Review of a booklet

[Phoenix]

I came across this, on Amazon's reviews, and I liked it so I will share it for your consideration:

Brilliant, May 4, 2013
By Russ Bales

This review is from: The Amb***ador's Guide to Mormonism (Paperback)
Kunkle's booklet has as its primary focus the consequences of eternity. Kunkles booklet clearly avoids any such methods intended to bash-the-Mormons. As a Christian involved in apologetics and witnessing to Mormons, I very much appreciate Kunkle's direction.

Stand To Reason's thoughtful methods such as "Columbo Tactics," i.e. ask questions such as "What do you mean by that?" lead to dignified conversations where respect for the individual comes well before merely winning an argument. Sadly, too many on both sides of religious debate are guilty of desiring to win the argument. We're all guilty of that at times. Kunkle's booklet is a good reminder to avoid such ill-fated strategy.

Kunkle wisely suggests not leading with controversial topics such as polygamy because controversial topics have a tendency to put the other person on the defensive. Instead, Kunkle suggests focusing on the two most important topics in the world; Who is God? What is the gospel?

The controversial topics aren't unimportant. They can be dealt with later after a Mormon is convinced that you have his best interest in mind. Who wants to be involved in a war of wits with and an eventual victor and the other a casualty of war?

This booklet is very highly recommended as a tool in your kit for witnessing to Mormons because, while many Mormons are very sincere in their beliefs, it's important to remember that that sincerity of belief can never create truth. Kunkle suggests asking leading questions, i.e. "Would you want to know if you're worshiping the wrong God?" If they answer in the affirmative then you can look forward to a productive discussion in the pursuit of truth.

Kunkle suggests putting a stone in their shoe. Give them something to think about that cannot be ignored as they walk on. Give them something that is an annoyance that can only be resolved by removing the shoe to address the annoyance.

That is clear thinking Christianity.

Russ Bales

[theway]

I came across this, on Amazon's reviews, and I liked it so I will share it for your consideration:

Brilliant, May 4, 2013
By Russ Bales

This review is from: The Amb***ador's Guide to Mormonism (Paperback)
Kunkle's booklet has as its primary focus the consequences of eternity. Kunkles booklet clearly avoids any such methods intended to bash-the-Mormons. As a Christian involved in apologetics and witnessing to Mormons, I very much appreciate Kunkle's direction.

Stand To Reason's thoughtful methods such as "Columbo Tactics," i.e. ask questions such as "What do you mean by that?" lead to dignified conversations where respect for the individual comes well before merely winning an argument. Sadly, too many on both sides of religious debate are guilty of desiring to win the argument. We're all guilty of that at times. Kunkle's booklet is a good reminder to avoid such ill-fated strategy.

Kunkle wisely suggests not leading with controversial topics such as polygamy because controversial topics have a tendency to put the other person on the defensive. Instead, Kunkle suggests focusing on the two most important topics in the world; Who is God? What is the gospel?

The controversial topics aren't unimportant. They can be dealt with later after a Mormon is convinced that you have his best interest in mind. Who wants to be involved in a war of wits with and an eventual victor and the other a casualty of war?

This booklet is very highly recommended as a tool in your kit for witnessing to Mormons because, while many Mormons are very sincere in their beliefs, it's important to remember that that sincerity of belief can never create truth. Kunkle suggests asking leading questions, i.e. "Would you want to know if you're worshiping the wrong God?" If they answer in the affirmative then you can look forward to a productive discussion in the pursuit of truth.

Kunkle suggests putting a stone in their shoe. Give them something to think about that cannot be ignored as they walk on. Give them something that is an annoyance that can only be resolved by removing the shoe to address the annoyance.

That is clear thinking Christianity.

Russ BalesStill won't work... Because after a few minutes it will become apparent that the conversation will be one sided. I.e. It suggests asking the Mormon if they would want to know whether they are worshiping the wrong God? However I know from experience that they will not then reciprocate. As soon as I ask them whether they would want to know whether they are following the wrong gospel? The conversation will then end and they will not answer.

[alanmolstad]

http://www.amazon.com/The-Maze-Mormonism-Walter-Martin/dp/0884490173

[Phoenix]

Still won't work... Because after a few minutes it will become apparent that the conversation will be one sided. I.e. It suggests asking the Mormon if they would want to know whether they are worshiping the wrong God? However I know from experience that they will not then reciprocate. As soon as I ask them whether they would want to know whether they are following the wrong gospel? The conversation will then end and they will not answer.

