Posted on 12/26/2010 5:29:46 PM PST by Colofornian
Is Mormonism Christian? This may seem like a puzzling question to many Mormons as well as to some Christians. Mormons will note that they include the Bible among the four books which they recognize as Scripture, and that belief in Jesus Christ is central to their faith, as evidenced by their official name, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Furthermore, many Christians have heard the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sing Christian hymns and are favorably impressed with the Mormon commitment to high moral standards and strong families. Doesn’t it follow that Mormonism is Christian?
"To fairly and accurately resolve this question we need to carefully compare the basic doctrines of the Mormon religion with the basic doctrines of historic, biblical Christianity."
To fairly and accurately resolve this question we need to carefully compare the basic doctrines of the Mormon religion with the basic doctrines of historic, biblical Christianity. To represent the Mormon position we have relied on the following well-known Mormon doctrinal books, the first three of which are published by the Mormon Church: Gospel Principles (1997), Achieving a Celestial Marriage (1976), and A Study of the Articles of Faith (1979) by Mormon Apostle James E. Talmage, as well as Doctrines of Salvation (3 vols.) by the tenth Mormon President and prophet Joseph Fielding Smith, Mormon Doctrine (2nd ed., 1979) by Mormon apostle Bruce R. McConkie and Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith.
1. Is There More Than One True God?
The Bible teaches and orthodox Christians through the ages have believed that there is only one True and Living God and apart from Him there are no other Gods (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10,11; 44:6,8; 45:21,22; 46:9; Mark 12:29-34).
By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that there are many Gods (Book of Abraham 4:3ff), and that we can become gods and goddesses in the celestial kingdom (Doctrine and Covenants 132:19-20; Gospel Principles, p. 245; Achieving a Celestial Marriage, p. 130). It also teaches that those who achieve godhood will have spirit children who will worship and pray to them, just as we worship and pray to God the Father (Gospel Principles, p. 302).
2. Was God Once a Man Like Us?
The Bible teaches and orthodox Christians through the ages have believed that God is Spirit (John 4:24; 1 Timothy 6:15,16), He is not a man (Numbers 23:19; Hosea 11:9; Romans 1:22, 23), and has always (eternally) existed as God — all powerful, all knowing, and everywhere present (Psalm 90:2; 139:7-10; Isaiah 40:28; Luke 1:37).
By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that God the Father was once a man like us who progressed to become a God and has a body of flesh and bone (Doctrine and Covenants 130:22; "God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens!" from Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp. 345-347; Gospel Principles, p. 9; Articles of Faith, p. 430; Mormon Doctrine, p. 321). Indeed, the Mormon Church teaches that God himself has a father, and a grandfather, ad infinitum (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 373; Mormon Doctrine, p. 577).
3. Are Jesus and Satan Spirit Brothers?
The Bible teaches and orthodox Christians through the ages have believed that Jesus is the unique Son of God; he has always existed as God, and is co-eternal and co-equal with the Father (John 1:1, 14; 10:30; 14:9; Colossians 2:9). While never less than God, at the appointed time He laid aside the glory He shared with the Father (John 17:4, 5; Philippians 2:6-11) and was made flesh for our salvation; His incarnation was accomplished through being conceived supernaturally by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin (Matthew 1:18-23; Luke 1:34-35).
By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that Jesus Christ is our elder brother who progressed to godhood, having first been procreated as a spirit child by Heavenly Father and a heavenly mother; He was later conceived physically through intercourse between Heavenly Father and the virgin Mary (D&C 93:21; Journal of Discourses, 1:50-51; Gospel Principles, p. 11-13; Achieving a Celestial Marriage, p. 129; Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, pp. 546-547; 742; Ezra Taft Benson, Come unto Christ, p. 4; Robert L. Millet, The Mormon Faith: Understanding Restored Christianity, p. 31). Mormon doctrine affirms that Jesus, all angels, Lucifer, all demons, and all human beings are originally spirit brothers and sisters (Abraham 3:22-27; Moses 4:1-2; Gospel Principles, pp. 17-18; Mormon Doctrine, p. 192).
