Prominent Evangelical Scholar Takes on Mormonism in 'Christian' Debate

DarrellSwain »

Mon Jul 09, 2007 4:29 pm Agree: 3   Disagree: 4

In response to Jessica333. This is not intended to be a personal affront to your comments but let us, in a spirit of honest and open debate, discuss these issues you have brought forward. This dialogue was begun as a result of Mitt Romney running for the President of the United States. So let me focus this response on his candidacy as I am sure many here on this website and throughout this country struggle with the same concerns concerning his religion and whether it will be a factor in his decision making abilities.

You have said Mitt Romney is "caught in a gruesome web of spiritual deception." because he believes, as you say, "that he will one day be a god of his own world." Briefly, a doctrinal turn, Christ commands and teaches, "be ye therefore perfect, even as my father in heaven is perfect" and those that attain this perfection and “overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” (Rev 3:21) Paul references that through our faith, works and finally the grace of God, we may become “joint heirs” with Christ. Finally. C.S. Lewis a popular Christian author and member of the Church of England, has repeatedly expressed his belief of our being one day “Gods.” In Mere Christianity he writes, “The command ‘Be ye therefore perfect’ is not idealistic gas. Nor is it a command to do the impossible. He is going to make us into creatures that can obey that command. He said (in the bible) that we were ‘gods’ and he is going to make good His words. If we let Him-for we can prevent him, if we choose-He will make the feeblest and filthiest of us into a god or goddess, a dazzling, radiant, immortal creature, pulsating all through with such energy and joy and wisdom and love as we cannot now imagine, a bright stainless mirror which reflects back to God perfectly (though, of course, on a smaller scale) His own boundless power and delight and goodness. This process will be long and in parts very painful, but that is what we are in for. NOTHING LESS. He meant what he said.”(pgs. 203-304) The doctrines of the kingdom, especially those of exaltation, godhood, and even the path we must walk to attain these things, are meant to be learned “line upon line, and precept upon precept, here a little and there a little.” What commonly happens when attacks are made at the church or its members, is simply that individuals will take a doctrinal point, cheapen it, and use it in a negative tone to prove a simple point. In essence, its taking a shortcut from point A to point B by picking up a tenth of the way through and dumping us on point B. We miss out on all the good scenery in between and we are left jaded and misinformed.

The doctrines should not be used to either a). endorse a candidate or b). refuse a candidate. “A gruesome web of spiritual deception” is a wonderful term, yet it more aptly applies to those who are entrenched in the debasing acts of sin. Which sin causes one to take idealogical shortcuts (rationalizations), such that 1. There is no God. 2. If there is no God there can be no law. 3. If there is no law, there is no sin. 4. If there is no sin, then no Redeeming Christ. And on. And on down a slippery slope.

Let us judge men by the content of their character and their ability to make rational, inspired decisions and leave the doctrines out for another topic and another blog.

Baptist Seminary Head Highlights Mormons' Self-Contradictory Church Claims

DarrellSwain »

Sat Jul 07, 2007 12:09 pm Agree: 2   Disagree: 3

It is expedient as a member of the church to do my best to clarify these opinions presented by DannyPoo. Foremost, the doctrines of the Trinity, and Godhood are deep, somewhat, abstract concepts. For example, our current concept and understanding of the Atom is an abstract idea. We have never seen an atom, yet we see evidence of it all around in the beautiful structures of this universe. We use Mathematics to communicate these deeper abstract ideas and concepts. This being said, although we use English to communicate at a very general level the concepts of The Trinity and Godhood, the Holy Ghost, essentially, is the only way these deeper salvational truths can be communicated.

As a layman I can only give you my personal opinion on the matters of doctrine. As far as I know, The Church of Jesus Christ and myself included, are in accordance with your first paragraph. There are a few points in the second paragraph that we do not necessarily agree with. As a sidenote, you have cited "Mormon Doctrine" by Bruce R. McKonkie, who later became a member of the Council of the Twelve Apostles. Contrary to popular belief, not everything in "Mormon Doctrine" is LDS doctrine. In my estimation, and by the tone of the second paragraph, you have cheapened and degraded our doctrine of the Christ's conception and birth. Titus 1:15 "Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled."

If you want doctrine, go to the website www.mormon.org or www.lds.org. If you want opinions, do a google search for "mormon" and see what you find.