Are Mormons Christian?

The Mormon faith (formally known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) has been in the news recently, due to the Presidential candidacy of Mitt Romney. However, other well known politicians and celebrities are Mormons, including Senators Harry Reid and Orrin Hatch, TV Personality Glen Beck, Business Consultant Steven Covey (7 Habits of Highly Effective People), and well known Television and Music personalities Donny & Marie Osmond. There has been some discussion of late in the media regarding what the Mormons believe. In 1997 and in 2007, former President Jimmy Carter described Mormons as Christians. More recently, Pastor Robert Jeffress (friend of Republican Presidential Candidate Rick Perry and Pastor of the 10,000 member First Baptist church of Dallas TX) called Mormonism a "cult." On April 24, 2012, CNN reported that Pastor Joel Osteen said Mitt Romney was a "Christian," and that he sees Mormons as "brothers in Christ."  So, the question is, are the Mormons just another denomination of Christianity like the Catholics, Lutherans, Methodists, etc., or are they a completely different faith altogether?  Is there some good evidence out there for comparing what Mormons and Orthodox Christianity believes?

Below are links to some great blog articles that give a clear picture of what Mormons believe and how it differs, and is quite unlike Orthodox Christianity:

Joe Carter, Editor of the Gospel Coalition, has an nice article entitled: The FAQs: Are Mormons Christian?

http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2012/04/24/the-faqs-are-mormons-christian/

Justin Taylor, VP of Editorial at Crossway Books, has an article entitled: An FAQ on the Difference between Mormonism and Biblical Christianity

http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2010/08/30/an-faq-on-the-difference-between-mormonism-and-biblical-christianity/

Kevin DeYoung, Senior Pastor of University Reformed Church in East Lansing MI, has an article entitled: Mormonism 101 

http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevindeyoung/2011/10/13/mormonism-101/

Denny Burke, Associate Professor of Biblical Studies at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, has an article entitled: Is Mormonsim a Cult?

http://www.dennyburk.com/is-mormonism-a-cult/

Albert Mohler, President of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, has an article entitled: Mormonism, Democracy, and the Urgent Need for Evangelical Thinking

http://www.albertmohler.com/2011/10/10/mormonism-democracy-and-the-urgent-need-for-evangelical-thinking/

Finally, there is an article co-authored by a Mormon and an Orthodox Christian that is interesting as it contains opposing views. Bruce D. Porter is a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Gerald R. McDermott is Jordan-Trexler Professor or Religion at Roanoke College. The article is called: Is Mormonism Christian?

http://www.firstthings.com/article/2008/09/003-is-mormonism-christian-31

Finally, there are some good videos by Bobby Conway, the "One Minute Apologist," which discuss the differences between Christianity and Mormonism featuring Richard Howe and Norman Geisler:

What About the Body?

Last year, one of the guys in my men’s Bible study asked the question: “Was Jesus’ physical body raised from the dead and why is that important?” The following is my attempt to answer that question.

The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the pivotal doctrine of the Christian faith. Without the resurrection, the Apostle Paul tells us that we are still dead in our sin (1 Cor. 15: 13-14). There are some however, who claim to believe in the resurrection, but deny that the physical body of Jesus was raised from the dead. Some of these persons include Jehovah Witnesses, who claim that Jesus was raised as a spirit; a sort of spiritual resurrection. Why is it important that Jesus rose bodily from the dead? Below are some reasons which point to the importance of believing in Jesus’ bodily resurrection from the dead:

• The definition of the word Resurrection in the Bible always refers to the physical body in the Hebrew and Greek languages, unless it is used figuratively. Hebrew and Greek Lexicons confirm this.

• Jesus taught that his physical body would be raised from the dead and that he would raise it. In John 2:19-22, Jesus tells the Jews “destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days,” claiming that his body would be raised from the dead after three days. John mentions that the disciples recalled this after Jesus’ resurrection.

• Jesus proved his bodily resurrection by appearing directly to his disciples. In John 20:24-28, we read that Thomas refused to believe in the resurrection unless he could see and touch Jesus. Jesus then appeared and allowed Thomas to touch him. Thomas did see and touch Jesus, and became a worshipper instead of a doubter when confronted with the risen Christ.

• Jesus corrected the Disciples’ error about his resurrection. In Luke 24: 36-49, Jesus appeared to the disciples. They immediately thought they had seen a ghost, or spirit being. However, Jesus corrects them, asking them to examine and touch him; saying that a ghost does not have flesh and bones as Jesus had. To make the point even stronger, Jesus ate with them. Jesus dispelled the error that he was a spirit and showed that he had a physical body.