4. Is God a Trinity?
The Bible teaches and orthodox Christians through the ages have believed that Father, Son, and Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost are not separate Gods or separate beings, but are distinct Persons within the one Triune Godhead. Throughout the New Testament the Son and the Holy Spirit, as well as the Father are separately identified as and act as God (Son: Mark 2:5-12; John 20:28; Philippians 2:10,11; Holy Spirit: Acts 5:3,4; 2 Corinthians 3:17,18; 13:14); yet at the same time the Bible teaches that these three are only one God (see point 1).
By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are three separate Gods (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 370; Mormon Doctrine, pp. 576-577), and that the Son and Holy Ghost are the literal offspring of Heavenly Father and a celestial wife (Joseph Fielding McConkie, Encyclopedia of Mormonism, vol. 2, p. 649).
5. Was The Sin Of Adam and Eve a Great Evil Or a Great Blessing?
The Bible teaches and orthodox Christians through the ages have believed that the disobedience of our first parents Adam and Eve was a great evil. Through their fall sin entered the world, bringing all human beings under condemnation and death. Thus we are born with a sinful nature, and will be judged for the sins we commit as individuals. (Ezekiel 18:1-20; Romans 5:12-21).
By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that Adam’s sin was "a necessary step in the plan of life and a great blessing to all of us" (Gospel Principles, p. 33; Book of Mormon — 2 Nephi 2:25; Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 1, pp. 114-115).
6. Can We Make Ourselves Worthy Before God?
The Bible teaches and orthodox Christians through the ages have believed that apart from the saving work of Jesus Christ on the cross we are spiritually "dead in trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1,5) and are powerless to save ourselves. By grace alone, apart from self-righteous works, God forgives our sins and makes us worthy to live in His presence (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5-6). Our part is only to cling to Christ in heartfelt faith. (However, it is certainly true that without the evidence of changed conduct, a person’s testimony of faith in Christ must be questioned; salvation by grace alone through faith, does not mean we can live as we please — Romans 6:1-4).
By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that eternal life in the presence of God (which it terms "exaltation in the celestial kingdom") must be earned through obedience to all the commands of the Mormon Church, including exclusive Mormon temple rituals. Works are a requirement for salvation (entrance into the "celestial kingdom") — Gospel Principles, p. 303-304; Pearl of Great Price — Third Article of Faith; Mormon Doctrine, pp. 339, 671; Book of Mormon — 2 Nephi 25:23).
7. Does Christ's Atoning Death Benefit Those Who Reject Him?
The Bible teaches and orthodox Christians through the ages have believed that the purpose of the atoning work of Christ on the cross was to provide the complete solution for humankind’s sin problem. However, those who reject God’s grace in this life will have no part in this salvation but are under the judgment of God for eternity (John 3:36; Hebrews 9:27; 1 John 5:11-12).
By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that the purpose of the atonement was to bring resurrection and immortality to all people, regardless of whether they receive Christ by faith. Christ’s atonement is only a partial basis for worthiness and eternal life, which also requires obedience to all the commands of the Mormon church, including exclusive Mormon temple rituals (Gospel Principles, pp. 74-75; Mormon Doctrine, p. 669).
8. Is The Bible The Unique and Final Word of God?
The Bible teaches and orthodox Christians through the ages have believed that the Bible is the unique, final and infallible Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 1:1,2; 2 Peter 1:21) and that it will stand forever (1 Peter 1:23-25). God’s providential preservation of the text of the Bible was marvelously illustrated in the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls.
By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that the Bible has been corrupted, is missing many "plain and precious parts" and does not contain the fullness of the Gospel (Book of Mormon — 1 Nephi 13:26-29; Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 3, pp. 190-191).
9. Did The Early Church Fall Into Total Apostasy?
The Bible teaches and orthodox Christians through the ages have believed that the true Church was divinely established by Jesus and could never and will never disappear from the earth (Matthew 16:18; John 15:16; 17:11). Christians acknowledge that there have been times of corruption and apostasy within the Church, but believe there has always been a remnant that held fast to the biblical essentials.
By contrast, the Mormon Church teaches that there was a great and total apostasy of the Church as established by Jesus Christ; this state of apostasy "still prevails except among those who have come to a knowledge of the restored gospel" of the Mormon Church (Gospel Principles, pp. 105-106; Mormon Doctrine, p. 44).
