Posted on 10/29/2007 8:28:33 AM PDT by Invisigoth
“Would someone please give me a “rock solid” definition of Christianity”
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/christian
Chris·tian
–adjective
1. of, pertaining to, or derived from Jesus Christ or His teachings: a Christian faith.
2. of, pertaining to, believing in, or belonging to the religion based on the teachings of Jesus Christ: Spain is a Christian country.
3. of or pertaining to Christians: many Christian deaths in the Crusades.
4. exhibiting a spirit proper to a follower of Jesus Christ; Christlike: She displayed true Christian charity.
5. decent; respectable: They gave him a good Christian burial.
6. human; not brutal; humane: Such behavior isn’t Christian.
–noun
7. a person who believes in Jesus Christ; adherent of Christianity.
8. a person who exemplifies in his or her life the teachings of Christ: He died like a true Christian.
9. a member of any of certain Protestant churches, as the Disciples of Christ and the Plymouth Brethren.
10. the hero of Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress.
11. a male given name.
Please note that there is no requirement to accept orthodox doctrines to be a Christian. No requirement to interpret the Bible as orthodox Christians do. All the is required belief in Christ and an intent to follow him.
The following official proclamation from the church is all that an honest person needs to know that Mormons are Christians.
The Living Christ
The Testimony of the Apostles
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Ensign, Apr 2000, page 2
As we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ two millennia ago, we offer our testimony of the reality of His matchless life and the infinite virtue of His great atoning sacrifice. None other has had so profound an influence upon all who have lived and will yet live upon the earth.
He was the Great Jehovah of the Old Testament, the Messiah of the New. Under the direction of His Father, He was the creator of the earth. “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:3). Though sinless, He was baptized to fulfill all righteousness. He “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38), yet was despised for it. His gospel was a message of peace and goodwill. He entreated all to follow His example. He walked the roads of Palestine, healing the sick, causing the blind to see, and raising the dead. He taught the truths of eternity, the reality of our premortal existence, the purpose of our life on earth, and the potential for the sons and daughters of God in the life to come.
He instituted the sacrament as a reminder of His great atoning sacrifice. He was arrested and condemned on spurious charges, convicted to satisfy a mob, and sentenced to die on Calvary’s cross. He gave His life to atone for the sins of all mankind. His was a great vicarious gift in behalf of all who would ever live upon the earth.
We solemnly testify that His life, which is central to all human history, neither began in Bethlehem nor concluded on Calvary. He was the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten Son in the flesh, the Redeemer of the world.
He rose from the grave to “become the firstfruits of them that slept” (1 Cor. 15:20). As Risen Lord, He visited among those He had loved in life. He also ministered among His “other sheep” (John 10:16) in ancient America. In the modern world, He and His Father appeared to the boy Joseph Smith, ushering in the long-promised “dispensation of the fulness of times” (Eph. 1:10).
Of the Living Christ, the Prophet Joseph wrote: “His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying:
“I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father” (D&C 110:3–4).
Of Him the Prophet also declared: “And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!
“For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—
“That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God” (D&C 76:22–24).
We declare in words of solemnity that His priesthood and His Church have been restored upon the earth—“built upon the foundation of … apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (Eph. 2:20).
We testify that He will someday return to earth. “And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together” (Isa. 40:5). He will rule as King of Kings and reign as Lord of Lords, and every knee shall bend and every tongue shall speak in worship before Him. Each of us will stand to be judged of Him according to our works and the desires of our hearts.
We bear testimony, as His duly ordained Apostles—that Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God. He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the right hand of His Father. He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son.
—
So, the short answer is : Mormons are Christians, just not orthodox Christians.
It is extremely relevant to bigots who don’t want Mormons to be seen as normal
Let’s say at an open forum a new candidate named Joe Jones was in the midst. And I asked him the question, “What is your belief about God?” and he answered, “I believe I will be a god someday.”
What a shame that some people feel the need to portray becoming as Christ-like as possible as a bad thing to advance a political agenda.
