There is no cult.
Posted on 10/31/2011 8:54:35 PM PDT by delacoert
Robert Jeffress made national headlines recently with his assertion that Mormonism is a "cult" and a "false religion." Peter Wehner, a political commentator whose blog I read regularly, immediately criticized what he termed "the theological and political errors of Pastor Jeffress."
What are the facts behind the firestorm? Is Mormonism a "cult?” The answer depends on your definition of the term.
If by "cult" you mean the popular caricature of a manipulative group that practices mind control and exploits its members, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints clearly does not qualify.
However, scholars use the word differently. According to Walter Martin's definitive The Rise of the Cults, a "cult" is "a group of people polarized around someone's interpretation of the Bible and is characterized by major deviations from orthodox Christianity relative to the cardinal doctrines of the Christian faith, particularly the fact that God became man in Christ Jesus." They claim a founder other than Jesus, follow a book other than the Bible, accept beliefs outside traditional Christianity, and seek salvation in ways other than by grace through faith.
There is no question that Mormons claim to be Christians. Responding to Jeffress, the church released a statement claiming that "Christ is at the center of our worship, study, service and faith." But what do they believe about God?
Their movement was founded 1,800 years after Christ by Joseph Smith (1805-44). He taught that "God was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens" (King Follett Discourses). According to Smith, "The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's" (Doctrine and Covenants 130:22). The church teaches that God the Father in his glorified physical body had sexual intercourse with the virgin Mary, resulting in the conception of the physical Christ (Journal of Discourses 1:51; 4:218).
Do they follow a book other than the Bible? In addition to Scripture, they consider the Book of Mormon to be "another testament of Jesus Christ" revealed by Jesus to descendants of Israel living in early America. They also follow Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price, compendiums of theology and prescribed practices.
Do they accept beliefs outside traditional Christianity? Smith taught plural marriage as a "new and everlasting covenant" (Doctrine and Covenants 132:1,4). Though the church repudiated polygamy in 1890, some splinter groups still follow the practice. They baptize for the dead, believing that this action can speed the progress of the deceased in the afterlife.
Do they seek salvation in ways other than by grace through faith? Mormons believe that baptism purges their Gentile blood and replaces it with the blood of Abraham through the Holy Spirit. In this way they become the actual offspring of Abraham (History of the Church 3:380). They believe in three levels of glory: The telestial kingdom (for those who have no testimony of Christ); the terrestial kingdom (for those who fail the requirements of exaltation); and the celestial kingdom (reserved for members of the Mormon church who will become gods; Doctrine and Covenants 132:20)
Are Mormons Christians? That depends on the degree to which they accept the non-biblical teachings of their faith regarding God and salvation. I have met Mormons who assure me that they have asked the Lord Jesus Christ to forgive their sins and become their personal Savior and Lord. Many do not know as much about their church's doctrines as I do. However, I have also met Mormons who believe that their progress toward the celestial kingdom depends not on Jesus' sacrifice but on their missionary work and other church activities.
One final issue: Should the Mormon beliefs of Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman influence Christians as they decide which candidate to support for president? Our decision should be informed by our answers to two prior questions. First, to what extent do Romney and Huntsman accept the non-Christian elements of their faith? Second, to what degree would decisions made by the president be impacted by uniquely Mormon beliefs?
OK, you are probably correct, since RR began in 1962 they got permission to use parts of other material until they could solidify their own.
Today’s RRs have a merit driven advancement program with all kinds of merit subjects (cooking, computer science, etc)
We’ve also developed a Junior Leadership Program to further develop our high school aged boys called the Sabre academy. When the boys graduate, they are given a sabre with their favorite bible verse inscribed on it.
I do not use “cult” as a pejorative.
AH if ya writing about Mormonism...
I’d just go straight to false religion with a false prophet
and have done with...
I'm sorry, but that was so pathetic I don't know whether to laugh or cry and I'm not talking about the grammar.
So, you claim to know exactly how muh devotion is enough and how much is just a wee bit too much, causing...what now? "Our Savior" to cringe or roll his eyes?
I'm sorry, but that was so pathetic I don't know whether to laugh or cry and I'm not talking about the grammar.
So, you claim to know exactly how muh devotion is enough and how much is just a wee bit too much, causing...what now? "Our Savior" to cringe or roll his eyes?
How could I have missed that - it deserves a
THAT is totally misleading....
If Jesus Christ is the ONLY way, why are your masonic temple rites a requirement to reach exaltation? Why must members be united in a "celestial marriage"?
There is SO MUCH of mormonism that has nothing to do with Jesus Christ.
Mormonism was and still is "The Church of Joseph Smith".
Excellent!
Sorce.
Vicarious baptism for the dead was taught by Christians in New Testament times?!?! ROFLOLOLOL!!!!!
The best thing about Arizona is that there are, despite my first experience with that one troop, just excellent people involved with the conventional troops out here.
LOL, yes gross ignorance is a hallmark of those stuck in cults, too.
Glad to hear it. Even without attaining Eagle, he will learn good solid life skills.
Guess so.
Ignorance is NOT a bad thing!
It merely means lack of knowledge.
Roger that.
On what? Pastor Jeffress agreeing with the LDS about the Catholic Church, or that I only see some nonCatholic Christians call the Catholic Church a cult on FR, not LDS?
Freegards
If someone responds to visitation by mormon missionaries --yes, even the still wet behind the ears ones-- and starts believing in Jesus Christ, at what point in their believing does their belief stop being the foundation of saving Grace when the anti-Christian particulars of the joseph smith religion surface?
I might pose that same question to you fellow Inmans. [HINT: Elsieie hinted at the answer when he mentioned the parable of the sower and the seed. Answering this question is very important to our continuing to oppose MormonISM and share the truth of the Grace of God in Christ with folks trapped in the smithian religion.]
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