Posted on 05/15/2008 8:02:36 PM PDT by hiho hiho
Mormons seeking recognition as a legitimate member of the Christian church is self-contradictory because the religion was founded by declaring it is the only existing true church, stated one of America’s pre-eminent evangelical leaders Friday.
Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr., president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, focused in his second blog entry on how, by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints’ own definition, it cannot be considered part of the orthodox Christian church.
“‘The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints,’ as Mormonism is officially known, claims to be the only true church. As stated in the Doctrine and Covenants [1:30], Mormonism is ‘the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth,’” Mohler wrote.
Mormons believe the church was corrupt after the death of the apostles and became the “Church of the Devil.” And Mormons claim that it was not until the 19th century that the Prophet Joseph Smith restored the true church. This “true church” was given the keys to the Kingdom and the authority of the only true priesthood, according to Mormon theology.
“Why would Mormonism now want to be identified as a form of Christianity, when its central historical claim is that the churches commonly understood to be Christian are part of the Church of the Devil?” questioned Mohler.
The prominent Christian theologian has been engaged in an ongoing “blog dialogue” with well-known Mormon science fiction author Orson Scott Card since June 28. The two figures are debating whether Mormons can be considered Christians in a forum sponsored by the Web site Beliefnet.com.
Defending Mormonism is Card, who in his latest blog questioned Mohler’s authority to define who is Christian. More specifically, Card contended that the word “Christian” should include anyone that believes Jesus is the only way to salvation rather than in Mohler’s argument based on Christian orthodoxy.
In response, the Baptist seminary head said that Beliefnet had specifically assigned him to consider if Mormons were Christians based on traditional Christian orthodoxy. Mohler further added that if Christianity was defined in terms of sociology, the history of religions or other disciplines, then an expert from that field should take part in the debate rather than himself.
“The question could simply refer to common opinion – do people on the street believe that Mormonism is Christianity? But then the matter would be in better hands among the pollsters,” Mohler commented.
The evangelical theologian emphasized once again that according to how the question was framed theologically by Beliefnet, “the answer is clear and unassailable – Mormonism is not Christianity. When the question is framed this way, Mr. Card and I actually agree, as his essay makes clear.”
This is a little like Hillary criticizing Obama, but what the hey.
nuff said
Mohler is a stand up guy who is unashamed of the Truth and willing to engage folks with it - from SBC apologists for Armenians to Mormons.
It ain’t the same as Hillary and Obama, as Christians and Mormons are not in the same group.
I think he’s nailed it but the differences are far deeper than that.
Very glad my religion doesn't have to deal with this BS debate and that, for the most part, our own belief in the faith is strong enough that we don't get personally threatened if one of us decides to join the LDS or one of the snake-handling day care center/rec leagues.
Cause that's why these prots are so pissed at the LDSers.
Interesting insight...point well taken
According to Mormon Scriptures, one of the Apostles (John) supposedly never died. So if John the Apostle never died, then the "death of the apostles" never occured.
I have asked the question many times about how did the Church go into complete apostasy if John the Apostle was and is still tarrying on the earth?
On several Mormon Blogs I have discovered a theory that John the Apostle may have left the surface of the Earth and may have joined together with the 10 Lost tribes of Israel inside the HOLLOW EARTH*
Yeah that might explain it.
*Shameless plug for my Hollow Earth Thread.
Courtesy Hollow Earth Ping to Gamecock.
It is not a question of semantics, it is a question of ontology!
Of all of the major sects of Reformed Protestantism, the SBC alone can say they are the most arrogant and self righteous.
I was raised in the Southern Baptist church and now I’m a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. If the Southern Baptist church wants to label me a non Christian, I couldn’t care less. Jesus died for me, too, and that’s all that matters.
The LDS church is not static. It moves with the winds of the times. Polygamy was allowed until the government threatened to enforce the law. Then the church decided polygamy was wrong BUT it kept an official endorsement of the existing polygamists. Eventually, they told them to leave the country to practice the Principle. Then, they just threw them under the bus.
I’m reading some books on polygamy in the late 1800’s and God lives on the planet Kolob according to these people. Does He still live there or did He move?
I know Baptists, Church of Christ members, Presbyterian members, and many others who believe their own church's take on Scripture is the only one that is right. I can see they are all following Christ as best they know how, even if I believe something different from my own interpretation of the Bible.
That said, I do believe that the “extra” books of the Bible Mormon's claim are repugnant; however, those Mormons I know are great people.
err... scratch the noodle thing...
WWFSMD?
Part of my problem is that I used to be an athiest. When people talk to me about their faith, I ask them direct questions to see if they answer me clearly and truthfully. Even if I think they are wrong, I respect their beliefs. But I cannot accept people disguising their beliefs.
Honest dialogue is a real problem on this matter. That’s why we argue so much. If you are the only true church, then say so. It’s OK.
"People who know George Bush are by definition his acquaintances."
That sounds correct until someone who says they know George Bush say he is a nine-foot tall bald eskimo basketball player and card shark who became president.
Since there are clearly two George Bushes being talked about, the right one and the basketball player one, one of the groups must be wrong.
So saying it is just semantics doesn't wash. Many groups use the words "Jesus Christ" and say they follow Him, but the definitions of who He is are completely different.
Thus the phrase Jesus will say "Truly I never knew you" now take on lethal meaning. Getting it right is a big deal. The biggest. And honestly and sincerely thinking you're right when you are really wrong is going to cause a lot of people to go to hell. That's not a PC thing to say. But Jesus wasn't PC and He's the one who said it.
There are realistic reasons why it will not work. Mostly because women-men ratios are 50-50
Please give the date the Hollow Earth theory was canonized by the Mormon church.
Are you referring to Hollow Earth time or Flat Earth time?
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