• The Disciples were dramatically changed after many multiple appearances. Luke further tells us in Acts 1:3-4 that Jesus gave the apostles many convincing proofs that he was alive during the 40 day period after his resurrection. John tells us in 1 John 1:1 that the Apostles not only saw and heard, but also handled or touched the glorified, resurrected Jesus physically. Paul tells us in 1 Cor 15: 6 that there were over 500 witnesses to the resurrected Christ. The post resurrection appearances of Jesus to his disciples convinced them so dramatically that they were changed from fearful cowards into fearless Apostles, willing to die for the Gospel.

• Belief in the historic doctrine of the Resurrection is a spiritual necessity. In 1 Cor 15:17, Paul says that if Christ is not raised, then our faith is in vain and we are still in our sins; we would still be condemned if Jesus weren’t raised from the dead. In Romans 10:9, Paul tells us that if we confess with our mouth Jesus Christ and believe with our heart that God raised him from the dead, we will be saved.

Some questions arise regarding the resurrection. Below are listed some of them along with a response:

• In John 20 and Luke 24, Mary Magdalene and the disciples failed to recognize the resurrected Jesus. Jesus also appeared to his disciples in a room where the door was locked. Does this mean that Jesus was a spirit or in some unrecognizable form? No. Luke 24:16 states that their eyes were kept from recognizing Jesus. Jesus prevented the disciples from recognizing him until He wanted them to. Also, in his glorified form, Jesus had the ability to appear at will wherever he chose. The fact that he appeared in the room doesn’t mean he had to be a spirit. There is no Bible reference that indicates Jesus passed through a door; he simply willed his presence to be there physically in the room with his disciples.

• In 1 Cor 15: 44, Paul uses the description “spiritual body.” Is a “spiritual body” a spirit? No. First, Paul attached the word “body” to his description. Second, Jesus’ glorified body was unlike anything we are familiar with. 1 Cor 15:50 states that Christ’s body was of “flesh and bones,” therefore it was tangible body, not a non-corporeal spirit. Also, if Jesus was really a spirit, then it could be argued that making his disciples think he had a physical body was deceptive on Jesus part.

• In 1 Cor 15:45, why does Paul describe Jesus as a “quickening spirit?” Paul was not saying Jesus is a spirit; he is describing the authority Jesus has to raise the dead. In John 5:21, Jesus has the power to quicken, or give life to whomever he wills. John further states in verses 25-29 that Jesus will be involved in raising or resurrecting all flesh, one of his functions as God the Son.  

• 1 Peter 3:18 says that Christ was “quickened by the spirit”…does this mean that Christ was raised a spirit? No. This verse and Romans 8:11 tell us that the Holy Spirit was involved in Christ’s resurrection. Jesus himself said he was involved in his own resurrection (John 2: 19-22 and John 10:18), while Peter confirms that the Father was involved in raising Jesus from the dead (Acts 3:26). Therefore, all three persons of the Trinity were involved in the resurrection.

As Jesus said in John 11:25”I am the resurrection and the life.” The glorious truth and promise of the resurrection is that we, as believers, will be like the resurrected Christ someday (1 John 3:2) This is reason to hope in the future. May we, like the disciples, no longer fear death, for we too will conquer death itself through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Bibliography: Walter R. Martin, Essential Christianity (Santa Ana CA: Vision House, 1980), pp. 59-65.

What to Say When Someone Says "The Bible Has Errors"

Jonathan Dodson, pastor of Austin City Life Church in Austin Tx, has a good article supporting the reliability of the Bible, entitled What to Say When Someone Says "The Bible Has Errors." Go to the link below:

http://www.gospelcentereddiscipleship.com/what-to-say-when-someone-says-the-bible-has-errors/

The page also has the article available for download in pdf format. Use this link below:

http://www.gospelcentereddiscipleship.com/wp-content/plugins/post2pdf-converter/post2pdf-converter-pdf-maker.php?id=586

Seven Statements Jesus Made About Himself

A lot of people have different opinions about who Jesus is. However, the best evidence of who Jesus is comes directly from Jesus himself. Jesus made seven statements about himself that are recorded in the Bible. No one else in history ever made the kind of statements that Jesus made. Here they are:

