TheGreaterGame said:
The LDS is making strides in the public eye that they are in fact Christian. To be a Mormon is to be a Christian. As if Mormon and Christians were interchangable terms. So therefore I open this thread for this debate. It is my humble, but accurate description that Mormonism is infact not Christianity . . . on the grounds . . .
1. Mormons do not belive in the infallability of the Bible.
The Bible and the historic Church affirms that the 66 Books of the OT & NT are infact the inspired word of God and are without question "God's Word" in written form. However Mormons declare that the bible is erred.
2. Mormons do not belive in the diety of Christ.
The Bible and the historic Church affirms from the teachings of the Bible plainly declare that Jesus is of the same nature and substance of the Eternal God and is equal with God the Father and God the Spirit in Triunity. However Mormons declare that Jesus is just a sub-god . . . who distinctly different from God the Father and the Holy Spirit.
3. Mormons do not belive in the doctrine of Justifacation By Faith.
The bible and the Protestant Reformation affirms from the teachings of the Bible that man is made "legally right" in the eyes of God by having faith (implication "trust") in Christ as Lord and Savior. The moment a sinner belives . . . He is counted righteous because Christ has imputed His impecablity to that sinner . . . and so that God can remain "Just" (because it would be unjust to let a sinner get away with sin) the sinners sin is imputed to Christ. However Mormons believe that it takes following "the words of wisdom," temple rights, good works, and adhering to the teachings of Joseph Smith and the Modern Prophets.
These are just 3 arguments made to disprove the claim of Mormons. That being said, most Mormons I have met are genuine in that they are faithful to their cause (which I respect) and they hold to a similar value system Born again Christians hold to. This thread is not to demonize Mormons, but it is meant to disprove the claims that Mormons have made.
Game,
First of all, I am confused as to why you think any of your three "arguments" has anything at all to do with how the word "Christian" is to be defined. A Christian is a follower of Jesus Christ. It doesn't get much simpler than that. Now, as to your specific claims:
1. Where in the
Bible is there any claim to inerrancy? Where in the
Bible is there any statement to support your theory that it contains every single solitary thing that God wants us to know? Oh, and while you're at it,
which Bible is inerrant? I know of huge numbers of Christians who believe, as we do, that the
Bible was inspired, that the original autographs were infallible, but that through the process of transcription and translation, some errors have been made. These Christians belong to almost every major denomination. This is certainly not a belief unique to the Latter-day Saints.
2. Jesus is a sub-god? :biglaugh: That's a good one. Jesus Christ is the Only Begotten Son of God in the flesh, and the third member of the Godhead. He was with His Father in the beginning, created our universe under His Father's direction, was chosen before the foundations of this world to be the Messiah. He was born to a Virgin, taking upon Himself a body of flesh and bones (which He has today). As God, He was the only individual who has ever walked this earth to have lived an absolutely perfect life. His mission was to establish a Church, to teach a new gospel of love, mercy, and forgiveness and to offer Himself as a sinless sacrifice for men and women everywhere. Because none of us are in a position to be able to repay the debt we have incurred through our sins, it is through His atonement and that alone that we are given the opportunity to be reconciled to God. We worship and revere Him as our Redeemer and try to honor Him in all that we do. How do you get "sub-god" out of that?
3. Here is what we believe concerning the relationship between faith and works:
Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
John 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
Romans 2:12-13 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; for not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
2Timothy: 2-19 Nevertheless, the foundation of God standeth sure, having the seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
Hebrews 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.
James 2:20-24 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
Which of these scriptures do you take issue with? By the way, as with your first argument, I know a great many non-LDS Christians who also believe that one must do more that profess faith in Christ to be justified. Or don't you think they're Christians either?
Kathryn