Recent Thoughts...
August 27,
2010
August 13,
2010
If one desires to gain a greater understanding of the majesty and
awesome glory and power of God the Father, I suggest going for a
hike through a mountain trail. I am a regular hiker and recently
had the opportunity to do so with my wife, youngest son, and my
older brother from Stinson Beach up to Mount Tamalpais in Northern
California. It was a relative rain forest with huge ferns,
redwoods, and a variety of wildlife and foliage. WOW – what a
great hike. I kept marveling at how God creates all that he
creates and how each element is entirely unique. How the ecosystem
works in perfect harmony and regenerates itself without the help
of man. My thoughts then turn to the fact that I as an individual
am part of God’s plan, just as everyone else is on this earth. We
have the opportunity to walk this journey in discipleship with
Christ to find joy and happiness in mortality and prepare
ourselves for life in the eternities. It is a perfect plan, but
only if we embrace it and live the gospel so as to understand the
plan and make the most out of it. How blessed we are to have such
a loving Heavenly Father, a forgiving Savior in Jesus Christ, and
the truth-revealing inspiration of the Holy Ghost. To that I
gladly accept the admonition of those who tell me to go “take a
hike!”
July 30,
2010
This week some doctoral students discussed that without knowledge
of history, culture and other social aspects of ancient times one
cannot fully understand the Bible. The group felt that one had to
be into the mind of the writer or things could easily be taken out
of context. I began my involvement in the conversation by adding
the aspect of “translation” can also act as a barrier to
understanding. However, I then took the group down the path that
the scriptures are for the common person, not only for the
learned. When Tyndale translated the scriptures into English for
the common person he was quoted as saying: "“I defy the Pope and
all his laws. If God spare my life ere many years, I will cause
the boy that drives the plow to know more of the scriptures than
you!” We understand the scriptures not by becoming scholars, but
by first and foremost relying on the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost
sets aside the need for scholarly understanding and puts into the
hands of the truth seeking individual spiritual understanding that
transcends the need to know culture, history, context, etc. When
we add to the inspiration of the Holy Ghost a knowledge of
history, culture and so forth our understanding can become
enriched and more full. If this was not the case, then we might as
well go back to the days of the early church where the peasants
relied on church leaders for their spiritual understanding - and
the church used this power as control over them. No thanks!
July 23,
2010
Why do some people feel a need to have religious debates? I guess
it can be stimulating for some, but it can get also get
ridiculous. With my new book reaching the masses I am starting to
get that familiar communication via YouTube and email about how
“wrong” I am in my explanations of Christian theology. I guess I
could be wrong in one or more places, but one must keep in mind
that my book is my opinion. Although everything regarding the
doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in my
books comes from the Gospel Principles manual and is official
Church doctrine, my Biblical explanations are formulated in part
from teachings I have come across from the LDS faith, but also
from my own study. The point is, we can have our own Christian
views and share those with others civilly. Since there is no way
to “verify” any of us being conclusively right, there is no need
to lash out and accuse me or anyone else of blasphemy. If you
don’t like my perspectives on Christianity then don’t buy my book.
I welcome communication from all people to share their views and
ask questions on mine, but there is a line that is crossed when
someone becomes so worked up that they begin getting personal and
nasty, destroying the credibility of their message. Let’s all keep
calm – we are brothers and sisters in Christ and can discuss these
things in a rational and loving manner.
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Shuster and Sale have joined forces
to bring to the LDS audience and other readers an impressive
presentation of Mormonism, drawing solely on the Bible for its
evidence and support. . . . This is a book worth owning and
savoring.”
Jeffrey Needle
The Association
for Mormon Letters
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"Eric Shuster's
Catholic Roots, Mormon Harvest will appeal to Catholics as
much as it will interest members of the The Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints… The decades he spent as a non-Mormon give
Shuster a distinctive vernacular, though, that gives even the most
well-known doctrines a fresh makeover.”
Mormon Times
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