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Why Does Main Line Christianity Reject Mormonism? - Religion - Nairaland

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Why Does Main Line Christianity Reject Mormonism? by HigherEd: 7:06pm On May 05, 2019
Personally, my most respected minister in the 21st century is Kenneth E. Hagin.

From his description of Mormonism(Church Of The Latter Day Saints), I can NEVER step into that Organization. However, it occurred to me today that I really don't know much about the Organization except from Hagin's tale.
Re: Why Does Main Line Christianity Reject Mormonism? by HigherEd: 7:13pm On May 05, 2019
1. Apostasy and Restoration
Mormons claim that “total” apostasy overcame the church following apostolic times, and that the Mormon Church (founded in 1830) is the “restored church.”

If the Mormon Church were truly a “restored church,” however, one would expect to find first-century historical evidence for Mormon doctrines like the plurality of gods and God the Father having once been a man. Such evidence is completely lacking.

Besides, the Bible disallows a total apostasy of the church (e.g., Matt. 16:18; 28:20; Eph. 3:21; 4:11-16), warning instead of partial apostasy (1 Tim. 4:1).

2. God
Mormons claim that God the Father was once a man and that he then progressed to godhood (that is, he is a now-exalted, immortal man with a flesh-and-bone body).

However, based on the Bible, God is not and has never been a man (Num. 23:19; Hos. 11:9). He is a spirit (John 4:24), and a spirit does not have flesh and bones (Luke 24:39).

Furthermore, God is eternal (Ps. 90:2; 102:27; Isa. 57:15; 1 Tim. 1:17) and immutable (or unchangeable in his being and perfections; see Ps. 102:25-27; Mal. 3:6). He did not “progress” toward godhood, but has always been God.

3. Polytheism
Mormons believe that the Trinity consists not of three persons in one God but rather of three distinct gods. According to Mormonism, there are potentially many thousands of gods besides these.

However, trusting in or worshiping more than one god is explicitly condemned throughout the Bible (e.g., Ex. 20:3).

There is only one true God (Deut. 4:35, 39; 6:4; Isa. 43:10; 44:6, 8; 45:18; 46:9; 1 Cor. 8:4; James 2:19), who exists eternally in three persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14).

4. Exaltation of Humans
Mormons believe that humans, like God the Father, can go through a process of exaltation to godhood.

But the Bible teaches that the yearning to be godlike led to the fall of mankind (Gen. 3:4ff.). God does not look kindly on humans who pretend to attain to deity (Acts 12:21-23; contrast Acts 14:11-15). God desires humans to humbly recognize that they are his creatures (Gen. 2:7; 5:2; Ps. 95:6-7; 100:3). The state of the redeemed in eternity will be one of glorious immortality, but they will forever remain God’s creatures, adopted as his children (Rom. 8:14-30; 1 Cor. 15:42-57; Rev. 21:3-7). Believers will never become gods.

5. Jesus Christ
Mormons believe that Jesus Christ was the firstborn spirit-child of the heavenly Father and a heavenly Mother.

Jesus then progressed to deity in the spirit world.

He was later physically conceived in Mary’s womb, as the literal “only begotten” Son of God the Father in the flesh (though many present-day Mormons remain somewhat vague as to how this occurred).

Biblically, however, the description of Jesus as the “only begotten” refers to his being the Father’s unique, one-of-a-kind Son for all eternity, with the same divine nature as the Father (see note on John 1:14; cf. John 1:18; 3:16, 18; see also John 5:18; 10:30).

Moreover, he is eternal deity (John 1:1; 8:58) and is immutable (Heb. 1:10-12; 13:cool, meaning he did not progress to deity but has always been God.

And Mary’s conception of Jesus in his humanity was through a miracle of the Holy Spirit (Matt. 1:20).

6. Three Kingdoms
Mormons believe that most people will end up in one of three kingdoms of glory, depending on one’s level of faithfulness. Belief in Christ, or even in God, is not necessary to obtain immortality in one of these three kingdoms, and therefore only the most spiritually perverse will go to hell.

But the Bible teaches that people have just two possibilities for their eternal futures: the saved will enjoy eternal life with God in the new heavens and new earth (Phil. 3:20; Rev. 21:1-4; 22:1-5), while the unsaved will spend eternity in hell (Matt. 25:41, 46; Rev. 20:13-15).

7. Sin and Atonement
Mormons believe that Adam’s transgression was a noble act that made it possible for humans to become mortal, a necessary step on the path to exaltation to godhood.

They think that Christ’s atonement secures immortality for virtually all people, whether they repent and believe or not.

Biblically, however, there was nothing noble about Adam’s sin, which was not a stepping-stone to godhood but rather brought nothing but sin, misery, and death to mankind (Gen. 3:16-19; Rom. 5:12-14). Jesus atoned for the sins of all who would trust him for salvation (Isa. 53:6; John 1:29; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Pet. 2:24; 3:18; 1 John 2:2; 4:10).

8. Salvation
Mormons believe that God gives to (virtually) everyone a general salvation to immortal life in one of the heavenly kingdoms, which is how they understand salvation by grace. Belief in Christ is necessary only to obtain passage to the highest, celestial kingdom—for which not only faith but participation in Mormon temple rituals and obedience to its “laws of the gospel” are also prerequisites.

Biblically, however, salvation by grace must be received through faith in Christ (John 3:15-16; 11:25; 12:46; Acts 16:31; Rom. 3:22-24; Eph. 2:8-9), and all true believers are promised eternal life in God’s presence (Matt. 5:3-8; John 14:1-3; Rev. 21:3-7).
Re: Why Does Main Line Christianity Reject Mormonism? by HigherEd: 7:14pm On May 05, 2019
Lalasticlala
Re: Why Does Main Line Christianity Reject Mormonism? by DrLikita12(f): 7:16pm On May 05, 2019
There was a time Mormons were trying to 'convert' me. They told me that if I pray and believe, God will reveal the truth to me. From what I remember, they believe most things Christians believe. Salvation through Jesus Christ (but not in the way mainstream Christianity believes), the doctrine of the Trinity (unity of purpose not of 'person') frown upon fornication and homosexuality, belief in the sanctity of heterosexual marriage, etc.
I admire some things about them but the whole Book of Mormon thing turned me off and their uniformity was too much for me (all the men wearing similar shoes, same color pants and ties, and a white shirt...all the time. I can't remember what the women wore but I generally think of control when I see stuff like that). I also disagreed with some things they said about salvation but I can't remember all they said. I do recall quoting the Bible to them (maybe about salvation, can't really remember) as my final argument so they don't believe everything in the Bible.
They are very persistent though and they take their mission work and evangelism very seriously. They are also very helpful and kind. They encourage their members to stay away from smoking and drinking strong substances (even coffee). They also encourage homosexuals within their congregations to live a life of purity (no premarital sex) since they frown upon homosexuality. I've heard that they sometimes get married (heterosexual marriage) and such marriages tend to last maybe because both parties have to be completely honest with each other. I've never seen this so I can't confirm.

There's also a difference between fundamental Mormons who belief in stuff like plural marriages and other Mormons. I've heard that Fundamental Mormons are generally more racist and conservative than their non-fundamental counterparts. I have no experience with them though, and the ones I met were polite and friendly.

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