Exploring Mormon Thought: The Attributes of God

Rating:
Summary: Lucid work on the LDS contribution to theistic thought
Review: Almost since its inception, the LDS concept of God has been maligned, misrepresented and misapplied by critics and members alike (though admittedly more of the former). Starting with the theistic conceptions of the Pratt brothers (inventive and inspiring though most of it is), the critique of materialism by T.W.P. Taylder riddled with 17th century dogmatism, and the famous debate between B.H. Roberts and the Rev. Van der Donkt, LDS theism has had a rough and tumble ride. Even in the mid to late 20th century, the LDS concept of God has often been either ignored or rejected out of hand without so much as a (serious) consideration (with very few exceptions). Blake's latest work (and the next two volumes in the series) presents LDS theism in a coherent light, giving it an intellectual respectability that cannot (or should not) be ignored.

David Paulsen, respected philosopher of religion at BYU, stated this of Blake's work: "Besides providing a worthy model of bilingualism [between the secular and the spiritual] which LDS scholars would do well to emulate, this book is ground-breaking in another respect: is by far the most penetrating and comprehensive study of the LDS understanding of the nature of God yet undertaken" (p. xv). With this I must concur. Even the work of Sterling McMurrin pales in comparison with this work, both in scope and lucidity.

Blake approaches the issue of theism from a broad perspective, providing basic information on classical theism, process theism and LDS distinctives. He discusses the classical views of God, their theoretical/philosophical foundations and ably critiques them, presenting arguments against the absolutist conception that have been given almost since its inception to the present. The primary topic of this volume in the series (as the title states) is the attributes of God, most particularly the "omni's" (omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent, omnitemporal, and the relevant sub-attributes, aseity, impassibility, simplicity and pure actuality).

Following his presentation and critique of classical theism, Blake next approaches these topics from an LDS perspective. He provides the reader with distinctive LDS contributions to these issues, presenting a new foundation upon which one can build an understanding God and His relation to the world. Though some of the concepts will be familiar to those who have read Hartshorne and Whitehead, among others, the inclusion of distinctive LDS concepts place Blake's theistic conceptions in a slightly different category than those presented in process thought (including the emphatic anthropomorphism of LDS theism, as opposed to the "primitive" deity of process neo-classicism).

The final, and admittedly most important, part of Blake's book is the last two chapters on Christology. After explaining the initial development and concepts of various Christology's (particularly the "dual nature" theory), Blake presents what has to be the most lucid, explicit description of LDS Christology, in light of the previous chapters, ever given. Though previous LDS authors imply many of the concepts Blake gives explicitly (B.H. Roberts immediately comes to mind), none approach the topic as thoroughly as Blake has in this work. Blake's professed Christology presents a profound, coherent, integrated view that has wonderful ramifications (even for the mechanism of the atonement, though I do not believe Blake has yet seen the possible connection).

It is my belief that this work will be the seminal reference for an LDS concept of God for years to come. Blake has set the foundations that generations of LDS philosophers/theists may build on (and hopefully advance from). Though admittedly not an explication of *the* LDS concept of God (if such exists), Blake's analysis provides one viable (and powerful) path that the practicing LDS can walk down with faith and reason synergistically integrated.

Rating:
Summary: Astute, detailed, philosophical, intrinsically fascinating
Review: Exploring Mormon Thought: The Attributes Of God by Blake T. Ostler is the first volume of a planned series of intense, deeply reasoned and profoundly written works on the issue of Mormon thought. Providing the reader with an in-depth examination of the Christian and Mormon viewpoints of God that is very highly recommended reading for both Mormon and non-Mormon students of Christian oriented theology, Exploring Mormon Thought is an astute, detailed, philosophical, intrinsically fascinating, thoughtful and thought-provoking treatise.

Rating:
Summary: A Seminal Book
Review: In this book Blake Ostler situates the Mormon concept of God within the framework of the analytic philosophy of religion. The result is a book length discussion of Mormon theology that surpasses in sophistication anything that has been written since Sterling McMurrin's Theological Foundations of the Mormon Religion, and in my opinion Ostler's treatment is better than McMurrin's (an often overrated thinker). There has been a recent increase in interest in the philosophical analysis of Mormon theology. Thus far the results have been confined mainly to academic journals and panel discussions. With Exploring Mormon Thought, the first major book length treatment of Mormon theology, by a Mormon, written in philosophical language has emerged from these discussions. This book represents a sophisticated statement of Mormon doctrine that anyone approaching the subject from a philosophical perspective will have to deal with in the future.

One of the book's great strengths is its discussion of Christology, which to my knowledge has never been treated philosophically from a Mormon perspective. If the book has a weakness is that it probably spends more time than it needs to in reviewing and summarizing recent academic literature in the analytic philosophy of religion. The summaries will be useful for a reader unfamiliar with the material, and Oslter is obviously trying to situate his book in this discussion by signaling that he has been diligent and responsible in canvassing the relevant literature. However, the discussion gets tiresome at times, and I suspect that some portions of the book will not age well as a result. Indeed, at times one is at a loss to see what -- if anything -- is peculiarlly Mormon about Ostler's discussion.

Still, this is a must read book for anyone interested in philosophy and Mormonism.

Rating:
Summary: A Seminal Book
Review: In this book Blake Ostler situates the Mormon concept of God within the framework of the analytic philosophy of religion. The result is a book length discussion of Mormon theology that surpasses in sophistication anything that has been written since Sterling McMurrin's Theological Foundations of the Mormon Religion, and in my opinion Ostler's treatment is better than McMurrin's (an often overrated thinker). There has been a recent increase in interest in the philosophical analysis of Mormon theology. Thus far the results have been confined mainly to academic journals and panel discussions. With Exploring Mormon Thought, the first major book length treatment of Mormon theology, by a Mormon, written in philosophical language has emerged from these discussions. This book represents a sophisticated statement of Mormon doctrine that anyone approaching the subject from a philosophical perspective will have to deal with in the future.

One of the book's great strengths is its discussion of Christology, which to my knowledge has never been treated philosophically from a Mormon perspective. If the book has a weakness is that it probably spends more time than it needs to in reviewing and summarizing recent academic literature in the analytic philosophy of religion. The summaries will be useful for a reader unfamiliar with the material, and Oslter is obviously trying to situate his book in this discussion by signaling that he has been diligent and responsible in canvassing the relevant literature. However, the discussion gets tiresome at times, and I suspect that some portions of the book will not age well as a result. Indeed, at times one is at a loss to see what -- if anything -- is peculiarlly Mormon about Ostler's discussion.

Still, this is a must read book for anyone interested in philosophy and Mormonism.