Need your feedback on a proposed study

[Below is a late post of an email I sent out to the mailing list on June 10, 2016. Sorry for posting this so late!] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (I'd like your feedback on a proposed study in the Fall. The question is below but I have a little background first....) I have a confession: I've become fascinated with Mormonism. About a month ago I got a visit from two Mormon missionaries who were going door-to-door. I wanted to find out exactly how their beliefs differ from mine and then figure out why I think mine are right and theirs are wrong. And so we began to talk. We chatted for about 45 minutes then set up another time to meet where we talked for a few hours. Then met again and again and again. All together we've met half a dozen times for well over 8 hours of conversation. The conversations have been great, the missionaries and other Mormons I've met have been wonderful, and the study has been deeply rewarding for my own Christian faith. That all said, I'm considering patterning our Fall study on the discussions I've been having with the Mormons. Disagreements between Christianity and Mormonism take form in fundamental ways that highlight the need for apologetics - to not only know what we believe but why we believe it. Here are some key differences I've uncovered. As you read these ask yourself if you can make the case to show why what you believe is true. Scriptural reliability: the Mormon claim is that they have pure texts from God via the Book of Mormon (and other scriptures) whereas our Bible has been so mistranslated through the years that the original message is lost. Are either reliable? Trinity: Mormons have a different conception of the Trinity than Christians. How would you explain the Trinity and why think that's correct? Nature of God: Mormons believe Heavenly Father has a body, Jesus became God, etc. What do we believe about God and why? Who is Man: Mormons believe we have always existed and can one day become gods. What do we think about humans? Gospel: How is a person saved and what is the gospel? Mormons and Christians use the same word "gospel" to mean different things.  Knowing what we believe is true: Mormons say that they know that Mormonism is true because God has confirmed it in their heart. Christians say the same thing about their beliefs. Is there any way to break the stalemate? There are many other things they believe that are really interesting. But the above list hits on some of the big topics. I'm continuing to meet with the Mormon missionaries and other local Mormons to discuss these things. They've become friends so I'd ask for your prayers for myself and them as we continue these discussions. Here's where I'd like your feedback. Would a six-week study of Christianity versus Mormonism be of interest to you? I'd like to invite my Mormon friends to participate in our study as well so that is added incentive to be able to explain what you believe and why! My rough plan for the study is as follows: Week 1 - What is Mormonism?: Have the missionaries explain Mormon beliefs, ask lots of questions, and get a grasp of fundamental Mormonism Week 2 - How do you know?: Discuss the claim of knowing truth by divine revelation (i.e. God tells us that Mormonism is true or that Christianity is true). Is that a valid way of knowing? If we both claim divine revelation who is right? [The rest of the weeks I'd like to identify our different understandings of each topic and examine which is more plausible. This is why it would be good to have some Mormons participate - to have them explain their beliefs so that we can identify the differences.] Week 3 - What scriptures are true? Week 4 – What is the Trinity (who is God and Jesus)? Week 5 - Who is man? Week 6 - What is the Gospel? Is this interesting to you? Would it interest others in your church? (Don't worry you're not necessarily committing yourself to participating in the study just because you think it's interesting.) As a kick-off event for this proposed study I've invited James Walker to talk about Mormonism and Christianity. The talk will be in the evening of Saturday October 8th. Save the date!

James Walker is a former 4th generation Mormon and president of Watchman Fellowship - a Christian apologetics ministry that does research on topics like Mormonism. Here is more information about Watchman Fellowship and James: James Walker Bio: www.watchman.org/staff/jameswalkerbio5.pdf  Watchman Promo Video (1.3 min): https://vimeo.com/90253783  James Walker Testimony - "From Mormonism to Christianity” (45 min): https://vimeo.com/47148429 Please reply with feedback, letting me know what you think about this topic. Hope you all are having a great summer. Thanks in advance for the prayers and feedback!