Wednesday, 28 December 2011 07:45
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; The Book of Mormon was a hit musical on Broadway.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" (King Follett Discourses). According to Smith, "The Father had a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's" (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?
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You don't understand the Protestant Reformation very well if you think it was a new religion to fit lifestyle. Its intent was to bring the Church back to its original beliefs as professed by the early church fathers, many of whom actually walked around with Jesus on earth. You can choose to believe it missed the mark in doing that (I happen to beileve it hit the mark dead on), but it's quite a stretch to compare it to a cult.
Joseph Smith invented a whole new gospel, perpetrating sex and power - sex in polygamy, and power in taking over all he could - militias, church, towns.
Martin Luther was religious - Joseph Smith was a con-man.
Then lied continuously saying the Indians did it - only when Utah's statehood was threatend did Mormons admit their involvement and offered on sacrificial lamb to be executed.
Blacks and priesthood was the same - when threatened with tax exempt status, all of a sudden, blacks get priesthood.
I'd hate to see Mormon morality in the White Horse by a man who is the equivalent of an Archbishop in the Mormon church - that is a comparison by Romney 08s campaign when asking what a Stake President is so that is an accurate comparison.
For a man whose father talked of the White Horse Prophesy and ran for office, and now his son is on the horse riding into Mormon prophesy to save America.
Christians can not vote for Mormons.
As such, America is the greatest nation in the world which provides for FREEDOM of RELIGION. The basis of political decisions and voting should not be on religious beliefs, but on political knowledge and a record of achievement and service to all peoples, regardless of race or religious beliefs.
In a political environment of diverse religions, races and political beliefs, the question for voting should not be based on religious beliefs and practices. Voting should be based on citizenship, a record of serving the whole population, preserving the freedom of religious and political beliefs, and on a record of accomplishment, political acumen, wholesomeness, good morals, and doing good a being good.
On this basis, Mitt Romney certainly qualifies to be president of the United States of America. The question about religion is not your religious beliefs, but what you do with it. Mormons are as good and wholesome as any people in America or the world.
What Muslim goes to a christian church and sendes his kids to a Christian school
Funny thing when he was 4 or 5 his mother put him in a Muslim school for 2 years after that he spent 2 years in a Catholic school! wht isn't he Catholic?
voting for a cult leader is not smart from a Christian view point
Revelations 22:18-19 says it best, when one thinks about the Quran or the Book of Mormon and those who follow them as God-inspired writings.
In war/killing. So if Romney gets in does that
Mean he would go against his beliefs( if it fact
That is what they believe) does anyone know if
That is true?
Mountain Meadows - Mormons MURDERED unarmed men, women and children.
Mormons DO believe in WAR, Romneys just don't wear Army Green - his sons and him are afraid to serve in the military.
I've read many of your columns sent to me by B J Millis. You would be surprised at how many of your sermons/lectures sound very Mormonish. And you make good sense. As the name of the Church is--The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, not the Church of Joseph Smith, this LDS church was founded by Christ, only restored by Joseph Smith. One Church leads to heaven, by virture of the Holy Priesthood that Paul talked and taught about, and that is the Church that has the true Holy Melchizedek Priesthood--the LDS Church. Baptism for the dead is so that those who died without accepting the true gospel may be taught in the spirit world the true gospel, and they have the chance to accept or reject it. If they accept the true gospel and priesthood, these ordinances are done for them. Without acceptance by the individual, the ordinances for the dead mean nothing. These required ordinances for entrance into heaven are performed by the holy Melchizedek Priesthood. Checkout www.mormon.org.
Sincerely, Rita Millis
I appreciated the bottom line of this article regarding Obama. I think that is the fact that is lost on a lot of people. Romney present the best chance to beat Obama.
I realize that many Protestant voters have issues with Mormonism, but a Romney presidency would be TEN TIMES better for America and your freedom of religion than Obama.
An Obama presidency will finish the transformation of the nation and put us on a secular path that will aggressively promote the "New Athiesm." This movement seeks to make any religious person seem like a crazy person, and they will come for ALL of us, to shut us down.
Romney will never wear his religion on his sleeve. From what I've seen, the LDS Church is bending over backwards to remain neutral in all of this. And don't forget Harry Reid is also Mormon, a big Dem.
Honestly, many of us Mormons are actually worried about a Mitt victory because let's face it, the world is messed up right now and whomever wins may fail to fix the massive problems we have. If Romney gets bad ratings it could hurt the church image. The site evangelicalsformitt.org makes that case.
So bottom line, to agree with Denison here, Romney is a better president than Obama any day of the week and twice on Sundays. And the "Mormon" bit will not play as big a role as you imagine. I think people will forget that footnote quickly. The day Romney begins using the Oval Office to preach Mormonism is the day I become a buddhist monk, it won't happen!
1. To understand the Mormon worldview you have to discard any creeds that influenced the later church. Mormons will tell you that they are more interested in the primordial religion from very ancient times (Adam, Enoch, Hebrews and the original 1st Century Church). They use the OT/NT text and other early things, but are wary of philosopher councils that came later. We view them as mostly shouting matches (like Congress!)
