The media
quickly began vilifying the pastor for his insensitive remarks and even some
that operate under the name of Christianity joined in the fray. In our
pluralistic society where no one is wrong and everyone is right, to make an
absolute declaration, especially about what it means to be a Christian, is
considered by many Americans as the epitome of intolerance.
The
saddest part of the whole ordeal to me was the lack of support Dr. Jeffress
received from those who know the truth about the roots of Mormonism (Christian
leaders). It might be argued that the venue where his observation was made was
not the most advantageous setting for a minister of the Gospel. However, he was
simply answering a question asked of him by the media and his clarity, as well
as his courage to speak the truth in such a context, is what's missing from
many of our Christian leaders and churches these days.
Just so
you know why Mormonism and Christianity are not compatible faiths, I have
included a brief synopsis of Mormonism written by Dr. Albert Mohler. People
following the “Jesus” of Mormonism may be deeply sincere people, but their souls
are in eternal jeopardy. To fail to speak the truth to them is to show a lack
of concern for their eternal destinies.
"Mormonism starts with an
understanding of God that rejects both monotheism and the Christian doctrine of
the Trinity. The Mormon concept of God includes many gods, not one.
Furthermore, Mormonism teaches that we are now what God once was and are
becoming what He now is...From a Christian perspective, Mormonism is a new
religion, complete with its own scripture, its own priesthood, its own rituals,
and its own teachings...Mormonism
rejects orthodox Christianity as the very argument for its own existence, and
it clearly identifies historic Christianity as a false faith [emphasis mine].
"Mormonism rejects the
Bible as the sole and sufficient authority for the faith, and insists that The
Book of Mormon and other authoritative Latter-Day Saints writings constitute
God’s
final revelation. Furthermore, the authority in Mormonism is mediated through a
human priesthood, through whom God is claimed to speak directly and authoritatively
to the church. Nothing makes the distinction between Mormonism and historic
Christianity more clear than the experience of reading The Book of Mormon. The
very subtitle of The Book of Mormon — Another
Testament of Jesus Christ — makes one of Mormonism’s
central claims directly and candidly: That we need another authority to provide
what is lacking in the New Testament.
"The Mormon doctrine of
sin is not that of biblical Christianity, nor is its teaching concerning
salvation. Rather than teaching that the death of Christ is alone sufficient
for the forgiveness of sins, Mormonism presents a scheme of salvation that
amounts to the progressive deification of the believer. According to Mormonism,
sinners are not justified by faith alone, but also by works of righteousness
and obedience. Mormonism’s teachings
concerning Jesus Christ start with a radically different understanding of the
Virgin Birth and proceed to a fundamentally different understanding of Christ’s
work of salvation.
"By its very nature,
Mormonism borrows Christian themes, personalities, and narratives.
Nevertheless, it rejects what orthodox Christianity affirms and it affirms what
orthodox Christianity rejects. It is not orthodox Christianity in a new form or
another branch of the Christian tradition. By its own teachings and claims, it
rejects any claim of continuity with orthodox Christianity. Insofar as an
individual Mormon holds to the teachings of the Latter-Day Saints, he or she
repudiates biblical Christianity...[emphasis mine]"
Those are
the basics about the Mormon religion in "Cliff Note" form! So, let me
commend Dr. Robert Jeffress for having the courage and conviction to articulate
what is the truth about Mormonism...it is a cult. I wish more Christians had
the courage to speak the "truth in love" so we might rescue as many
Mormons as possible from the clutches of eternal destruction.
