On December 26, 2007 Christ Presbyterian Church in Utah aired the third episode of the television program “The Ancient Paths.” (total run time: 58:53). In this episode, Jason Wallace, pastor of the Christ Presbyterian Church in Utah, engages in dialogue with Alma Allred who teaches church history at the Latter-day Saint Institute of Religion at the University of Utah. The program also accepts questions from callers.
Wallace gives an interesting introduction to this episode. He affirms the value of debates but explains that he desires to include dialogue:
Since we have been we here we have tried to chart a course between two extremes that seem to dominate to a great extent, we’re not unique in what we are trying to do, but I think that unfortunately its been hard for people to find middle ground. On the one hand among Evangelicals dealing with Latter-Day Saints, you have people who are very critical of the LDS and yet they seem almost incapable of actually engaging them and speaking the truth in love and hearing them out on terms of what they actually believe and carrying on a conversation. Then on the other hand you have people that seem to be so interested in the relationship that they seem almost incapable of critiquing what the LDS actual believe. And so what we’re trying to do is to have a respectful dialogue about the things that we believe and there is going to be things that we agree on and there is going to be things that we disagree on and hopefully there is going to be light shed on misconceptions in some areas, but also there is going to be engagement on things where we actually believe very different things.
This statement illustrates well the ‘perception’ that exists in the minds of Evangelicals concerning dialogue and those who engage in it. While I question the accuracy of this perception, I believe Wallace is trying to appeal to those Evangelicals who disagree with dialogue by essentially saying “Hey, we are going to dialogue but with critique too!” I don’t feel it is necessary to begin interfaith dialogue with a disclaimer where both sides say, “I think you are wrong.” “No problem. I think you are wrong too.” “Now that we have that taken care of, let’s dialogue.” I don’t think that dance is necessary at all, but if it will help people to feel more comfortable with interfaith dialogue then perhaps they need it.
Wallace and Allred discuss the method and influence of street preachers. They seem to both agree that the typical street preachers aren’t really offering anything valuable. Wallace believes their methods are unbiblical and Allred explains that most Latter-day Saints do not see them as offering anything of good report or praiseworthy.
Wallace recites the apology given by Richard Mouw on November 14, 2004 and other statements by Mouw and asks Allred to comment on them. Wallace seems to offer the view that dialogue between Evangelicals and Mormons will never lead to the Church rejecting restoration doctrines, similar to how the World Wide Church of God brought its teachings in conformity with mainstream Christianity following the death of its founder. And because of this, many of the hopes and dreams for those who engage in dialogue with the Latter-day Saints is unfounded and unwarranted. Allred, on the other hand, believes that the benefit of dialogue is that many misconceptions about Mormonism will be cleared up such as the view that Mormons do not believe in the deity of Christ.
Wallace relates an interesting story when Evangelical pastors had engaged in dialogue with the LDS Institute of Religion. Wallace explains that he felt that Evangelicalism had become too emotional and that some Evangelicals let their emotions move them to the point where they thought if Latter-day Saints could experience Evangelical worship services that Latter-day Saints would jump ship and join the Evangelicals. Wallace seems to be more comfortable discussing substance rather than sharing experiences. Allred explains his side of the story that in meetings at the Institute open with a prayer and word came that some of the Evangelicals felt that they were so diametrically opposed theologically that they said they simply could not pray together in the same room: “My position was, if we can’t be comfortable praying in the Institute of Religion, it’s not a meeting we should be holding in the Institute of Religion, being sponsored by the Institute of Religion. My position was if we can’t pray, it’s probably not going to be a beneficial experience.” While Wallace sympathizes with this position he remarks that its not uncommon for other Christians to not be willing to pray with him as a Presbyterian either.
Wallace and Allred discuss the role of the institutional church in Mormonism, the role of faith and works, Jesus and Lucifer, the virgin birth, polygamy, the priesthood, eternal progression. They do not discuss these topics exhaustively, but do touch on them from time to time. One thing I appreciated was that Wallace would say something like, “In my debates, I often say that…” or Allred would say, “Well, how I would respond to that comment would be to say…” This allows each side to offer their positions and perspectives but to allow the discussion to go forward.
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