1. Jesus repeatedly said that he came down from heaven. The Gospel of John contains at least six instances where Jesus said this. Jesus didn’t just say that he saw heaven, but that he originated and came down from there.
2. Jesus said that he alone is God. In John 10: 30-33, Jesus says the he and the father are one, making himself equal with God. We further read that this is exactly why the Jews (Pharisees) wanted to kill Jesus and was so vigorously opposed by them.
3. Jesus said that his miracles proved that he was God. In John 10: 36-39, Jesus points to his miracles as proof of who he is.
4. Jesus says he is without sin. In John 8: 46, Jesus asks who would convict him of sin, implying his sinless and holy nature. This is an astonishing claim, as we are all aware of our own faults. Jesus says he has none.
5. Jesus says he could forgive sin. In Mark 2: 5, Jesus tells the paralytic man his sins are forgiven. The Pharisees heard this and a debate ensued, as they said that only God can forgive sins…and they were right.
6. Jesus said he is the only way to Heaven. In John 14: 6, Jesus says that He is the way, the truth, and the life, and that no one can reach the Father in heaven except through him. Salvation then, is not by means or works of man or any religions; salvation is only by and through Jesus himself.
7. Jesus predicted that he would be killed and that he would rise bodily from the dead. Jesus predicted his own death and bodily resurrection in John 2 and Mark 10:33-34.

The question for us today is: who do you think Jesus is? Jesus asks us this question in Matt 16:15 when he says “Who do you say that I am?” Jesus invites us to repent and come to him in faith for only the life he can give….eternal life.

Bibliography:

Mark Driscoll, sermon entitled “Vintage Jesus”, given at the Crystal Cathedral, August 23, 2009. The entire message is available at this link:

http://www.crystalcathedral.org/hour_of_power/messages/detail.php?contentid=3748

The Preeminence of Christ

On June 9, 2011 I posted an article called "Which Jesus Do You Believe In". That article discussed who the writer of Hebrews says Jesus is, compared with what others say Jesus is. The Apostle Paul had a similar view of Jesus as the writer of Hebrews. Paul had been a persecutor of Christians and complicit in the murder of the first Christian martyr, Stephen. However later, Paul had a dramatic face to face meeting with Jesus on the Damascus road that forever changed him and his view of who Jesus was. Writing to the Church of Colosse from a Roman prison around 60 AD, Paul’s letter was intended to counter what was being taught about Jesus by false teachers. In Colossians 1: 15-20, Paul quotes from what scholars think is an early Christian hymn. In one of my favorite scriptures in the Bible, Paul explains who Jesus Christ is this way:

^{Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation,  for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see—such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him.  He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.  Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything.  For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ,  and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross. (Col 1: 15-20, NLT Bible)}

From these verses, Paul describes the following characteristics of Jesus:

1. Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. If you want to know who God is, look at Jesus. Similarly, the writer of Hebrews called Jesus the very character and nature of God imprinted (stamped) in human flesh (Heb 1:3).

2. He existed before anything… Jesus existed before anything, therefore Jesus is eternal.

3. … is supreme over all creation. The word supreme in verse 15 is the Greek word prototokos, which means firstborn (the one who inherits all of the father’s possessions and authority, like a prince who becomes king upon the father’s death) or the preeminent one. Jesus is preeminent over all creation. Only God can be preeminent over creation.

4. Through him God created everything. Everything that exists was created by God through Jesus. Likewise, the Apostle John says that Jesus created everything that was created (John 1:3). This verse also indicates the separate divine personality of the Son to the Father (the Trinity).

5. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see. Jesus created angels and all of the heavenly realms.

6. Everything was created through him and for him. Not only did Jesus create everything, everything that Jesus created is specifically for him and for his glory. Everything belongs to him. We belong to him. Only God can have this kind of authority.

7. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together. Jesus not only eternally existed before creation, Jesus holds all of creation together at this very moment. The reason we are alive at this moment and why anything that we know exists at all is because of Jesus. The writer of Hebrews says that Jesus upholds the universe by the word of His power (Heb 1:3). This kind of power is unimaginable; it is the power of God.

8. Christ is also the head of the church. As the divine Son of God who willingly became a man in order to come to Earth and give himself to save human beings from the penalty of sin, Jesus is the head of the church and is the one who the church worships.

9. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. Jesus is described as supreme over all who rise from the dead. Jesus’ resurrection means that death itself and the power of sin is conquered and makes a believer’s resurrection possible.

10. So he is first in everything. Jesus is first and supreme in everything as creator, sustainer, and savior. Therefore, we should place Him first in everything.

11. For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ. When Jesus came to Earth, he was both God and man, a perfect human being who had all the fullness of God in him.

12. and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross. God took the initiative to save human beings from sin and make a way to pay the penalty of sin by means of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. God poured out his wrath for sin upon Jesus on the cross. The creator acted to make a way of salvation for the creation he made, and forever break the power of sin and death.

As we look forward to Christmas this season, let us remember who Jesus really is. He is the eternal creator and sustainer, the one who created us for his glory. He is the one who holds everything together and is the exact image of God. This is why there is salvation in no other. Because of who Jesus is and what he has done for us, he alone is worthy of our worship. Repentance and faith in Jesus Christ is the only way to eternal life, a life that only Jesus makes possible.