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Conclusion: The above points in italics constitute the common gospel believed by all orthodox Christians through the ages regardless of denominational labels. On the other hand, some new religions such as Mormonism claim to be Christian, but accept as Scripture writings outside of the Bible, teach doctrines that contradict the Bible, and hold to beliefs completely foreign to the teachings of Jesus and His apostles.
Mormons share with orthodox Christians some important moral precepts from the Bible. However, the above points are examples of the many fundamental and irreconcilable differences between historic, biblical Christianity and Mormonism. While these differences do not keep us from being friendly with Mormons, we cannot consider them brothers and sisters in Christ. The Bible specifically warns of false prophets who will teach "another gospel" centered around "another Jesus," and witnessed to by "another spirit" (2 Corinthians 11:4,13-15; Galatians 1:6-9). Based on the evidence presented above, we believe Mormonism represents just such a counterfeit gospel.
It has been pointed out that if one claimed to be a Mormon but denied all the basic tenets of Mormonism — that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, that the Book of Mormon is true and divinely inspired, that god was once a man who progressed to godhood through keeping the laws and ordinances of the Mormon Church, and that the Mormon Church was divinely established — the Mormon Church would reject such a person’s claim to being a Latter-day Saint. One cannot fairly call oneself a Mormon if one does not believe the fundamental doctrines taught by the Mormon Church. By the same token, if the Mormon Church does not hold to even the basic biblical truths believed by the greater Christian community down through the ages, how can Christians reasonably be expected to accept Mormonism as authentic Christianity?
If the Mormon Church believes it is the only true Christian Church, it should not attempt to publicly present itself as a part of a broader Christian community. Instead it should tell the world openly that those who claim to be orthodox Christians are not really Christians at all, and that the Mormon Church is the only true Christian Church. This in fact is what it teaches privately, but not publicly.
Statements of 5 Christian Denominations on Mormonism
Christian churches teach belief in God as an eternal, self-existent, immortal being, unfettered by corporeal limitations and unchanging in both character and nature. In recent years, several Christian denominations have made studies of Mormon teaching and come to the conclusion that there are irreconcilable differences between LDS doctrine and Christian beliefs based on the Bible.
• Statement of the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod
• Statement of the Presbyterian Church (USA)
• Statement of the Roman Catholic Church
• Statement of the Southern Baptist Convention
• Statement of the United Methodist Church
..
But we humans NEED silly now and then; just to stay balanced.
[Why don’t MORMONs (the big bunch based in SLC) ever try to get all of THEIR ‘separated brethen’ back under the big tent?]
We ARE called to JUDGE a 'religion' that makes the claim that they are they SAME as us; BETTER even.
(Have you read the list of verses I've posted on FALSE TEACHINGS?)
And we have actual ex-Mormons at FR who have come out of the false religion of Smithian fabrication, so it is not at all impossible for God's Holy Spirit to prick the hearts through exposure of the blasphemies and heresies in Mormonism claiming to be restored christianity.
Really, if these discussions make you uncomfortable, you really shouldn't subject your spriit to the stress. even the Mormons use the old comparative 'milk before meat'. The insults some of us endure from Mormons spewing hate topped with 'god bless' don't bite near as bad as the admonishment from some claiming to be fellow Christians who don't like open opposition to the blasphemies and heresies in Mormonism. Some even go so far as to assert that the Bible or Jesus do not teach us to oppose the heresies and blasphemies ...
You say: “ There aren’t many gods. “
Psalms 82:6
http://kingjbible.com/psalms/82.htm
6. I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.
7But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes. “
Jesus remarked: “33The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
34. Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?
“
http://www.learnthebible.org/bible/3/JHN/10/34
So mnay things plainly written in the BIBLE that are skipped over and ignored as inconvenient to the power structures of man.
For example, who say you was the leader of Jesus’s followers after the Crucifixion? Many say Peter. But it wasn’t. And the actual leader, and many subsequent leaders after him, is so named in the BIBLE - for he who has eyes to see. (Clue - he was a wealthy HIgh Priest of the Temple, and lineal heir.)
