AuthorCast
AuthorCast #44: Introducing Exploring Mormon Thought with Blake Ostler (Trailer) May 04 2017
From its beginning, the Kofford Books AuthorCast was envisioned as a show to connect our authors with our audience. We have done this through author interviews, recordings of live events, author readings from their books and, more recently, with our monthly This Month in Mormon Studies show that comments on the field of Mormon Studies more widely.
In line with our vision of bringing our authors to you, we are excited to announce a new series that we will sharing through the Kofford Books AuthorCast: Exploring Mormon Thought with Blake Ostler. Blake is the author of the multi-volume series by the same name, published by Greg Kofford Books. In fact, Exploring Mormon Thought, Volume 1: The Attributes of God, was the first book ever published by Greg Kofford Books and is considered a groundbreaking work in Mormon theology. Throughout his volumes, Blake took on challenging philosophical topics such as classical vs Mormon theism, the problem of evil, the Atonement, the nature of God; and he discussed the Mormon temple endowment in relationship with the Atonement in a stand-alone volume titled Fire on the Horizon: A Meditation on the Endowment and Love of Atonement.
Outside of his books, Blake has published widely on Mormon philosophy in journals such as Religious Studies, International Journal for the Philosophy of Religion, and Element: The Journal of the Society for Mormon Philosophy and Theology, as well as Mormon scholarly publications Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought, Sunstone, BYU Studies, and FARMS Review of Books. He has also contributed chapters to Discourses in Mormon Theology and Mormonism at the Crossroads of Philosophy and Theology, and has taught Philosophy at Brigham Young University.
But enough about his credentials. This podcast series, Exploring Mormon Thought, is produced and hosted independently by Corey Ostler, Blake’s son. Corey's aim is to take the complex issues presented in his books and discuss them chapter by chapter in a way that makes sense to a general audience. As of this recording, they have released five episodes. We’ll release all five together, and then we’ll continue releasing more as they become available.
We hope you enjoy this new podcast series.
Learn more about Blake Ostler’s book series, Exploring Mormon Thought.
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AuthorCast #40: This Month in Mormon Studies March 01 2017
Join co-hosts Brian Whitney (Greg Kofford Books) and Brandt Malone (Mormon News Report) in this lively look at the latest happenings in the field of Mormon studies, including news, blogs, new book releases, and events from the past month.
In the News
Laurel Thatcher Ulrich on NPR's Fresh Air
Neylan McBaine, “As potters at the wheel, let us shape Utah from inside and outside” in SL Trib
Henry J. Eyring named president of BYU-Idaho
Updates to Joseph Smith Papers website
On the Blogs
“More Thoughts on Mormons and Muslims” by Paul Reeve
“The Modern Mormon Athletic Image” by Ben Park
“The Complexities of History in The Ensign” by Ben Spackman
“The Dance of Discourse” by Hannah Jung
Profile on Greg Kofford Books at AML by Andrew Hall
“Canon as Context: Insights from the Bible Wars” by Mike Austin
Recent Book Releases
Scott Hales, The Garden of Enid: Adventures of a Weird Mormon Girl, Part Two (Greg Kofford Books)
Devery S. Anderson, Ed., Salt Lake School of the Prophets, 1867-1883 (Signature Books)
Reid L. Neilson and Nathan N. Waite, eds., Settling the Valley: Proclaiming the Gospel: The General Epistles of the Mormon First Presidency (Oxford University Press)
Jennifer Reeder and Kate Holbrook, eds., At the Pulpit: 185 Years of Discourses by Latter-day Saint Women (Church Historian's Press)
Book Reviews by Brandt
Ann Taves, Revelatory Events: Three Case Studies of the Emergence of New Spiritual Paths (Princeton University Press)
Events
Faith and Knowledge Conference
Society for Mormon Philosophy and Theology
Kate Holbrook speaking at Tabernacle
Call for Papers/Applications
Joseph Smith Papers Conference
AuthorCast #31 — Interview with Julie M. Smith, editor of As Iron Sharpens Iron August 12 2016
In this episode, we bring back Julie M. Smith to discuss her latest release, As Iron Sharpens Iron: Listening to the Various Voices of Scripture, available now!
