Mormon Stories and the Dehlin Affair Controversy
The intersection of faith and academic inquiry often creates tension, particularly within specialized religious studies. A notable example of this friction occurred in 2013 surrounding the podcast Mormon Stories and its host, leading to a wider debate known as the "Dehlin affair." This event highlighted the deep divide between different approaches to studying the history and beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The Catalyst: Gregory L. Smith's Review
The controversy began when Gregory L. Smith published a critical review of Mormon Stories in the publication Interpreter. In his critique, Smith raised concerns regarding the host's approach to sensitive topics. Specifically, Smith alleged that Dehlin was frequently uninformed about the controversial material he discussed with his interviewees.
Furthermore, Smith claimed that the platform promoted views that were hostile to the foundational beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These allegations sparked an immediate reaction within the community of scholars and believers.
The Dehlin Affair and Academic Tension
The anticipation and subsequent publication of Smith's piece catalyzed a broader discussion referred to by some as the Dehlin affair. This discourse moved beyond a simple critique of a podcast and evolved into a fundamental debate about the nature of Mormon studies.
At the heart of the conflict were two competing methodologies for the academic study of Mormonism by Mormons:
- Apologetic scholarship: Research intended to defend or justify the doctrines and history of the faith.
- Non-faith-based scholarship: Research conducted using secular academic standards, independent of a requirement to support religious claims.
Key Facts
- Year of Review: 2013.
- Critic: Gregory L. Smith.
- Publication: Interpreter.
- Core Allegation: Lack of information on controversial topics and promotion of views hostile to foundational Church beliefs.
- Resulting Debate: The "Dehlin affair," focusing on apologetic versus non-faith-based scholarship.
| Entity | Role/Position | Key Contribution/Claim |
|---|---|---|
| Gregory L. Smith | Reviewer | Alleged host was uninformed and hostile to foundational beliefs. |
| Mormon Stories | Subject | Podcast discussing Mormonism and its complexities. |
| Interpreter | Publisher | The venue where the critical review was published. |
| The Dehlin Affair | Academic Event | A debate on the role of faith-based vs. secular scholarship. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the primary criticism leveled against Mormon Stories?
Gregory L. Smith alleged that the host was often uninformed about the controversial material discussed during interviews and promoted views hostile to the foundational beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
What is the "Dehlin affair"?
The Dehlin affair refers to the community-wide discussion triggered by the publication of Smith's review, focusing on the roles of different scholarly approaches within the study of Mormonism.
What is the difference between apologetic and non-faith-based scholarship?
Apologetic scholarship seeks to defend and support the beliefs of a faith, while non-faith-based scholarship applies academic rigor and critical analysis without the necessity of supporting those beliefs.
Where was the critical review of Mormon Stories published?
The review was published in Interpreter in 2013.