Marxism, Satanism, and the Worship of Self
Americans have misunderstood “Satanic” as either ridiculous fear-mongering or a reliable laugh-line—not appreciating what’s at its core: A worship of self or “self as god.”
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Author: Dan Ellsworth
Dan Ellsworth is a consultant and writer living in Charlottesville, Virginia. Dan serves on the Mormon Studies Council at the University of Virginia, and is a contributor to Interpreter and other groups dedicated to improving Latter-Day Saints’ understanding of theology and scripture.
Researching Disaffection: The Neglected Variable of Conversion
It is important to understand the lived experience of our faith, including the reasons why people step away. But real understanding of these experiences is not possible unless we account for the variable of conversion.
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Processing the Unthinkable
Some of the charged responses to inexplicable tragedies like this are only understandable. And some are clearly standing in the way of both greater healing and more effective prevention of future violence.
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Saying Goodbye to Faith-Toxic Influencers
Difficult days are ahead. So make sure to weigh carefully who you are choosing to trust to guide your heart, mind and family.
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Counting the Cost of Zion
Our discussion of Brad Wilcox’s firesides has been a hard and valuable one, and Dan Ellsworth closes with this plea for more forthrightness about the uncomfortable challenges Zion requires of us all.
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Doing Good in Conservative and Liberal Religion
Part three of a series exploring differences in conservative and liberal approaches to faith – with a focus on the “social gospel.”
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Belonging and Believing in Conservative and Liberal Religion
Part two of a series exploring differences in conservative and liberal approaches to faith – with a focus on competing ways conservative and liberal-leaning believers tend to approach authority and belonging.
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Exploring Conservative and Liberal Religion
Part one of a series exploring differences in conservative and liberal approaches to faith—considering especially the implications for Latter-day Saints.
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Covid Peacemaking for Latter-day Saint Families
Many Latter-day Saint congregations have experienced deep conflict over our varied perspectives on COVID-19. This presents a teaching opportunity for Latter-day Saint families; the healing of divides in our congregations begins in each of our homes.
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A Call For Countercultural Christianity
In an age where Christians (and everyone else) tend to flow with the cultural current, the remarks of President Dallin H. Oaks on Friday at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville were striking in their departure from popular rhetorical trends.
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Understanding Demons
Popular culture often uses demonic themes for shock value, with many modern commentators denying the existence of Satan or demons outright. But believers benefit from understanding the reality of demonic influence, and clues to the nature of that influence are found in the demons’ own words in scripture.
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Our Deepening Divide Over Identity
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s remarks at BYU revealed an already-existing conflict over how The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its critics conceive of identity. As prophets affirm repeatedly, our true identity existed long before any of our present experiences, and is remembered, more than discovered.
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The Middle Ground is Disappearing
As the doctrine of the “self-centered” West becomes increasingly distinct from the doctrines of the Restored Gospel, the faithful can no longer stay in a middle ground.
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The Seductive Deception of “Informed Consent”
In demanding activities we don’t always know exactly what we’re getting into. Thank goodness.
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Yes, We Really Do Need to Talk About Race
It’s not just folks on the political left who we’d love to go deeper in exploring meaningful questions. These are some of our questions for brothers and sisters on the political right as well.
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Honest Questions about Race for Fellow Disciples
An open letter to Pro-CRT Latter-day Saints at BYU and beyond—inviting a good-faith dialogue that honestly engages some of our meaningful disagreements.
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Easter is Reality
Many now believe that the more advanced your faith becomes, the less likely you are to embrace the literal realities of scripture. Jesus taught something far more exciting than that.
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A Response to Radical Orthodoxy Criticisms
Since the publication of “Latter-day Saint Radical Orthodoxy: A Manifesto,” a number of questions and concerns have arisen. I respond here to a few of the more prominent ones.
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Thou Shalt Not Whine
To complain is a normal human response to the difficulties of life. But Christians have in scripture a contrast between the spiritually-healthy practice of lament and the soul-corroding practice of murmuring.
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Intersectional Anger on the Left and Right
What’s helpful about intersectionality, and how it can also be harmful (on both sides of the political spectrum). This continues our series on anger in America today (See also “Anger and the Modern Prophetic Voice”)
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