Email
#1
Date: September 26, 2021
Subject: Querying Interest in Debate
on Baptismal Regeneration
From: Robert Boylan
To: Micah Wilder
Hi Micah,
Thanks for the free copy of the book you sent to my SLC address. I read
it when it arrived a few months ago.
Recently, I have been asked by a few friends to reach out to you and ask
if you would be willing to debate live/in a public venue on the topic of
baptismal regeneration? I would be more than happy to do such, and bear the
burden of taking the affirmative.
I sent you a PDF copy of my book defending, using the Bible and
historical-grammatical exegesis, in favour of the doctrine, which I know you reject
(you explicitly reject it a few times in your book) so you can read how I
defend the doctrine there (as well as the appendices refuting the concept of
imputed righteousness, something you accept in your book but never defend, at
least, exegetically).
As you often do public presentations on “Mormonism,” including at two
conferences in the Utah area alone in September (at least that I am aware
of; there may have been others), I am sure you have no objections to the
concept at least.
I will be back (hopefully for good) in Utah in late November, and will be
participating in at least two debates before the end of the year (one on Sola
Scriptura against a Reformed Baptist; one on whether the Immaculate Conception
of Mary is apostolic in origin against a Roman Catholic).
In case you are wondering about my credentials, I have degrees in
theology from a Catholic institution (Pontifical University of Ireland,
Maynooth), am the author of 6 books on the Bible and its relationship to LDS
theology (e.g., Sola Scriptura; Mariology; Eucharistic Theology), run a pretty
popular LDS blog, am a contributing editor to the journal, Interpreter: A
Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship and work as a research
analyst for a LDS “think tank” with a lot of my work focusing on 19th-century
LDS history and primary texts. I mention this, not to boast, but to show that I
am not just some random LDS who wants to pick a fight but someone with a
reputation in LDS apologetics and is informed, not just about “Mormonism” but
also non-LDS traditions, such as Protestantism.
If you are game, we can make some preliminary arrangements about
when/where, etc. If you cannot for someone reason, do hit the idea against
Lynn(*) and/or Michael (I am cc'ing Lynn in this email).
Best,
Robert Boylan
ScripturalMormonism.blogspot.com
(*) As an aside, I interacted with your mom's "arguments" against
divine embodiment in my most recent book. See Appendix 5: Latter-day Saint (and
Biblical) Theology on Divine Embodiment, pp. 157-76 (attached).
Email
#2
Date: November 1, 2021
From: Robert Boylan
To: Micah Wilder, Lynn Wilder, glm@themissionutah.com [God Loves
Mormons]
Hi again Micah/Lynn,
It has been about 4 weeks and no response. Not sure if you are open for a
public debate on baptismal regeneration, but would like to know (1) if you
would and (2) if not, why not, as you are often public in your attacks on
"Mormonism." I am cc'ing God Loves Mormons in this challenge to debate baptism and
its relationship to salvation as (1) I have tried in the past to interact with
them, even on this issue, and maybe this time they will respond
(BTW: Ritch/Bradley: I do not mind a 1 on 2 debate if it is has to come down to
that or you can ask your friend Bill McKeever whom you have done some collabs
with if he is "game") and (2) they are "local" to Utah
(being in St. George [Micah is in Florida so I can understand the issue with
travel])--I will be in Utah from December 1 until Feb 28, and would like to
arrange a debate on this central issue (I have one debate scheduled against
Jeremy Howard on Sola Scriptura and will have a 2nd, once a venue is found,
against Peter Doumit on the Immaculate Conception).
Thanks.
Email #3
Date:
From: Robert Boylan
To: Lynn Wilder, Micah Wilder
Date: May 2, 2023
Hi Lynn,
As you recently appeared on the UK Premier Radio again critiquing
Mormonism and supporting your flavour of Protestantism, I am once again
reaching out to see if you will do a moderated public debate on soteriology
(e.g., whether baptismal regeneration is affirmed in the Bible [which I would
affirm; you deny]) as well as the issue of biblical sufficiency/sola scriptura.
As you are pretty active in Protestant venues, I hope you will actually engage
in debate with an informed LDS apologist on issues that divide LDS and
Protestants.
I am cc'ing Micah in case he wants to debate instead (I do not mind 2 vs.
1 as we will have 50% time). I moved from Ireland to Utah in December, so it
won't be difficult to arrange a debate, I am sure.
Robert Boylan
ScripturalMormonism.blogspot.com
Email
#4
Date: May 2 2023
From: Lynn Wilder (cc. Micah Wilder)
To: Robert Boylan
Hi, Robert,
Nice to hear from you. That debate on
Premier Radio from 2014 was the only debate I've ever agreed to do; it's not
recent. Michael Flournoy--the LDS apologist and author of two books, one being
A Biblical Defense of Mormonism--that I debated has since chosen biblical faith
and salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
I respectfully decline to debate. I do
not consider debate a fruitful way to inform others of the love of Jesus.
Warm Regards,
Dr. Wilder
Email
#5
Date: May 2, 2023
From: Robert Boylan
To: Lynn Wilder, Micah Wilder
Hi Lynn,
I saw it was being advertised so I
thought it was a new presentation. Be that as it may, as someone who writes
books against "Mormonism," appears on various shows, and gives
presentations against the Latter-day Saint faith, I do think it is cowardly
not to agree to a public moderated
debate. That speaks volumes.
If you ever change your mind, let me
know.