(Entire letter is found at http://www.alphamin.org/LETTERS/MAINPAGE.htm I will try to keep as much relevent material from James as possible but remove filler stuff to keep reading as short as possible but one can go to the link cited to get all of James comments so nobody can say I am taking things out of context nor not giving access to read the entire context--Something few LDS critics do.)
At that time I just quickly mentioned to you the importance of comparing one's feelings to the clear, inspired revelation of God, the Bible.Of course the Bible does contain inspired revelations from God but James makes a false assertion (which will be a common theme through this book) that the Bible is the gold standard and the final source to compare things to. Unfortunately that this 66 book "official, gold standard" did not exist in the the days of the New Testament or hundreds of years after so one has to wonder what those people compared their feelings to? In short, in 250 A.D there was no such thing as the "clear, inspired revelation of God, the Bible."
But, as we discussed, I do not believe that what you are preaching is the true Gospel of Jesus Christ.We don't believe that James White preaches the true gospel either. The issue is really subjective. Everyone has their own opinion of what the true gospel is. This really goes the fact that the Bible alone does not solve the problem as it can be interpreted many different ways
We both know people who are honest, kind, and moral, but who teach falsehood about Jesus Christ and His Gospel. For example, we both have encountered Jehovah's Witnesses as they go door-to-door preaching their version of the truth. You and I agree that the Witnesses are wrong in their teaching -- they believe that Jesus is actually Micchael the Archangel, Jehovah's first creation. You and I agree that that is in error. Therefore, no matter how honest or sincere the Witness at my door might be, they are in error! In the same way, you believe me to be in error, though I would hope that you would admit my honesty and sincerity with regards to my religious faith. And, from my perspective, you too are in error, though I freely admit your sincere feelings regarding your beliefs. So what I am saying is this: you can be sincere, but be sincerely wrong.Thats for stating the obvious. Its also possible to be sincere and be sincerely right.
I know sincere Buddhists, sincere Muslims, even sincere atheists -- but they are wrong, no matter how sincere they might think themselves to be.Buddhists and Muslims believe they are right. The value that they give to their faiths is no less than the ones that James gives to his. Perhaps they are right and James is wrong.
Truth exists, and we are responsible for how we relate to that truth. If we deny the truth, even if we have been taught from childhood on up to do so, we are wrong all the same. What is right is right, what is wrong is wrong. Truth exists independently of either you or I. You do not "define" truth, and I do not "define" truth. And let us flee quickly from the all-too common thinking of the world today, "well, you have your truth, and I have my truth...." Such is nonsense. Truth is truth, and it will be true whether I believe it to be true or not. But, I doubt we disagree about that. We both share the belief that truth exists, and that it can be known. Where we disagree is exactly what that truth is.It depends on what kind of truth one is talking about. Truth is often relative to the person who sees it. For example, James might say that tuna fish does not taste good and I may say that it does. To James, tuna fish is not good is truth to him but to me, tuna fish is good and is truth to me. Spiritual truth or beliefs about God are also relative or subjective. Since things about God are not based on scientific evidence but faith, what might be considered truth to one person is not to another.
In your testimony, you mentioned that you had prayed about the Book of Mormon, and knew that it was true. Elder Hahn, may I point out to you that I too have a testimony, and my testimony is in direct conflict with yours I believe that the Spirit has testified to me that there is but one God, and this is out of harmony with your own beliefs. How, then, are we to decide who is right.Here James is proclaiming to be an expert on "Elder Hahn" or the LDS faith. It is not for James to decide for LDS what is in or what is out of harmony for the LDS faith. LDS can make the decision for ourself. We do believe in one God but we do view it in a different perspective or viewpoint than James might. Whether there is one God or not its not a central issue of this "letter" so it will not be discussed here.
