Letters to EMNR
Request for EMNR's Position
 
 
May 9, 2005
 
James Bjornstad, President
Evangelical Ministries to New Religions
913 Huffman Road
Birmingham, AL 35215
Phone: (205) 833-2858
Fax: (205) 833-8699
 
Dear James:
 
Having not spoken to you, I will assume you are aware of Robert Millet's latest book, A Different Jesus?: The Christ of the Latter-Day Saints. Currently, the book is published, advertised and promoted by Eerdmans Publishing Company, is available at Parable.com and Christianbook.com and is, apparently, up for sale in the Deseret Bookstores.
 
As a reminder, Robert Millet is a Professor of Ancient Scripture at BYU, and the Manager of Outreach and Interfaith Relations with the LDS Church Public Affairs (which is a title and department which he, Millet, claims does not exist
 
Although rumors abound about Millet being confused about the interpretation and validity of early Mormon teachings and his leanings towards historic Christianity, rest assured that he is a lifelong, dedicated Mormon, and is on record stating he has no intention to convert to Biblical Christianity. Millet is an integral part of a well orchestrated agenda to convince the body of Christ that Mormonism is Christian.
 
Millet, along with and by way of Greg Johnson of Standing Together, has worked hard over the years to get his foot in the door of Christian churches both here in the U.S. and abroad. They both have their own one-hour weekly broadcast out of Salt Lake City named the "Bob and Greg in Conversation" at KTMV-TV20.
 
Please keep in mind that both Johnson and Millet are part of the "outstanding lineup" of speakers at the 2005 FAIR Conference in August.
 
Make no mistake about it, the rumors, tours, TV shows, book endorsements, interfaith relations and so-called "dialogues" between Christians and Mormons are nothing less than an in your face deception that has Paul's admonishment to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20:28-31; 1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Timothy 3:13 and Galatians 1:6-9 written all over it:
 
Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears.
 
But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons...  
 
But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
 
I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!
 
James, what Christian in his right mind would fellowship and tour with a known Mormon apologist and author, whose ultimate goal is to gain converts from the very churches that are gullible enough to welcome him in?
 
What Pastor in his right mind would allow a wolf in sheep's clothing to occupy his pulpit and deceive innocent, gullible Christians into believing that Mormonism isn't as cultic as Walter Martin and other cult evangelists have maintained through the years?
 
What Christian "apologist" in his right mind would endorse any book written by any individual, whose religion and beliefs were founded and based on lies, deception, fraud and fabrication, and promote another Jesus, another gospel and another spirit (2 Corinthians 11:3-4)?
 
Which brings me to the main reason for my writing to you in the first place.
 
As you know, Craig Hazen is the Director of M.A. Program in Christian Apologetics and an Associate Professor of Comparative Religion and Apologetics at Biola University ( http://www.biola.edu/academics/scs/apologetics/faculty.cfm ) and the current Vice-President of EMNR.
 
Needless to say, Hazen's recent endorsement of Robert Millet's book has caused quite a stir with myself, colleagues and constituants. His actions will be a stumbling block to gullible Christians. And, when the dust has settled, history will record that actions such as these will seal the fate of doubting Mormons' to their eternal doom and separation from God.
 
Hazen's endorsement states:    
"Craig J. Hazen
Robert L. Millet has done us all a great service with this book. He communicates contemporary Latter-day Saints thinking on Christology with remarkable clarity and charity. His years of open, bold, and authentic dialogue with traditional Protestants of all stripes have certainly given him a special vantage point. This work sets the stage for a whole new level of robust dialogue between the LDS and evangelical Christian communities" [click HERE for source].

I can hear it now: Bud, why are you so concerned? After all, if a Christian apologist endorses Robert Millet's book, then it must not be all that bad.

Therefore, with the above in mind, what is EMNR's position on Craig Hazen's endorsement of Robert Millet's book?

Thanks, James. I look forward to reading your reply and any further comments you and the EMNR Board care to make. Please bear in mind that this letter and all replies are subject to public scrutiny.

Sincerely in Christ,
Bud Press, Director
Christian Research Service
cc: EMNR Board of Directors
 
[Letter to EMNR #2]
 
May 19, 2005
 
James Bjornstad, President
Evangelical Ministries to New Religions
913 Huffman Road
Birmingham, AL 35215
Phone: (205) 833-2858
Fax: (205) 833-8699
Re: Request for EMNR's Position (Letter #2)
 
Dear James:
 
This letter is a follow-up to my May 9 request for EMNR's position on Craig Hazen's endorsement of Robert Millet's book, A Different Jesus? The Christ of the Latter-Day Saints (see below). 
 
