Posted on 05/26/2008 3:47:41 PM PDT by delacoert
One of the oldest Christian creeds known today is the Apostles’ Creed. The Apostles of the early church didn’t formulate the creed; rather, the Apostles’ Creed, compiled later, is comprised of a brief summary of the Apostles’ teachings. This creed, as well as other Christian creeds, is sometimes recited as a formal statement of belief. The Apostles’ Creed reads, I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit, He descended into hell. The third day He arose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy *catholic church, Amen.
the Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty,
whence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting.
Mormonism is an anti-creedal system of belief. Joseph Smith, Mormonism’s first prophet, began the formulation of his church based on a claimed vision and command from God the Father and Jesus Christ. According to the canonized account of Joseph’s First Vision, when the two Divine Personages appeared to Joseph he asked them which Christian church was correct, which one he should join. Joseph said, “I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt” (Joseph Smith History 1:19).
An “abomination” is defined in the dictionary as “a thing that causes disgust, hatred or loathing.”
My question is, specifically what teachings in the Apostles’ Creed do Mormons think God finds loathsome or disgusting? Don’t Mormons claim to also believe all the points of the Apostles’ Creed?
LDS author Stephen Robinson says they do. In 1997 he co-wrote a book in which he endeavored to promote a better understanding among evangelicals regarding some key doctrinal issues of Mormonism. Dr. Robinson, then a BYU professor, claimed he was “fairly representative of contemporary LDS orthodoxy. I am not aware of any rift between myself and Joseph Smith, Brigham Young or Gordon B. Hinckley ” Given that, Dr. Robinson’s remark about the Apostles’ Creed was surprising. He said,
“I should probably make exception here for the Apostles’ Creed, which Latter-day Saints could affirm if allowed to define ‘holy catholic church’ as ‘true Christianity,’ as I believe Evangelicals also define it.” (How Wide the Divide, 219, fn. #8)
So help me understand this. According to Mormonism, is the Apostles’ Creed an abomination to God or isn’t it? And if it is, how could–and why would–Latter-day Saints affirm it?
Me, too, Nana.
catholic, small c, means universal. It does NOT mean the Roman Catholic church. I thought you knew the difference.
They don’t believe that Jesus is God. They view “Lord” differently than Christians do. This is why Christians are called Christians - they believe that Jesus is A full member of the God-head (an old fashioned term for the Trinity).
So, like Islam, United Pentecostals, and several other religions with millions of members in America, they don’t believe in the Trinity.
Also, Mormonism’s temple ceremonies are borrowed from freemasonry. Mormonism is a religion constructed by men (albeit slightly less obvious to th e initiate than scientology).
You’re right. It does mean universal.
Add me too, please.
Done!
It isn't what is IN it that's the problem with mormons, it's what ISN'T in it.
You left out the three degrees of "exaltation", the restoration of the gospel by giving the priesthood "authority" along with the "keys" to Joseph Smith, the baptism for the dead, the "celestial" marriage which is for eternity, (and polygamous after death), the sacred temple rites that are secret, the sacred garments, the "word of wisdom" that prohibits cofee and tea, the return of Jesus to Missouri, Adam God....and on...and on....ESPECIALLY, "you are saved AFTER ALL YOU CAN DO"...no saving by grace alone.
THAT is what is abominable.
You would have caught that I agree with you, read the post a little slower. However, for a group that wants to claim so strongly that they are Christian and by their usage of words of Christianity, they shouldn't have a problem with the creed. But you are correct, they recognize the true definitions behind the words of the creed - therefore they must reject it a priori.
WARNING - DO NOT view unless you have a sense of humor.
1 Paul, an aapostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)
2 And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:
3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,
4 Who agave himself for our sins, that he might bdeliver us from this present evil world, according to the cwill of God and our Father:
5 To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
6 I marvel that ye are so soon aremoved from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another bgospel:
7 Which is not another; but there be some that atrouble you, and would bpervert the cgospel of Christ.
8 But though we, or an aangel from heaven, preach any bother cgospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be daccursed.
9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other agospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be baccursed.
10 For do I now apersuade men, or God? or do I seek to bplease men? for if I yet cpleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
11 But I acertify you, brethren, that the gospel which was bpreached of me is not after man.
12 For I neither received it aof man, neither was I taught it, but bby the crevelation of Jesus Christ.
13 For ye have heard of my aconversation in time past in the Jews religion, how that beyond measure I bpersecuted the church of God, and cwasted it:
14 And aprofited in the Jews religion above many bmy equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly czealous of the dtraditions of my fathers.
15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mothers womb, and called me by his agrace,
16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the aheathen; immediately I conferred not with bflesh and blood:
17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.
18 Then after three years I went up to aJerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.
19 But other of the aapostles saw I none, save bJames the Lords cbrother.
20 Now the things which I awrite unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.
21 Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia;
22 And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ:
23 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.
24 And they glorified God in me.
I agree - it depends on the meaning you pour into the words “Lord”.
Interesting though that most Christians think that the Trinity is impossible to understand....I guess pastors are just tickling people’s ears rather than teaching doctrine nowadays.
When I hear people say you can’t comprehend the Trinity, I refer them to Romans 1:20......
ROTFL....Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise!!! LOL.
The photoshopper did a great job. I wish I was that talented, it would be fun. They actually look like people I know.
Carmen really did.
LDS have always found the Apostles Creed closes to the belief!
You might to know that Apostles Creed is no longer acceptable on the http://christianforums.com/
Only the Nicene Creed
Another creed ALL Christians should memorize.
To be honest, I havent memorized them yet.
Yes and no:
Yes, in that it has opposed historic Christianity, thereby rejecting the faith of the early church.
No, in that all Joseph Smith & Co. did was to set up their own new creedal system which they called "The Articles of Faith." (which they changed even within what was their own original article, by the way)
According to Joseph Smith's "first vision" pronouncements which ensuing Mormon generations canonized as LDS "Scripture," it has to reject The Apostles Creed as an "abomination" according to its lead "personage."
And if it is, how couldand why wouldLatter-day Saints affirm it?
Pure PRism. LDS are often split as wanting to appear unoffensive vs. realizing that their very foundation is built upon the alleged graveyard that Joseph Smith built for Christianity. No Christian graveyard, no Mormon restoration necessary.
So often LDS are torn between building the case for the supposed graveyard vs. trying to appear accepting & tolerant.
My neighbors!!! You better quit makin fun uf thum you beegut.
I prefer John 17. :-)
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