Posted on 10/04/2012 11:46:59 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
The Mormon issue is rearing its head again in this campaign.
An online article in the latest issue of US News (9/27/2012) notes that some political phone calls have raised the Mormon issue. The article refers to Deal Hudson, "the president of the Pennsylvania Catholics Network and an expert on Catholic outreach," and says that he is alarmed after finding out "that a group calling itself Catholics for Obama had been making push poll phone calls in support of the president's re-election bid. Among the questions being asked, he said, was 'How can you support a "Mormon" who does not believe in Jesus Christ?'"
The article mentions that this type of thing (bringing up Romney's Mormonism) is "something the Obama campaign has repeatedly promised it would not do."
Furthermore, I've been talking to a few conservatives lately who claim they will vote for a third party candidate for president. They would be inclined to vote for a conservative, but because the most conservative majority party candidate is a Mormon, they say they will opt out and vote instead for Joe Shmoe of the True Blue Conservative Party or someone like that.
Some have even said they will sit out this election, rather than vote for a Mormon. And yet this election could truly be the most important one of our lifetime. There is so much at stake.
Note that the Constitution prohibits the federal government from imposing a religious test for candidates. But, of course, we the people are free to choose the government leaders we wish.
Without a doubt, there are real and substantial differences between historic Christianity and Mormonism. I have heard some people refer to Mormons (members of the "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints") as if they are simply members of another Christian denomination. That's a mistake. By their own admission, Mormonism and historic, creedal Christianity differ on some key doctrines, many of which I enumerated in a previous column. There are huge differences between them in theology, even down to the very understanding of who God is. These differences should not be papered over. But to vote for a member of a particular religious group (whether for a Mormon, a Christian, or something else) does not mean one supports that group per se.
Sure, it would be great to vote for Jesus Christ, but He's not on the ballot.
In a bill that he wrote in 1777, (which was later passed in 1786), Thomas Jefferson alluded to Jesus as the model of our liberties for Jesus gave us a choice, even though He could have imposed His way on us. Jefferson wrote:
"Almighty God hath created the mind free…all attempts to influence it by temporal punishments…are a departure from the plan of the holy author of our religion, who being lord both of body and mind, yet choose not to propagate it by coercions on either, as was in his Almighty power to do, but to exalt it by its influence on reason alone…."
Jefferson later wrote that he intended this bill to have universal application-so that "within the mantle of its protection [would be] the Jew and the Gentile, the Christian and Mahometan, the Hindoo and Infidel of every denomination."
The Bible records that Cyrus, the great leader of the Persians, was a friend to the ancient Hebrews. Also, the great Christian reformer Martin Luther said famously that he would rather be governed by a competent Turk than a dumb Christian.
On this point, noted evangelical theologian Wayne Grudem, author of the massive, Politics According to the Bible, recently wrote, "Can evangelicals support a candidate who is politically conservative but not an evangelical Christian? Yes, certainly. In fact, it would demonstrate the falsehood of the liberal accusation that evangelicals are just trying to make this a 'Christian nation' and only want evangelical Christians in office."
What a great country we live in, where people of all faiths or no faith are free to practice their religion, within reasonable bounds.
No doubt some people object to the religions represented by the two frontrunners. But neither candidate is running for bishop. They're running for president. One of the two will win.
From my perspective, what counts is this: Which of the two candidates stands overall for biblical positions? Where do they stand on issues of critical importance to us as Christians, like abortion, traditional marriage, religious freedom, and the threat of radical Islam? Thus, the question gets back to this: Regardless of church affiliation, which candidate is most likely to govern according to biblical standards? That's the question to be decided by the conscientious Christian and by all people of good will in this election.
-- Jerry Newcombe, D.Min., is co-host of and spokesman for Truth that Transforms with D. James Kennedy (formerly The Coral Ridge Hour). He has also written or co-written 23 books, including The Book That Made America: How the Bible Formed Our Nation and Answers from the Founding Fathers. Jerry co-wrote (with Dr. Peter Lillback) the bestselling, George Washington's Sacred Fire.
Tell me.
I would think last night’s debate would show who has the better leadership skills and it is not Mr. Obama.
This election is making history, the first time in Christian America neither candidate are Christians. Mormonism is on a par with Scientology, founded by Joseph Smith and his golden plates. Obama’s beliefs are not even that high, Mormonism would be an improvement over what he is. Sad state of affairs.
I see it as symptomatic of our apostate times. Apostate people elect apostate candidates...and that includes one time predominately Christian Republicans.
The New Testament prophesies that apostasy, or falling away from formerly held Christian beliefs, are preconditions leading to the rise of antichrist and the endtime. This election indicates as much.
The answer is that the good news of the Gospel of Jesus MUST be proclaim once again. I look at the nations of the “global south”, of Africa, Asia, and Latin America, nations in which this nation SENT missionaries at one time and NOW it is the USA’s time to receive the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I agree 100%. America at one time had a great spiritual awakening, many turned to God. Please, God, do it again...at least one more time before its too late.
Don’t compare the never pro-abortion Reagan with the always and still today, pro-abortion Romney.
We must ask ourselves not only which man would make the better leader of our country but who will also help him to lead this country down the right path. At this juncture in our history as a free and democratic country, we MUST choose wisely on ALL those who we entrust to rule us. We had our chance during the primaries to nominate the "perfect" candidate. Now is not the time to shoot ourselves in the foot because Romney doesn't meet ALL the criteria we desire. He is a far better choice than Obama and I don't think any logical person could disagree.
I don’t know what all that has to do with someone attacking Reagan.
Right now, differences must be set aside because priority MUST be to get Obama out of the White House. If he was to ever get re-elected, look for outright war against those who have their faith in Jesus Christ.
Hummmmm, I must choose between an honest Mormon capitalist or a dishonest muslim marxist. This is supposed to be a difficult decision?
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