Stephen E. Robinson (1947–2018)

An interesting attempt to bring Mormonism within the broader scope of mainstream Christianity, particularly insofar as Mormonism's doctrine of grace is concerned.
For many Mormons, "grace" is almost a swearword. Mormonism has oft, and with good reason, been compared with Pelagianism, the Christian heresy that discounted totally the expiatory value of Christ's atonement, and made each person solely responsible for his/her own salvation.
Au fond, Mormonism isn't Pelagianism, as I've written show more elsewhere and at great length (but then, when don't I write at great length). But most Mormons don't worry about these nice theological distinctions--there is too much good to be done, too many commandments to be obeyed, too many meetings to attend, too many quota to be filled.
To his credit, Robinson labels this "religiosity" as basically self-serving and self-saving, because it excludes the person and work of Christ Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. There isn't much in the way of subtle theology in Robinson's works, but then Mormon's aren't big on subtlety. No shades of gray for the spiritual children of Joseph Smith--it's all white or all black, and never the twain shall meet.
But to his credit, Robinson perseveres in his praiseworthy attempts to get Mormons to stop focusing on their own works of the flesh, and to look instead to Christ. The fact that he's not totally successful may be attributed to some measure to the fact that Robinson himself has bought into way too much of the Mormon self-congratulation ritual; and partly because he refuses to employ language with sufficient force and violence to overthrow what is to my mind a genuinely apostate paradigm thriving in modern Mormonism--that we Mormons can save ourselves, as long as we're active LDS Church and temple attenders who pay tithing, don't smoke, drink, or screw each other's spouses.
The one who attempts to rip those blinkers from off the collective Mormon forehead will need to use violence much more intense than Robinson's measured phrases. Despite his well-intentioned efforts, I fear Robinson's well-written books haven't had near the impact they should have.
This reminds me of a story my late father told me about how to train a mule. The mule's owner was beside himself with anger and frustration, the more he tugged on the reins, the more the mule dug itself in; finally the owner was reduced to incoherent cursing and screaming.
Along came a veteran mule trainer. "Son," he said, "you're going about it all wrong. You have to give your mule the best food, the coldest, sweetest water, the softest words of love." Whereupon the trainer grabbed a nearby 2x4 and broke it over the mule's head. "But first," he continued, "you have to get its attention."
Steve Robinson, who taught for many years at Lycoming College, a Methodist institution, before being hired at Mormon-owned BYU, is, I'm sure, genuinely glad to be where he is. He may lack the prickle necessary to bash a bunch of complacent, stubborn Mormons over the head with this particular 2x4. But short of that, I fear his important work is doomed for obscurity--or even worse, as fodder for Mormons who have no desire to change their self-righteous ways and see in Steve Robinson a fellow traveler.
It's a good book . . . it could've been better had its author not been so timid and conciliatory; and had instead thundered once or twice, "Thus saith the Lord . . . .!"
Pecca fortitur, Steve. show less

So often we say we believe in Christ without believing that he can save me. Robinson points out the inconsistency, and says that if we really believe in him, we will also believe that he can save me also.

One of the minor points of this book is that it explains that there is a false dichotomy between faith and works. They are both necessary. Likewise, Grace is a gift freely given without any requirements, otherwise it would be justice. However, is is possible to refuse grace, and it is show more important to show our desire to receive grace. Analogies through the book illustrate the principles that are explained.

When writing about a book, I often quote favorite or meaningful parts of the book. I resisted doing that with this book. First, the premise of the book is quite simple, but although it is a thin book, yet there is a lot more to it. It's a thin book - No review could do it justice. Just read it yourself.

Read in 2005, and again in 2013. show less

The guy does a good job explaining the Christ-centric aspects of the Gospel, which us Mormons often lose sight of in our relentless quest to "keep the commandments." Great insights and anecdotes. Some good humor, too.

Dr. Robinson does what he sets out to well. He point by point answers many of the evangelical and fundamental Christian arguments about why Mormon's aren't Christian and either refutes them or answers them gently and honestly. A soft apologetic.

My personal gripe is the growing tendancy recently of Mormon scholars to present all the areas where LDS theology shares common ground with creedal Christianity while minimizing our distinct differences too.