Posted on 07/10/2011 4:10:43 PM PDT by delacoert
The question is often heard and debated: Are Mormons Christian? The real question is not whether Mormons are "Christians" or not. Certainly Mormons are "Christian" just as much as any "new age Christian", Scientologist, Jehovah's Witness or others could claim the title of "Christian" - because they all have elements (more or less) of Christ in their doctrine. Do they believe in Jesus Christ? Sure they do. And all who claim a belief in Christ would naturally get their backs up when the assertion is made that they are not "Christian". The label itself is not the real issue, however. The real issue that bible-believing Christians have, is that Mormonism is explicitly contrary to the bible and to Christ's teachings contained therein. LDS members are not pleased to hear such statements - and understandably so. "But we do believe in Jesus Christ and the bible!", the LDS will protest. But consider what is really behind the issue - beyond the label. At the core is the fact that Christ himself explicitly proclaimed: "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:30-31. "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12. Mormonism on the other hand declares that, while it is necessary to believe in Christ: "there is no salvation outside the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints." (Bruce R. McConkie). The "church" is the way the truth and the life." (Marion G. Romney). There is no salvation without accepting Joseph Smith. (Joseph Fielding Smith). And there is no salvation (eternal life) without jumping through a myriad of hoops ("ordinances" - that the Mormon Church claims only it has the authority to perform - and strict obedience to the LDS church and all of its rules, regulations and commands given by its leadership). (click here for a more extensive discussion on this topic) If you are a Mormon, a key question is whether you really believe that you can inherit God's kingdom without the church? If you do believe that you can enter into God's Kingdom without the Mormon Church, your belief is contrary to official LDS church doctrine. What the LDS really believe is that, while a belief in Christ is requisite, so is a belief in and acceptance of the Prophet Joseph Smith and all subsequent church Prophets, the Mormon church, the restoration, the priesthood, the Word of Wisdom, all of the ordinances, and there must be strict obedience to all the laws, ordinances, teachings and commandments of the Church, etc. Miss any of these requisites and you're not going to get into God's Kingdom, according to Mormon theology. The bottom line is that Jesus Christ alone does not have the power to save, according to Mormonism. "One of the most fallacious doctrines originated by Satan and propounded by man is that man is saved alone by the grace of God; that belief in Jesus Christ alone is all that is needed for salvation," (Miracle of Forgiveness, Spencer W. Kimball, p. 206) Simply put, one cannot believe in both the bible and Mormonism. They are at odds on virtually every point of doctrine. Please don't take my word for it. Read the bible (most Mormons have not truly read the bible - or if they have, they usually just do a token read-through so that they can say that they've read it; it is very rare for a Mormon to really study the bible in depth). Not just the few out of context passages that Mormonism uses to try to demonstrate biblical support for its doctrines. But read the entire bible (start with the New Testament - which is the "New Covenant") in context and it will become clear that the two are not reconcilable. (For all LDS or former LDS members, I believe that it will take at least three times of reading through the New Testament - and do it without your LDS version with the LDS bible dictionary, the Joseph Smith Translation references, etc. Get a straight up King James, NIV or NASB and just read the Word without anyone or anything telling you what it says - let God Himself speak His Word to you. If you seek God and His truths in sincerity and a true and honest heart to know Him and His Word, it will change your life forever!). In sum, it may be somewhat inarticulate to say that Mormons are not "Christians". Mormons may technically have the label as "Christians" but they are certainly not "biblical Christians" and their teachings are not in accord with the pure and living Word of God. If the bible is truly the Word of God that Christ Himself declared would not pass away, then that is a serious issue. And it is one that Christ's followers should bring to the attention of the world in love - first of all so that the Mormon people may find the true and living Christ and His Word. Secondly, so that the world will not be mislead into a counterfeit Christianity. IS IT PROPER TO WARN THE WORLD ABOUT COUNTERFEITS? Jesus himself declared, that He alone is the door – the way, the truth and the life. The fundamental problem with Mormonism is that it is in direct conflict with that very basic and most important fact. The LDS Church, while using Christ’s name and keeping him