"God Maker's" read and reviewed by Joanna Works
Title: "The God Maker's: A Shocking Expose' of What the Mormon Church Really Believes"
Authors: Ed Decker & Dave Hunt
Title: "The God Maker's: A Shocking Expose' of What the Mormon Church Really Believes"
Authors: Ed Decker & Dave Hunt
Publisher: Harvest House, 1984
Genre: Non-fiction, Occult & theology and Religious History
Page count: 263
Sequel: The God Makers II (Written by Ed Decker and Caryl Matrisciana, published in 1993)
Movie Connections: The God Makers & The God Makers II (Documentaries)
Over view: Ed Decker a former Mormon started a ministry to reach out to Mormons and former Mormons with the Gospel and to warn any potential converts about what they'd really be getting into if they where to get involved with Mormonism. That is the purpose of this book co-authored by Dave Hunt, and the documentary that Ed Decker made of the same title before the book. Many of the interviews and reenactments in the documentary are referenced in the book, the book also has much more back story and context about the individuals from the documentary.
Positives: Well Documented, "The God Maker's" doesn't just state what is commonly taught in the LDS church currently but traces the developments, changes, contradictions and cover ups with in LDS and some of the other Mormon off shoots of LDS through the writings, journals, sermons, speeches, newspaper articles, and even trial records of the early founders, as well as the two primary books used by LDS "The Book Of Mormon" and "Doctrine and Covenant" and changes made to these two books.
Furthermore the authors build up a very strong case connecting Mormonism to occults and Masonry through the quoting of historical documents listed above and the testimonies of former Mormons about the Temple ceremonies.
Negatives: Very impersonal. While the testimonies from other former Mormons who where involved in the documentary are candid the most readers will get from this book about Ed Decker's personal back ground is the description of him on the back cover. While the chapter dealing with the temple ceremonies is written in a stirring emotional manor it is the only sense you'll get from reading this book that either of the authors have first hand experience with Mormonism not just a well-studied scholarly understanding. However even in this chapter the narrative is a general third person describing the emotions that you the reader are likely to feel and thoughts you'd have if there, rather then a first person testimony. It is the opinion of this reviewer that the over all tone of the book would have been much easier to read and have stronger credibility had the narrative been less clinical and more personal. On a Theological note: "The God Makers" only uses The King James Version when quoting scriptures. While most of the chapters give some Biblical counters to Mormon practices Chapter 10 "Sacred or Secret" focuses on what the Bible DOES teach; Man's fall, God's promise of the Savior, God's justice, God doesn't change His mind or standards, the real meaning of blood atonement, signs of true prophets, and the finished work of the scriptures. My only reservations of the theology of "The God Makers" is the free will terminology. While it is very harsh of what is wrong with Mormonism it does not try to answer what is a true church, I believe this is a good thing, as the writers stay focused on genuine salvation and it not being in Mormonism. Though it does allude to universal church it also urges readers to search the scriptures.
Other books by the Authors;
Ed Decker: "Complete Handbook On Mormonism," "What You Need To Know About Masons" and much more.
Dave Hunt: "The Seduction Of Christianity," "Occult Invasion: The Subtle Seduction Of The World and Church," and "What Love Is This? Calvinism's Misrepresentation Of God."
Final words: I would recommend this book for any one interested in learning about Mormonism as well as the two documentaries "God Makers" & "God Makers II". While "The God Makers" covers a wide range of problems with Mormonism it could leave you with some more questions because it can only cover so much information with each of the topics & doctrines it calls into question. Myself, I would like to find a more up to date book or article on the business practices of the Mormon corporation machine and how the ressetion has affected it. Mr. Decker has multiple other books on the topic and I would recommend reading his books. I would be very cautious about reading any of Mr. Hunt's other books however because of his antagonism toward The Five Points Of Grace, though he has also written other books on occultism. Recommended books on this subject? I haven't read all the way through any more books specifically on Mormonism though I plan on reading "The God Makers II." If any one has some other recommendations please post them in the comments. If you've read this book please leave your own review, or if you haven't read it and have questions please post in the comments Thank you.
