I'm a follower of Christ – a Christian that some would identify as an evangelical Protestant. I believe the core essentials of the historic Christian faith – the authority of the Bible, the Triune God, the divinity and humanity of Jesus Christ, the reality of sin and what it has done to our relationship with God, and that Jesus Christ lived the perfect life and was crucified in my place, and was resurrected to everlasting life as Lord and Savior, and that He will return at the end of the world as we know it.
It is my understanding that the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints ("Mormonism") teaches things counter to the historic Christian faith. As such, I can't recommend that church to anyone, because their theological philosophy is entirely different, including believing in the existence of many gods, believing that Jesus, the Father, and the Holy Ghost are three separate Gods, believing that men can become gods, that Jesus' sacrifice on the cross wasn't enough to make us right with God, and that the Bible is one of four books of holy scripture, the Book of Mormon being the "most correct".
All of that being said, I could support a sincere Mormon for President. Why? Because it is the office of President, not my church pastor. While I think the LDS church leadership is dead wrong about Jesus Christ and the nature of God, it promotes conservative values, clean living, thinking about eternal consequences, being prepared for the future, and American exceptionalism. For those reasons, I would prefer a sincere Mormon who believes in limiting government to a liberal Protestant churchgoer (or someone steeped in "Black Liberation" theology) who either doesn't "get it" when it comes to a personal relationship with Jesus or simply refuses to commit to Jesus as Lord and Savior. What good is sitting in church every week if you refuse to sincerely seek God's guidance and holiness, or if you see the government as a better way to solve social ills than churches?
I want a President who truly believes he or she is accountable to God for their actions, and can't really ever "get away" with anything. I want a President who understands that personal morality matters, and more moral we all are, the better off we'll be. I want a President who sees the U.S.A. as special and seeks to keep the country special through excellence. I want a President who knows what the role of government should and should not be in our lives.
If Romney is the GOP nominee, I will support him. Will I support Romney in the primary? Depends on my choices when California votes.
Republicans, especially those who are evangelical Christians, need to ask what they want to accomplish with this next election cycle. Would we rather have a candidate for President who shares our theology, religious practices, and every major political viewpoint at the expense of losing? Or do we want to replace Obama with someone who is more capable, more conservative, and who believes more in American ideals and the American people, at the expense of ideological or theological purity or agreement?
Jesus did not call perfect men who would always agree with Him to be His close disciples, and He was building a church. We should not expect a perfect person to take the political position of Presidential candidate. And make no mistake - someone needs to be a great Presidential candidate before they can be a good President, and a great candidate attracts and inspires more than just conservative Republicans. They get the votes of others, too.
It is my understanding that the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints ("Mormonism") teaches things counter to the historic Christian faith. As such, I can't recommend that church to anyone, because their theological philosophy is entirely different, including believing in the existence of many gods, believing that Jesus, the Father, and the Holy Ghost are three separate Gods, believing that men can become gods, that Jesus' sacrifice on the cross wasn't enough to make us right with God, and that the Bible is one of four books of holy scripture, the Book of Mormon being the "most correct".
All of that being said, I could support a sincere Mormon for President. Why? Because it is the office of President, not my church pastor. While I think the LDS church leadership is dead wrong about Jesus Christ and the nature of God, it promotes conservative values, clean living, thinking about eternal consequences, being prepared for the future, and American exceptionalism. For those reasons, I would prefer a sincere Mormon who believes in limiting government to a liberal Protestant churchgoer (or someone steeped in "Black Liberation" theology) who either doesn't "get it" when it comes to a personal relationship with Jesus or simply refuses to commit to Jesus as Lord and Savior. What good is sitting in church every week if you refuse to sincerely seek God's guidance and holiness, or if you see the government as a better way to solve social ills than churches?
I want a President who truly believes he or she is accountable to God for their actions, and can't really ever "get away" with anything. I want a President who understands that personal morality matters, and more moral we all are, the better off we'll be. I want a President who sees the U.S.A. as special and seeks to keep the country special through excellence. I want a President who knows what the role of government should and should not be in our lives.
If Romney is the GOP nominee, I will support him. Will I support Romney in the primary? Depends on my choices when California votes.
Republicans, especially those who are evangelical Christians, need to ask what they want to accomplish with this next election cycle. Would we rather have a candidate for President who shares our theology, religious practices, and every major political viewpoint at the expense of losing? Or do we want to replace Obama with someone who is more capable, more conservative, and who believes more in American ideals and the American people, at the expense of ideological or theological purity or agreement?
Jesus did not call perfect men who would always agree with Him to be His close disciples, and He was building a church. We should not expect a perfect person to take the political position of Presidential candidate. And make no mistake - someone needs to be a great Presidential candidate before they can be a good President, and a great candidate attracts and inspires more than just conservative Republicans. They get the votes of others, too.
As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I'd love to clarify a few of your beliefs about our beliefs. Suffice to say, we do believe that all men must come to Christ, that His Grace is necessary for Salvation, and that He is the only way, truth, and Light. We worship Him as the only Begotten Son of the flesh, and we believe that the only way to the Father is by way of the Son.
ReplyDeleteBut who knows, you may already have had thorough theological discussions with other members of our Church, and have agreed to disagree.
But thank you for for your post, I appreciate the sentiment.
Thank you. Always feel free to share your beliefs here. While there is some similar terminology, there are some important differences and even when the words we use have the same spellings, the meanings behind those words are often different.
ReplyDeleteBut the point of my posting was not to disparage anyone's faith or make a case for why someone should prefer the beliefs I hold, but to say that even if I hold beliefs I consider very important that are mutually exclusive to some of the beliefs held by any given candidate for political office, it is possible that I can enthusiastically support that candidate's bid for office.
Unless Mitt Romney governed Mass. by letting church authorities in SLC call the shots, it should not matter what anyone thinks of your church. Our nation already went through this with with JFK and the Vatican (though I suspect Romney is a more faithful follower of his professed faith than JFK apparently was of his).
Agreed on all the political stuff.
ReplyDeleteMy response was more with the thought that the why's behind our beliefs are important, such as why do we believe in 3 distinct Beings in the Godhead, etc?
Anyway, I'll address a few of our beliefs, as mentioned by you above, and see if I can add some clarity. Thanks!
Well, wouldn't you know, someone beat me to the punch. I've found a clearly written and concise paper, which asks, and then answers the following questions:
ReplyDelete"Comparing LDS Beliefs With First—Century Christianity" in answer to "("Mormonism") teaches things counter to the historic Christian faith."
In answer to "Mormons" not being real Christians, there is "Does the New Testament define Christianity?" and "Is it true that because Latter-day Saints reject the traditional doctrine of the Trinity, they are not Christians?"
"Is it true that because Latter-day Saints believe that human beings can eventually become like God, they are not Christian?"
"Is it true that because Latter-day Saints practice baptism for the dead, they are not Christian?"
"Is it true that because Latter-day Saints do not accept the Bible as their sole authority in faith and doctrine, they are not Christians?"
"Is it true that because Latter-day Saints deny the doctrine of original sin, they are not Christian?"
"Is it true that because Latter-day Saints reject the doctrine of salvation by grace alone, they are not Christians?"
Since this paper covers what I would have, so beautifully, I recommend it to anyone who hesitates to vote for a candidate for Pres., whose Christianity is in doubt. We do need a president with sound judgement, and wisdom, whose principles are in harmony with virtuous living.
I like this quote, though, because it sums up what I would want others to know about us:
"Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints easily meet the definition of a Christian as implicitly defined in the New Testament: they believe that ancient prophets foretold Christ's coming, that Jesus Christ suffered for our transgressions, that he was put to death but rose from the dead, that through him we may obtain forgiveness of our sins, and that he will come again in glory."
Here is the link to the paper (and I would have scriptures handy while reading it):
http://maxwellinstitute.byu.edu/publications/transcripts/?id=93
And this speech, which answers the question, If there is only 1 Lord, 1 Faith, and 1 Baptism, why so many Christian denominations?
http://lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/the-book-of-mormon-a-book-from-god?lang=eng
Thanks for your consideration.
Whether or nor the label "Christian" applies, my core theological beliefs are not the same as the official teachings of your church. There are some mutually exclusive claims about, for example, the nature of God.
ReplyDeleteBut again, that does not mean I couldn't vote, for nomination or election to political office, someone who is a member in good standing of your church.
For the other side of the argument over the "Christian" designation, here are a couple of things people can check, from sources I understand are not friendly towards each other:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.equip.org/articles/are-mormons-christians-
http://carm.org/comparison-between-christian-doctrine-and-mormon-doctrine
It really does boil down to whether or not Joseph Smith really did see God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, and whether or not the Book of Mormon really is another Testament of Christ, translated by the gift and power of God. Only the Holy Spirit can give that witness. And all must find the answer for themselves, by revelation.
ReplyDeleteAnd I would be remiss if I didn't witness that I have searched, pondered, prayed, and received my own witness of the truth of Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon (and the Bible, for that matter), in the same manner as Peter knew Jesus was the Christ; ie., Matt. 16:17. Thanks for your time.
ReplyDelete