You honestly say that you have experienced feelings that you interpret to be the testimony of the Holy Ghost. I say the same thing. Yet, what we feel has been "revealed" by the Holy Ghost is in contradiction. If we leave it at this, no one can ever say "this is true, this is not" since we are back to saying that each person has his or her own truth. So how can we know "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." (Proverbs 14:12)This passage really is not helpful to to the issue. It does not address "feelings" that one might experience which James is making an issue here. It says that there is "a way" that seemeth right but it does not define what that way is. Perhaps the "way" could not be referring to feelings but using ones intellect or applying it to today, reading the Bible. Surely many believe that reading the Bible seemeth right to a man (James White) but the end thereof are the ways of death.
If we trust in our feelings, Elder Hahn, in that which we feel is "right," we can find ourselves in grave danger. Many a man has "felt" that this or that belief or path was "right," but the end of that path proved to be nothing but death and destruction. We cannot trust in our feelings to guide us properly. The writer of Proverbs said, "He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool " (Proverbs 28:26), and Jeremiah said, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it" (Jeremiah 17:9)James thinks that these verses show that a person can't come to know truth through their hearts as that would involve trusting in ones heart. The hebrew word for "heart" is leb and means "inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding." So not only can one say that the heart is deceitful, but also a person's mind and understanding. This sort of thing could be applied to the Bible as well. There is no indication that feeling can't be a means by which God can reveal or know truth. Especially in the context of prayer to God. Usually when one trusts in their heart, they are doing so outside of a prayer situation. Passions and desires are usually involved like when a person is involved in a romantic relationship. A person's mind and learning can be just as deceitful and wicked as a heart can. These verses are not as effective as James would like them to be.Any man who thinks his heart a faithful and safe guide knows very little about the evil and wickedness that lurks in its dark recesses. You know how easily you can rationalize evil behavior, and how simple it is to convince yourself that what you are doing is right, when in fact, it is wrong. If you are honest with your own heart, you know this to be the case.
If we apply this standard to other scriptures, then we have problems. There are many passages in the Bible that refer to the "heart" so do we understand it that everytime this occurs, it in a negative things. For example in Acts 2:37 it says the people were "pricked in their heart". Are we to conclude that what Peter had told these men was false and that when they were pricked in the heart, these men were fools and their pricking was deceiving them to believe on Peter's words? Or how about "the Spirit of his Son into your hearts" (Gal. 4:6). If this occurs, the people will become fools and the people will be deceived. James Whites interpretion of these passages just don't make sense. What this verses is saying that man is not to trust in himself and what he can do but God. Man's ways are not God's ways.
So, how can you possibly trust your feelings with reference to the truth of your church. What if your feelings are wrong. How can you know one way or the other.Who says that LDS trust only our feelings in regards to the church? I can only speak for myself but I study issues and look at many different evidences as well. I even look at views critical of an issue to get those perspectives as well. There are many other LDS that do the same. Also what if ones feelings are correct? These issues are avoided.
Thankfully, the Bible gives us the answer. There is something which is unchanging, unlike our feelings. There is something that tells us the truth at all times, again, unlike our feelings. That something is the Word of God.Now lets stop right here. How do we even know that the Bible is correct or should be trusted? James just declares it is. Now LDS do believe that the Bible is a source of truth however this belief is based on faith and feelings. Not some sort of objective truth. That is the real issue of this letter is it not? How do we know something is true. James says feelings is not a way to know truth but then basically something is true because he asserts X is true initially. Is that method any more valid than feelings?
James asserts that the Bible is the Word of God. Now maybe that is true and maybe that is not true. The fact is however even if the Bible is defined as the Word of God, which it is not, it has been changed many times. Look at all of the Bible versions out on the market. How do we know which version is true and which ones are crap? We have to put our faith in the translators that they got things right but that is hardly a method of knowing objective truth.
Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou he found a liar." (Proverbs 30:5)LDS agree with these passages but they none of them refer to a 66 book canon called the Bible. They refer to the words of God wherever they are found. Latter day Saints would include the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price as well as the Bible as the Word of God. So we agree that spiritual truth is to be found in the Word of God. Where we differ with James White is what that term "Word of God" means and what it encompasses. James simply restricts it to the 66 book canon called the Bible and there is no logical or historical justification for that. We say "While we may feel one way one day, and totally different another, the Bible, the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price does not change. There message is not altered by the changing, shifting moods of man." Exactly what does the term "Word of God" mean anyway. It can mean a lot of things and its never defined as the Bible in any book in the Bible. Consider the following statement from Non-LDS scholar Floyd V. Filson"Whoso despiseth the word shall he destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall he rewarded." (Proverbs 13:13)
"The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever." Isaiah 40:8)
And we should not forget the words of the Lord Jesus, where He spoke the same truth by saying, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away" (Matthew 24:35).
"It is possible, however, to stress the Bible so much and give it so central a place that the sensitive Christian conscience must rebel. We may illustrate such overstress on the Bible by the often-used (and perhaps misused) quotation from Chillingworth: “The Bible alone is the religion of Protestantism.” Or we may recall how often it has been said that the Bible is the final authority for the Christian. If it will not seem too facetious, I would like to put in a good word for God. It is God and not the Bible who is the central fact for the Christian. When we speak of “the Word of God” we use a phrase which, properly used, may apply to the Bible, but it has a deeper primary meaning. It is God who speaks to man. But he does not do so only through the Bible. He speaks through prophets and apostles. He speaks through specific events. And while his unique message to the Church finds its central record and written expression in the Bible, this very reference to the Bible reminds us that Christ is the Word of God in a living, personal way which surpasses what we have even in this unique book. Even the Bible proves to be the Word of God only when the Holy Spirit working within us attests the truth and divine authority of what the Scripture says. Faith must not give to the aids that God provides the reverence and attention that Belong only to God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Our hope is in God; our life is in Christ; our power is in the Spirit. The Bible speaks to us of the divine center of all life and help and power, but it is not the center. The Christian teaching about the canon must not deify the Scripture." (Floyd V. Filson, Which Books Belong in the Bible, p. 20-21 cited in "A Bible! A Bible! The Canon and Ongoing Revelation"27-33 by John A. Tvedtnes and Matt Roper)So these statements above do not prove that the Bible is a source of objective truth, though we may believe it to be so by faith and feelings. They don't even refer to the Bible at all when one looks at the historical setting that they were written.
The sure, unchanging Word of God provides us with the basis and definition of truth itself. While we may feel one way one day, and totally different another, the Bible does not change. Its message is not altered by the changing, shifting moods of man. When Paul and Silas entered into the city of Berea (as recorded in Acts chapter 17), they preached the Gospel. The Bereans had never heard this message before -- it was totally new to them. How, then, did they determine whether it was true or false Does the Bible tell us that they dropped to their knees and prayed about it, seeking some kind of feeling to help them know Did they trust in their feelings, and believe on that basis Certainly not. Listen to what the Bible says: "These were more noble minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received theThis passage does not say that that the Bereans did not pray. James is assuming that none prayed or trusted in feelings. Since James was no present in those days nor does he know any Bereans personally, he can't say they did or did not. It only says that they searched the scriptures to see if what Paul said was true but it does not say how the Bereans came to know that the scriptures they searched though were true. If they searched and also prayed and got a feeling from the spirit that it was true then the LDS view is defended. This is what Moroni 10:3-5 asserts. One is to read, ponder, and pray. Not only pray. People who do not read or ponder (which means to search and think actively on something) then odds are they are not going to get an answer from God even if they pray. As Latter day Saints, we also search the scriptures to find out if someone says something is true. So the LDS do follow the Bereans example.
word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so." (Acts 17:11)Note what these Bereans did. They "searched the Scriptures daily." Rather than looking to their feelings, they looked to the Scriptures, and compared the message preached by Paul and Silas with what was in the Holy Writings. By doing this, they discovered that the Gospel was true, and believed in the Lord Jesus Christ.
