Mormon-evangelical detente? Mouw, Zacharias to speak to LDS again

Deseret News ^ | Thursday, Oct. 31 2013 | Tad Walch

[restornu]

The chill seemed to begin to thaw for some in 2004 when Mouw introduced Ravi Zacharias at the LDS Church's Salt Lake Tabernacle. Mouw spoke for seven minutes and apologized for evangelicals who had "misrepresented the faith and belief of Latter-day Saints."

"Let me state it clearly," Mouw said. "We evangelicals have sinned against you."

Mouw didn't flinch despite criticism of the apology by other evangelicals and published a book last year titled "Talking with Mormons: An Invitation to Evangelicals." He practices “convicted civility,” which he says is different from what he calls the “ ‘anything-goes’ compromised relativism so popular in American religion.”

Zacharias followed Mouw to the Tabernacle pulpit and delivered the first lecture by an internationally renowned evangelical leader in the Tabernacle in 105 years.

The Deseret News first reported earlier this month that Zacharias is scheduled to return to the Tabernacle in January at the LDS Church's invitation. He also will speak at BYU as part of a "Faith, Family and Society" lecture series that brought both Moore's predecessor, Richard Land, and Assemblies of God general superintendent George Wood to BYU in September and included an October address by Albert Mohler, head of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. (Please see the Deseret News Q&As with Land, Wood and Mohler.)

Mohler is scheduled to return to BYU to speak at a nationally televised campus forum in February.

What is motivating the dialogue?

Mormons and evangelicals agree on issues like religious liberty, humanitarian aid and the importance of families.

Talking to Religion News Service writer Adelle M. Banks, the LDS Church's director of interfaith relations, John Taylor, said, “There’s a realization among faith groups generally that despite doctrinal differences — and we have doctrinal differences, there’s no question about that — we do have areas of commonality."

[restornu]

Summary The visits of evangelical leaders to BYU signal a new evangelical-Mormon detente, a news service says. That "detente" now includes scheduled visits by noted evangelicals Richard Mouw and Ravi Zacharias, who will speak to LDS audiences in Utah. “Leaders of the two faiths appear to have reached a new juncture, with some on both sides seeing benefits in more public engagement.” Religion News Service

[Vendome]

I’ve never heard if these guys and they don’t speak for me.

We do have doctrinal differences and we have common interest but, we are not of the same tree.

Make no mistake about that.

Nice to see you again Resty.

Hope all is well.

I hope you will invite Sandra back.

[varmintman]

The LDS church needs to become a more normal Christian church wrt theology.

[tbpiper]

I’ve never heard if these guys.......

I'm unfamiliar with Mouw but Ravi Zacharias is an absolute brilliant apologist for the faith who most often lectures in the lions' den, so to speak.

[Vendome]

They can’t.

They are the one true church.

You worship in an apostate faith and state.

They are Christian.

You are a Christian.

The difference is subtle but, it’s there.

They make no claim to be a larger part of the today of Christ .

They send 52,000 missionaries into the world each year t inform them they must be Mormon to enter Heaven and must pass bu Joseph Smith, with a passport. Upon his approval and pleasure you may enter.

Etc etc etc...

[.45 Long Colt]

The only thing they should be doing with Mormons is witnessing to them. Christians don’t join hands with one of Satan’s false religions to fight Satan in the culture or to win politically.

“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.”

[Guenevere]

I need more information.....this does not compute.

[Normandy]

Thanks for posting — this is good to see. There’s a whole lot that Mormons have in common with evangelicals.

Faith in Christ, Christian morals and values, along with religious freedom issues are all central to our faiths. The more friendly we can become, the better, IMO.

[.45 Long Colt]

In the faith realm we have virtually nothing in common. You have faith in another Jesus and you believe another gospel. Christians are commanded to separate ourselves from apostasy. We should share the biblical gospel, the only gospel that saves, with Mormons, but we cannot join forces with them.

[lurk]

Evangelicals from outside the state of Utah, who don’t actually live in the culture, love to come visit and act smart and chummy and informed with the LDS leaders.

Pastors inside the state look at these guys as knuckleheaded faux experts making a mess of things. There are layers in this culture that short-term visitors won’t see.

[SZonian]

Hey mormons, get over it already...I don’t know of any one who doesn’t think the people who are mormon aren’t like other regular folks in the world. Some good, some bad...and if the mormons think that these guys speak for me, they’re wrong.

And the interesting thing is the abject hypocrisy by mormons...you all can send out 60k missionaries to tell the rest of the world that we’re wrong, apostate, etc., yet when an evangelical dares to challenge your teachings, wow, look out, thin skinned cries of bigotry and hatred spew forth.

Let’s be clear (again)...It’s the doctrine, false prophets, false interpretations (book of abraham), false teachings, etc....it’s not the people, unless you act like some kind of liberal (Reid, Huntsman, Romney) or play the victim card the minute someone challenges what you’re saying.

[ravenwolf]

Many doctrines that bring differences is doctrine that is not even mentioned in the Gospel of Jesus so even though i have nothing against Mormons or Catholics either one it is a waste of time to argue about something that is not there.

[Normandy]

Hi SZ,

I’ve been challenged many times, especially here, about my beliefs and it doesn’t upset me. If I’ve spewed forth bigotry and hatred, please forgive me — but I can’t remember doing so.

I’m just glad to see evangelicals and Mormons getting together and getting along. I’m sure doctrinal differences will remain, but there’s a lot we have in common, and if we can work together to make the world better in certain areas, why not?

Best,

Normandy

[SZonian]

Hi Norm,

Hope all is well with you and yours. No, you are quite the exception...almost to a fault. Can’t help but like you. ;^)

But there are many others on these boards that don’t hesitate to spew...it was a general statement, not neccessarily directed at the FReeper Mormons or Mormons in general.

My apologies if my comment gave that impression.

Best,
SZ

[ansel12]

Some might argue that Mormons are better than Christians.

Mormons can become Gods themselves, Christians can’t.

[Normandy]

Yes, we’re doing well thanks, SZ, all things considered. No problem — I didn’t think you were targeting me in your comments.

I don’t see any virtue in getting mean and nasty.

Best wishes,

Normandy

[restornu]

Catholic, LDS Members Collaborate on Christmas Film (+trailer)
http://www.ldsliving.com/story/74148-catholic-lds-members-collaborate-on-christmas-film-trailer

[restornu]

Hi Normandy

Let it be the work of the Lord is going forth no matter what...

Did you hear about this new movie
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/3087592/posts?page=17#17

[Normandy]

I think that’s the wrong link.

[caww]

There's actually very little if anything Christians have in common with the belief system and ritual practices of the Mormon.....they play lip-service to Christian teachings while defiling them completely by believing they will become Gods...completely usurping the Centrality of the Sovereign Christ....to that of a false, counterfeit Christ who is an impostor.