Webinar with Dr. Brent Top

On Sunday April 18th, 2021, we sat down for an interview with with author and former Dean of Religious Studies at BYU, Dr. Brent Top.  Dr. Top has graciously accepted an invitation to talk about studying the scriptures and doing research, critical for an author such as Brent who has authored, co-authored, or contributed to over 30 books. Watch the interview below.

Bio: Brent L. Top is a professor of Church history and doctrine and former dean of Religious Education. He was born and raised in Idaho Falls, Idaho, and served a full-time mission to the Denmark, Copenhagen Mission. He received all of his degrees from Brigham Young University—a BA in history, a master’s degree in instructional media, and a PhD in instructional science and technology. Before joining the BYU Religious Education faculty in 1987, he worked for the Church Educational System as a released-time seminary teacher, an institute teacher, and an administrator. Dr. Top served as associate dean of Religious Education from 1997 to 2002. He held the endowed Professorship in Moral Education for two years before his call as president of the Illinois Peoria Mission (2004–7). He was appointed department chair in June 2009. He is married to the former Wendy Cope from Idaho Falls. They are the parents of four children and reside in Pleasant Grove, Utah, where Brother Top served as the president of the Pleasant Grove East Stake.

One person in the chat asked for the list Brent mentioned from Krister Stendahl regarding how to have conversations with and view people of other faiths. This is the list.

1. When you are trying to understand another religion, you should ask the adherents of that religion and not its enemies.
2. Don’t compare your best to their worst.
3. Leave room for “holy envy.” (By this Stendahl meant that you should be willing to recognize elements in the other religious tradition or faith that you admire and wish could, in some way, be reflected in your own religious tradition or faith.) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krister_Stendahl