If Mitt is a faithful Mormon as he seems to be, he intends to do his best to develop in his life the attributes of Christ. Love, humility, charity, kindness, honesty, patience. Do we want a president who doesn’t strive to become more Christ-like? If so I’m pretty sure you will have that option in 2008.
The Mormonism apologists are morphing into Romney apologists, just as it was predicted (prophecy anyone) they would a few months back when so many Mormons started signing up at FR. Has FreeRepublic been threatened by the traceresque Mormon/Romney apologists again lately?
You’re not a Christian unless you’re my kind of Christian.
/S
You've got it, that is the attitude of some Christians.
We believe that Jesus Christ is the only Begotten of the Father. From the New Testament, John 1:14
4 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.John 1:18
18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.You can go to lds.org, I've done a search for Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son, it will bring up our beliefs in our scriptures. Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son We believe that Christ is a member of the Godhead, which consists of God the Father, Jesus Christ, His Son, and the Holy Ghost. They are one in purpose, 3 distinct beings. You can also go to my home page and read about The Living Christ.
(why doesn’t anyone in the media ask THESE fun ‘gotcha’ questions to liberals?????)
Because Harry Reid toes the liberal line. He came to BYU last month to speak. He thinks conservatism is evil, and said that the church leaders were wrong in leading the church down the path of conservatism (apparently he hasn't heard of the many Democrat Mormons who believe that the party left them.) We don't think much of Harry Reid.
The Mormonism apologists are morphing into Romney apologists
On this thread alone, there is enough said that were Romney to be a) Repub nominee, b) elected POTUS, it would mean the end of the Republican party...and by extension conservatism.
If the Mormons think FReepers (including myself) bring up all sorts of facts about Joseph Smith and the false claims of the BOM, they haven’t seen nothing yet. The Democrats, with their trusted allies, the MSM, will bring up every fact posted here, plus a host more they will dig up.
I can just see it now. Journalists harping on how Republicans claim to be the party of decent people, and look what they have as their standard bearer! Romney, who represents Joseph Smith, one of the biggest frauds and outright adulterers in American history.
Here’s another one: “We Democrats have been warning the American public for years about their tendency towards theocracy, and their opposition to the separation of church and state. In Romney, look what they have for their standard bearer! (here’s where they will, no doubt, quote one of Joseph’s Smith’s Muslim-like plans for theocracy.
We could give a thousand other juicy things about Mormonism that, you can be sure, the Democrats are accruing to themselves right now in case Romney becomes the nominee.
Mark it down, if Repubs elect Romney they will rue the day!
Ardent Mormons at FR have shown they don’t care if it destroys conservatism, for ‘if conservative christians don’t vote for Romney because he’s a Mormon, they deserve to be trashed’ is guiding their zeal to push this liberal in almost christian robes upon the party. They’re already doing it at FR; this is but a microcosm of the garbage they will hurl when the MSM and dnc expose their cultish beliefs in service to her lowness and her sexually degenerate husband with criminal enterprise party!
Exactly! I’d rather an atheist with conservative views than such a Christian as Hillary.
That said, I will not judge anyone who says he is a Christian to not be one. Only God knows what is in one’s heart. But I heartily disagree with Mormon doctrines. No offense, but I think they are heretical.
But the only true test is if one has accepted Christ as his personal Saviour. Plenty of Baptists and Catholics haven’t.
Actually I do know. Both how to spell the word and the doctrinal differences.
Everyday, going to work, I pass a road named “Morman Road”, spelled just like that. I guess I just wasn’t thinking.
Now why would you say that? Jesus obviously thought he did the best he could and made up the difference with His Grace. Nobody except you folks seems to be able to misread our take on the scriptures. We read them as they are and y’all seem to read them as you want them to be. Y’all are the ones that come up with the idea of infant damnation when the Lord plainly says “suffer the little children come unto me” rather plainly telling everyone that little children belong to Him.
Bless you!
I see you are being a comedian again tonight. ROFL
Bless you!
Which is why up to a/fourth of the over 4,000 BYU students & faculty present to hear Reid gave him a standing ovation, and the most of the rest a cheer.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.