If one wants to take this futher, the Bereans were searching the scriptures to see if what Paul was saying was true. One could then make a case as far as the Bereans were concerned, they did not view Paul's writings and teachings as scripture as they were not searching them to compare with Paul's teachings. Hence why do we even have Paul's writings in the Bible as they are not scripture--at least according to the Bereans.
They did just as Paul exhorted the Thessalonians in his first letter, chapter 5, verse 21, "Prove all things, hold fast that which is good." The Bereans proved the message of Paul and Silas by comparing it with the Scriptures.Unfortunately this does not help James White as it does not say how to prove all things. Prayer and getting an answer to a prayer can be a way for one to prove all things. Feelings can also be a way as well. To think the only way to prove something is to search a very limited canon of scripture that did not even exist throughout most of time is simply being very narrow minded. One has to wonder what the people did in Moses day to prove all things with they did not have much of anything.
Note well, Elder Hahn, that the Holy Ghost will never give a testimony that is in conflict with that which He has inspired to be written in the Scriptures. The Holy Ghost is a consistent being, is He not? Is He not called the "Spirit of Truth" in John 16? Yes, He is. Then, if anyone claims that they have received a testimony from the Holy Ghost that such-and-such is true, and that belief is contradictory to that which we find in Scripture, then we can be sure of this one thing: the spirit that testified to that individual is not the Spirit of God! For example, the Holy Ghost will not testify to one person that "there is only one God" and to another, "there are many Gods." That would involve a contradiction, an inconsistency, on the part of the very Spirit of Truth. This is important, Elder, because I believe that the teachings of Joseph Smith are in direct contradiction to the inspired writings of the Bible.LDS of course don't believe this is the but believe that Joseph Smith's teachings are in direct agreement with the scriptures. I do believe that that God teaches and reveals truths to people according to their levels of understanding so I do believe that it is possible to for God to tell on person there is one God and another there are many Gods and both be correct based on context and frame of reference one is making. This will not be discussed here the issues can be much more complex that James claims. Finally, we will find a statement in Letter 3 where James speaks in regards to Bible contradictions that people bring up and he says "the vast majority of commonly presented "contradictions" are shown to be based more upon a desire to prove the Bible wrong than they are upon any defect in the Bible itself".
If this arguement is valid for the Bible then it also valid for Joseph Smith and James' criticisms of his teachings. So using this reasoning then "the commonly presented teachings of Joseph Smith that are said to be direct contradiction to the Bible are shown to be based more upon a desire to prove the Joseph Smith and LDS church wrong than they are upon any defect in the teachings of Joseph Smith and the LDS church itself."
If we say that the Holy Ghost inspired the teachings of the Bible, and Joseph Smith contradicted those writings, then the Holy Ghost would never give anyone, including you, a testimony that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God.But if we also say that the Holy Ghost inspired Joseph Smith then there is no contradictions.
James wrote, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." James l:5) Many Latter-day Saints feel that this passage teaches them to pray about what is true, and what is not true.This is is sort of inaccurate. We cite this passage as a reference to show that God will give answers to prayers. Not just to know whether something is true but also gaining inspiration on whether to do something. It may apply to knowing whether something is true or not but it has broader meanings than just that.
They believe that it gives them warrant to trust in certain feelings that have been theirs, certain experiences that they have had. Yet, is this really what James said? Is wisdom the same as knowledge of right and wrong You might note first, Elder Hahn, that the verse, as it is written in the original language of Greek, assumes that it is true that men lack wisdom. It could even be translated, "Since a man lacks wisdom, let him ask of God...." We all lack wisdom, do we not? But, is wisdom the same as knowledge of what is true and false? Not necessarily. First, wisdom and knowledge are two different terms in the Greek language in which this book was written. One must have knowledge to use wisdom; wisdom is the use of knowledge. They are related, but they are not the same thing.Nowhere in the text does it say that men can not ask God for knowledge. Wisdom and knowledge go hand in hand. Professor Bo Reicke of the University of Basel states:
"It is likely that James has such sources of "wisdom" in mind [i.e., books of worldly knowledge] when he advises his readers to strive after the true wisdom that comes only through prayer. He is confident that such prayers will be answered positively." (The Epistles of James, Peter, and Jude, The Anchor Bible, vol. 37, p. 14)James 1:5 is simply not restricting things to what James White would like to restrict it to.
