| Bridging the Mormon Evangelical Divide | | | | own personal Bible Study. |
| Vincent DiGirolamo has written "On Common | | | | I found Vincent's own personal journey to faith |
| Ground" in an attempt to bridge the divide that | | | | interesting. He was raised Catholic, and converted |
| often exists between those of different religious | | | | to Mormonism. He shares a personal and intimate |
| persuasions. DiGirolamo sets out to address beliefs | | | | spiritual experience this way: "On bended knee I |
| shared in common among people of all faiths. He | | | | asked God in earnest one evening, having studied |
| maintains that there is a common ground of | | | | it out in my own mind. Is Jesus Christ, the |
| beliefs, principles, and values, from the scriptures | | | | Promised Messiah spoken of in the Old |
| accepted by all who call themselves Christians. It | | | | Testament? That day I received my answer with |
| is this principle-centered approach that is followed | | | | all the warm feelings of my heart - Yes, He is - |
| throughout the format and contents of the book. | | | | and I now knew it for myself and not from any |
| These principles are arranged topically. | | | | other source." |
| The book includes 2,000 principles cataloged and | | | | This courageous step to "Bridging the Mormon |
| arranged under 1500 topics headings. The recent | | | | Evangelical Divide" is admirable. I want to |
| upsurge in interest in Latter-day Saint beliefs gave | | | | commend Vincent DiGirolamo for taking this first |
| DiGirolamo the impetus, he needed, to compile the | | | | step in a worthy effort for Christians to take a |
| material included in this important effort to bridge | | | | solid stand "On Common Ground." |
| the Mormon Evangelical Divide. | | | | Under the topic "Deceive" Vincent asks us the |
| The principles addressed under the topical | | | | reader to consider the warning found in Matthew |
| headings are drawn directly from the King James | | | | 24:23, 24. "...For there shall arise false prophets, |
| Version of the Bible or from additional Latter Day | | | | and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch |
| Saint Scriptures. No commentary or interpretation | | | | that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the |
| is provided other than the referenced Bible verses | | | | very elect." Another exhortation under this topic is |
| and reference sites of the Mormon writings, this is | | | | found in Ephesians 4:14. "Be no more children |
| to help establish those principles that are common | | | | tossed to and fro, and carried about with the |
| in practice and are determined to be shared | | | | wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and |
| beliefs. | | | | cunning craftiness, whereby they lay in wait to |
| This approach will not only help to clear up | | | | deceive." |
| misconceptions but will encourage a deeper | | | | While there are many common principles that can |
| exploration into these Biblical principles. It is the | | | | be agreed on among Mormon and Evangelicals, as |
| authors hope that this will in turn foster a greater | | | | Christian believers we must be careful to |
| understanding of the commonality among those | | | | preserve sound doctrine and to acknowledge that |
| pursing an active meaningful Christian experience. | | | | Jesus is indeed the Christ, the Son of God, the |
| "On Common Ground" has given me insight into a | | | | promised Messiah. |
| new approach to examining Biblical principles in my | | | | |