Was Jesus a carpenter, son of a carpenter? Or was the Greek word “tecton” to mean “carpenter” a mistranslation. - “tecton” (in Mark) or “tekton” (in Mathew) is more aptly translated into a word describing a “contractor”; specifically, contracting as a “builder.
He and Joseph most likely worked in stone - and in building the nearby Roman city of white marble, Sepphoris, - a mosty Greek speaking hub of commerce and that could be seen from Nazareth - a ‘Shining City on a hill” .
(Of course, as an adult, Jesus became a Rabbi and so remained.)
I get it.
this MOTIVE of this whole thread was posted and is aimed at attack and deception.
Can you or anyone else name ONE TIME in the history of FR that any Mormon has posted - ONCE, let alone with the regularity of these LDS bashing ones - a thread meant for the denigration/refutation of ANY other religion?
Christian is a Christian does...
The vitriol allowed on these Mormon-hater threads is astonishing - and I see no objections nor warnings to them - indicating acquiescence?
Curious. well, on second thought, not...
Oh, your god is polytheistic too - with all that council of god and their father god having gods et al.
Prove to me that it existed 300 years before. You've tried. You can't.
Theophilus AD 180 referred using the word trias, Tertullian used the term in AD 215. Trinitarian formulas recognized in the didache as well as the NT. So for starters- it was not 'created' in 325, but existed by name/description for nearly 200 years. Include the NT trinitarian creeds and teachings make nearly 300 years. But then mormons would deny the nose on their face in an attempt to prove Christianity wrong.
Gee whiz DU I am confused, didn't you one tell me Mormonism wasn't polytheistic, even giving me/us the definition from Websters that told us Polytheism is the worship of OR belief in more than one god.
Or did you take that back (ignore) it after I showed you other Mormons who were proudly telling us there were gods o’ plenty.
It is hard to keep track...
Gee whiz DU I am confused, didn't you one tell me Mormonism wasn't polytheistic, even giving me/us the definition from Websters that told us Polytheism is the worship of OR belief in more than one god.
Or did you take that back (ignore) it after I showed you other Mormons who were proudly telling us there were gods o’ plenty.
It is hard to keep track...
IOW, Runninglips, we are called to do some fruit-testing...
* The apostle Paul also said: Test all things, hold fast to that which is good (1 Thess. 5:21).
* The apostle John said: Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. (1 John 4:1)
So, if you are in Christ, do you, or do you not, elect elect to apply your Christian calling of 1 Cor. 2:14-16?
Please evaluate the two statements below by Lds "apostle" Bruce R. McConkie...and tell us in what ways they are...
...lies or not lies...
...falsehoods and deceptions or truth...
...misstatements or on the mark...
...slanderous or not
Other examples of how Mormon leaders lie:
(1) “…the Book of Mormon remains secure, unchanged and unchangeable (Lds "apostle" Bruce R. McConkie, The Joseph Smith Translation, pp. 12-13)
I'll even "help you out" on this one Runninglips...since you proclaim yourself an eyewitness expert of Mormon character...please read this above quote -- and then read the following...and tell us if you think this Lds "apostle" was telling the truth or lying when he claimed the "Book of Mormon remains...unchanged..."?
1. CONTENTS. An estimated 17,000+ words (26+ pages) of that material are either verbatim quotations of the Bible, or advance revelations of what would be written later, all in 1611 King James wording....5. GRAMMAR. A check of the 1830 version reveals grammar problems on virtually every page of the book. Over 4,000 changes have been made to the book since that printing (Mormonism, Shadow or Reality, pp. 89-93). Some spelling problems are found, and some word mix-ups as well, such as "mouldering" for molding, "wrecked" for racked, "constrain" for restrain, and "arrested" for wrested. The ONLY parts of the book free from such errors are the parts which parallel the King James Version word for word. Yet it is claimed the book was translated "by the gift and power of the Holy Ghost." The Bible manuscripts, by comparison, were (also) written by some unlearned men (Peter, James, John), yet the grammar and spelling in our oldest manuscripts are of the highest quality.
