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PrevPrevious EpisodeProtestant Theology in Book of Mormon? (Part 5 of 8)
Next ExpisodePentecostals in Book of Mormon (Part 7 of 8 Chris Thomas)Next

Troubling Stories in Scripture (Part 6 of 8 Chris Thomas)

Table of Contents: Troubling Stories in Scripture (Part 6 of 8 Chris Thomas)

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There are lots of troubling stories in scripture: the sacrifice of Isaac, the banishment of Hagar. I’m going to get personal and share some of my spiritual struggles with these stories with Dr. Christopher Thomas, a theologian at the Pentecostal Theological Seminary. How will he respond?

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GT:  But, at any rate, the whole story about Abraham trying to sacrifice Isaac, that story just bugs me so bad. I know it’s supposed to be a [symbol for Christ.] Christians have taken that story and say, “Well, it’s like Christ.” Jews who have kind of rationalized it, “Did God really command Abraham?” There’s an ancient Jewish scholar that said, “Well, Abraham misunderstood, and it was an angel that was sent to Abraham and said, ‘Don’t do that.'”[1] If we look at Abraham’s day, especially, human sacrifice was common. If we look at the Book of Abraham, Abraham was going to be sacrificed, which is apparently an Islamic story as well. I’ve always wondered if there’s some parallel, if that Book of Abraham story is related to Islamic texts, because that’s in the Quran, apparently. But, at any rate, I would much rather follow the interpretation that Abraham was a product of his day. His dad tried to sacrifice him. He’s trying to sacrifice Isaac, because that was kind of what you did to show your devotion to God and that it was an angel that said, “No, Abraham, you’ve got to stop.” That was a bad revelation, or whatever. To me, that is much more palatable of an explanation than God said, “Abraham, go kill Isaac.” It just boggles my mind. And even that God would say that with Jesus, “Jesus, you’re going to have to die for everybody sins.” I guess if you go with the idea that Jesus did this willingly, and somehow His body is going to atone for billions, maybe trillions of people that have ever been born, [it’s really hard to grasp.] It’s mind boggling to me, and it still bothers me that God would require this. I mean, can you talk me down from the ledge here?

Chris:  No. I think we’re so close to the stories that their power sometimes escapes us. I have a friend who told me about her grandson who went to this children’s church, her two grandsons. She asked the oldest one, she says, “What did you learn today?”

He said, “Oh, we learned about Abraham and Isaac.”

She said, “Okay,” and so she asked the younger one. “What did you learn today?”

He said, “Was that that guy that tried to kill that kid, or murder that kid?”

I mean, I think we sanitize the stories, often.

GT:  I know.  I think we really do sanitize it.

[1] Rabbi Yosef Ibn Caspi (Spain, early 14th century) wrote that Abraham’s “imagination” led him astray, making him believe that he had been commanded to sacrifice his son. Ibn Caspi writes “How could God command such a revolting thing?”

Do you like the traditional interpretation of the Abraham and Isaac story, or does it bother you?  How can Christ’s atonement really work for billions of people?  Check out our conversation….

- Troubling Stories in Scripture (Part 6 of 8 Chris Thomas) - Mormon History Podcast
Are you troubled by the story that Abraham tried to kill Isaac?

Don’t miss our previous conversations with Dr. Thomas.

582: Protestant Theology in Book of Mormon?

581: Tongue-Speech in Book of Mormon

580: Pentecostal View of Book of Mormon Theology

579: Is Book of Mormon a Pacifist Book?

578: Pentecostal Theologian Gives Book of Mormon the Bible Treatment

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More Podcasts with these Guests:

  • *Comparing Mormons & Pentecostals (Part 8 of 8)
  • Pentecostals in Book of Mormon (Part 7 of 8 Chris Thomas)
  • Protestant Theology in Book of Mormon? (Part 5 of 8)
  • Tongue-Speech in Book of Mormon (Part 4 of 8)
  • Pentecostal View of Book of Mormon Theology (Part 3 of 8)

Get more information on the people and things discussed in this episode:

  • Guest: Chris Thomas
  • Theology: Book of Mormon, Interfaith, Theology
  • Historical Mentions Mormon History
  • Tags: Abraham, Church History, GT Podcast, Isaac, iTunes, Pentecostal, sacrifice

Tell me when the next episode drops!

PrevPrevious EpisodeProtestant Theology in Book of Mormon? (Part 5 of 8)
Next ExpisodePentecostals in Book of Mormon (Part 7 of 8 Chris Thomas)Next
  • Date: November 16, 2021
  • Guest: Chris Thomas
  • Theology: Book of Mormon, Interfaith, Theology
  • Historical Mentions Mormon History
  • Tags: Abraham, Church History, GT Podcast, Isaac, iTunes, Pentecostal, sacrifice
  • Posted By: RickB

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Rick Bennett is the friendly, independent historian at the heart of Gospel Tangents LDS Podcast: The Best Source for Mormon History, Science, and Theology. When he isn't interviewing Mormon scholars, prophets, and others, he is teaching math and statistics at Utah Valley University. He also freelances as a research biostatistician in the fields of Dermatology and Traumatic Brian Injuries, as well as in the network television/cable T.V. industries as a sports statistician. Rick holds a Master of Statistics Degree from the University of Utah.

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