Posted on 12/31/2011 8:49:24 AM PST by Colofornian
Time magazine says the #1 religion story of the year is the rise of Mormonism. Two Mormons are running for president; Glenn Beck's commitment to the Mormon church made headlines; . As we continue our series on my top 5 faith and culture stories of 2011, let's ask today: Is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints a cult? Can Christians vote for a Mormon candidate? What does the mainstreaming of Mormonism say about our culture? The answers to these questions will take more space than my typical essay--I hope the following information is helpful. If by "cult" we mean the popular caricature of a manipulative group that practices mind control and exploits its members, the Mormon church clearly does not qualify. However, scholars use the word differently. According to Walter Martin's definitive The Rise of the Cults, a "cult" by definition claims a founder other than Jesus, follows a book other than the Bible, accepts beliefs that are outside orthodox Christianity, and seeks salvation in ways other than by grace through faith. How do Mormon beliefs stack up against this definition? There is no question that Mormons claim to be Christians. But what do they believe about God? Their movement was founded 1800 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 heaven" (Doctrine and Covenants 130:22). His physical intercourse with Mary resulted in the conception of the physical Christ (Journal of Discourses 1:51; 4:218). Do Mormons 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 orthodox Christianity? Smith taught plural marriage as a "new and everlasting covenant" (Doctrine and Covenants 132:1,4), though the church repudiated polygamy in 1890. 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 terrestrial 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 known Mormons who assured me that they have asked the Lord Jesus Christ to forgive their sins and become their personal Savior and Lord. Many Mormons I have met do not know the doctrines of their church I have discussed today. 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. Should the Mormon beliefs of Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman influence Christians as they decide which presidential candidate to support? Our decision should be informed by our answers to two 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? What does the mainstreaming of Mormonism say about America? "Pluralism" is the belief that many religions lead to God. According to a recent survey, two-thirds of evangelicals under the age of 35 believe non-Christians can go to heaven, even though Jesus clearly said, "No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). I predict that we'll see an escalation of pluralism in the new year as our culture's rejection of absolutes becomes even more pervasive. But just as all roads don't lead to Dallas, all roads don't lead to heaven. Are you on the right one? Are you praying for someone who isn't?
Tara, and winter I am pinging you because it appears to be really important (winter) that we are not rude, and Tara it appears to be important to you to be mamby bampy about Christianity.
This is a place marker
No..I believe in the immaculate conception of Mary mother of GOD..
Would I vote for a Mormon, put it this way..If it is between Romney and Obama..yes I will vote for a Mormon..
Maybe now you can answer this:
What do you think Jesus is going to do with all the Mormons in the world?
You cannot convert anyone...
Conversion happens in the heart...
Look at it this way....
1. Mormon’s - Not Christians
2. Jehovah Witness - Not Christians
3. Catholics - No problem
4. Methodists - - No problem
5. Seventh Day Adventist - Not Christians
6. Baptists - - No problem
7. Protestants - You listed 3 protestant groups above but still no problem.
8. Episcopalians - - No problem
9. Nazarites - jury is still out
10. Assembly of GOD - - No problem
Just to name a few...Which way of worship is correct????
Many Christians do not believe in the *Trinity*
How are you going to correct these people who adhere to thier belief system?
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By telling them the truth and exposing their theological errors Biblically. It isn’t about how they worship, it is about what they believe. ALL CHRISTIANS BELIEVE IN THE TRINITY ALL OF THEM. Regardless of anything else, to be a Christian one must agree on the person, work and nature of Jesus Christ.
I have followed threads you have posted over the years and you are obviously what sociologists would classify as a ‘seeker’ which is partly why I think you so readily accept heresy as ok when in fact it isnt’ at all. Christians are called to expose Heresy and keep it from infecting the Body of Christ. You don’t seem to get that and your acceptance of some of the above groups as Christians when their doctrines prove otherwise, makes me concerned for you.