Source: Facts & Feelings: Evaluating the Book of Mormon
Well, I guess that shows Joseph Smith knew how to "cut & paste" back in his day, too...probably literally...'cause NONE of the over 4,000 changes in today's Book of Mormon vs. the original 1830 Book of Mormon involve the estimated 17,000+ words that "happened" to be both written in King James English and "happened" to be verbatim quotes from the KJV Bible...now what's the odds of that? What's the odds that this book as it was "translated 'by the gift and power of the Holy Ghost" getting 100% of the King James quotations or supposed 'prophetic' quotations right...but messing up over 4,000 times on the rest of the content?
(2) "For instance: The creeds of apostate Christendom teach untruths about God, and the scriptures say that those who accept these creeds 'have inherited lies.' (Jer. 16:16-21.) Those who accept any of the doctrines of the apostate churches are said to 'believe a lie.' (2 Thess. 2:1-12.) The process of apostasy consists in changing 'the truth of God into a lie.'" (LDS "apostle" Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine p. 440).
Now I can understand if you might want to label this a "different kind" of lie than #1 above...tell us, though...when McConkie labels the creeds of your faith which you have passed on, I'm sure to somebody, as resulting in you "teach[ing] untruths"...is that a..
...True or false statement?
...An accurate or deceptive statement?
...Truth or a lie?
...I mean McConkie claims to have the knowledge power to know these things about YOU! (How does he know YOU & all other Christians?)
McConkie says you have "believed a lie." Is that...
...True or false?
...Accurate or deceptive?
...Truth or a lie?
...I mean McConkie claims to have the knowledge power to know these things about YOU! (How does he know YOU & all other Christians?)
McConkie says your "apostacy consists in changing 'the truth of God into a lie" Is that...
...True or false?
...Accurate or deceptive?
...Truth or a lie?
...I mean McConkie claims to have the knowledge power to know these things about YOU! (How does he know YOU & all other Christians?)
Please let us know if all those questions are just open "up-for-grabs" issues on which even you have trouble weighing in...Thanks!
There are people on this Earth that have had their eyes and ears sealed shut, to protect them. Mormons may be a part of that group. [runninglips]
You know, I originally posted a slight variation of the above Nov. 11. In that post, I closed with this graph:
Ah, the irony of it all: They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie. (2 Thess. 2:10-11)
Since you mentioned it in your closer, the double irony of it!
Read the context of these passages, Momron. The word ‘gods’ doesn’t refer to competitors with YHWH like you’re trying blasphemously to infer. The reference in Tanakh is to men who were magistrates over the people. Typical! And you non-Christians wonder why we keep exposing the heresies and blasphemies at the heart of Momronism!
Or is it by the LDS “Victim hood Policy” the definition of Vitriol rewritten to mean posting and questioning of LDS doctrine.
Guess it is fitting, the LDS rewrote the definition of Christ himself so little English words should be no problem...
Surely, you can refute the BIBLE and Jesus in your omnipotence?
You want to play at scholar, explain for us the origins of the name ‘Lucifer’ and your false peepstone predator’s use of that name in the faux book of abraham Momron scriptures. ... How honest are you prepared to be, Mormon?
Surely, you can refute the BIBLE and Jesus in your omnipotence?
maine (great state!)
you wrote that Psalm 82 teaches there are God’s outside God Himself. Not so.
In regards to Psalm 82... from my friend Tom Constable
“The human judges in Israel served as God’s judicial representatives among His people. The Hebrew word translated “rulers” (NASB) or “gods” (NIV) is elohim (lit. strong ones). This word usually describes God in the Old Testament, but sometimes it refers to the strong ones in Israel, namely the human rulers or authorities (cf. 45:6; Exod. 21:6; 22:8–9). It does not refer to angels here (cf. Eph. 6:12) as the Syriac translators thought. This is clear from the context. It does not refer to the gods of the heathen either (cf. 1 Cor. 10:20).”
Tom Constable. (2003; 2003). Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible (Ps 82:1).
Skipped over?
There seems to be a LOT of ASSUMPTIONS in your post here...
Do you think Mitt Romney will make a good President?
maine -
the citation from Psalms the term “god” is given as a title to human judges - true ‘gods’ cannot DIE LIKE MEN.
Jesus in referencing that passage was making it part of his argument that based upon the proofs and miracles he’s conducted HE could qualify for the title as Son of God.
Read it with open eyes.
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