Mormon Book Reviews
Where an Evangelical Encounters the Restoration
A couple of weeks ago I met an interesting new friend, a man named Steven Pynakker, the host of a relatively new YouTube channel called Mormon Book Reviews.
My friend informed me that Pynakker was gathering with some other friends at a local restaurant to talk about some things related to his YouTube channel. I hadn’t watched a single video or heard anything about Pynakker before the gathering at the restaurant, but I just showed up to find out what Mormon Book Reviews was all about.
Steven Pynakker was very friendly and interested in all things “Mormon”. We had pleasant conversations and interactions in the group, and afterward I began to watch some of his YouTube videos.
I was fascinated to learn more about Pynakker’s background as an Evangelical and former atheist who is passionate about Mormonism. Pynakker has been reading and researching about the Book of Mormon, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, LDS History, and the Restoration for many years, with an interest in all things “Mormon” that was sparked in his youth. As a respectful and curious outsider to the faith, he has been studying and reporting on books, movies, TV series, and other things that pertain to the historical, cultural, and theological aspects of “Mormonism”. Not too long ago, he also began to interview a variety of different people, inside and outside of the faith, who have a similar interest in all things “Mormon”.
Pynnaker’s position as an Evangelical who is respectful of Latter-day Saint beliefs is unique, and he has already begun to draw together a variety of different strands of Restoration Christianity. Unlike many Evangelicals who disparage members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or claim that “Mormons” aren’t Christians, Pynnaker approaches the topic of “Mormonism” with genuine interest and with the purpose of building bridges between Evangelicals and “Mormons” and between the variety of Restoration Christian perspectives.
Over the years, Pynnaker has amassed and investigated an impressive library of books on the topic of “Mormonism”. As beneficial as Pyannker’s work has been in building bridges between Evangelicals and “Mormons,” I believe that his genuine interest in and love for a variety of people within “Mormonism” itself is building bridges of understanding within the faith, and between members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and others who have some affiliation or connection with the Church.
Pynnaker’s work is also valuable for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints because he reads and reviews many books on “Mormonism” that not too many members have had the time or the inclination to read. His YouTube channel may inspire members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to study and appreciate their own faith more deeply. Pynakker describes his own channel as follows:
“My name is Steven Pynakker host of Mormon Book Reviews: ‘Where an Evangelical Encounters the Restoration.’ This channel intends to be a unique place where all the expressions of the Restoration can intersect with one another. I also plan on offering my ‘outsider’ views on related subjects. This channel will also pursue authors and other special guests to interview. This is an independent channel. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Community of Christ, Church of Jesus Christ, or any Restoration or Remnant movement or expression. ‘All the voices of the Restoration will be heard on Mormon Book Reviews’.”
Among the qualities that I appreciate most about Pynakker are his sincerity, his affability, his love for Jesus Christ, his faith in Jesus Christ, and his obvious desire to do good and to learn more about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and all things “Mormon”.
Check out Mormon Book Reviews.