Are Mormons Christians?

[Zzyzx]

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Many who identify themselves as Christians question (or deny) the right of others to decide whether or not they are "followers of Christ" and entitled to be considered Christians.

Although, I wouldn't say Mormons are Christians. That one is definitely debatable.

1. What, exactly, determines who is and who is not a Christian (what criteria)?

2. Do Latter Day Saints (Mormons) consider themselves Christians? Are they entitled to make that distinction?

3. Who is empowered to debate or evaluate or judge the Christianity of others?

4. Are some sects "more Christian" than others?

5. Are some sects "Real Christians"? If so, which and why?

[Goat]

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Many who identify themselves as Christians question (or deny) the right of others to decide whether or not they are "followers of Christ" and entitled to be considered Christians.

Although, I wouldn't say Mormons are Christians. That one is definitely debatable.

1. What, exactly, determines who is and who is not a Christian (what criteria)?

That is debatable. The Mormons do use the New Testament, and do believe that Jesus is Christ , etc, etc etc, but they have some rather unorthodox ideas. They definitely have Christian roots, but do they cross the boundary away from Christianity?? Time will tell.

2. Do Latter Day Saints (Mormons) consider themselves Christians? Are they entitled to make that distinction?

They do consider themselves Christians. They are entitled to their opinion, but somethings are a gray area.

3. Who is empowered to debate or evaluate or judge the Christianity of others?

Who knows? I would say that mainstream Christianity has the best shot, and they are undecided.

4. Are some sects "more Christian" than others?

I don't know if some are 'more Christian' than others so much as some sects are 'Less' mainstream. I don't know the cut off point.

5. Are some sects "Real Christians"? If so, which and why?

There are no 'Real Christians'. You are either a group that can be identified as Christian or not. I would say a minimal piece would be using the New Testament, and concentrating on Jesus. If you do that, you are some form of Christian or Christian offshoot.

I can see a good case being made that the Mormons are not, because their views diverge very much.

[msmcneal]

1. What, exactly, determines who is and who is not a Christian (what criteria)?

Unfortunately, the Bible is not qualified to determine who is a true Christian and who isn't. Tradition doesn't necessarily work, either, although that to me seems to be a better determining factor. The sad fact is, is that there is no way to know, because there is no real objective facts, or lists, or anything else, that can make that distinction.

2. Do Latter Day Saints (Mormons) consider themselves Christians? Are they entitled to make that distinction?

One the first part, the answer would by a unanimous yes. And I do believe they are entitled to make that distiction, as only they have the capicity to know what they are and what they aren't.

3. Who is empowered to debate or evaluate or judge the Christianity of others?

Only God, if he exists. There is no earthly criteria to judge who is and who isn't a Christian. Even the Bible says as much.

4. Are some sects "more Christian" than others?

The only way to answer this would be to say there is one right way of being Christian, and then using that as the curve whereby all other sects and individuals can be judged.

5. Are some sects "Real Christians"? If so, which and why?

No.

For the record, when I was a Christian, as a Baptist, Methodist, Pentecostal, and Eastern Orthodox, I never thought that Mormons weren't Christian. They have ideas that are unique to their group, but so do all other groups. I've studied Mormonism, and even had considered converting at one time, and I never really thought that they weren't Christians, because I simply had no reason to think so.

[Easyrider]

In John's Gospel Jesus said, "If you do not believe I am the one I claim to be you will indeed die in your sins."

Who did Jesus claim to be? God, Savior, and the Jewish Messiah.

Mormons do not believe Jesus was always God. Either do JW's. According to what I referenced above, they could be in deep sneakers when they die.

[JoeyKnothead]

Who did Jesus claim to be? God, Savior, and the Jewish Messiah.

Sure, Jesus mighta claimed such. What evidence is there He was any of these?

[Goat]

Who did Jesus claim to be? God, Savior, and the Jewish Messiah.

Sure, Jesus mighta claimed such. What evidence is there He was any of these?

For that matter , the passages where it is claimed he claimed to be god is under interpretation from various groups that self identify as Christian.

He was definately not the Jewish Messiah, that is for sure. The tasks the messiah must do are undone, and it is by the tasks that the Messiah will be identified.

As for 'Savior', that is Augustus, from 30 years earlier

[Vanguard]

As an aside, it seems this thread would be better served on the Theology sub-forum as it is not manifest from the thread's opening questions that evidence of the supernatural is required. The intent seems an invitation to dialogue about whether it reliably follows that Mormons are Christians. Within that context, my commentary is provided.

1. What, exactly, determines who is and who is not a Christian (what criteria)?

I maintain it must be the formal recognition that Christ atoned for mankind's sins. Though there can be legitimate debate regards to the rest of the gospel these issues pale in comparison with this one important event.

2. Do Latter Day Saints (Mormons) consider themselves Christians? Are they entitled to make that distinction?

Yes, absolutely Mormons consider themselves Christians. If you want to be recognized as a member of any "club" though, you must adhere to the rules of said membership. If not, you may think you belong but that alone does not make it so. Many within the Mormon community who desire Christian membership are sorely disappointed upon hearing from the larger Christian community they are not welcome as fellow Christians though I am not one such Mormon. I believe there are several Christians on this forum who would take this stand to exclude the Mormon faith. Fortunately, there are still many within that same Christian community who, on behalf of the Mormon faith, press for full inclusion though I am not sure they are in the majority.

3. Who is empowered to debate or evaluate or judge the Christianity of others?

If strict adherence to the rules are required then it seems the Christian establishment is empowered as it is their club. For myself, I chose to not to "judge" the Christianity of another. More important than even formal recognition of the Savior is each individual's efforts to stretch toward his capacity as much and as often as he can in this life.

