Prominent Evangelical Scholar Takes on Mormonism in 'Christian' Debate

wally_shamrock »

Tue Oct 23, 2007 2:03 am Agree: 6   Disagree: 0

said cgmorris in the post below mine....
" It is DISHONEST and un-christian like for any other Christian religion or faith to proclaim that another (which believes in Jesus Christ) is not Christian."

This is a hypocritical stance. I have been told by Mormons that I am an "Apostate", despite that I am a practicing Orthodox Christian, who believes in Jesus Christ and of salvation by grace, and the good news of the Bible. Jesus Christ is my judge, and there is only one Jesus, the historical Jesus who is the son of man, and who's father and him are one and the same. In whose book am I an "apostate"?

Orthodox Christians do not concern themselves with being rewarded for their faith... faith itself in the fullness of love in Christ is reward enough! if we take care of todays calling, the future will take care of itself... thats what faith is about, BELIEF, not knowledge. Its not our matter to focus on specifics of afterlife reward, or details of personal glory or attaining godhood.

I discerned Mormonism and "took on the discussions", and weighed it very seriosuly for my life in 1994-1995. While I think Mormons are good people, have good family lives, are good at taking care of each other, and set a good example at many things-- refuse alcohol and tobacco-- all good things-- It was the Mormon theology and cosmology that struck me as cult like: It humanizes God, and deifies man, in that man can become like our God-- I felt it unnecessary (and dangerous) to entertain the world view of our God as a potential peer through our efforts, which, if a man thinks himself to be achieving, gives rise to great pride while still here in this life. Only from pride can come the belief that "our Jesus is better than your Jesus", which is a commonly held Mormon epithet, albeit unspoken, but universally believed within Mormonism. From all my studies and readings, pride is not a christian concept, in fact, pride and humility are diametric. Pride is competative and comparative in nature -- its a devils game.

It feels like Mormonism is using the Bible to put the face of respectability and gain mainstream acceptance for its beliefs, rather direct hearts solely towards the Bible. Instead of receiving their own godhood and rewarding them with their celestial glory, Jesus may decide to show them to their personal tool sheds to live in, to learn humility first.
+ wally