Author Archives: Aaron Shafovaloff

Mormonism and the “Great Machine”

Posted on July 28, 2014 by Aaron Shafovaloff

Mormonism’s “eternal law” is the creed of multiverse. Transcending all gods. Governed by no ultimate Persons. Impersonal. Cold. “Without body, parts, passions.” Incromprehensible. “Unknown and unknowable—formless, passionless, elusive, ethereal, simultaneously everywhere and nowhere.” All the gods must submit to it, abide … Continue reading →

Posted in God the Father, Nature of God | Tagged , , , , | 81 Comments

Helpful, but not true?

Posted on July 21, 2014 by Aaron Shafovaloff
Posted in Christianity | Tagged , | 9 Comments

From Mormonism to Christianity Conference: July 17-19

Posted on July 12, 2014 by Aaron Shafovaloff

See the Facebook event here. See more information here. Come! I will be speaking at 11am on Saturday on “Matthew for Mormons”, a walk-through of some exciting and surprisingly relevant themes in the Gospel of Matthew.

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

The Mormon logic of lost books and its implication for prophetic accountability

Posted on July 10, 2014 by Aaron Shafovaloff

When talking to some Mormon missionaries in March I encountered an interesting line of thinking. One of the elders gave the standard claim that the Bible is missing books that should have been included. I asked, “Which ones?” He answered: Works … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 93 Comments

Only Jesus did his best

Posted on May 15, 2014 by Aaron Shafovaloff

What do people mean when they say, “their best”? “I did my best to make it on time.” “I did my best to get good grades.” “I do my best to be a good person.” Normally, this functions as hyperbole … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 85 Comments

New LDS.org Gospel Topic articles were submitted to the “presiding Quorums of the Church and the First Presidency for approval”

Posted on April 28, 2014 by Aaron Shafovaloff

I am already hearing of BYU professors mocking the new LDS.org gospel topic articles as non-official. Elder Steven E. Snow, LDS Church Historian and Executive Director of the Church History Department, explains that each of the articles was submitted to … Continue reading →

Posted in Authority and Doctrine, LDS Church, Misconceptions | Tagged , , , , , , | 22 Comments

Capstone Conference Today

Posted on April 12, 2014 by Aaron Shafovaloff

There is a pretty amazing 1-2-3 punch today of Sandra Tanner, Bill McKeever, and Rob Bowman. Come after lunch to Calvary Chapel Salt Lake City and hear them all at the Capstone Conference. 2:00-2:45pm Sandra Tanner – “Apostasy in Sweden: … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

A Counter-Creed to “Practical Mormonism Atheism”

Posted on April 7, 2014 by Aaron Shafovaloff

Practical Mormon Atheism The Contraries 1 Even if Mormonism is false, it is still worth believing and ought not be refuted. Mormonism, if false, ought not be “left alone”, but ought to be refuted and engaged and deconstructed. 2 Faith … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 88 Comments

Ask Mormons to Define “Evangelists” When They Quote Ephesians 4:11

Posted on March 13, 2014 by Aaron Shafovaloff

A Mormon friend appealed to Ephesians 4:11 as the supposed basis for modern LDS Church structure. I asked him to camp out on the passage with me instead of quickly moving on to another. There is a little-known, very awkward … Continue reading →

Posted in Friendship, Interaction, and Evangelism | Tagged , , , , | 35 Comments

Why You Should Be Anti-Evil

Posted on February 20, 2014 by Aaron Shafovaloff

“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.” (Romans 12:9) Why do translators choose a strong word for ἀποστυγοῦντες, like “abhor”? It is based on στύγω, which means to hate. But it is intensified. … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 23 Comments