A couple of comments. Because of the nature of what evangelical Christianity is, I would always be a bit circumspect about anyone who purports to speak for it. Its not the kind of thing that any one person can speak for.
As for the big divide between Mormons and the Christian world, its no secret, its very simple. We accept the Bible as being the basic text of the faith; the famous scriptures telling us to accept no other will always be the dividing line. Mormons have factored that in or rationalized it somehow, we haven’t.
Does that prevent me from seeing mormons as being allies in the great culture wars, which are at heart wars of faith and civilization? Not at all. They are proving themselves to be allies again and again. You know a man by his fruit, and that applies to mormons as well as anyone else.
What does strike me, and others can feel free to comment, is that there seems to have been a shift in mormon thinking toward the Christian world. In recent years there seems to be a new desire on the part of mormons to be considered by the Christian world as brothers in the faith. I don’t remember that from years before, they were always very happy to stand apart and I never noticed any desire to be considered “one of us”. So that seems new. Maybe its precisely because of the culture wars that, finding ourselves on the same side of so many issues, some of the attitudes begin to soften.
But while we see you guys as cultural and political allies, and generally nice folks, it doesn’t change the theological issue. And what “false witness” Mouw is confessing to, I’m not sure. He should probably speak for himself. The points of disagreement aren’t a secret. They haven’t changed and probably won’t change. That shouldn’t prevent good people from standing together in the political and philosophical world when they find themselves in agreement. And it shouldn’t prevent people of good will from acknowledging one another as friends and neighbors.
Even if I think your theology is a bit crazy. If you know how to barbecue I’ll still be over.
“What does strike me, and others can feel free to comment, is that there seems to have been a shift in mormon thinking toward the Christian world. In recent years there seems to be a new desire on the part of mormons to be considered by the Christian world as brothers in the faith. I don’t remember that from years before, they were always very happy to stand apart and I never noticed any desire to be considered “one of us”. So that seems new. Maybe its precisely because of the culture wars that, finding ourselves on the same side of so many issues, some of the attitudes begin to soften.”
We shouldn’t be surprised, “even Satan disguises himself
as an angel of light”.
I am more than happy to be on the same side when it comes
to political or cultural issues. That doesn’t mean mormonism
is Christian (it isn’t). Nor does it mean I don’t like
individual mormons (I do).
Fuller has continued to move in the liberal direction
theologically. It doesn’t surprise me that they can’t
distinguish that which is Biblical from that which is not.
“We accept the Bible as being the basic text of the faith; the famous scriptures telling us to accept no other will always be the dividing line. Mormons have factored that in or rationalized it somehow, we haven’t.”
There’s a scripture in Deuteronomy warning not to add or take away from the Book. So, according to you, the entire New Testament should be disregarded.
We Mormons believe in the Bible, too (King James version). When I read the Bible, I feel the Holy Ghost telling me it is Truth. Likewise, when I read the Book of Mormon, the Holy Ghost tells me it is Truth.
Actually, FReeper, you do not have a clue what we Mormons believe. If you did, you would repent for calling us non Christians, etc., as Jesus Christ is everything to us. He is our Savior, Redeemer, and Soon Coming King, and we love Him with all our Hearts. We thank Heavenly Father for giving His Son to save humanity from our sins. And the Holy Ghost seals this in our hearts with power and authority.
I will grant you, though; we are a peculiar people.