(Continued from last post)
4. This is where I believe the most dangerous doctrines of the LDS lies, and I am glad you stated them so succinctly. You do not claim to be “a” church, but instead to be “the” church of Jesus Christ; and as such all other churches would be in error. Yet, the Jesus of Mormonism is not the Jesus of the Bible, as he is described as having been not only the spiritual brother of Lucifer (Mormon Doctrine, p. 163), but also the product of a physical marriage between Elohim and Mary, rather than having been conceived by an act of the Holy Spirit (Journal of Discourses, vol. 8, p. 115). In regard to salvation, mormonism both adds to and takes away from the most important and fundamental teaching of Scripture on issues such as justification by faith, penal substitution, propitiatory sacrifice and vicarious atonement (Romans 5:1, Ephesians 2:8-10, etc.). As such, while mormons may boast that they are "Christians", Mormonism follows a different Jesus than the one of the Bible. In actuality, Mormons are not true Christians but instead are followers of Joseph Smith, who was himself a false prophet who claimed that he had done more for the world than even Jesus Christ (History of the Church, vol. 6, p. 408-409).
Under QUESTIONS:
1. I have an entire lesson on the Canon of Scripture which I would encourage you to listen to on Sermon audio. Rather than reiterate all that I said in that lesson, I will allow it to speak for itself for now: http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=713112227213
2. Clearly there are doctrines which are important, yet unessential. This has been recognized even from the earliest of church writers. Augustine of Hippo stated, “In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity.” As to the question of, “What are the essentials?” I believe that we have to allow Scripture to be the ultimate decider. One of the major subjects that the Bible claims to be essential is the nature of God. From the very beginning of the Bible, we see claims to monotheism, and the demands upon the people to know that God is the only true God who created all things (Genesis 1, Deut 6). Another essential would be the nature of Christ. John makes the point that Jesus is divine (John 1:1-3;14), and to deny His divinity would be abject heresy. Finally, the bible is very clear to tell us that the nature of salvation is essential. Paul claims that if anyone comes with another Gospel except that which has been given by him, even an angel, that this person should be accursed (Gal 1:8). Are there other essentials? Yes, but for the time being these three should demonstrate why the Church has rejected Mormonism as being orthodox. Mormons have a different understanding of the nature of God, of Jesus Christ, and of salvation.
3&4. In my opinion, your final two questions are the best ones you have asked, and I believe the two are so similar that they can be merged into one. I hope you do not mind if I do, because you ask “how can a man know which set of beliefs is correct?” and “How do I know personally that the Bible is true?” Well, since, I do believe the Bible is true, I also believe its set of beliefs are correct, so I can answer both questions by simply explaining why I believe the Bible contains the correct set of beliefs. Here goes: I believe that 2000 years ago Jesus lived, died, and rose again from the dead. Everything I believe in rests upon this fact, and if it is untrue, then everything I believe is a lie. It is just that simple. But why do I believe this? Is it because it is written in a book called the Bible? Yes and no. Yes, I believe it because it is in the Bible, but that is not as circular in reasoning as it may sound. The New Testament was written by people who were eyewitnesses to the resurrection. They saw, touched, and fellowshipped with a risen Christ. They were so convinced that they had been in His presence after His resurrection, that they were willing to go and be killed because of their allegiance to Him. Now, I know a lot of people will die for things that are untrue; but very few people die for things they KNOW are untrue. Had these witnesses not truly believed that they had experienced the risen Jesus, I do not believe they would have gone to their deaths in allegiance to Him. As such, I am convinced in the words of Scripture because it is penned in the blood of the martyrs. It was written during a time when the people who actually saw Jesus could see the texts for themselves, and give testimony to their validity. I am the first to say that without Christ, my faith is hopeless. Without His resurrection, I am without any reason for hope, joy, peace or fulfillment. As Paul said, “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied” (1 Corinthians 15:17–19 ESV). In the end, it all comes down to Christ. He is the One through whom I receive a commitment to the Old Testament, because He referred to them as Sacred writings worthy of reverence. It is through Him I am committed to the New Testament, because His followers bore testimony to His mighty deeds under the power of the Spirit as He said they would. It is also through Him that I reject the teachings of Mormonism, because Christ is not divided. His teachings are consistent and true; and they do not align themselves with the teachings of Mormonism.
Now, I believe I have answered your questions. My answers may spawn more inquiry, but I encourage you to please go further and read the following before your continue.
My concern is never to "win" in a discussion like this. My concern is to answer your questions as well as possible, and to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ - which is what I would like to do now. The Bible clearly teaches that because we are sinners both by nature and by choice, that we deserve God's wrath. If we remain in our sins, this is what we will receive for eternity, because we have offended the infinite God. Yet, God in His infinite grace sent His Son as a full and sufficient payment for sin. The Bible goes on to declare that those who place their trust in His atoning work alone for their salvation and repent of their sins will have eternal life. Their sins will be imputed to him, and His righteousness imputed to them. Nothing can be added or subtracted from this message. Mormonism does not have an infinite God, nor does it have an atoning sacrifice in the work of Christ. Mormonism has a salvation which is based on human meritorious works, and as such is impotent to save (Gospel Principles, Corporation of the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1979, p. 68.). Even the cross is not seen in mormonism as the place of atonement, but the Garden of Gethsemane takes that place, something the Bible does not teach (Laurel Rohlfing, “Sharing Time: The Atonement,” Friend, Mar. 1989, p. 39.). The Christ of mormonism is not the Christ of the Bible, so trusting in him is to no avail. In the end, I pray that your eyes will be opened to the deception which is now blinding them, and that you will repent of your sins and trust fully and completely in the work of Christ for salvation. This is the highest form of love and respect any believing Christian could extend; as such, I now extend this call of repentance to you.
In Christ,
Keith Foskey |
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