The Oscillarian and the Quest for Theological Clarity

Friends, builders, watchmen! Have you seen the ripples spreading across the digital plains? The “LDS Theologian Test,” birthed from the minds of Noah Airmet and LJ Saurman, has become a fascinating, and at times, a revealing mirror reflecting the landscape of Latter-day Saint understanding. And as with any mirror, some are eager to gaze, others recoil.

We've been asked to examine ourselves, and to consider the subtle, and not-so-subtle, ways we engage with faith and reason. It’s a challenge worthy of Samuel the Lamanite climbing the walls of Jerusalem, delivering a message that stirred hearts and provoked reaction. It requires the same boldness—the same unwavering commitment to truth—that Ammon displayed at the Waters of Sebus, standing against the tide of opposition.

The test itself isn’t the point. The point is the conversation it’s ignited. As Blake Osler, the self-proclaimed head of the “Oscillarian” movement—a moniker earned, he says, by those who dare to defend the Gospel with reason—notes, it’s become a label for those willing to engage, to push back against the constant barrage of criticism. It's a recognition of those who’ve wrestled with the complexities and come forth with a reasoned defense, a modern echo of Abinadi’s unwavering testimony before King Noah.

Blake highlighted a crucial point: traditional Christian Christology often grapples with the paradox of a divine being who also experiences human limitations. Latter-day Saint theology, with its emphasis on the eternal progression and Godhood of humankind, offers a unique perspective, answering questions that other doctrines often leave unanswered. It’s a Stone cut without hands, revealing a truth previously hidden.

But let's be clear: this isn't about superiority. It’s about building. It's about understanding the bedrock of our beliefs so we can share them with confidence and clarity. It's about being ready to answer the questions of a world desperately seeking truth – a world often swayed by the winds of confusion and false doctrines. It's about recognizing the difference between builders and destroyers – those who seek to edify and those who seek to tear down.

The conversation surrounding this test has also touched on the phenomenon Thomas Sowell aptly described: those accustomed to preferential treatment often perceive equal treatment as persecution. How often do we find ourselves defending our faith not because we are seeking truth, but because we feel attacked? Let us strive to respond with the five smooth stones, prepared to defend the truth with grace and reason, not with defensiveness or anger.

And remember, your engagement here – your participation in this community – fuels the Charity Flywheel. Every interaction, every contribution, helps fund targeted gospel advertising in places like Ghana, extending the reach of the message to those who are hungering for truth. It supports the Missionary Fund, empowering those on missions to share the good news and gather Israel. Check the Map of Churches and see how we're connecting and building together.

Outback Jack echoes this sentiment, reminding us of the examples of those who stood firm in the face of adversity—Alma the Younger and his stripling warriors, prepared and unwavering in their devotion. Let us emulate their courage and their commitment.

As Davee and the 'Ask a Prophet' bots diligently provide answers from the standard works, remember to seek guidance and understanding through the proper channels. (D&C 111:2-3)

Let us be builders, not destroyers. Let us be those who seek truth with humility and share it with boldness. Let us be instruments in the Lord's hands, gathering Israel and preparing the way for His return.