In this unique volume, fictionalized dialogues between the various voices of scripture illustrate how differences and disagreements are not flaws of the texts but are rather essential features of the canon. These creative dialogues include Abraham and Job debating the utility of suffering and our submission to God, Alma and Abinidi disagreeing on the place of justice in the Atonement, and the authors Mark and Luke discussing the role of women in Jesus’s ministry. It is by examining and embracing the different perspectives within the canon that readers are able to discover just how rich and invigorating the scriptures can be.
“A model for a new, Jewish-informed way of reading scriptures with rich potential for Latter-day Saint audiences. One that embraces complexity rather than fleeing from it; an approach that values nuance and richness over simplicity and closure. Highly recommended.” — Fiona Givens, co-author of The Crucible of Doubt: Reflections On the Quest for Faith and The God Who Weeps: How Mormonism Makes Sense of Life
Preview the volume here.
Read a Q&A with Julie M. Smith.
AuthorCast #30 — This Month in Mormon Studies, July 2016 August 05 2016
Join co-hosts Brian Whitney (Greg Kofford Books) and Brandt Malone (Mormon News Report) in this lively look at the latest happenings in the field of Mormon studies, including news, blogs, new book releases, and events! Our special guest this month is Brittany Mangleson from Project Zion Podcast.
Music by Starflyer 59 from their record SLOW.
In the News
Radio West interview with Greg Prince
BYU Mormon Studies conversation group
Internship with Church Historic Sites
On the Blogs
Jana Reiss, "Can Mormon women be witness to priesthood ordinances?"
Margaret Blair Young, "Race and Mormonism–2016 Edition (the less coy version)"
Aaron Brown, "Does the LDS Church Believe the Priesthood Ban was of Divine Origin or Not?"
Ardis Parshall, "A Stealthy Return to Bad Practices of the Past"
David G., "Heavenly Ledgers and Ghostly Specters: Two Recent Articles"
Blair Hodges, "For the church in Russia, sustaining doesn't mean agreeing"
Emily Grover, "Sister Wives of the Traveling Pants: Confronting My Polygamous Ancestry"
Joseph Stuart, "Death and the Historian's Empathy"
Recent Book Releases
Michael Austin and Ardis E. Parshall, eds., Boadicea; The Mormon Wife: Life-Scenes in Utah
Julie M. Smith, ed., Apocalypse: Reading Revelation 21-22
Stephen L. Prince, Hosea Stout: Lawman, Legislator, Mormon Defender
Scholarly Journals
Journal of Mormon History, Vol 42, No. 3 (July 2016)
Recent and Upcoming Events
Richard Bushman Colloquium now available online
2016 Science & Mormonism Symposium videos
2016 Sunstone SLC Summer Symposium
Daniel Stone's forthcoming biography William Bickerton
BYU New Testament Commentary Conference
Upcoming Events and Call for Papers
2017 Mormon History Association Conference, call for papers
2016 Society for Mormon Philosophy and Theology Seminar
2016 John Whitmer Historical Association Conference
AuthorCast #26 - Adam S. Miller reads from Future Mormon June 16 2016
Adam S. Miller reads “A Manifesto for the Future of Mormon Thinking” from Future Mormon: Essays in Mormon Theology.
Future Mormon by Adam S. Miller presents a hypothetical future generation of Latter-day Saints and their relationship with Mormonism. If current religiosity trends continue, then future generations will face unique challenges in staying connected with their faith tradition in an increasingly non-affiliated society. Future Mormon is, in a sense, a time-capsule. A collection of thoughts and ideas that Adam styles “para-academic” in the sense that he uses academic tools but filters them through a pastoral and exegetical lens. He terms his approach “future-tense apologetics,” and although his volume defends Mormon thought, it is far from defensive. Future Mormon is grounded in the idea that every generation has to find its own connection with faith; and that every generation must re-think the faith tradition from the ground up. In these essays, Adam explores theological and philosophical possibilities: he writes extensively on grace and its role in Creation, the Fall, and the Atonement; he explores the concept of perfectibility in premortal and postmortal worlds; he challenges Platonism in Christianity; and wrestles with the “radical materialism” of Mormonism. This is only a sample of the ideas Future Mormon works through.
“Represents some of the most careful, creative, and charitable work going on in Mormon theology today.” — Association for Mormon Letters
Preview Future Mormon here.
