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?
What do you think Jesus is going to do with all the Mormons in the world?
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Well if they don’t repent and accept salvation by grace through faith in the Christ of the Bible instead of the salvation by works and by their prophet like they teach, they will go to Hell like all other non-believers. It is my job to make sure they understand that Mormonism isn’t going to save them.
I am guessing you are not familiar with LDS doctrine, are you? Mormons use Christian terms, but mean something entirely different by them.
Here is a page that may clear up some things for you...
http://utlm.org/onlineresources/terminologymain.htm
No I am not...
Thanks for the link reaganaut.....
I appreciate it...
I don’t convert, the Holy Spirit does, but he does that through US (yes even me). I don’t seek the glory for myself but for HIM who saved me.
And people don’t convert until they hear the truth. It is our job to make sure people get told the truth, and that includes Mormons.
(No different than how He addresses all the Jehovah's Witnesses, Christian Scientists, Scientologists, Unity School of Christianity, New Agers, etc.)
Again Tara define "Jesus Christ" Is he the God the Second Person of the Trinity
Or is he just one of a plethura of gods and goddesses, spirit brother of other angels like satan.
One leads to the true church
The other leads to hell
Which is it Tara - dancing around doesn't work
Ummm...Jesus didn’t write that, Paul did and Jesus quarreling with the scribes and pharisees would be in the Gospels - Matthew Mark Luke John.
He got pretty rough with them.
What “church” would that be?
Well...blue carpet? I’m not sure... (I’m kidding, I’m kidding)
LOL. It said Nararite, not Nazarene, so I wasn’t sure - hence the Jury being out comment. Nazarites are a different ball of wax. I used to go to a Nazarene Sunday School/Children’s church/VBS when I was a kid sometimes (our elderly neighbors were Nazarenes).
Tara, I have seen your posts for the past several years, you are the classic seeker. Posts with leanings toward the SDAs, JWs, Messianic Judaism, etc. I have found it interesting in part because I was once a seeker as well and yes I denied it.
You focus on the law alot, but not grace. Why is that?
How are you saved? What is your part in your salvation, what must you DO?
Here's just three examples of rightful disputation/contention in the New Testament...not even including the many confrontations Jesus had with the Pharisees (read Matthew 23, for example):
11 When Cephas [Peter] came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. (Gal. 2:11-12)
8And he [apostle Paul] went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. (Acts 19:8)
"Contend for the faith delivered once for all to the Saints." (Jude 3)
There are several other instances in the book of Acts where Paul argued/reasoned/persuaded (and one time where Apollos spoke boldly with fervor). John the Baptist confronted a ruler as well about who he was sleeping with.
Look closer it isn’t just about hypocrisy. Remember they didn’t know who He was.
You confuse *Seeker* as someone like myself who likes to learn about other people....
I like people that come from all walks of life, what they believe or don’t does not effect me and my walk with Jesus CHrist....
I am 100 % confident in my relationship with Jesus Christ, not to worry....
Okay...
Yes I know.....
I know who Jesus is..I know he is GOD in the flesh the second person of the trinity...
What are you trying to get at?
Now I know why many of the Christians I once knew here are no more..No offense...
I never said salvation was contingent upon warning others. I said you will be judged. Believers will be judged by their works (bema seat judgement) which determines our ‘crowns’, we will be judged there on if we told others about Christ or not.
In this case Romans 10:9 doesn’t apply. Sorry.
Or do you not realize there are 2 judgements?
What about false Christs? We are warned about them. Can they save you or anyone?
If you know the true Jesus, then you shouldn't be impeding those trying to expose the truth of that to those who don't - like mormons. Or do you prefer them to follow a false Jesus and a false salvation all the way to hell?
Now I know why many of the Christians I once knew here are no more..No offense...
Christian or mormon. They are not interchangable terms.
I speak of Christ to most everyone I know about Jesus Christ..Like I said many to people that have left the church entirely...
I do more than just post on the Internet in being a Christian....
My works are lifting GOD’s Kingdom up as he woukd have me to do....
I once read a quote that said something like Mormonism is one of the Devil’s greatest tricks. It tricks people into following after a false prophet, a false God and following Satan’s statement in the Garden, by thinking they will become Gods.
When looked at it that way, it is not surprising that in their temple ceremonies that Lucifer orders them to and they do put on a green apron symbolizing the “Priesthoods of Lucifer” (and yes I can document that).
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