AuthorCast

Authorcast #112: Don Bradley, live author event at Writ & Vision January 20 2020

Show description: In this episode, we bring you a recording of a live author event with Don Bradley at Writ & Vision rare books and gallery in Provo, UT. Don discusses his new book, The Lost 116 Pages: Reconstructing the Book of Mormon's Missing Stories. He discusses his background, faith journey, research into the missing pages, and how piecing together many of the missing stories changed his view of the Book of Mormon.

The Lost 116 Pages: Reconstructing the Book of Mormon's Missing Stories
By Don Bradley

“Extraordinary. Sparkling with fresh and important insights into the history, nature, and contents of the lost portion of the Book of Mormon—and of the portion that we still have.” —Daniel C. Peterson, editor, Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship

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Authorcast #109: David B. Ostler, author of Bridges: Ministering to Those Who Question August 08 2019

In this episode of the Greg Kofford Books Authorcast, we chat with David B. Ostler about his book, Bridges: Ministering to Those Who Question. We discuss his personal story and what led him to write this topic as well the larger trends of disaffection and disaffiliation from religion in Western society and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as ways to reach out and minister to those whose faith has changed.

Bridges: Ministering to Those Who Question
By David B. Ostler

“A deeply Christian book that calls upon us all to seek understanding and minister to the wounded.” —Terryl Givens

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Authorcast #104: Laura Rutter Strickling, author of On Fire in Baltimore: Black Mormon Women and Conversion in a Raging City October 11 2018

On this episode, we chat with Laura Rutter Strickling, author of On Fire in Baltimore: Black Mormon Women and Conversion in a Raging City


On Fire in Baltimore: Black Mormon Women and Conversion in a Raging City
By Laura Rutter Strickling

$20.95 paperback
$34.95 hardcover
197 pages

Free sample preview
Q&A with the author

 

 

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Authorcast #103: The Expanded Canon August 24 2018

Episode 103: The Expanded Canon
Hosted by Brian Whitney

On this episode, editors Blair Van Dyke, Brian Birch, and Boyd Petersen discuss the development of the Mormon Studies program at Utah Valley University, their annual conferences, the new UVU Comparative Mormon Studies series with Greg Kofford Books, as well as the contributors and topics in the first volume: The Expanded Canon: Perspectives on Mormonism and Sacred Texts.

For those in the Utah area, please join us for the following events with the editors:

Tue Sep 18 | Writ & Vision (Provo) at 7:00 PM | RSVP on Facebook
Wed Sep 19 | Benchmark Books (SLC) at 5:30 PM | RSVP on Facebook


The Expanded Canon: Perspectives on Mormonism and Sacred Texts
Edited by Blair G. Van Dyke, Brian D. Birch, and Boyd J. Petersen

Part of the UVU Comparative Mormon Studies series

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AuthorCast #102: Interview with Charles Randall Paul July 25 2018

Episode 102: Interview with Charles Randall Paul
Hosted by Brian Whitney

In this episode, Charles Randall Paul discusses his forthcoming book, Converting the Saints: A Study of Religious Rivalry in America, as well as the interfaith organization he founded, the Foundation for Religious Diplomacy, and offers a few suggestions for dealing with religious, political, and ideological conflict. Be sure to check out his recent article, "Contesting Truth through Mutual Openness."


Converting the Saints: A Study of Religious Rivalry in America
By Charles Randall Paul

Available August 7, 2018
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AuthorCast #101: Interview with Blake Ostler July 11 2018

Episode 101: Interview with Blake Ostler
Hosted by Brian Whitney

Blake T. Ostler is an independent scholar residing in Salt Lake City, Utah,and the author of the multi-volume Exploring Mormon Thought series. Volume 1: The Attributes of God has recently been re-issued in paperback. In this interview, Blake discusses his background, the series, some of the key philosophocal discussions in The Attributes of God, such as the nature of free will, God's existence within time, and Mormon Christology.



“These books are the most important works on Mormon theology ever written. There is nothing currently available that is even close to the rigor and sophistication of these volumes.” — FARMS Review, Neal A. Maxwell Institute, Brigham Young University

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AuthorCast #99: Gospel Doctrine with David Bokovoy (Judges and Ruth) June 06 2018

Episode 99: Gospel Doctrine with David Bokovoy (Judges and Ruth)
Hosted by Brian Whitney

(See the full list of Gospel Doctrine episodes here.)

In this episode, Brian and David discuss the books of Judges and Ruth. 

David Bokovoy holds a PhD in Hebrew Bible and the Ancient Near East and an MA in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies both from Brandeis University. He is the author of Authoring the Old Testament: Genesis–Deuteronomy and the forthcoming Authoring the Old Testament: The Prophets, both part of the Contemporary Studies in Scripture series.


