Every once in a while I Google my name to see what in the world-wide web is being written about Mike Ghiglia. This past month Pastor Todd Wood of Berean Baptist Church in Idaho Falls made mention of our ad in the Post Register on his blog site: Heart Issues for LDS. The ad was for our class being taught at Eagle Rock Baptist Church: Mormonism from the Ground Up–An Introduction to the LDS Faith from a Protestant Perspective.
Below is an excerpt from the 22-comment thread.
MinJae Lee wrote:
I have to take the side of those who doubt that a Protestant (Baptist or otherwise) will give a fair and accurate account of what the LDS people really believe.
As I am in Korea, I doubt that I will be able to attend Mr. Ghiglia’s presentation to give him the same chance - though I would if I were in the area. The fact that he quotes LDS scripture and General Authorities in no way comforts me. Many have done so and, almost without exception, have taken them out of context or, in the case of LDS General Authority quotes, given them more authority than they ought to have.
Unfortunately my extensive past experience is overwhelming. The errors, outright lies, and vitriol I have experienced since my conversion to the LDS faith many years ago has left me very suspicious of all. Korea is the most Christian nation on the Asian continent (since we consider Russia to be European) and Protestantism thrives (mostly Presbyterians and Assemblies of God rather than Baptists). I have endured many attempts by others to tell me what we believe and none, not one, has been fair while some have been intentionally misleading and others violent.
I hope my Protestant brothers and sisters will forgive my lack of trust but it is born of experience. I am not without hope, however.
Mike Ghiglia wrote:
MinJae Lee brings up some salient points which I am compelled to chime in on from my perspective as an evangelical missionary to LDS.
First, many Evangelicals do in fact make the mistake of telling LDS what they personally believe. When this occurs, especially in error, it naturally leads to doubt and distrust. Rather, I teach Evangelicals to share their understanding of LDS doctrine from the perspective of LDS Scripture and the teachings of LDS General Authorities. Given the right motives and Christ-like behaviors, it then becomes much more fertile ground for ferreting out any apparent disparities.
Second, many Evangelicals do in fact misrepresent the teachings of the LDS church and/or General Authorities. This, too, is understandably intolerable in the minds of LDS, especially when Evangelicals have little or no desire to gain more accurate knowledge through open-minded dialog and investigation with LDS. To the best of my ability I try to address and correct these shortcomings among Evangelicals. On the other hand, LDS would do well to give grace to Evangelicals when we make honest mistakes and not judge us by our closed-minded and vitriolic counterparts. The key on both sides of the issue is a humble and teachable spirit; when we lack humility our spiritual fruit dies on the vine.
Finally, and this will not sit well with some LDS readers, my experience in the mission field is that there exists a considerable variance of opinion among lay LDS in particular on core gospel doctrine (some are in line with the LDS church, others are not). It is the refreshing exception when the latter examine the quotes of LDS General Authorities with me with hopes of closing this gap; it is disconcerting, however, when many LDS reflexively label my use of these quotes as being taken out of context and/or not having the necessary authority to clarify core LDS gospel doctrine.
In conclusion, closed-mindedness cuts both ways among Evangelicals and LDS. The question is: How willing are we to allow the Spirit to slice and dice the “heart issues” that ultimately hinder our relationship with the Son and thus the Father?
This is the link to the 22-comment thread:
http://heartissuesforlds.wordpress.com/2008/04/08/april-mormonism-from-a-protestant-perspective/#comments.
Charis kai eirene (Grace and peace), Mike
