Often contempt is held against Mormons from other faiths for not being “Christians”. When a member of the Church of Jesus Christ is confronted with this, the conversation generally goes something like this:
Other denomination: “You are not a Christian”
Mormon: “Yes I am, my church is named after Him”
Other denomination: “That doesn’t make you a Christian”
Mormon: “Well, we follow His teachings”
Other denomination: “That doesn’t make you a Christian, you have to believe in the same Christ I do”
Mormon: “Oh… I think we do”
Other denomination: “Well, you don’t”
This misunderstanding comes from both sides. Mormons use one common definition of the word Christian and other denominations use another. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ use the general definition found in any dictionary or used by Peter in 1 Peter chapter 4:7-19; that a Christian is simply a follower of Christ and His teachings. Because Mormons believe in the Bible and try to follow the teachings of Christ as they understand them, Mormons call themselves Christians.
What many Mormons don’t understand is that the Catholic and Protestant religions are using a more specific definition when excluding the Church of Jesus Christ from the ranks of the Christians. Their definition includes allegiance to a strict definition of the Trinity.
The idea of the Trinity, and even the word Trinity, was used shortly after the apostles’ deaths in the second century. The exact nature of the Trinity was still widely discussed and debated throughout the next few centuries. Near the first part of the fourth century, a political figure, Constantine, while trying to keep peace in the land Christianized Rome and Paganized Christianity. When the debate over the true nature of the Trinity, whether they be of one substance or many, became heated, Constantine ordered a council to be gathered at Nicaea. This council was made up of over 300 bishops, most coming from the eastern orthodoxy. After much debate, all but 17 bishops agreed to sign the first Nicene Creed. Declaring that God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit are inexplicably one being, this has been the standard definition of who God is and how the Trinity works for most Christians. Centuries later, when Luther and others left the Catholic Church because of its corrupt doctrines, many still hung on to this piece of doctrine.
So herein lies the difference. Catholics and Protestants believe God, the Son, and the Spirit to be one actual being. The Church of Jesus Christ believes God the Father, the Son, and the Spirit to be one in purpose, but three distinct beings. Because of that difference, Protestants and Catholics think that Mormons don’t believe in the same Christ as them and therefore they can’t be true Christians. Mormons sometimes don’t understand that difference. But, Protestants and Catholics also don’t understand what The Church of Jesus Christ proclaims in its first Article of Faith, that we do believe in God the Father, in His Son, and in the Holy Ghost. Mormons very much believe in the divinity of the Son and in His eternal nature as God.
If strict allegiance to a non-scriptural creed is what is necessary to join the ranks of Christendom, then count Mormons out. But, if trying one’s hardest to follow the precepts of Christ’s gospel as set forth in the Bible are what being a Christian is all about, then Mormons, Protestants, and Catholics alike can join together to make the world a better place.
Well said. I am also glad you brought up Constantine - his move toward Christianity was all politial and it's so silly to think of a bunch of men *voting* on what can get you into heaven.
ReplyDeleteHi There,
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to say that I am very much looking forward to reading your blog. I am a protestant Christian with several very close LDS friends. However, conversations in the way of religion have not always ended, well...like conversations between best friends should (for which I take full responsibility...) So, anyways, I just wanted to point out that I definitely recognize that we have different views on who Jesus is in relationship to God- but at the very core, it is actually our views on God that divide mormonism from Christianity...just food for thought, possibly for later posts :) I am looking forward to future reading!
Thanks Anonymous. I hope this can be a good place to have those kinds of conversations and stay civil as we discover our differences. My goal would be to appropriately explain Mormon doctrine and hopefully accurately represent other religion's doctrine as well. But if I'm ever wrong I hope others will correct me. Thanks for reading and pass it on to more of your friends!
ReplyDeleteIs it not right that for a doctrine to be binding within the LDS faith it has to be voted in? I believe that was the case in the earlier days.
ReplyDeleteThat is half right. Major revelation received by the prophet is brought before the body of the church for a sustaining vote. The 'vote' is more of an 'I agree and will support' than a majority rules type of vote.
ReplyDeleteFor example, those that did not support the revelation to move out west in the mid-1800's stayed behind. This did not diminish the fact that the prophet received the revelation or that the church itself moved, but it was still brought before the church for a sustaining vote.
I hope that makes sense.
it does, i just thought it was worth noting in light of earlier comments, ultimately we believe that God was at work in the process of the bible coming together as well.
ReplyDeleteHere's an article that goes along with the post:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/on-faith/post/mormon-beliefs-and-christian-creeds/2011/08/23/gIQAqtduZJ_blog.html