Mars Hill Pastor Mark Driscoll: Mormonism is a cult

Seattle Times ^ | Oct. 18, 2011 | Posted by Jim Brunner

[Colofornian]

With Mitt Romney campaigning...his Mormon religion is coming under increasing scrutiny.

SNIP

Now Mark Driscoll, pastor of the high-profile Seattle-based Mars Hill Church, has added his voice to the fray -- agreeing that Christians should consider Mormons as members of a "cult" and not "brothers and sisters in a common faith."

Writing on his website Tuesday, Driscoll goes on at length about the various definitions of a cult. He is careful to say that Mormonism has "outgrown" the popular culture and sociological definitions of a cult because of its enormous growth and general acceptance in the nation.

But, Driscoll writes, Mormonism "is most certainly a cult theologically speaking because it deviates substantially from historic Orthodox Christian belief about essential issues related to God, humanity, and salvation." And it's not just that it differs, he says, but also that "it claims Christianity while subtly subverting it in both practice and theology."

"Because it claims to be Christian, uses Christian language, but is antithetical Christianity, it must be labeled a cult theologically," Driscoll writes.

He concludes:

"So what do we make of all this? Simply said, by the theological definition, Mormonism is a cult."

"As the presidential race heats up and the prospect of a practicing Mormon as a viable Republican candidate becomes more a reality, there will be continued effort to bring Mormonism into the center of Christian orthodoxy..."

"...we cannot go so far as to call them brothers and sisters in a common faith. To do so is to not only confuse real Christians, but to also diminish the importance of lovingly speaking with Mormons about the errors of their belief in hopes of seeing them come to know the real God of the Bible and avoiding eternal damnation for worshiping a false god."

[Godzilla]

Read Galations Morgana all you are trying to do is distract from the issue. This incident exposed an attitude of rivalry among the Twelve that existed toward other
disciples of Jesus. This was not a problem of orthodoxy; the exorcist believed in Jesus. With mormons it IS a problem with orthodoxy.

Again, Galatians speaks very specific to non-orthodox groups claiming the title “Christian” and the Apostle Paul has some very strong words about them -

Gal 1:6 KJV - I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
Gal 1:7 KJV - Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
Gal 1:8 KJV - But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
Gal 1:9 KJV - As we said before, so say I now again, If any [man] preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

Read more morgana - it is enlightening.

[Elsie]

To the rest of you, you don’t have to go to a Mormon church, no one if forcing you, so why are you so worried?

Dudette; you claim to be Catholic and "don't care" when someone is spreading falsehoods about your GOD?

[Elsie]

Jesus said, “for whoever is not against you is for you.”

Don't you see that MORMONs ARE 'against' you?

[wmfights]

Perhaps Morgana you should read the book of Galatians. Here Paul writes to them concering a group that called themselves “christian” too. Notice his response to them and towards these other “christians”.

Amen.

We are blessed to live in a country where people can pursue what ever faith they chose to. However, that doesn't mean that these other faiths have a right to take on the name/identity of another and be free of criticism. No one has said, or implied that Mormons can't be Mormons. The criticism is that they can not claim to be Christian, because they aren't.

[Godzilla]

There is enough other things that are watering down Christianity as it is. We don’t need to welcome cults that consider Christians to be apostate and theirs to be the only true faith.

They must still be stinging after Promise Keepers turned them down back in the 90’s because they were NOT Christians.

[Gamecock]

It is an entirely new religion with its own revelation, its own holy book, and its own prophet.

Are we talking about Muslims or Mormons?

[wmfights]

There is enough other things that are watering down Christianity as it is. We don’t need to welcome cults that consider Christians to be apostate and theirs to be the only true faith.

Amen!

They must still be stinging after Promise Keepers turned them down back in the 90’s because they were NOT Christians.

I didn't know that, wow!

One of the great moments in my life was going to the Mall and praying with a million other Christians.

[greyfoxx39]

We are blessed to live in a country where people can pursue what ever faith they chose to. However, that doesn't mean that these other faiths have a right to take on the name/identity of another and be free of criticism. No one has said, or implied that Mormons can't be Mormons. The criticism is that they can not claim to be Christian, because they aren't.

That is exactly RIGHT!

[Godzilla]

True, don’t remember exactly when, but it did pop up.

I was at the mall as well - an incredible experience

[Saundra Duffy]

Well, we Mormons are in good company. Perry’s pastor believes that the Catholics are going to hell along with all us Mormons. Good thing Perry’s pastor and this pastor here are not in charge of my salvation; that job is already taken by my Savior, Jesus Christ, my Advocate with the Father. Amen.

[ppaul]

"and only about 25% of members of Mormonism are allowed into the mormon temples..."

Even less that that if you are a black Mormon

How about if you're a Jack Mormon ?