This book should be basic reading for serious LDS students of the Bible.” — Eric D. Huntsman, Coordinator of Ancient Near Eastern Studies, Brigham Young University

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AuthorCast #94: Gospel Doctrine Lesson 12 with David Bokovoy March 21 2018

Episode 94: Gospel Doctrine Lesson 12 with David Bokovoy
Hosted by Brian Whitney

(See the full list of Gospel Doctrine episodes here.)

Topics Discussed: Brian and David discuss Genesis chapters 40–45, which covers Joseph's interpretations of dreams, his rise to prominence in Egypt, and his ultimate reconciliation with his brothers.

David Bokovoy holds a PhD in Hebrew Bible and the Ancient Near East and an MA in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies both from Brandeis University. He is the author of Authoring the Old Testament: Genesis–Deuteronomy and the forthcoming Authoring the Old Testament: The Prophets, both part of the Contemporary Studies in Scripture series.


This book should be basic reading for serious LDS students of the Bible.” — Eric D. Huntsman, Coordinator of Ancient Near Eastern Studies, Brigham Young University

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AuthorCast #93: Gospel Doctrine Lesson 11 with David Bokovoy March 13 2018

Episode 93: Gospel Doctrine Lesson 11 with David Bokovoy
Hosted by Brian Whitney

(See the full list of Gospel Doctrine episodes here.)

Topics Discussed: Brian and David discuss Genesis chapters 32; 34; 37–39, which cover the change of Jacob's name to Israel, Israel's favor of Joseph, Joseph's "coat of many colors," Joseph being sold into slavery in Egypt by his brothers, the temptation of Joseph by Potiphar's wive, and the sexual misconduct of Schechem the Hivite and Israel's sons Reuben and Judah.

David Bokovoy holds a PhD in Hebrew Bible and the Ancient Near East and an MA in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies both from Brandeis University. He is the author of Authoring the Old Testament: Genesis–Deuteronomy and the forthcoming Authoring the Old Testament: The Prophets, both part of the Contemporary Studies in Scripture series.


This book should be basic reading for serious LDS students of the Bible.” — Eric D. Huntsman, Coordinator of Ancient Near Eastern Studies, Brigham Young University

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AuthorCast #92: Gospel Doctrine Lesson 10 with David Bokovoy March 06 2018

Episode 92: Gospel Doctrine Lesson 10 with David Bokovoy
Hosted by Brian Whitney

(See the full list of Gospel Doctrine episodes here.)

Topics Discussed: In this double-sized episode, Brian and David discuss Genesis chapters 24–29, which covers the marriage of Isaac and Rebecca and the births of Jacob and Esau, along with Esau selling his inheritence to Jacob, Jacob taking Esau's birthright blessing from Isaac, Jacob's dream of a ladder to heaven, and the marriages of Jacob to Leia and Rachel. 

David Bokovoy holds a PhD in Hebrew Bible and the Ancient Near East and an MA in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies both from Brandeis University. He is the author of Authoring the Old Testament: Genesis–Deuteronomy and the forthcoming Authoring the Old Testament: The Prophets, both part of the Contemporary Studies in Scripture series.


This book should be basic reading for serious LDS students of the Bible.” — Eric D. Huntsman, Coordinator of Ancient Near Eastern Studies, Brigham Young University

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AuthorCast #91: Gospel Doctrine Lesson 9 with David Bokovoy February 27 2018

Episode 91: Gospel Doctrine Lesson 9 with David Bokovoy
Hosted by Brian Whitney

(See the full list of Gospel Doctrine episodes here.)

Topics Discussed: Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar; Ishmael and Isaac; and the binding of Isaac for sacrifice.

David Bokovoy holds a PhD in Hebrew Bible and the Ancient Near East and an MA in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies both from Brandeis University. He is the author of Authoring the Old Testament: Genesis–Deuteronomy and the forthcoming Authoring the Old Testament: The Prophets, both part of the Contemporary Studies in Scripture series.


This book should be basic reading for serious LDS students of the Bible.” — Eric D. Huntsman, Coordinator of Ancient Near Eastern Studies, Brigham Young University

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AuthorCast #89: Gospel Doctrine Lesson 8 with David Bokovoy February 20 2018

Episode 89: Gospel Doctrine Lesson 8 with David Bokovoy
Hosted by Brian Whitney

(See the full list of Gospel Doctrine episodes here.)

Topics Discussed: We cover the story of Lot and his family and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.

David Bokovoy holds a PhD in Hebrew Bible and the Ancient Near East and an MA in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies both from Brandeis University. He is the author of Authoring the Old Testament: Genesis–Deuteronomy and the forthcoming Authoring the Old Testament: The Prophets, both part of the Contemporary Studies in Scripture series.


