Can conservative Protestants vote for a member of what they consider a cult?
Robert Millet and Gerald McDermott | posted 5/31/2007 08:20AM
Robert Millet, professor of ancient Christian Scriptures at Brigham Young University, and Gerald McDermott, professor of religion at Roanoke College, are co-authors of Claiming Christ: A Mormon-Evangelical ...
I'm troubled that a leading evangelical publication like _Christianity Today_ minimizes the major doctrinal differences between biblical Christianity and the doctrinal errors found in Mormonism. What's next, because the Qur'an calls Christians "People of the Book" and sometimes mentions "Issa" (Jesus) in a favorable light, we should now all rejoice that Muslims are really our brothers and sisters in Christ?
Patrick Gann
Posted: May 31, 2007 8:01 PM
In response to Walter, you may want to take note that this article was co-written by Robert Millet, a professor at BYU (and likely a member of LDS church himself)...so from his perspective, "doctrinal distance" would be a good choice of words. Millet has written more than once for CT, including a few submissions to "Books and Culture." Shame on you for being so rude.
This article is great. I myself will probably vote for a democrat...depending on who wins the primaries (Hillary, no thanks). Like Olasky, if it comes down to Romney and Clinton, I will definitely choose Romney.
GARY VanRiper
Posted: May 31, 2007 7:44 PM
What is more disturbing than the Romney bid for the White House is the drift of self-appointed evangelical leadership to embrace Mormonism as historical, orthodox biblical Christianity. Even formerly trustworthy, solid evangelical publishers are now publishing books by Mormons and about Mormonism sympathetic to the non-Christian cult.
I personally do not care if a Mormon is in the White House – as long as he is up front and truthful. Why I am concerned about this Mormon is that he and his wife have publically skirted questions about their beliefs, with their only comments leading people to think that they believe in the historic Jesus. In a recent interview on FOX, Mrs. Romney said they believe Jesus is the Savior of the world. Sounds great. Until you look at the Mormon definition of Jesus which is one god among many gods, the spirit brother of Lucifer. I fear a potential leader who will skirt uncomfortable truth for fear of what it might do to his political aspirations.
Jim Sweeney
Posted: May 31, 2007 7:13 PM
When have Mormons demonized evangelicals? According to Mormon doctrine ALL traditional Christian churches are apostate. Joseph Smith declared traditional Christianity the "great and abominable church" and of traditional Christians "such will be damned, with all their professed godliness."
Bot
Posted: May 31, 2007 7:05 PM
The Church of Jesus Christ (LDS) is often misunderstood . . Some accuse the Church of not believing in Christ and, therefore, not being a Christian religion . . This article helps to clarify such misconceptions
· Baptism: .
Early Christian churches, practiced baptism of youth (not infants) by immersion by the father of the family. The local congregation had a lay ministry. An early Christian Church has been re-constructed at the Israel Museum, and the above can be verified. http://www.imj.org.il/eng/exhibitions/2000/christianity/ancientchurch/structure/index.html
The Church of Jesus Christ (LDS) continues baptism and a lay ministry as taught by Jesus’ Apostles. . Early Christians were persecuted for keeping their practices sacred, and not allowing non-Christians to witness them
Allen
Posted: May 31, 2007 6:20 PM
We are now in the 2nd Millennium dispensation. Our history is made up of every culture and religion that exists on this planet. Read Eph 3:17-19. There is so much more going on then we choose to recognize. Keyword is, (choose) which is the greatest gift next to the Cross that God provides us with by his grace. Christianity due to the Cross has existed for a little more then 2000 yrs. and it's unveiling of God's pre-designed plan through his Son Jesus has caused mankind to be forced to acknowledge Our Lord and Savior, and make a choice to believe in Him and the word of God the father. We are to be wittnesses in the Angelic Conflict, which is the result of prehistoric creatures being in opposition to God which began with the fall of Satan and continued until all angelic creatures made a decision for or against God. It refers to the 2 trials of Satan and fallen angels, one in prehistoric times, the other during human history. Mat 25:41, Rev 20:10. Robert R. McLaughlin Bible Ministries.