Here, I am sorry I didn’t bow to your wishes O queen.
Happy now?
You still haven’t answered several questions posed to you on this thread. I see no apology from you.
Also, you have called us liars and other things on here. I see no apology from you.
Hypocrite.
Maybe I missed the scriptures where Jesus was arguing and quarreling with other’s....
But when the goodness and loving kindness
of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us,
not because of deeds done in righteousness,
but in virtue of his own mercy,
by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit, which he poured out among us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, so that we may be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life.
Letter to Titus 3:4-7
It is imperative that we Christians (born again) to tell mormons (and others) about Salvation, that Jesus Christ is the only way to God’s glory.
Everyone makes their own choice to enter into eternity with God All Mighty or not.
It is my job to tell people about Christ. It is not relevant to me, if they sing contemporary music or traditional hymns or have red carpet or blue or require a dress code or not...none of these things are important
It is my responsibility to expose false teachings and prophets.
mormons are no different than anyone else who do not know Jesus Christ, in the simple in the complex they continue to push they are Christians, that mormonISM is Christianity - it is not and it is my job as it should be of any Christian to expose that lie.
Excellent response.
Try the Gospels - the first four books of the NT. Pay attention to his discussions with the scribes and pharasees. He says things like vipers, snakes, white washed tombs, etc.
I respect the Mormon’s for there fight for Traditional Marriage, thier family values, and what they believe theologically will be handled by Jesus Christ....
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Don’t know much about Mormonism or Christianity do you? Mormons aren’t nearly as ‘family values’ or against Homosexuality as their PR makes them out to be.
And there are no second chances after death, if they die in their sins (Mormonism) because Mormonism IS NOT Christianity, and I had the opportunity to tell them the truth and didn’t just adpoted the ‘live and let live’ attitude you display, then I will be called on it come judgement day.
Christ uses us to warn others who believe in a false god and a false Christ. You may not like our methods, I don’t care. They work. They worked to get me out of Mormonism, they worked to get others out of Mormonism all the time, including a few Freepers. Not just out of Mormonism but into a relationship with Christ.
So, you can keep your attitude, it isn’t biblical at all, but know this, come the judgement YOU will have to face Jesus and tell him why you didn’t speak the truth and warn others.
A friend of mine is a Nazarene pastor, we have talked and he said it boils down to this: we are just like Pentecostals but their music is better. This man loves the Lord, he believes in Salvation - the rest are just details.
You are in-correct..I am not a seeker..I just have grown in my walk with Christ that for me, is the way he wants me to live and conduct myself.
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law
GALATIANS 5:19-23
It was an observation, not gossip. Get over it already. You act like we poisoned your cat.
IMO, you are just harping to avoid the questions posed to you.
BTW, there wasn’t a denial on your part (not that we would believe anything you would say anyway).
If they don’t believe in the Trinity - they are not Christians.
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It is disturbing we even have to point that out.
He was exposing the hypocrisy in all it’s form.....
Was he condemning the Torah? No...The Torah condemned them and that is what Jesus exposed.
Here are YOUR words again TaraP
“Maybe I missed the scriptures where Jesus was arguing and quarreling with other’s....”
THere is nothing here regarding condemning the Torah TaraP.
Hmmmmmmm the Torah also condemns the teachings of mormonism.
BTW, if you are going to cite the Apostle Paul - perhaps you should look into the book of Galations where he essentially wishes the false teachers would essentially castrate themselves.
AS you say:
So, you can keep your attitude, it isn’t biblical at all, but know this, come the judgement YOU will have to face Jesus and tell him why you didn’t speak the truth and warn others...
My SALVATION is not contigent on warnings to other’s....
You might want to understand what is *Biblical*
Romans 10:9
“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Yes, morMANism IS a trap. Most folks don’t know their beliefs and have no desire to educate themselves. As evidenced on these threads.
False Teachers come in all religions....
Many wolves walking around in Sheep’s clothing...
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