a hard stance against the purported account because it is beneficial to supporting Mormonism.

Re: News Flash: Some Critics of the Church are Unfair and Unreasonable

elchupacabras — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 22:16:46 -0000

And when is Quinn going to be an apostle? Spencer Kimball prophesied that he would be one (as per Quinn in Mormon Stories). Still waiting.....

Re: Joseph Smith and a religious litmus test for the American presidency

elchupacabras — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 22:53:16 -0000

We disagree on virtually EVERYTHING, but on this occasion, Dr. Peterson, I concur. Well said!

Re: “Pastor’s Corner: The Religious Message of ‘The Book of Mormon’ Musical”

elchupacabras — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 14:18:11 -0000

Dan, if you would attend an Anglican, Lutheran or Reformed Church, there is plenty of liturgy AND preaching. Confessional Protestants do not devalue the liturgy. You would be correct if you referred to "Evangelicalism" in your assertion, which is a type of Protestantism.

Re: “Traces of the Gospel in Four Great Islamic Classics”

elchupacabras — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 18:09:10 -0000

Uttering a word ("without being paid") - $100,000
Being invective and vicious -- $125,000
Being a CURMUDGEON to Protestants-- PRICELESS!

Re: “Pastor’s Corner: The Religious Message of ‘The Book of Mormon’ Musical”

elchupacabras — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 09:30:12 -0000

//And the historical and theological roots of both Unitarianism and Universalism are most definitely located in Protestantism.//

In the current day and age, most UU members are agnostic at best.

Theologically, a Protestant subscribes to the three ecumenical creeds as well as the five solae. The UU is to Protestantism what Mormonism is to Christianity.

Re: In which I endorse a presidential candidate

elchupacabras — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 18:59:46 -0000

Bernie wants FAIR trade. Gut NAFTA, the TPP and other treaties that have emasculated the worker and transferred the wealth to the oligarchy. And Mormon Mitt Romney's Swiss and Caribbean accounts were honest? (Maybe in the 1 percent's estimation.)

Re: In which I endorse a presidential candidate

elchupacabras — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 18:57:09 -0000

It's funny that LDS apologists now support the ultra right. If Hugh Nibley had been around these days, he would have supported Bernie. No doubt about it.

Re: “Pastor’s Corner: The Religious Message of ‘The Book of Mormon’ Musical”

elchupacabras — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 18:43:36 -0000

Dan, since when is the "UU" a Protestant church? Look at the bottom of the post and it states, "Rev. Elizabeth L. Greene of Magic Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, may be reached at uurev@pobox.com."

Uh, sorry, that's not Protestant.

Re: “Joseph the Seer”

elchupacabras — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 12:34:16 -0000

I smell a red herring. Have you ever heard the Sesame Street song, "One of These Things Is Not Like the Other?" I would have expected a more erudite response than that from such an esteemed professor.

Re: “Joseph the Seer”

elchupacabras — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 10:39:48 -0000

I spent 5 years living in Mesoamerica. I lived 3 blocks from a pyramid. After looking at the evidence and discussing the possibility of the BoM with archeologists from Mexico's INEGI, it became apparent just how ridiculous the prospect was that it could be true. I'd encourage you to read MIchael Coe's works on Mesoamerica. According to Coe, there is less than 1 percent chance that the Book of Mormon is historical.

Re: “Joseph the Seer”

elchupacabras — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 10:35:42 -0000

Darren, Mormons believe in Tritheistm-- NOT Trinitarianism. (Then again, if you look at Joseph Smith's L:ectures on Faith, it was binatarianism at that time.)

God is not just one in unity. God is not an office in which each member had to be tested in other worlds to attain "unity," God is uncreated, eternal and without body, parts and passions.

I reject the fact that the Father is "supreme." Your declaration is bordering on Arianism and heresy that has long been discredited by the church. You fail to understand they hypostatic union of Christ as both God and man, as well as his humbled state in which he submitted to the father while incarnate. Mormon Christology is very different. Christ was not engendered by a coital act (as affirmed by many LDS leaders), nor was he "born in the land of Jerusalem," never visited the Americas, is not still progressing nor did he marry (as early Mormon apostles suggested.)

With all due respect, this is Theology 101. (And yes, another reason why I apostatized from Mormonism).

Re: “Joseph the Seer”

elchupacabras — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 10:24:47 -0000

According to Webster's Dictionary, an employee is "a person who works for another person or for a company for wages or a salary."

Unless you are lexicographically privileged, it would appear to me that you are trying to wiggle out of your own words, because they contradict your former declarations.

Let's look at some of them, Dr. Peterson:

"It's
substantially complete, though, and the Institute owes my associate
editors the proper fees for their services. It's no fault of theirs that
you're spiking this issue."

So
are we to believe that Associate Editors are paid "fees" but the editor
isn't? Well DCP answers that question himself later in the same email:

"Pending
my dismissal from METI, I will insist that I continue to be compensated
as a director in my role, which I will now have more time for, as its
editor in chief. I also expect my usual fee as editor of the issue of
the Mormon Studies Review that you've killed. It was finished and ready
to go."

The term "proper fees" for "services" indicates that you actually were an employee.