Billy
Posted: May 31, 2007 5:52 PM
I believe as an Evangelical Christian, I must remain faithful to the Scriptural admonition that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but the spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6) that the Apostle Paul described warns that the problem is what "spirit" leads Mitt Romney and his fellow Mormons, certainly Revelation 22:18-19 speaks to the issue of integrity and wisdom..making the right choice.
In Israel, I think King Solomon wrestled with the policy of finding God honoring advisors
versus followers of cultist gods to please his various wives. I try not to promote cults, whether they are Scientologists, Mormons, and others. (see the late Dr. Walter Martin's book on cults) One of the great moral lay leaders of the Mormon Church, Mr.Mariott has beautiful hotels and wonderful staffers, but he tithed tremendously to the Mormon Church. I would rather seek other candidates and pray for
Mr. Romney to accept Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord, without the Mormon "other gospel".
Mark
Posted: May 31, 2007 4:40 PM
The authors write: "Historically, evangelicals & Mormons have demonized each other" and only cite examples of how evangelicals have demonized Mormons. How have Mormons demonized evangelicals? Mormons have voted for Christian candidates of all religious/political types & at all levels of politics w/out any significant complaints. Now we have a competent, conservative, active LDS candidate for POTUS & there's opposition coming from both liberals & Christian conservatives! Why? I suggest that the opposition from liberals is coming from a general distrust of religious conservatives, while the opposition from Christian conservatives is coming from a general distrust of alleged "cult" members. I think Mormons in particular are seen by Christian conservatives as threatening to their own church memberships with a huge missionary force, much religious zeal, and unparalleled growth. Just as a vote for Lieberman was not a vote for Judaism, so a vote for Romney is not a vote for Mormonism!
John
Posted: May 31, 2007 4:35 PM
This reads like a puff piece for Romney and apparently it is an opinion. Perhaps the "Speaking Out" should be highlighted more as I (and apparently other commenters) thought it was a straight "article." Also, I question some of the historical "quickies." The spiritual lives of Washington and Lincoln, statesmen who gave us some of our most memorable religous/political speeches, are far to complex to be dispensed with as "deist" or "séance attender." I find it strange that CT is opening its coverage of Romney's Mormonism with a slanted piece like this written by a BYU prof.
Doug
Posted: May 31, 2007 4:28 PM
The real question is did Romney's Mormonism affect his administration as a governor. If it didn't then he has a proper understanding of separation of church and state. I certainly don't like Mormonism, but I know some very moral Mormons. Mitt has a solid marriage and family. It demonstrates to me that he can manage his personal affairs which is foundational to managing national affairs. He is a good communicator, has solid administrative experience, and knows economics. He is certainly more appealing at this point than any of the other candidates. I don't think that Romney's mormonism would be given any more credibility than Kennedy gave any more credibility to Catholicism. Besides Harry Reid is a Mormon. Does he give more credibility to it? I don't think so.
Johnny
Posted: May 31, 2007 3:49 PM
The facts about the presidents mentioned here (Washington, Jefferson, etc.) are true - even understated. As a lay historian I know there is plenty of proof to back them up. Just because Jefferson mentioned God doesn't alter the fact that he created The Jefferson Bible, with all references to miracles and the resurrection cut out. The statements on the Mormon religion, however, are naive at best. I know several Mormons and studied Mormon theology for 20 years. They use many of the same terms as orthodox Christians but give them different meanings. Grace to them does not mean unmerited favor but merited favor and blessing. They have altered many beliefs and rituals since exposes were written in the 70s and 80s. But your average Mormon still only knows two verses from the Bible (primarily about baptism for the dead) to plant doubt in converts. They treat the Book of Mormon as superior and spend much time (and money) trying to find archaeological proof of the American Israelites existence.
Tracy
Posted: May 31, 2007 3:10 PM
Sam, I am right with you. If any of the current 3 win the nomination, I think I will write something in. The very fact that LDS attempted to add to God's holy word is enough!