This passage from James does not, then, teach us to trust in our feelings over what the Bible teaches. The Bible gives us true and clear knowledge of what is true about God and salvation.This may be true but then it may not be true. All one has faith that the Bible is giving them knowledge on God. It can't be proven.
If we are wise, we will accept that truth, and will not pray to God and ask Him to "repeat" what He has already said.We are not asking God to repeat anything. Having multiple witnesses is quite different. After all the 4 gospels repeat each other. Is a person unwise for using 4 gospels rather than just one? Actually wise people don't limit their sources of truth. James wants to base everything solely on the Bible but is this truely wise and did any person in the Bible ever advocate limiting their knowledge on a Bible canon that did not exist. This basically is it for Letter 1 with James giving a few, filler comments with nothing important in them.
The scriptures are clear that prayer and "feeling" are important in the process of learning truth.
Matthew 7:7-8 "Ask, and is shall be given you [that would include knowing if a book was from God i.e. Book of Mormon]; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."The early New Testament Christians were taught to "pray always," (Luke 18:1) and to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thes. 5:17). Unless our Anti-Mormon critics are willing to reject these passages, there is no reason why any person should NOT follow all the things that Moroni says about the Book of Mormon and find out for themselves if its true. All of the passages state its allowable to pray about it.Mark 11:24 "Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire [this would include knowing if a book was from God], when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them."
1 Tim 2:8 "I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting."
Matt 21:22 "And all things [that would include knowing if a book is from God i.e. Book of Mormon], whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."
John 16:23,24 "...Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name [which would include know if a book is from God i.e. Book of Mormon], he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full."
1 John 3:22 "And whatsoever we ask [including to know if a book is is from God i.e. Book of Mormon], we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight."
Bottom Line---PRAYING ABOUT ANYTHING, INCLUDING TO KNOW IF THE BOOK OF MORMON IS TRUE IS NOT ONLY "BIBLICAL" BUT STRONGLY ADVISED
The Role Of Feelings In Knowing Truth
Anti-Mormons like James White are constantly saying that one should not trust feelings to know spiritual truth. Is this scriptural?
Hebrews 12:9 "Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits and live?"These scriptures are clear that just as we have a father of our flesh, God is the Father of our spirits and within our bodies is our spirit and God communicates with us from his spirit to our spirit and without this spirit to spirit communication, we can't know Jesus is the Lord. It is this spirit to spirit communication that we know spiritual truth.Job 32:8 "But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding."
Romans 8:16 "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:"
1 Corinthians 12:3 "Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say [epo-command or tell] that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost."
1 Corinthians 2:14 "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."How does the natural man receive knowledge and truth? It is through intellectual study, philosophy his own efforts. This is not to say that one can profit in ones spiritual life through these means but it is not to be the primary source or way we are to aquire spiritual truth. The things of God are above the philosophies or ways of man so the only way that man can know the things of God is from God by spirit to spirit communication or REVELATION. Usually prayer is a major component of this. The ways man aquires truth are secondary to the primary way which is revelation. This is critical as it is the rock that Jesus spoke of in Matthew 16:15-18.
15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?Notice is says that Peter did not receive his testimony from flesh and blood (the way that man learns things--ususally by study) but by direct revelation from God. Peter could have studied the scriptures for 1000 years but that would not have given him the witness that Peter needed.
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed [it] unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shallnot prevail against it.
