Ed Decker
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John Edward Decker (born 1935) is an American evangelist and writer.
A former member of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), Decker later became a born-again Christian. He is probably best known for his many works strongly criticising the LDS Church.
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[edit] Biography
Decker converted to the LDS Church at the age of 20, and was ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood, which is considered customary for adult LDS males. He was considered active in the Church, but was excommunicated from it in October 1976.[citation needed]
In describing his conversion to evangelical Christianity, Decker reports that a crisis in his life showed him the "Biblical Jesus" and changed his life forever[citation needed]. Shortly after, Decker founded Saints Alive in Jesus, a ministry that actively challenges the Latter-day Saint doctrine. Through the Saints Alive Ministry, Decker is active as a public speaker and evangelist. He also volunteers as a pastor at a large evangelical church in Kirkland, WA.
[edit] Publications
Decker has authored and co-authored numerous books. One of his best-known books is The God Makers, which was followed by The God Makers II.
Some other titles by Decker include Fast Facts on False Teachings, Decker's Complete Handbook on Mormonism and Unmasking Mormonism. A fictional work by Decker is entitled The Mormon Dilemma, which was added to Conversations With The Cults - the Harvest House series, entitled What You Need to Know About Mormons.
Decker also speaks out against Freemasonry and has written What You Need To Know About Masons and The Dark Side of Freemasonry.
He also created the documentary films, The God Makers, The Temple Of The God Makers, The Mormon Dilemma and The God Makers II.
Decker's smaller projects include booklets which are distributed by his ministry: And The Word Became Flesh, To Moroni, With Love! and The Question of Freemasonry. The Saints Alive Ministry also has a bi- monthly newsletter publication as well as a regular email newsletter.
[edit] Criticism
Decker is not without controversy amongst fellow Evangelical Christian Apologists. For example, his former associate Dick Baer said that, "Ed has a penchant to sensationalize, embellish on facts and center on bizarre issues to try to shock people."(February 25th 1993, Salt Lake Tribune).
Jerald and Sandra Tanner and Bob Passantino) have said that his writings grossly misrepresent Mormonism, and thereby dilute his message and offend Mormons without attracting them to evangelical Christianity. The Tanners, themselves prominent critics of the LDS Church, have noted what they contend are innacuracies and errors in some of Decker's works.[1]
Critics also point to Decker's first wife's allegations that he was excommunicated for adultery and wife abuse - contrary to his claim that it was due to changes in Decker's religious beliefs[citation needed]. This allegation has been denied by Decker[2] but appears in court documents that he did not dispute at the time of his divorce. Decker has since remarried.
The actual Decker excommunication record is on file at Utah State University Special Collections Library [#210]
[edit] See also
- Blacks and Mormonism
- History of the Latter Day Saint movement
- List of articles about Mormonism
- Mormon apologetics
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- Mormonism
- Controversies regarding Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- Criticism of Mormonism
- Anti-Mormon
[edit] External links
- Saints Alive Ministry - Decker's ministry
- Ed Decker's History prior to leaving the LDS Church (by his wife)
- About Ed Deckers Excommunication
- FAIR - Mormon Apologetic site index for topics relating to Ed Decker
- The ministry of James Spencer
- Eric Barger’s Take a Stand Ministries
- Michelle Grim's Life After Ministries
- Walter Martin’s Religious InfoNet
- The Tanners are Critical of Ed Decker's Work
- The plain truth about Mormons
- A critical review of The Godmakers
- Profile of Ed Decker
- A Response to Ed Decker's Criticism of the LDS Concept of "Additional Scripture"
