The Counterfeit Gospel of Mormonism

The best chapter in this book is by Francis Beckwith, a philosophy professor who has written an academic monograph on Mormonism as well as a number of academic articles (which means, I presume, that he knows something about Mormonism). Ron Rhodes's chapter is second best, but Geisler and Roberts could use some improvement. I think a project like this is good, but it should be a little more tight. It is written clearly and intended for a wide audience. The book is worth buying just for Beckwith's well-reasoned critique of the Mormon concept of God.

My only complaint: Let's just take it a step further and say "The Counterfeit Religion of Christianity". All of Christiandom (and Islam and Buddhism and every other "other worldly" religion had the same formative processes that created Mormonism, only so long ago no one seems to muster the critical scope to take it on.

talk about an all-star crew of authors!! I'm in Phil Robert's chapter in the book right now. The book was written from an evangelical standpoint for a reason- Mormonism is a divergent, created belief system which has absolutely NO basis in Historic and Biblical Christianity aside from Smith's plagarism of a KJV Bible and his 'modifications' in the so-called 'inspired version'. Not too much new info is presented to those who are already familiar with the LDS (and with older titles on the subject) and their divergencies from Historic Christianity, but for those unfamiliar, this book makes it easy to learn.

This book provides substantive and accurate scholarship. It helps to dispel the misleading image of Mormonism created by the LDS Church's professional public relations firm. The latter is a rosily inaccuate portrayal that all too easily seduces the subjective, feelings-oriented mentality that is so prevalent today. The book is historically, theologically and philosophically excellent. It will be recognized as such by those having more than a superficial knowledge of Mormon doctrine and history. For example, it is abundantly clear from Joseph Smith's "Inspired Version" of the Bible that he did, indeed, intend to write himself into Old Testament prophecy. Those who take the trouble to read the early diaries and historical documents of the Church do not doubt this. This book is an absolute must read. I would give it more than five stars if I could.