This book should be basic reading for serious LDS students of the Bible.” — Eric D. Huntsman, Coordinator of Ancient Near Eastern Studies, Brigham Young University

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AuthorCast #88: Gospel Doctrine Lesson 7 with David Bokovoy February 13 2018

Episode 88: Gospel Doctrine Lesson 7 with David Bokovoy
Hosted by Brian Whitney

(See the full list of Gospel Doctrine episodes here.)

Topics Discussed: We cover the story of Abraham and the Abrahamic Covenant.

David Bokovoy holds a PhD in Hebrew Bible and the Ancient Near East and an MA in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies both from Brandeis University. He is the author of Authoring the Old Testament: Genesis–Deuteronomy and the forthcoming Authoring the Old Testament: The Prophets, both part of the Contemporary Studies in Scripture series.


This book should be basic reading for serious LDS students of the Bible.” — Eric D. Huntsman, Coordinator of Ancient Near Eastern Studies, Brigham Young University

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AuthorCast #87: Gospel Doctrine Lesson 6 with David Bokovoy February 06 2018

Episode 87: Gospel Doctrine Lesson 6 with David Bokovoy
Hosted by Brian Whitney

(See the full list of Gospel Doctrine episodes here.)

Topics Discussed: We cover the story of Noah as well as the Tower of Babel.

David Bokovoy holds a PhD in Hebrew Bible and the Ancient Near East and an MA in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies both from Brandeis University. He is the author of Authoring the Old Testament: Genesis–Deuteronomy and the forthcoming Authoring the Old Testament: The Prophets, both part of the Contemporary Studies in Scripture series.

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AuthorCast #85: Interview with James and Judith McConkie January 26 2018

Episode 85: Interview with James and Judith McConkie
Hosted by Brian Whitney

In this episode, we interview James and Judith McConkie about their new book, Whom Say Ye That I Am? Lessons from the Jesus of Nazareth.

James and Judith will be signing books and speaking at Writ & Vision in Provo on Tuesday, Jan 30th at 7pm, and at Benchmark Books in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Feb 7 at 5:30pm. Both of these events are free to the public.

You can follow Whom Say Ye That I Am? on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WhomSayYe

 

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AuthorCast #84: Gospel Doctrine Lesson 4 with David Bokovoy January 23 2018

Episode 84: Gospel Doctrine Lesson 4 with David Bokovoy
Hosted by Brian Whitney

(See the full list of Gospel Doctrine episodes here.)

Topics Discussed: We cover lesson four from the Gospel Doctrine manual, “Because of My Transgression My Eyes Are Opened,” covering the life of Adam & Even in the Garden of Eden, the Fall, and expulsion from the Garden.

David Bokovoy holds a PhD in Hebrew Bible and the Ancient Near East and an MA in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies both from Brandeis University. He is the author of Authoring the Old Testament: Genesis–Deuteronomy and the forthcoming Authoring the Old Testament: The Prophets, both part of the Contemporary Studies in Scripture series.

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AuthorCast #83: Gospel Doctrine Lesson 3 with David Bokovoy January 18 2018

Episode 83: Gospel Doctrine Lesson 3 with David Bokovoy
Hosted by Brian Whitney

(See the full list of Gospel Doctrine episodes here.)

Topics Discussed: We cover lesson three from the Gospel Doctrine manual, "The Creation," covering the creation accounts in Genesis, Book of Moses, and Book of Abraham, as well as the creation of mankind in the image of God.

David Bokovoy holds a PhD in Hebrew Bible and the Ancient Near East and an MA in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies both from Brandeis University. He is the author of Authoring the Old Testament: Genesis–Deuteronomy and the forthcoming Authoring the Old Testament: The Prophets, both part of the Contemporary Studies in Scripture series.

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AuthorCast #82: David Bokovoy, an intro to the Old Testament January 11 2018

Episode 82: David Bokovoy, an intro to the Old Testament
Hosted by Brian Whitney

(See the full list of Gospel Doctrine episodes here.)

Topics Discussed: We chat with David Bokovoy about his recent article, 5 Things to Know Before Studying the Old Testament, which has gained quite a bit of attention. We discuss the nature of the Hebrew Bible, the various viewpoints that this scripture contains, as well as approaches to Old Testament study that can add meaning to this sacred record.

David Bokovoy holds a PhD in Hebrew Bible and the Ancient Near East and an MA in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies both from Brandeis University. David is the author of Authoring the Old Testament: Genesis–Deuteronomy and the forthcoming Authoring the Old Testament: The Prophets, both part of the Contemporary Studies in Scripture series.