somewhere in the mix, declares that the LDS Church is the way, the truth and the life and that no man can attain eternal life in the Father’s kingdom but by and through the LDS Church. (Though the church will currently equivocate publicly from such blunt statements, ask any faith LDS church member if they truly believe that they, or anyone else, can reach the Celestial Kingdom without strict adherence to each and every church ordinance, doctrine and command. Without question, the LDS Church teaches, and the members believe, that it is only in and through the LDS Church that Eternal Life can be had.) Christ and his disciples warned of false prophets, apostles and doctrines: “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” Matthew 7:15 “[B]ut there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” Galatians 1:7-8 “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.” 2 Corinthians 11: 3-4 “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 11:13 Neither Jesus nor His apostles hesitated to warn of and call out false and counterfeit doctrines when they appeared (yet neither He nor they imposed the Gospel on or forced anyone to believe in or to follow Christ). Yes, I think that we would be amiss not to warn our families, friends, the church and the world (even the Mormon people) of the counterfeit Christianity that is Mormonism. [That is not (and should not be) a mean-spirited thing, if done with love and genuine concern for the truth and for the welfare of souls - but it is still understandable that it is not pleasant for anyone to hear that they belong to a false religion.] Every man and woman must ultimately make their own decisions to believe or not believe as they see fit. Speaking the truth in love and with respect does not, and should not, infringe on anyone’s rights. I was a faithful LDS member for 39 years and I thank God for those who had the courage to stand up and speak the truth. When I had come to the point where I hungered for and needed to know the truth, I did not feel imposed upon by any and all sides of the arguments (and before that point I never would have even so much as looked at anything that contradicted the LDS church, even if it were placed right in front of my face with flashing red lights and sirens). But, at that point, when knowing the truth meant more to me than just clinging on to what I so desperately wanted to be true, I tried to listen to all sides (and everything that I could get my hands on). Each and every side played a part in enabling me to make a real choice. Ultimately, the truth itself did make me free. It is my sincere hope that what is written here will not be perceived as an "attack" on Mormons - rather I hope that it is received in the spirit of love and sincerity that it is intended. May God bless you as you seek Him in truth.
Well, I don’t know about all that. But whatever it is that you preach and practice here on FR, THAT surely ain’t Christianity. Not any sort of Christianity that any decent Christian knows.
sounds great
if it’s ok to start verbally assaulting any religion we don’t agree with... then let’s get to it!
let’s start with that crazy voodoo chanting stuff
then move onto the booze for babes dished out while simulating the cannibalism of their ‘lord’. talk about devil worship
and anyone trying to defend it should be branded. nothing in the Constitution against brands.
sounds great.
/sarc
I think there's just a wee bit more than that to Christianity. Mormons only claim that Jesus is the son of God, but they don't believe that Jesus is the Lord our God, God Incarnate, (which is exactly what the Apostle Thomas said to Jesus as he fell upon his knees in full realization that Jesus is indeed God, - "my Lord and my God" ~ John 20:28 ). Mormons believe Jesus is merely a man, a non-deity, just a flesh and blood man and nothing more. They also believe that His second coming has already taken place, but that nobody noticed Him, so He just decided to go back to Heaven and chill out. Mormons are about as "Christian" as Muslims are.
>>Only males going to Heaven is not part of Christianity..<<
It would be a BORING Heaven with only guys. Yeah, beer and Football for the first few weeks, but eternity...?
your topic is offensive at its face.. as it stands against the foundations of the country
but hey, liberal-trolls like doing that
I again defy you AGAIN to point to a post that has attacked any religion.
Finding LDS not Christian isn’t an attack — it is just finding it, factually, not Christian.
:)
>>your topic is offensive at its face.. as it stands against the foundations of the country<<
1) It isn’t my topic
2) IOW, you have no answer to my reasoned and logical analysis.
>>but hey, liberal-trolls like doing that<<
1) Says the liberal who thinks that being described as anti-Christian is persection.
2) The only people who play the “liberal” card are the same as obama supporters who play the race card. You have nothing of substance.
3) boo hoo, you got bested in open forum
Um...I do attack any religion that TEACHES THINGS AGAINST THE BIBLE. That is my duty as a Christian.