Genre: Non-fiction, Occult & theology and Religious History
Page count: 263
Sequel: The God Makers II (Written by Ed Decker and Caryl Matrisciana, published in 1993)
Movie Connections: The God Makers & The God Makers II (Documentaries)
Over view: Ed Decker a former Mormon started a ministry to reach out to Mormons and former Mormons with the Gospel and to warn any potential converts about what they'd really be getting into if they where to get involved with Mormonism. That is the purpose of this book co-authored by Dave Hunt, and the documentary that Ed Decker made of the same title before the book. Many of the interviews and reenactments in the documentary are referenced in the book, the book also has much more back story and context about the individuals from the documentary.
Positives: Well Documented, "The God Maker's" doesn't just state what is commonly taught in the LDS church currently but traces the developments, changes, contradictions and cover ups with in LDS and some of the other Mormon off shoots of LDS through the writings, journals, sermons, speeches, newspaper articles, and even trial records of the early founders, as well as the two primary books used by LDS "The Book Of Mormon" and "Doctrine and Covenant" and changes made to these two books.
Furthermore the authors build up a very strong case connecting Mormonism to occults and Masonry through the quoting of historical documents listed above and the testimonies of former Mormons about the Temple ceremonies.
Negatives: Very impersonal. While the testimonies from other former Mormons who where involved in the documentary are candid the most readers will get from this book about Ed Decker's personal back ground is the description of him on the back cover. While the chapter dealing with the temple ceremonies is written in a stirring emotional manor it is the only sense you'll get from reading this book that either of the authors have first hand experience with Mormonism not just a well-studied scholarly understanding. However even in this chapter the narrative is a general third person describing the emotions that you the reader are likely to feel and thoughts you'd have if there, rather then a first person testimony. It is the opinion of this reviewer that the over all tone of the book would have been much easier to read and have stronger credibility had the narrative been less clinical and more personal. On a Theological note: "The God Makers" only uses The King James Version when quoting scriptures. While most of the chapters give some Biblical counters to Mormon practices Chapter 10 "Sacred or Secret" focuses on what the Bible DOES teach; Man's fall, God's promise of the Savior, God's justice, God doesn't change His mind or standards, the real meaning of blood atonement, signs of true prophets, and the finished work of the scriptures. My only reservations of the theology of "The God Makers" is the free will terminology. While it is very harsh of what is wrong with Mormonism it does not try to answer what is a true church, I believe this is a good thing, as the writers stay focused on genuine salvation and it not being in Mormonism. Though it does allude to universal church it also urges readers to search the scriptures.
Other books by the Authors;
Ed Decker: "Complete Handbook On Mormonism," "What You Need To Know About Masons" and much more.
Dave Hunt: "The Seduction Of Christianity," "Occult Invasion: The Subtle Seduction Of The World and Church," and "What Love Is This? Calvinism's Misrepresentation Of God."
Final words: I would recommend this book for any one interested in learning about Mormonism as well as the two documentaries "God Makers" & "God Makers II". While "The God Makers" covers a wide range of problems with Mormonism it could leave you with some more questions because it can only cover so much information with each of the topics & doctrines it calls into question. Myself, I would like to find a more up to date book or article on the business practices of the Mormon corporation machine and how the ressetion has affected it. Mr. Decker has multiple other books on the topic and I would recommend reading his books. I would be very cautious about reading any of Mr. Hunt's other books however because of his antagonism toward The Five Points Of Grace, though he has also written other books on occultism. Recommended books on this subject? I haven't read all the way through any more books specifically on Mormonism though I plan on reading "The God Makers II." If any one has some other recommendations please post them in the comments. If you've read this book please leave your own review, or if you haven't read it and have questions please post in the comments Thank you.