Mormonism at the Crossroads of Philosophy and Theology: Essays in Honor of David L. Paulsen
Edited by Jacob T. Baker
Also available in ebook for the Amazon Kindle (Part One, Part Two), Barnes and Noble Nook (Part One, Part Two), Apple iBookstore (Part One, Part Two), and Kobo eReader (Part One, Part Two).
Book Synopsis:
Few scholars have made an impact on contemporary Mormon thought and theology like BYU Professor of Philosophy David L. Paulsen. Recently retired after nearly 40 years of teaching and mentoring, Paulsen has produced an imposing catalog of influential books and articles on Mormon teachings. More significant than his impressive scholarly oeuvre, however, has been his personal influence on generations of students, many of whom he inspired to become teachers and mentors themselves, and contributors to an increasingly interesting and relevant religious conversation. In addition, as one of the first serious LDS interlocutors with Orthodox Christian scholars, Paulsen has established professional and personal relationships with a wide array of non-LDS academics engaged in a serious and respectful dialogue regarding Mormonism and Christianity.
This volume is a collection of essays representative of Paulsen's wide-ranging professional and personal influence, collected in honor of his many achievements and published on the occasion of his retirement. Each of the authors (a majority of whom are not LDS) has been impacted by Paulsen's scholarship and friendship in important ways, and have authored essays reflective of this dynamic. In addition, the essays are significant contributions to Mormon thought in and of themselves, covering diverse areas of inquiry from Mormon atheology to the possibility of an Evangelical Mormonism; from Liberation Theology to Mormon conceptions of divine embodiment; from Mormon approaches to transcendence to Mormonism's confrontation with evil and suffering, and many more.
Contributors:
Jacob Baker
Carl Mosser
Brian Birch
Paul Owen
Craig Blomberg
Donald Musser
Joseph Price
Stephen Davis
Clark Pinnock
John Sanders
James Faulconer
Robert Millet
Lyndsey Nay
John Welch
Francis Beckwith
Blake Ostler
Douglas Davies
Dennis Potter
James McLachlan
Daniel Barron
Praise for Mormonism at the Crossroads of Philosophy and Theology:
"This richly stimulating volume offers fitting testimony to the respect and affection felt for David Paulsen and his work by a wide range of thinkers both within and without the Mormon tradition. In a very real sense, in fact, since he's the inspiration for it, this collection of essays continues and extends his quiet but deeply important contribution to Mormon thought and to thinking about Mormonism." —Daniel C Peterson, Professor of Islamic Studies and Arabic at Brigham Young University, Managing Editor, Middle Eastern Texts Initiative, Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
"There is no better measure of the growing importance of Mormon thought in contemporary religious debate than this volume of essays for David Paulsen. In a large part thanks to him, scholars from all over the map are discussing the questions Mormonism raises about the nature of God and the purpose of life. These essays let us in on a discussion in progress." —Richard Lyman Bushman, inaugural Howard W. Hunter Chair of Mormon Studies, Claremont Graduate University, author of Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling.
"This grand merci to a master teacher-scholar is a fitting tribute to a pioneer in intra-Christian encounter. It’s a daring act of intellectual exploration, too. Fifty years ago, the Second Vatican Council taught us that there can be no genuine Christian theology without an ecumenical change of heart. This book makes it clear that there can be no real ecumenism without the riches of the Mormon mind. Professor Paulsen’s impact on LDS thought is well known. Baker and his collaborators invite us to consider the larger scope of his legacy. These original and insightful essays chart a new course for Christian intellectual life." —Peter A. Huff, Besl Family Chair of Ethics, Religion and Society, Xavier University, and author of Vatican II and The Voice of Vatican II
"In a hundred years when the discipline comes of age, David Paulsen will be gratefully remembered as the first modern Mormon theologian." —Adam S. Miller, Professor of Philosophy, Collin College, author of Rube Goldberg Machines: Essays in Mormon Theology
"Far more than the rightly deserved celebration of one of Mormonism’s premier philosophers, this volume of smart, incisive essays advances the case for taking Mormonism seriously within the philosophy of religion–an accomplishment that all generations of Mormon thinkers should be proud of." —Patrick Q. Mason, Howard W. Hunter Chair of Mormon Studies, Claremont Graduate University
"These essays accomplish a rare thing—bringing light rather than heat to an on-going conversation. And the array of substantial contributions from outstanding scholars and theologians within and outside Mormonism is itself a fitting tribute to a figure who has been at the forefront of bringing Mormonism into dialogue with larger traditions." —Terryl L. Givens, Professor of Literature and Religion, University of Richmond, author of People of Paradox: A History of Mormon Culture
"The emergence of a vibrant Mormon scholarship is nowhere more in evidence than in the excellent philosophical contributions of David Paulsen. In this important volume, thinkers from several different religious and philosophical traditions engage in creative ways topics that David has written about--a marvelous tribute to a gifted intellectual leader!" —Richard J. Mouw, President, Fuller Theological Seminary, author of Talking with Mormons: An Invitation to Evangelicals"
"A must have for those interested in the Philosophy of Mormonism." —Kirk Caudle, The Mormon Book Review.
"There might be reasons today to give the alternatives to [traditional Christian] beliefs another look. If there are such reasons, then this book . . . is a good place to start." - Stephen Webb, author of Jesus Christ, Eternal God, BYU Studies
"Most striking about this collection is that non-Mormon contributors outnumber Mormon contributors–-certainly a first for collections honoring LDS scholars, and a reflection of Paulsen’s ability to attract and engage a variety of interlocutors." --Blair Hodges, By Common Consent
More Information:
ISBN: 978-1-58958-192-0