QUESTION OUT THERE THAT IS NOT BEING ANSWERED ACCURATELY:
Are Mormons Christian?
My Answer:
No, By the words of Joseph Smith, who founded Mormonism or The Latter Day Saints, Nope. This religion was started in complete opposition to the Christian religion.
So why are Mormons trying to pass as Christians? Why can people not honestly confront this? Do we hate Mormons? No.
Can we talk factually about what Christianity is? Lately in this "can't we all get along world" facts are avoided. Can Christians vote for a Mormon? Yes, but that is for someone else's article.
Can Christians actually think that Mormons are Christians? Only if they are not dealing in facts and only feelings.
Mormons are people who are known for outstanding moral values. They often fill misunderstood. They feel others do not represent them well. This article is not about Jesus being the brother of Satan. This article is not about "As God once was man can be." This article is not about progressive revelations in the Mormon church.
This is not about if Mormons think Jesus is their Savior. They wrongly do in their theology. Islam thinks Jesus was a great prophet. Muslims do not think they are Christians. We will talk about what is Christianity.
The uniqueness of Jesus Christ is that He is God in the flesh. Why could he pay our sin debt? Because He, Jesus Christ, was and is God. He was and is the perfect Lamb of God. The Lamb was slaughtered for our sins. He was and is the believer's substitute for their sin. Christ took our sins on the cross. He received the wrath of God intended for sinners. We are saved from God by God. Christ became sin for us.
2 Corinthians 5:21
English Standard Version (ESV)
"21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."
Jesus Christ died on the cross and was Resurrected, ascended to heaven and reigns with the Father. The Holy Spirit was delivers His message today to us.
Know that Jesus Christ received our sin and shame on the cross. We receive the riches of Christ with forgiveness of sins, eternal life and peace with God.
Who could pay the sin debt? Only God Himself, not a mere evolving man.
My seminary that I receive my Master of Divinity degree from was Candler School of Theology at Emory University. This is not a seminary known for being associated with the so called evangelical Christian right.
No scholar there would consider Mormonism Christianity. No scholar from Yale, Harvard, Princeton would , that I know of, consider Mormons Christian.
Certainly no scholars from so called conservative schools like Dallas Theological Seminary, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary or New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary or Beeson Divinity School would by any means consider Mormons Christian.
Why would all these schools be correct in stating that Mormons are not Christian?
Here are two essential Christian beliefs that are flatly denied by Mormons.
1. The Deity of Christ. Christ was fully God and fully man.
Jesus clearly identified with being the God known by the Hebrews from their beginning. Jesus says He is "I Am". I Am is the Hebrew first understanding of God in Genesis.
John 8:58
English Standard Version (ESV)
"58Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am."
The Apostle Paul went further in describing the Deity of Christ. In Galatians Paul claims direct revelation from Christ as Christ made the gospel known to him.
Philippians 2:5-11 (ESV)
"5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
2. The Trinity
The fullness of the Godhead is a mystery completely consistent from Genesis to the book of Revelation. This fullness is God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. They are tree distinct personalities unified in the Godhead. The fullness is explained best through Jesus Christ.
Matthew 28:19
English Standard Version (ESV)
"19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,"
People can argue on points of minutia.
These two main parts of the core of Christianity can not be disputed by Mormons or Christians who know what they believe.
I do not support the constitution of France or its principals of government. I am not French, even if I try to convince others that I am.
Be loving in your response yet honest in sharing what and why you believe.
1 Peter 3:15 English Standard Version (ESV)
"15but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,"
Know who Jesus Christ is. Believe the one and only gospel that saves.
In Christ Alone!
Fletcher Law
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