The World and the Prophets

This was an admirable work by Dr. Nibley. In it, he demonstrates the role of the prophet in several different spheres and influences in the world around us. His examinations are more of a philosophical take on the world and the prophets, not so much a "scholarly" take per say, but nevertheless, he offers, to no surprise, a fresh and triumphant work that does not lack any less scholarship than any other of Dr. Nibley's work. Really, this book is comparable with "Approaching Zion" and is indeed directed to more LDS audiences. Nevertheless, this book is a must for LDS and non-LDS readers alike to get an introduction to the LDS view of prophets and the world that they live in. So, all in all, a fine book by a great scholar.

The first thirty chapters of this book were delivered as radio addresses by Hugh Nibley in 1954. In 1962 they were published as we have here with two concluding chapters. These lectures all discuss the nature of the prophetic calling versus what the world would praise as leaders. Nibley hammers home again and again that a prophet has nothing to do with earning the world's praise nor is he required to appeal to us. It is our duty to hear God's voice and get ourselves in line with what God would have us do. To do this we need to hear the Spirit who will confirm to us the words we hear from the prophet. It is always interesting to me that we continue to turn to our own ways even after having the world's folly confirmed to us again and again. Yet, to the world the message of any prophet is foreign and strange to the point of being ridiculous. No wonder they mock and point. It is our job to ignore the world and stay focused on the words of life. This book can help make following true prophets much easier with greater understanding, confidence, and focus. It does read as a series of talks rather than a treatise that builds up a single argument. Instead, each chapter can be read separately. You might gain by reading one chapter each day for a month and a day and meditate on each one for that day.

Hugh Nibley is widely considered one of the top scholars that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormons) has produced. During his long career, he has written extensively on ancient history, Scripture, the Book of Mormon, comparative religion and other subjects. Prof. Nibley has been praised by non-Mormon as well as Mormon scholars, including some Evangelical Protestants, who consider him Mormonism's best apologist. (Incidentally, there are some scholars within the LDS Church that question certain aspects of his methodology and his use of sources.) For those who don't know, Mormons believe that the Christian church fell into apostasy early on and the Church was restored with the prophetic work of Joseph Smith, Jr. (1805-1844). Although the Reformers challenged some of Rome's teachings, they accepted the idea that revelation was mostly over and placed it in an inspired book rather than an inspired church. The Mormons believe in continuing revelation and Nibley even speaks highly of the Charismatic movement. To a certain extent, then, Mormonism is a form of "restorationism" which was popular during the time of Joseph Smith. THE WORLD AND THE PROPHETS is a collection of talks that Dr. Nibley gave on radio 50 years ago. Nibley concisely sets forth the Mormon idea of revelation (particularly the importance of prophecy) and contrasts it was historic Christianity, which tends to limit revelation to an inspired Church and an inspired book. According to Nibley, Christianity (if you can all it that) went off the wrong track early on with its emphasis on "mysticism, speculation, and rhetoric." Nibley argues that, on the other hand, Mormonism is a more "literal" and less "speculative" religion. THE WORLD AND THE PROPHETS' biggest limitation is that inherent in brief lectures. There is a tendency to draw excessively sharp contrasts between Mormonism and more traditional forms of Christianity. For example, Nibley alleges that the rest of the Christian world is given to Greek speculation (such as the classical formulation of the doctrine of the Trinity and the Deity of Christ) yet the same thing could be said with respect to Mormons (in their doctrine of deification and the like). In addition, Nibley has the tendency to make historic Christians out to be something of frauds. In a couple places, he even implies that Church Fathers like Augustine were such blatant phonies that they even had to admit it. I checked out a few of Nibley's references and there are, to put it mildly, more charitable interpretations one could give them. Even if one is not a Mormon, one can appreciate this book for the insight that it sheds on the Mormon view of historic Christianity. For a different perspective (which doesn't mention Mormonism or Nibley, however) one might consult Jean Danielou's work GOD AND THE WAYS OF KNOWING.

Prof. Nibley's genius is evident in everything he writes. This book is astoundingly timely despite being written nearly 50 years ago. All of his statements about the times were true then, but 10 times as true now. I have six more of his books piled up in my books to read.

Hugh Nibley, to put it simply, is a genius. This outstanding work goes into the depth on prophets in the Bible, Early Christian Church, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (more commonly known as the Mormon Church). Its striking insights and parallels makes one to think. It is filled with information that deserve to be reread over and over again. A definite aid and an intriguing work. In fact, I think I am going to read it again...