Although one member of the EMNR Board has replied, and was confident that you would reply, I have yet to hear from you or an acknowledgement that you received my e-mail.
 
This will be my last attempt to contact you. While I welcome comments from other members of the EMNR Board, I would appreciate your taking the time to reply.
 
Again, please bear in mind that this letter and all replies are subject to public scrutiny.
 
Thanks, James. I look forward to hearing from you in a timely manner.
 
Sincerely in Christ,
Bud Press, Director
Christian Research Service
cc: EMNR Board of Directors 
#2
--------------------------------------------------------
 
May 9, 2005
 
James Bjornstad, President
Evangelical Ministries to New Religions
913 Huffman Road
Birmingham, AL 35215
Phone: (205) 833-2858
Fax: (205) 833-8699
Re: Request for EMNR's Position
 
Dear James:
 
Having not spoken to you, I will assume you are aware of Robert Millet's latest book, A Different Jesus?: The Christ of the Latter-Day Saints. Currently, the book is published, advertised and promoted by Eerdmans Publishing Company, is available at Parable.com and Christianbook.com and is, apparently, up for sale in the Deseret Bookstores.
 
As a reminder, Robert Millet is a Professor of Ancient Scripture at BYU, and the Manager of Outreach and Interfaith Relations with the LDS Church Public Affairs (which is a title and department which he, Millet, claims does not exist
 
Although rumors abound about Millet being confused about the interpretation and validity of early Mormon teachings and his leanings towards historic Christianity, rest assured that he is a lifelong, dedicated Mormon, and is on record stating he has no intention to convert to Biblical Christianity. Millet is an integral part of a well orchestrated agenda to convince the body of Christ that Mormonism is Christian.
 
Millet, along with and by way of Greg Johnson of Standing Together, has worked hard over the years to get his foot in the door of Christian churches both here in the U.S. and abroad. They both have their own one-hour weekly broadcast out of Salt Lake City named the "Bob and Greg in Conversation" at KTMV-TV20.
 
Please keep in mind that both Johnson and Millet are part of the "outstanding lineup" of speakers at the 2005 FAIR Conference in August.
 
Make no mistake about it, the rumors, tours, TV shows, book endorsements, interfaith relations and so-called "dialogues" between Christians and Mormons are nothing less than an in your face deception that has Paul's admonishment to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20:28-31; 1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Timothy 3:13 and Galatians 1:6-9 written all over it:
 
Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears.
 
But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith,
paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons...  
 
But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
 
I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel
from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to
you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!
 
James, what Christian in his right mind would fellowship and tour with a known Mormon apologist and author, whose ultimate goal is to gain converts from the very churches that are gullible enough to welcome him in?
 
What Pastor in his right mind would allow a wolf in sheep's clothing to occupy his pulpit and deceive innocent, gullible Christians into believing that Mormonism isn't as cultic as Walter Martin and other cult evangelists have maintained through the years?
 
What Christian "apologist" in his right mind would endorse any book written by any individual, whose religion and beliefs were founded and based on lies, deception, fraud and fabrication, and promote another Jesus, another gospel and another spirit (2 Corinthians 11:3-4)?
 
Which brings me to the main reason for my writing to you in the first place.
 
As you know, Craig Hazen is the Director of M.A. Program in Christian Apologetics and an Associate Professor of Comparative Religion and Apologetics at Biola University ( http://www.biola.edu/academics/scs/apologetics/faculty.cfm ) and the current Vice-President of EMNR.
 
Needless to say, Hazen's recent endorsement of Robert Millet's book has caused quite a stir with myself, colleagues and constituants. His actions will be a stumbling block to gullible Christians. And, when the dust has settled, history will record that actions such as these will seal the fate of doubting Mormons' to their eternal doom and separation from God.
 
Hazen's endorsement states:    
"Craig J. Hazen
Robert L. Millet has done us all a great service with this book. He communicates contemporary Latter-day Saints thinking on Christology with remarkable clarity and charity. His years of open, bold, and authentic dialogue with traditional Protestants of all stripes have certainly given him a special vantage point. This work sets the stage for a whole new level of robust dialogue between the LDS and evangelical Christian communities" [click HERE for source].

I can hear it now: Bud, why are you so concerned? After all, if a Christian apologist endorses Robert Millet's book, then it must not be all that bad.

Therefore, with the above in mind, what is EMNR's position on Craig Hazen's endorsement of Robert Millet's book?

Thanks, James. I look forward to reading your reply and any further comments you and the EMNR Board care to make. Please bear in mind that since this issue does not fall within the guidelines of Matthew 18,  this letter and all replies are subject to public scrutiny.

Sincerely in Christ,
Bud Press, Director
Christian Research Service
cc: EMNR Board of Directors

 

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