Do you know that Mormons are classified as Christians? This is one of the questions that Mormon
missionaries will ask of a potential convert.
As a Christian, that question grates on me. For a few reasons. But rather than getting into that, I guess it’s
worth thinking about. Is there any possibility that Mormons
actually are Christian?
First of all, I guess the question should be answered – what
is a Christian? By definition the word
Christian means "Christ-like". In that
sense of the word; it seems Mormons are actually more Christian than Christians... hmm that sounds confusing... I will from here on out use “orthodox
Christianity” to provide some clarification.
Mormons have potential to be more Christ-like than orthodox Christians. Now, before I get excommunicated, let me explain...
Mormon doctrine around the person of Jesus Christ is vastly
different from that of orthodox Christianity.
Mormonism teaches a belief in “Eternal Father”, who was once a man like
us. They believe that Jesus Christ was the first born of
His spirit children. Lucifer is also one
of His spirit children. And each one of
us is also a spirit child of Eternal Father.
We existed in spirit before the creation of the world, in coming to this
earth, we were given a ‘tabernacle’ of flesh for our spirit to dwell in; and if
we are fortunate enough to belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day
Saints, our bodies will be resurrected at the consummation of this age. At that point we will have advanced to the
Celestial Kingdom; and now have the potential to actually become Gods
ourselves, with spirit children of our own, and worlds at our command.
The orthodox Christian view of Christ is that he is the only
Son of God. We are all children of God,
in that He is our Creator, and Lord, and His Spirit actually lives in us. We have been brought into the family of
God. But Jesus is God’s Son in an
exclusive sense. He has a unique relationship with God the Father. Jesus and the Father are one. They are of the same substance, the same
essence. Jesus was begotten of the
Father, not made by the Father like the rest of us. In orthodox Christianity, Jesus is the second
person of the triune Godhead, and as such he is altogether different from those
of us who are among the created.
So you can see that according to Mormon doctrine, the only
difference between us and Christ, is that he happened to be born first. The difference between your average Mormon
and Christ is not one of kind, it is one of degree. So, by definition ("Christ-like"), Mormons could be considered more Christian than orthodox Christians.
But you can also see that the beliefs around Christ between
Mormonism and orthodox Christianity are irreconcilable. It is not possible for the same person,
(even if that person is God), to adequately fulfill the qualifications of both Mormonism
and orthodox Christianity. Therefore, it follows that Mormons and Christians cannot possibly believe in the same Christ.
So... I guess I can concede that Mormons
are indeed Christian, as long as it is understood that the Christ they are 'like' is a different Christ than the One found in orthodox Christianity.
Claiming that Mormons are Christian without that qualifier seems a little bit like talking to someone in Brazil about football without telling them that what you really mean is American football.
Please take a moment to pray for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Thank you.
Claiming that Mormons are Christian without that qualifier seems a little bit like talking to someone in Brazil about football without telling them that what you really mean is American football.
Please take a moment to pray for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Thank you.
