In part 4 of our series we interview BYU Philosophy Professor Dr. Chris Foster. Dr. Foster was raised a “devout atheist” and then later converted to the LDS Church.
In this interview, he discusses his conversion to the church, along with his views on faith, religion, the church, teaching at BYU, and the importance of honesty and openness in all our religious endeavors.
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13 Responses
Great interview. I took a class from Chris at BYU and he’s just a fun guy to be around. I appreciate his perspective on all this.
Thanks, Chris for taking the time to share your thoughts. Your honest dialogue about how you make Mormonism work was helpful and much appreciated. I can relate to the struggle with the Holland talk. I don’t like marshmallows either. You said some things that helped. Thanks again.
This is a great series. I smiled as I listened to Chris talk about his experience and the little bit of truth everybody carries in their pockets.
John-
This might be my favorite interview you have done. Please tell Chris thank you. I listened to it on my subway commute yesterday. I listened to it once on my way to work and then I re-listened to it on my way home. Chis made a comment about “finding your own path”. It reminded me of something Joseph Campbell said. “If the path is beaten, it is not your path.”
I LOVED this. Hearing Chris talk about Jesus made so much sense on so many levels for me. It rang true. Thanks, John for finding this guy.
Nice, any words about Illumination and its place in the LDS church? Love the idea about non-pillars
I don’t hide behind no email: vwheels@sbcglobal.net
Chris is definitely my kind of Mormon. Amen, amen, and amen to his emphasis on keeping faith authentic, developing a thoughtful faith that includes supplementation from the “good books” of the Earth, and eschewing all things Pharisaic!
An excellent interview. Congrats to both John and Chris.
I love you, Chris Foster!!!!
Chris Foster and I were very close friends for a few years in Lawrence Kansas. I met him at the Student Ward following my first divorce. He later became my groomsman. I introduced him to my parents at a Barn dance after he slid across the floor in front of them on his knees, with pony tail and rope belt. He was unforgettable. I last saw him in 1999 in Utah, when he’d just begun teaching at BYU. I remember him describing his disenchantment with Provo Mormons. Years later, and a 2nd divorce behind me, and remarried again, I find so much in common with his experience. I love the church, but I know that the people who teach it often mislead members unintentionally about the purpose of life, the meaning of salvation, the complexity of marriage and this causes unnecessary self-judgement and disappointment. I’m on track to track down my old friend Chris. So glad he’s alive and active and contributing.
Chris,
My wish is that everyone in the world could be sent this interview. I recently, after a long period of time, decided to investigate the mormon faith. After many months of study and prayer I decided to take the plunge, and I don’t regret doing so, but I then started to get caught up in doctrine and all the deep things within the church and I lost that feeling that we all share when we’ve decided to go with it. Bla Bla Bla All I’m saying is that I’m so so so glad that there are people like you in this world. My only hope is that I can find some in my area….very well put…..THANK YOU
Chris,
My wish is that everyone in the world could be sent this interview. I recently, after a long period of time, decided to investigate the mormon faith. After many months of study and prayer I decided to take the plunge, and I don’t regret doing so, but I then started to get caught up in doctrine and all the deep things within the church and I lost that feeling that we all share when we’ve decided to go with it. Bla Bla Bla All I’m saying is that I’m so so so glad that there are people like you in this world. My only hope is that I can find some in my area….very well put…..THANK YOU
Dr. Foster was my favorite professor at BYU; his classes were the highlight of my philosophy undergrad. The fact that I took every logic class in the program is largely because of his skill in teaching it.
I got really excited when this interview came up, but then I noticed the date. In the middle of, I want to say, winter semester 2009, he abruptly left BYU without explanation. The rumor was that he was fired due to “failure to maintain ecclesiastical endorsement”, but I was hoping to get the real story here.
I’d still like to know what happened that his path lead away from BYU and the mormon church (as mine did), if you ever interview him again.