Feelings are an very important in this process of spirit to spirit communication as its personal communication and the only other ways such a communication can occur would be by an audible voice from the Lord or a direct visitation Himself. Anti-Mormons mock this view and often complain about us LDS referring to something called "a burning of the bosom" when the Holy Ghost informs them of truth (like knowing the Book of Mormon is true). They mock the scriptures as the LDS position is completely in line with them.
After Jesus was resurrected, 2 disciples were traveling on a road to Emmaus. (Luke 24:13-34) The men did not understand what had happened concerning the events of the crucifixion and resurrection. Christ appeared to them but their "...But their eyes were holden that they should not know him." (Luke 24:15-16). Jesus explained to them what had happened.
25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:Anti-Mormons constantly mock the "burning of the bosom" that many LDS members might refer to when they learned from the Holy Ghost that the Book of Mormon was true but as they mock, they also mock Luke 24 as i says in verse 32 "Did not our heart burn within us" which is another way to say "burning of the bosom". We also see that in verse 34 that the men called Jesus Lord and in 1 Corith 12:3 a person can only say Jesus is Lord by the Holy Ghost. So though the Holy Ghost is not specifically mentioned in this passage, it is apparent the Holy Ghost was with them it has association with their hearts burning.
26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?
27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
28 And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further.
29 But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.
30 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed [it], and brake, and gave to them.
31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.
32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?
33 And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,
34 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. [1 Corinthians 12:3 "Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost."]
Act 2:36-38 is another example that shows that feelings are important.
"Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard [this], they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men [and] brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."The key phrase in this passage for this discussion is "they were pricked in their heart"
Notice that when they heard the truths that Peter stated, they were pricked in their hearts which is an EMOTIONAL OR FEELING RESPONSE rather than an intellectual one. Some more examples include the following:
1 Kings 19:11-12 "And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind passed by, and a great and strong wind rent, the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice."It came by a "still small voice." Feelings must have been in important part in recognizing the still small voice.
Revelation 19:10 "the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."To have a sure witness of Christ, it does not come by study but by prophecy or revelation.
In 1 Corinthians, Paul warns against divisions due to false doctrine and the learning and understanding of men. The Greeks seek after human wisdom and logic which is foolishness to God (1 Cor. 1:17-21). They require things that appeal to their learing and wisdom. The wise and learned don't accept the Gospel as it is foolish to them but the foolish and base things of the world are the ones that believe (1 Cor. 1:25-29).
In 1 Corith 2, is says that the gospel is done not by logic but "...in demonstration of the Spirit and of power" (1 Cor. 2:4-5) so "that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God" (1 Cor. 2:5). Verses 10-14 "But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know then, because they are spiritually discerned."
How does one know things that are spiritual? By common sense or logic?
Galations 5:22-23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."Feelings play an important role in love, joy, peace, ect. By removings feelings, as James White would like, then how can one decern the fruits of the spirit.
2 Timothy 3:16 "All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"The important word in this discussion is "inspiration" Feelings play an important role in inspiration. If a person visits a particular place were some event occurred and is inspired to write a book on it, then its the feelings that caused him to write about it. Websters dictionary defines inspiration as "Simulation of the intellect or emotions to a high level. One that moves the intellect or emotions or prompts action.
2 Peter 1:21 "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake [as they were] moved by the Holy Ghost."The appropriate Websters definition for "moved" is "To stir the emotions of." If the prophets were moved by the Holy Ghost, feelings must have played a part in the process.
ONCE AGAIN, THE REAL QUESTION IS WHY SHOULD WE NOT PRAY ABOUT THE BOOK OF MORMON. THE BIBLE CLEARLY SAYS THAT PRAY IS WAY TO KNOW TRUTH AND FEELINGS ARE IMPORTANT. TO REMOVE FEELINGS FROM THE EQUATION, WE HAVE TO REMOVED HALF OF THE FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT AS THEY ARE ABSOLUTELY DEPENDENT ON FEEL.