Friday, March 11, 2011

03/11/11 2PM Evangelical and LDS leaders meet


A delegation of Evangelical leaders went to Utah to meet with leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (a name that invites shortening to Mormon or LDS by its very length) to discuss doctrine and to see where (and whether) any genuine common ground between the two exists. The meeting took place yesterday during the semi-annual NAE board meeting (held for the first time in Utah. According to Leith Anderson (President of the National Association of Evangelicals), " "We hope this time of dialogue with LDS leaders will deepen our understanding of the Mormon faith and contribute to the ongoing work of evangelicals in Utah. For the sake of Christ and his kingdom, we seek to represent biblical evangelicalism to those who wouldn't hear or know. We also look for common ground on issues where we can work together." I’m glad to see them talking, just as I’m glad to see the leaders of any rival organizations, whether religious, governmental, business, or media talking to one another. And as someone who has studied this area of conflict somewhat, I think it would be tremendously useful if the NAE came out with a position statement clarifying both what Mormonism really is and what areas of agreement and disagreement exist between us.

No comments: