[Note: I've updated this post since it's original debut the other day, hence "revision 1" in the title. I discovered a factual error on my part and decided to add a link to a pdf file about Mormonism that I wrote some years ago.]
A former student of mine sends along what is now officially our next "Ask the Pastor" question. Incidentally, might I remind everyone that this was your idea, not mine. I'm not entirely comfortable calling myself a pastor, as I'm presently without a flock to shepherd.
Anway, the question:
I am really interested in learning more about the Mormon, Muslim, and Jehovah's witness cults. I would like to know what exactly is wrong with their beliefs. I have some relatives in these cults.
As you can see, this is really three questions in one. In part 1, we'll start with Mormons...
What's wrong with Mormonism?
First, you're right to label this a cult. They have taken Christian language and twisted it to mean something completely different, yet fooled many into thinking they are a different "version" of Christianity. Officially, Mormons represent the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and as such are sometimes called Latter Day Saints (or simply LDS) rather than Mormon. I've often said that they shouldn't be allowed to use some of these terms. They should be the _____ of _____ of Latter Day _____!
Since this isn't intended to be a huge post, let me highlight a few of the major problems.
1. Mormons don't believe in the same Jesus as Christian do. To Mormons, Jesus is the spirit brother of Satan. [Note: the link provided is an LDS attempt to disprove my point, but read it carefully and you'll find my assertion is correct - and some!]
2. Mormons don't believe in the Trinity. They believe that God the Father is a seperate entity with actual spiritual children (two of whom happen to be Jesus and Satan - see above link), and that the Spirit of God is nothing more than the Father's "active force" (a trait they share with Jehovah's Witnesses, as we shall see in part 3).
3. Mormons beleive that the ultimate goal of their faith is to become a god. Hence the term "god-makers" is sometimes applied to them. The famous Mormon quote is "As Man is, God once was; as God is, man may become". Yep - God was once a fleshly creature like you and I but because he obeyed all the natural laws of the universe, he got to become He. And you and I can do the same! How exciting! How novel!
How blasphemous.
[Note: after re-studying my notes, I discovered I had the order of importance of Mormon holy books wrong. This revised version of my post has the correct order.]
4. Mormons believe the Bible is not as important as their own goofy book. You know, if I hadn't read it I might not have said "goofy". According to most LDS folk, there are four really important spiritual books in the world. In order of importance (least to greatest): the New Testament, The Book of Mormon, Doctrines and Covenants, and The Old Testament. So the most authoritative book in the world on spiritual matters is the OT, followed closely by Doctrines and Covenants. If I had my copy in front of me right now, I'd quote the page numbers where we read that "because Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob did none other than that which was commanded of them, they have received their reward and become not as angels, but gods".
Summary: Mormonism is officially not a Christian denomination, nor are Mormons Christians. This a cult and heresy that lies well outside of the "pale of orthodoxy" (as Hank Hanegraaff calls it).
Incidentally, Hank's site (linked above) is a great resource for these sorts of questions, as is his radio show "The Bible Answer Man".
Until part 2,
Hatushili
Incidentally, if you'd like more details, click here to download a .pdf file I wrote about Mormonism. It's brief, but more detailed than this post.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
"Ask the Pastor" #2 - part 1 (revision 1)
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5 comments:
but boy do they know how to make a nice building...
a lovely image for the post...
How is it that they say things that sound so much like Christianity? I was at a funeral and a relative got up to speak. She said that in Christ we could have eternal life. My mother actually thought that she was a Christian!
re: anonymous - that's part of what makes a cult a cult. They take Christian words and phrases and twist the meaning into something it ought not be. But the average hearer doesn't know that's what's going on. It's very deceptive, honestly. If they were as open and honest about their beliefs as actual Christianity, far more people would relegate them to the loony-bin!
re: Jered - I often drove by the Mormon Temple in Washington DC when we lived out there. That's what the picture is. Beautiful and yet eerie at the same time...
Hatushili
This is true. However not all Christians are out right with what they believe as well. It may not be right, but it is understandable how it can happen. We get a little afraid of the trouble we might stir up if we speak the truth that is not candy-coated!
re: anonymous - I wonder if those times (when we don't want to "speak the truth that is not candy-coated") aren't the same times when we either a) don't really need to say anything at all, or b) sense the untruth or half-truth of what we're about to say.
Some of the things we've been taught to believe over the years are genuinely crazy, frankly. And we recite them fine and well when we're in close company, but not when not-yet Christians are around. For example, the whole "non-Christians have a Jesus shaped hole in their heart" bit. I know plenty of not-yet Christians who are quite happy and content with where they are spiritually. They are so far dead to the Truth that they don't even realize it... So they need to be moved along by the Spirit (most generally through us, His children) to a point where they can even feel/sense that need. Telling them right up front that they have this longing in their soul that they really don't yet have is silly. I think we sometimes sense that silliness even as we're saying the words, hence the uneasiness...
Am I making any sense?
Hatushili
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