Yes, but here are the parts of Russ's review that I appreciated, because he urges and encourages behavior that, shall we say, is somewhat lacking in certain anti-Mormon forums....

"...avoids any such methods intended to bash-the-Mormons....dignified conversations where respect for the individual comes well before merely winning an argument....wisely suggests not leading with controversial topics such as polygamy because controversial topics have a tendency to put the other person on the defensive...avoid such ill-fated strategy....Who wants to be involved in a war of wits with and an eventual victor and the other a casualty of war?"

[Phoenix]

http://www.amazon.com/The-Maze-Mormonism-Walter-Martin/dp/0884490173

That was an interesting response to the OP.....

[alanmolstad]

That was an interesting response to the OP.....

its hard to post on a phone on the road....I will try again

[alanmolstad]

http://www.amazon.com/The-Maze-Mormonism-Walter-Martin/dp/0884490173



http://www.amazon.com/The-Maze-Mormonism-Walter-Martin/dp/0884490173

[theway]

Yes, but here are the parts of Russ's review that I appreciated, because he urges and encourages behavior that, shall we say, is somewhat lacking in certain anti-Mormon forums....

"...avoids any such methods intended to bash-the-Mormons....dignified conversations where respect for the individual comes well before merely winning an argument....wisely suggests not leading with controversial topics such as polygamy because controversial topics have a tendency to put the other person on the defensive...avoid such ill-fated strategy....Who wants to be involved in a war of wits with and an eventual victor and the other a casualty of war?"I know Russ Bales... Well, as much a person can know him from these forums over the years. He is the quintessential example of what I was talking about.
He will make all kinds of ***ertions about the LDS, and ask all kinds of questions, which I will then answer. After having then answered his questions, I will either ask him some of my own, or ask him to clarify his own question... He will then ignore you as though you were not even there.
The irony is that his "questions to Mormons" always ends up backfiring on him and exposes the flaws in his own beliefs.
In fact the hypocrisy of it all is that he will openly refuse to even state what his beliefs are, or what church he goes to. I believe it is because the last time he did that, it was pointed out to him that the Preacher he refered me too, or the "What we Believe" section of the website for the church he went to, directly contradicted what he was telling us was what he believed was the truth.
I like Russ, to me he is the Comic Relief of these forums. I would never go to him if I wanted to know anything about religion, the Bible, the gospel, the Mormon Church, or history, but he does make me laugh, I miss him.

[theway]

Kunkle wisely suggests not leading with controversial topics such as polygamy because controversial topics have a tendency to put the other person on the defensive. Instead, Kunkle suggests focusing on the two most important topics in the world; Who is God? What is the gospel?
Russ BalesThis hypocrisy by Russ is astounding!
For years, he has sat in front of our temples and has gone to our pageants. Along with Aaron they would confront every Mormon that would talk to them with the question; "Do you think it's possible that the Mormon God sinned?" and "What types of sins do you think the Mormon God once committed?"
They would then direct them to the website godneversinned.com
Of course as soon as I pointed out that it is modern Chrtianity, not Mormons, which believe such things, he then would try to have my posts deleted.

[Phoenix]

This hypocrisy by Russ is astounding!
For years, he has sat in front of our temples and has gone to our pageants. Along with Aaron they would confront every Mormon that would talk to them with the question; "Do you think it's possible that the Mormon God sinned?" and "What types of sins do you think the Mormon God once committed?"
They would then direct them to the website godneversinned.com
Of course as soon as I pointed out that it is modern Chrtianity, not Mormons, which believe such things, he then would try to have my posts deleted.

Yes, that is all true as far as I know, but still, his praise of the way the booklet opposed the LDS--and his advice regarding how contra-LDS people should and should not oppose them--seemed like good things. Whether or not Russ himself practices what he preaches....well, all Christians, and all non-Christians too, probably, are hypocrites to some degree. But if we could all just agree that the bad things we do are....BAD, then it would be a great start. We could then work on eliminating those behaviors that we just admitted were bad. The problem is that with some contra-LDS, you can't even get them to admit that the bad things they are doing are bad. So for them, there is no hope of getting them to stop.