Listen to our AuthorCast interview with Adam Miller.
Authorcast #23 - Joseph M. Spencer May 27 2016
An interview with Joseph Spencer, author of For Zion: A Mormon Theology of Hope.
What is hope? What is Zion? And what does it mean to hope for Zion? In this insightful book, Joseph Spencer explores these questions through the scriptures of two continents separated by nearly two millennia. In the first half, Spencer engages in a rich study of Paul's letter to the Roman to better understand how the apostle understood hope and what it means to have it. In the second half of the book, Spencer jumps to the early years of the Restoration and the various revelations on consecration to understand how Latter-day Saints are expected to strive for Zion. Between these halves is an interlude examining the hoped-for Zion that both thrived in the Book of Mormon and was hoped to be established again.
Preview the volume here.
Authorcast #22 - Adam S. Miller May 16 2016
An interview with Adam S. Miller, author of Future Mormon: Essays in Mormon Theology.
Every generation must start again. Every generation must work out their own salvation. Every generation must live its own lives and think its own thoughts and receive its own revelations. And, if Mormonism continues to matter, it will be because they, rather than leaving, were willing to be Mormon all over again. Like our grandparents, like our parents, and like us, they will have to rethink the whole tradition, from top to bottom, right from the beginning, and make it their own in order to embody Christ anew in this passing world.
Preview the volume here.
Read Adam Miller's "Letter to a CES Student"
Join us June 14, 2016 for a special author event with Adam Miller at Writ & Vision fine art gallery and books in Provo, UT:
Writ & Vision
274 Center Stret
Provo, UT 84601
Authorcast #21 - Charles Shiro Inouye February 23 2016
An interview with Charles Shirō Inouye, author of The End of the World, Plan B.
Environmental decline, political gridlock, war and rumors of war, decadence, and immorality. The End of the World, Plan B traces the idea of the end, or destruction, of the world through a number of spiritual traditions. It shows that our present understanding of the “end game” has been distorted by a modern emphasis and demand on justice as the ultimate good. As an alternative to this self-destructive approach, Charles Shirō Inouye shows that in these traditions, justice is not the isolated end in itself that we ought strive for; rather it is taught in tandem with its balancing companion: compassion. Plan B is a hopeful alternative to our fears about how things are going.
Preview the volume here.
Join us this Saturday, February 27th at Writ & Vision in Provo for a special panel discussion on Mormonism and Eastern thought featuring Charles Shirō Inouye, James M. McLachlan, and Charles Randall Paul. The event begins at 6pm and is free to the public.
Writ & Vision
274 Center Stret
Provo, UT 84601
Authorcast #16 - Interview with Michael Austin December 30 2015
In our latest episode, we interview Michael Austin, author of Re-reading Job: Understanding the Ancient World's Greatest Poem; the second book in the Contemporary Studies in Scripture series.
Preview Re-Reading Job
Be sure to check out the forthcoming series The Mormon Image in Literature, edited and annotated by Michael Austin and Ardis E. Parshall. The first book in the series, The Mormoness, is scheduled to be published January 26, 2016. Pre-order your copy today!
Authorcast #14 - Reading by James Faulconer December 02 2015
In our latest episode, James Faulconer reads the introduction to Common Ground—Different Opinions: Latter-day Saints and Contemporary Issues.
*Subscribers to our free newsletter will receive a complimentary e-book copy of Common Ground—Different Opinions. Click the banner below for more information:
Authorcast #13 - Interview with Charles Harrell November 25 2015
In our latest episode, we interview Charles Harrell, author of "This is My Doctrine": The Development of Mormon Theology
AuthorCast #8 - Reading from "Beholding the Tree of Life" October 21 2015
In our latest episode we have author Bradley J. Kramer reading the preface to Beholding the Tree of Life: A Rabbinic Approach to the Book of Mormon.
Subscribe in Pocket CastsPreview Beholding the Tree of Life
Check out Bradley Kramer's recent article, titled "Teaching One Another the Doctrine of the Kingdom" in Meridian Magazine.
Other related articles:
Thanking the Jews: A Passover Tribute
Being Taught after the Manner of the Jews: A Personal Journey
Being Taught After the Manner of the Jews, Again
Questioning the Book of Mormon
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