John the Baptist: Typology and Fulfillment

originally posted at FPR

I  recently read an essay by James M. Hamilton which has refined my perception of typology in the Old Testament and which I would like to discuss in regards to John the Baptist and the gospel of Matthew. As we know, Matthew presents a series of at least 16 Old Testament prophecies which he declares are fulfilled in the events surrounding the birth, ministry, and death of Jesus of Nazareth. A representative few of these prophecies are as follows:

Click here to read the rest!

Chosen or Posin' ? Abraham, Buffy, and Other Choice Spirits

OT SS Lesson #2 -- originally posted at Mormon Matters

This was an interesting lesson to read after last year's brou-ha-ha over an alleged "generals in the war in heaven" quote. On the 25th of February 2008, the Church issued an official statement from the Office of the First Presidency to all General Authorities, Area Seventies, Stake Presidents, Mission Presidents, District Presidents, Temple Presidents, Bishops and Branch Presidents which read:

A statement has been circulated that asserts in part that the youth of the Church today “were generals in the war in heaven . . . and someone will ask you, ‘Which of the prophet’s time did you live in?’ and when you say ‘Gordon B. Hinckley’ a hush will fall, . . . and all in attendance will bow at your presence. [You were held back six thousand years because you were the most talented, most obedient, most courageous, and most righteous.]”*

This is a false statement. It is not Church doctrine. At various times, this statement has been attributed erroneously to President Thomas S. Monson, President Henry B. Eyring, President Boyd K. Packer, and others. None of these Brethren made this statement. Stake presidents and bishops should see that it is not used in Church talks, classes, bulletins, or newsletters. Priesthood leaders should correct anyone who attempts to perpetuate its use by any means, in accordance with “Statements Attributed to Church Leaders,” Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 1 (2006), 173.

Although this is not Church doctrine, I don't see much which distinguishes it from the following quotation in our approved Sunday School Lesson #2:

Click here to read the rest!

Shlomo: A Key to Peace

This post was cross-posted at Mormon Matters.

In today's economy, you have to be really sharp to stand out over all those other applicants competing for the job you want. For example, I've heard that the following was a question used as part of a job application, designed to test good judgment:

Click here to read the rest!

Ardi and the Rise of Mormon Symbology

This post was cross-posted at Mormon Matters.


With the advance of science and the study of more and more artifacts such as Ardipithecus ramidus, believing Mormons are faced with a challenge which becomes stronger with each discovery.

Click here to read the rest!

Blogging and The Transformative Power of the Written Word

An article in the Biblical Archaeology Review recently touted the power of the written word in ancient times, citing blessing and cursing inscriptions which became infused with divine energy, giving "material reality to one’s innermost thoughts and even the soul itself."

Click here to read the rest!

Playing the Devil's Advocate with Kevin Barney's Article on Heavenly Mother

By now, those in the know have clicked on the link at the Dialogue journal website to read the free preview of Kevin Barney's article, "How to Worship our Heavenly Mother (Without Getting Excommunicated)." For quite a while I have been hearing about and greatly anticipating the appearance of this scholarly comparison of the Mormon Mother in Heaven with the female deity Asherah. And my readers will know of the great admiration I have for Kevin Barney's research, writing, and opinions. So it is with some regret that I feel compelled to point out some dangers and flaws in this piece.

Click here to read the rest!

Healing the Waters of the Dead Sea

originally posted at Mormon Matters

The Relief Society teacher was teaching the lesson on the signs of the Second Coming, and she was writing these events on the board as fast as the sisters could shout them out. "Wars," "Rumors of wars," "Pestilence," "Earthquakes," she wrote. Then came an unusual one:

"The waters of the Dead Sea will be healed."

Click here to read the rest!

Faith and Mythology in the Old Testament

Now that I'm about to sum up the Old Testament year in Seminary, I've been thinking about the power of myth in this ancient scripture. I don't intend this post to be a commentary on how I view the truth claims of scripture. Paul Revere, for example, was an actual historical figure who has attained a mythical status in the American mind. I have no doubt that some of the Old Testament is a factual history of the ancient Hebrews. Other stories contained in the record I am not so sure about. But all of these stories are valuable for the impact they have on our spiritual being.

This year, I've taught my students that as they encounter the strange and inexplicable stories in the OT, they should look for symbolic or mythic meaning. I've been intrigued with the power of myth in an individual life. Seeking the sacred through mythic and archetypal stories can yield lifechanging results. A consistent theme found in the Old Testament is the revelation of God which is given through dreams. Joseph, Samuel, Daniel, and a host of others experience God and are given direction in their dreams. This speaks to me of the power of the unconscious mind to reveal the Divine. Instructions about how to proceed in our lives are given in symbolic ways, and the better we are able to interpret the symbolic, the more integrated we become as human beings.

We do not have to be asleep to collect meaningful symbols from the unconscious mind. The Old Testament seems to me to be particularly rich in stories which can impart symbolic and archetypal meaning as we read and ponder. For now I will leave aside feminist problems with readings of the scriptures and simply advise that males and females open themselves to identify with all of the Biblical figures. A woman may identify with Jacob climbing a ladder on his ascent to God, just as a man may claim his place as part of the covenant people addressed as the "Daughter of Zion."

Carl Jung said that one's psyche is reinforced by contact with an archetype. Through this encounter one may feel transformation or the release of tremendous energy. I see this when I observe the study of the Old Testament in the Church. Why are some people so bored by the thought of reading or studying Isaiah, while others' eyes light up in anticipation? It is because these few have discovered meaningful symbols in the scriptural record which resonate in their souls.

When teaching the OT, especially to youth, I have seen the most success when introducing archetypal concepts through play, art, or acting out the stories. One interesting class session involved having groups of students build towers out of various materials (Legos, clay, tinkertoys, etc.), each trying to make the largest structure. In doing this, the groups experienced competition, cooperation, anger and frustration, pride, and a variety of human emotion. A follow-up discussion on themes in the OT story of the Tower of Babel was electrifying!

As students of the scriptures become familiar with archetypes, symbols and themes, they are able to open the books at the end of the day and use the stories to make sense of what they have experienced during the day. Try this experiment: find one of the strange little OT stories which are so common. Read it, not with a view to trying to force it to make sense, but trying to identify symbols or archetypes, and unrelated meanings. As you do this, you may begin to see how it illuminates something in your own life experience. You may feel a connection easing the human soul's alienation in the world, bringing you closer to an encounter with the Divine. This is the Hero's Journey.