2. Martin Luther and others are not really much different from Joseph Smith in claiming to "restore" a different brand of the Christian faith. A 1st Century Christian would not recognize churches today. Scripture tends to be interpreted differently, like with Catholics and Mormons. Which is valid?
3. Extra scriptures are also used by Catholics. They use the apocryphal texts and have numerous rites and rituals that most Evangelicals would balk at. Are Mormons that different? Yet we voted for JFK and Santorum, a Catholic, is being pushed as the new Huckabee.
4. Faith/Works. This one confuses me since Mormons believe in both. We believe we are stranded without the saving Grace of Christ, but we are also asked by God to obey His commandments. Mormons simply believe that we have a role in our own development (purpose of Earth).
To use an analogy, the Earth is a university, designed to get us a career like our parents. Our parents send us down here. We have good times and bad, we grow up, and Jesus is the one who pays our tuition and other needs so we can get back home and start our own families.
The Mormon view of eternity is actually a perfect mirror of the way life is here on Earth. We believe that Earth life is a microcosm of sorts of things as they really are in other worlds. So if your life here makes sense to you, just extend that onto a cosmic scale and you have LDS doctrine.
God bless you all!
I posted a longer comment to this article below, and would welcome your comments.
Best regards,
It's better to accept Jesus, believe in the Bible and God, even if there are some extras that not all of us agree with, than to be a non-believer.
When you study it (this may surprise some Christians), Mormons actually believe virtually everything that Evangelicals believe. We just take it further.
An analogy: Judaism is like the city of Dallas. Protestantism is the state of Texas. And Mormonism is the USA. Each larger concentric circle completely contains everything of the smaller circles.
So if all that is needed to be saved is what is required from Evangelical churches, Mormons are saved because they meet ALL of those criteria. Review what your church says is required and you'll find Mormons follow it.
Having additions (other states!) does not disqualify you. If a pastor, who is a strict evangelical, also believes that we must do Yoga to be saved, without changing ANY other of his usual beliefs. Would he be damned? No way. He is believing.
And so it is with Mormons.
All of us, including many Christians, believe things that are wrong. Anyone who has put their faith in science over the past 100 years has had constant whiplash as every "truth" gets upended each generation.
Give me a believer, someone who has strong faith and willingness to believe in something good, over someone who is apathetic and unbelieving any day.
Israel cried out to have a king, like other nations. God, through Samuel, told them that was not a good idea, but they persisted. God allowed it and Israel paid the price.
The Philosophical Law of Opposites says that two things that are opposites cannot both be true. Assuming I believe that Christianity is true, which I do, then I must reject Mormonism as false.
Those items in the original article list well quite a few conflicts with Christianity. Logically, a Mormon can't be a Christian (even if that person professes to be a Christian) and a Christian cannot be a Mormon. They are opposites.
I think someone commented before me that if someone believes in Christ, he's a Christian. The Bible says that even the demons believe -- and shutter.
theconservativechristianreader.typepad.c om
Christians accept the separation of church and state. They should also separate their faith from the GOP which is just another political party.
Christian should vote their conscience and not compromise their faith for political expediency.
The Presidential office has global influence and wields great powers to do much good or evil. It is therefore a moral responsibility for Christians to exercise their vote guided by 2 thousand years of christian teachings.
Just because the major christian candidates failed to win the GOP nomination, it does not justify a compromise.
It is better to lose a vote than to cast it for the wrong reasons and for the wrong candidate.
They are an embarrassing mix of confused theological deadbeats without an ounce of practicality or integrity. The Christians could not produce a champion out of 6 bona fide Christian candidates and a good percent of them could not tell the difference between a cult religion Mormonism and Christian imperatives.
Their waffling and rationalization about electability and economic miracles blinded their judgment. If Jesus was an investment banker we could have excused their delusional comparison. If they wanted prosperity for their flock and Americans they could have voted for Christians for prosperity. But they chose a Mormon instead.
This is how bankrupt Evangelicals and Catholics are in their faith and understanding of their core mission. To empower leaders such as Presidential candidates required more than just political expediency. It is an uncompromising moral responsibility. But we all can bear witness every one of these so called Christian leaders have flip flopped at the least sign of resistance and succumbed to GOP pressure to vote for anyone who could beat a Christian sitting president Obama even if the only choice was a Mormon.
This is an abomination of Christian fundamentals and should justify the dismantling of Christian hypocrisy and institutions so we can objectively separate the state from the church and cast our votes as a free people in the true American tradition free of any tyrannical indoctrination.
2 John 1:7-11
New King James Version (NKJV)
Beware of Antichrist Deceivers
7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8 Look to yourselves, that we[a] do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward. 9 Whoever transgresses[c] and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; 11 for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.)
In my family god will always come first. For those that would call Obama a Muslim or anarchist after he has publicly professed his love for Christ you cannot judge for even if he was once a Muslim is he somehow not qualified for salvation. my friends do not let had cloud your faith,
1 John 4:20
English Standard Version (ESV)
20 If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot[a] love God whom he has not seen.
Pray on this my friends it may be the hardest most important choices we will ever make, a true test of faith, But please do not be deceived for it scares me to imagine placing a high ranking member of a cult into the powerful position in the world. God bless you all my brothers and sisters.
false profets and those that seek them shall be throghen in the lake of fire.
No election is worth my salvation