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AuthorCast #54: Exploring Mormon Thought, episode 10 June 07 2017

Exploring Mormon Thought, Episode 10: The Attributes of God Ch 5 - Models of Divine Knowledge (Part 2)
By Corey Ostler

In this episode we go over the second part of Ch 5: Models of Divine Knowledge. We talk about Middle Knowledge and Joseph Smith's evolving view of God's knowledge. We discuss James E. Talmage's view of God knowing our character so well that he can know the future and problems with that.

Topics Discussed:
• Middle Knowledge
• Problems of Middle Knowledge
• No Grounds Objection
• Counterfactuals of Freedom Are Probable Only
• The "Agents Are Not Free" Objection
• Mormonism and Middle Knowledge

Learn more about Blake Ostler’s book series, Exploring Mormon Thought.

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AuthorCast #53: Exploring Mormon Thought, episode 9 June 01 2017

Exploring Mormon Thought, Episode 9: The Attributes of God Ch 5 - Models of Divine Knowledge (Part 1)
By Corey Ostler

We start discussing different models for God's knowledge. We focus on the aspect of God's knowledge of the future or infallible foreknowledge and if it can coexist with free will.

Topics Discussed:

• Simple Foreknowledge
• Timeless Knowledge Through Perception
• The Einstein-Minkowski Spacetime
• Timeless Knowledge Through Divine Causation

Learn more about Blake Ostler’s book series, Exploring Mormon Thought.

Show notes for this episode.

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AuthorCast #51: Exploring Mormon Thought, episode 7 May 25 2017

Exploring Mormon Thought, Episode 7: The Attributes of God Ch3 - The Restoration and Systematic Theologies (Part 2)
By Corey Ostler

Continuing our survey of Mormon systematic Theologies we discuss the thought of the Pratts, John A. Widtsoe, B.H. Roberts, and Modern Mormon leaders. We talk about why they portrayed things as they did and what some strengths and weaknesses of each view are.

Pratt's 'The Seer': archive.org/details/seereditedbyorso01unse

Widtsoe's 'A Rational Theology': archive.org/details/rationaltheologywidtsoe

B.H. Roberts' 'The Seventy's Course in Theology': archive.org/details/seventyscoursein00robe

Learn more about Blake Ostler’s book series, Exploring Mormon Thought.

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AuthorCast #50: Exploring Mormon Thought, episode 6 May 25 2017

Exploring Mormon Thought, Episode 6: The Attributes of God Ch 3 - The Restoration and Systematic Theologies (Part 1)
By Corey Ostler

We discuss The Lectures on Faith and Joseph Smith's evolving revelations on the nature of God, man, the universe, and how they relate to each other. We get into discussing different interpretations of the King Follett Discourse and The Sermon in the Grove.

The Lectures on Faith can be found here: lecturesonfaith.com/

King Follett Discourse:

www.lds.org/ensign/1971/04/the-…ett-sermon?lang=eng

www.lds.org/ensign/1971/05/the-…ett-sermon?lang=eng

Sermon in the Grove: emp.byui.edu/jexj/courses/sermon_in_the_grove.htm

Topics Discussed:
The Lectures on Faith
Joseph Smith and the Foundational Scriptures

Learn more about Blake Ostler’s book series, Exploring Mormon Thought.

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AuthorCast #49: Exploring Mormon Thought, episode 5 May 08 2017

Exploring Mormon Thought, Episode 5: Apostasy and Concepts of Perfection (Part 2)
By Corey Ostler

Part 2 of the second chapter in The Attributes of God.

We discuss Process Thought/Theology, developed by Alfred N. Whitehead and Charles Hartshorne, and juxtapose it with the previously discussed Thomist/Classical Theism view. We also examine the striking similarities between Process Thought and Joseph Smith's revelations.

Topics Discussed:
Relative Perfection
Perfect Relatedness
Potentiality
Proportional Dependence
Complexity
Temporality
Mutability and Immutability
Passibility
Creator By Organizing
Maximal Persuasive Power
Maximal Knowledge

Learn more about Blake Ostler’s book series, Exploring Mormon Thought.

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AuthorCast #48: Exploring Mormon Thought, episode 4 May 08 2017

Exploring Mormon Thought, Episode 4: Apostasy and Concepts of Perfection (Part 1)
By Corey Ostler

Part 1 of the second chapter in The Attributes of God.

We discuss how concepts of perfection from Platonism/Neo-Platonism heavily influenced early Christian thought on God's attributes. We then discuss the Absolutist system developed largely by Augustine and articulated by Thomas Aquinas. We bring up issues with the 'God' that arises when you follow this system to its logical conclusions.

Topics discussed:
Confluence of Greek Philosophy and Christian Theology
Emergence of the Absolutist Tradition in Christian Theology
The Logic of Absolute Independence
Pure Actuality
Divine Simplicity
Immutability
Timeless Eternity
Aseity
Impassibility
Omniscience
Omnipotence

Learn more about Blake Ostler’s book series, Exploring Mormon Thought.

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