I know I’m attacking the Mormon religion, no delusion there. And that is my constitutional right and my CHRISTIAN DUTY. As a Christian (and an Ex-Mormon) I am called to speak out against any religion that mocks my Savior and teaches lies about Him while leading people to Hell.
Freedom of religion works both ways, buddy.
The delusion lies in your thinking that Mormons have a right to practice their faith unmolested and that it is in the constitution.
And you also have the right to go on your diatribes against Christianity. Just as I have a right to speak out against your diatribes.
You are doing exactly what you are condemning me for.
BTW, there are laws against certain practices relating to Santaria, Voudoun, and Satanism already (namely related to child sacrifice and the use of humand body parts). So according to you that is also unAmerican and religious persecution.
Get over it.
LOL
are you 6? seriously, get a grip
Well, if you don’t know about all that, perhaps you should look a little more deeply into what is surrounding you in Utah. Mormonism is not Christianity, far far from it.
You want ME to get a grip?
Woodony, brassony, irony.
And again, no substantive reply. (and no substantive surprise)
good you answered the threads question....so what do Mormons say ...go ask one ...and be done with this silliness ...the time is near
To be Christians, the Mormons would have to acknowledge and worship the LORD Jesus Christ of the Christian Bible
Jesus, who is Eternal..
Jesus who is from everlasting to everlasting..
Jesus the Alpha and Omega..
Jesus, the Lamb of God..
Jesus who is God...
Jesus the Word of God...
Jesus who is the Second person of the Trinity..
Jesus who is the ONLY Begotten Son of the Father...
Jesus who was born of a virgin who never had sex with man or mormon god...
Jesus who shed His saving Blood UPON THE CROSS to save us...
Jesus who died UPON THE CROSS to save us...
Jesus who rose again the third day to save us...
Jesus who was never a victim but chose to die for us…
Jesus who is Lord of Lords and King of Kings...
Jesus whom the false prophet, Joey Smith lied about...
Jesus who never lost or moved HIS Church from the Earth (and why on Earth would He ???)
Jesus the Righteous who has never needed any foul evil Joey Smith to restore HIS Church..
(Anyone saying that Joey Smith so called “restored” the Church that Jesus built is being “insulting, degrading and blasphemous” to jesus (SD))
Jesus whom Joey Smith the liar never met...
Jesus who destroyed Joey Smith..
Jesus who judged Joey Smith as an unbeliever an an enemy of God and the Church.....
Jesus who condemned the disgraceful unrepentant sinner, Joey Smith to Hell ...
Jesus who is Savior of the Christians as Joey Smith is the false savior of the mormons...
Jesus who will judge who gets into the Christian Heaven while Joey Smith who claimed falsely it would be him is screaming for help in Hell that he earned...
That Jesus...
Any other jesus is not the right one...
should FR start to get flooded with threads debating the merits of Christianity? that’s what you’re doing here.
and if it’s your duty to attack any religion that is teaching against the bible... then why aren’t you in afghanistan or iran?
sitting at your keyboard pumping out anti-mormon dribble is an obvious push to split the conservative base
oh, and congratulations on being a religious bigot.
Depends on who you ask.
So where does Christ fit in to the Scientology doctrine?
Everything I have read about Scientology never mentioned Christ or salvation.
Oh, I don't know about that. Lot's of good, decent Christian folks around here. Surrounded by them, in fact, as far as the eye can see.
Just as an aside —
I am making an in this thread an argument that the issue at hand is whether LDS is not Christian. It is a denotative question.
Our general desire to do Christian proselytizing should be done within a context of those who are in need thereof. The LDS are. That isn’t attacking, it is recognizing.
But you note, accurately, that many aspects of the LDS do indeed mock Christianity as much as Scientology mock all religions (and both were founded similarly). For that we have every reason to react strongly.
I just want to categorize the arguments for clarity (not that it will matter to some on the thread).
a substantive reply would be to engage you on the topic, which is faulty at best
as for your attitudes, congratulations, you’re personally trying to drag us back to the dark ages. i’ve dealt with people like you and lived in countries ruled by people with your attitudes (you’ll need loudspeakers for the prayer calls).
believe me, you’d prefer i not give you a similar ‘substantive response’
you’re an admitted religious bigot. a pariah in American society seconded only by racists
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.