4. Are some sects "more Christian" than others?

It isn't a question of the sect but rather the indvidual that determines "more Christian" as it were. Understanding the history, details of his Atonement, his relation to the Father, and such should not make a sect or individual "more Christian" nor should any outward action. All else being equal, following one's conscience as much and as often as one can should justify entrance into the kingdom and not formal recognition of anything. Looking at it in this way, it is obvious to me that Christianity including Mormonism has some ground to cover.

5. Are some sects "Real Christians"? If so, which and why?

See above.

We will see if this and/or other posts spark a more meaningful conversation regards to what is really important in this life. I realize some of what I have shared has the appearance of disregarding what is found in the Bible (yes, Mormons accept the Bible also). As such, I would invite threads that take yet another look at important scripture in an effort to better seek out more common ground not only with the LDS faith, other world religions, but also those who do not accept religion at all.

[blipverts45]

I maintain it must be the formal recognition that Christ atoned for mankind's sins. Though there can be legitimate debate regards to the rest of the gospel these issues pale in comparison with this one important event.

Did not Christ, though, take it further and suggest the difference between the psuedo and the real is the aspect of "knowing" Him? Demons, from what I recollect, can appear as angels of light, and would do so based on the knowledge of the events surrounding the death of Jesus. There are "tares among the wheat" and the tares would have to have that recognition, would they not? The point being that such recognition is never denied amongst anyone who wears the title "Christian." But few impress me much with anything else that would even remotely thrill me about going where they are going....or claim they are going......or the one that tickles me the most who says he "might gp."

[Eph]

I just noticed Vanguard posted here. As his brother in the Mormon faith, I am glad we can share our beliefs on this topic here in a non-confrontational way, and I humbly do not consider myself his intellectual equal.

Anyhow, here are my thoughts.

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Many who identify themselves as Christians question (or deny) the right of others to decide whether or not they are "followers of Christ" and entitled to be considered Christians.

Although, I wouldn't say Mormons are Christians. That one is definitely debatable.

1. What, exactly, determines who is and who is not a Christian (what criteria)?

I can tell you with utmost certainty that the Bible does not answer this definitively " and people and/or groups have taken it upon themselves to define it. However, according to Acts 11:26, the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. I read one book on this topic that researched this topic exhaustively and finally concludes Probably the best way to deal with the question of who is and who is not Christian is simply to believe what people say when they claim to be Christians. The Lord will judge their hearts. If anyone claims to see in Jesus of Nazareth a personage of unique and preeminent authority, that individual should be considered Christian. Such is the consensus of both scholarly and everyday usage. (See Peterson & Ricks, Offenders for a Word: How Anti-Mormons Play Word Games to Attack the Latter Day Saints, page 185). I agree with this assessment.

2. Do Latter Day Saints (Mormons) consider themselves Christians? Are they entitled to make that distinction?

Thanks for asking. Do we consider ourselves Christians? Unequivocally YES. The name of the Mormon church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. ALL of LDS Scripture (hundreds of examples) supports our belief that Jesus was the Christ, that he atoned for the sins of mankind, was resurrected and that our eternal salvation hinges on his name. Just one example Book of Mormon, Mosiah chapter 3 verse 12: For salvation cometh to none such except it be through repentance and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ. The Title Page of the Book of Mormon says that one of the primary purposes is to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that JESUS is the CHRIST, the ETERNAL GOD, manifesting himself unto all nations.

One of our own living Apostles gave a definitive answer to this question in a recent General Conference and I strongly encourage anybody interested to see it (scroll down to The Only True God and Jesus Christ Whom He Hath Sent " Elder Jeffrey R Holland, seeing the video is best, it is a few minutes long and WORTH IT):
http://lds.org/conference/sessions/disp ... 75,00.html

Are we entitled to make the distinction that we are Christians? " I hope so.

3. Who is empowered to debate or evaluate or judge the Christianity of others?

I think anyone should be extremely careful if they choose to judge another persons Christianity. We Mormons like the scripture in the Book of Mormon that says see that ye do not judge wrongfully; for with that same judgment which ye judge ye shall also be judged. (Moroni 7:18) We also like the New Testament phrase of Jesus when he says he that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.(John 8:7). The point is, we should probably take a look in our own mirror before judging someone else.

Are some sects "more Christian" than others?

I do not know, how can anyone really see into the minds and hearts of individual members of an organization and their devotion to Jesus Christ? However, I do like the phrase by their fruits ye shall know them. Matt 7:20. I do know that among Christian denominations, LDS people (for the most part) do a good job of doing what Jesus taught, we have among the highest portion of people going to church each Sunday, higher number reading scriptures regularly, are among the highest educated people, pay a higher portion of money to their church (not just to build Temples, but to provide for the sick & needy) and have lower mortality rates due to our health code (see Word of Wisdom). Christians, in general, cannot claim complete autonomy on these values, because these Christian values are also shared by many non-Christians.

Are some sects "Real Christians"? If so, which and why?

As noted above, who are we to judge?

[blipverts45]

What I see of what is Biblical Christianity is that it is through the person and works of Jesus Christ, It would then follow, the way I see it, that the measure of Christianity is through that direct connection with Jesus who referred to himself as the "way, truth, and life." I would suggest just as an observation that any deviation from that direct connection seems quite often to become suspect (ie like Mormonism, Catholicsim, etc). This is not a judgment just an observation through my own studies. The guy who wrote "Kingdom of the Cults" implied Mormon was a cult but gave Catholcism a pass and had a hard time considering where to place Seventh Day Adventists, though they seem to deviate from Jesus directly by suggesting the Fourth Commandment is possibly the only way to get to Jesus, who then will get one to the Father.