Description
Book SynopsisIrenaeus, Joseph Smith, and God-Making Heresy seeks both to demonstrate the salience of “heresy” as a tool for analyzing instances of religious conflict far beyond the borders of traditional historical theology and to illuminate the apparent affinity for deification exhibited by some persecuted religious movements. To these ends, the book argues for a sociologically-informed redefinition of heresy as religiously-motivated opposition and applies the resulting concept to the historical cases of second-century Christians and nineteenth-century Mormons. Ultimately, Irenaeus, Joseph Smith, and God-Making Heresy is a careful application of the comparative method to two new religious movements, highlighting the social processes at work in their early doctrinal developments.
Trade ReviewAdam J. Powell's work utilizes a robust theoretical framework to present the connection between the opposition faced by religious communities and the development of new doctrines, specifically deification.... This text offers an important contribution to the discussion of Mormon history and how doctrines form in light of exterior forces. This text is well researched and offers an important theoretical framework for the study of heresy's impact on religious movements. * Journal of Mormon History *
In just over two hundred pages, Powell manages to produce not only a fascinating comparison between Joseph Smith’s nineteenth-century Mormonism and the religious thought of second-century church father Irenaeus, but also introduces an innovative application of the work of Max Weber and Hans Mol to the question of religious conflict management.... [B]ooks like Powell’s are important, pioneering steps toward a more mature notion of how Mormonism can function as a suitable subject of study for scholars interested in the nature of religion as a concept and as a fully integrated cultural agent. * Mormon Studies Review *
At first glance, second-century bishop Irenaeus of Lyon and Joseph Smith . . . don't seem to have much in common. . . .However, as Dr. Adam Powell shows in his fascinating study, Irenaeus, Joseph Smith God-Making Heresy, they and their communities shared a great deal. * New Books Network *
Powell does an admirable job of articulating many striking similarities surrounding the formation of early Christianity, as represented by Irenaeus, and the formation of early Mormonism. Those similarities are compelling, and well-worth examining. . . .Sociologists of religion will find this book of value. * AML's Dawning of a Brighter Day *
Irenaeus, Joseph Smith, and God-Making Heresy is very highly recommended for academic library Christian Studies collections. * Midwest Book Review *
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Introduction Approaching Answers Outline Part One 1.Heresy as Opposition: Debates and Definitions Available Definitions Relativity and Heresy The Ideal Type Toward a Sociology of Heresy Heresy and Soteriology: The Process of Interaction 2.The Heretical Process: Its Assumptions and Predictions The Sociology of Knowledge Hans Mol’s Adaptation/Identity Dialectic When Position becomes Confession From Opposition to Salvation Part Two 3.Locating Heresy: The Threefold Attack Pagans, Jews, Gnostics, and Rome: The Irenaean Antecedent Ministers, Mobs, Apostates, and “Gentile” (Protestant) America: The Early Mormon Example Ferment and Fecundity 4.Resolving Heresy: Soteriological Schemas Toward Resolution Order and Salvation Group and Self in the Soteriological Schema God, Humanity, Resolution, and Adaptation Conclusion: Salvation and Success God-making Heresy Finale Bibliography Index About the Author