Ben
Posted: May 31, 2007 2:43 PM
I am suprised at how similar these cries of blasphemy are ringing so similar to those of the Pharasies and Saducees that "knew" what God's truth was to the point of anger that they were willing to murder the Son of God over defending their position as all knowing power-mongers.
It is difficult for me to watch the disdain shown towards Mormons due to religious differences and laying claim to being able to define what a "Christian" is. Last I checked Christians believed in Christ as the Son of God and try their best to follow the 2 commandments of love thy neighbor as thyself and love God. This to me does not sound like love. I believe in Christ as the Savior of the world and I try to do my best to love my neighbor under all circumstances. I love God with all of my heart but I am chastised for saying that this lifestyle is not "Christian"......I just don't get it.
Craig B.
Posted: May 31, 2007 2:32 PM
Funny that this guy mentions the first three presidents of the US as non-Christians, but doesn't stop and make the connection that this nation was in fact founded by secular folks who really meant it when they said church and state should be separate. This is not a Christian nation that purports to be tolerant of other religions--this is a secular nation whose Constitution requires us to treat all faiths equally. And if we restrict freedoms because of Christian morality (by outlawing gay marriage, by outlawing stem-cell research), we are violating that Constitution. So no, I won't vote for Mitt.
sam
Posted: May 31, 2007 2:22 PM
I agree with John -- poorly written article implying Christianity and Mormonism are more similar than different, which is patently false. For example, author states that Mormon doctrine teaches that "Jesus is not only the Son of God but also God the Son". Also included in this doctrine is that Jesus is the Spirit brother of Satan. This is one of the primary strategies of Mormon evangelism, to reveal only that doctrine that is likely to be accepted and failing to disclose less palatable points. Mormons use the same words as Christians but assign drastically different meanings to these words. I don't trust any of the three top Republican (or Democratic) candidates; I will vote, though I have not yet decided for whom.
Jim
Posted: May 31, 2007 1:52 PM
I think that it is unfortunate that the foundational doctinal differences between Christianity and Mormanism are minimized in order to show Romney in a favorable light. While he may be politically conservative his religious views are clearly from the Mormon cult.
Anonymous
Posted: May 31, 2007 1:49 PM
Mormons reject the trinity despite adhering to the divinity of Christ, which effectively makes them polytheists. There are fundamentally heretical doctrines at the core of Mormonism and the article glosses these over to the point of being misleading. That being said those doctrines have absolutely nothing to do with being President and should not disqualify Romney. The only thing I worry about is that if Romney becomes the nominee or President, Mormonism will have a publicity bonanza that would make it appear more mainstream - just like this article is attempting to do.
Raymond Takashi Swenson
Posted: May 31, 2007 1:30 PM
A century ago, the US government denied Latter-day Saints the right to vote in Utah Territory, and confiscated the Salt Lake City Temple. After the Church renounced polygamy, Utah was accepted into statehood and Mormons were invited to take up the full rights and duties of American citizens. Mormons had already provided a battalion to the Army that took possession of Santa Fe and San Diego during the Mexican War. Mormons fought in Cuba, WWI, WWII, Korean, Vietnam, Gulf War, and are currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. The foreign language battalions of the Army are National Guard units from Utah, including many former Mormon missionaries, and they serve around the world. BYU has one of the nation's largest ROTC programs. I served 20 years in the Air Force, and other Mormons were general officers. Mormons have earned full citizenship with their sweat and blood, including the right to run for President. Denying that right is a betrayal of all America stands for.
John
Posted: May 31, 2007 1:25 PM
Electing Mitt Romney to the Presidency is endorsing a man belonging to a religion which takes the basic tenants of Christianity and warps them into something unrecognizable and antithetical to belief. This article is very crafty to pose the debate as between 'Evangelicals' and 'Mormons' as if they were two sides of the same coin. The debate, in my opinion, is between those who are Christians and those who are not (though in a very specific way).
I'd vote for a Wiccan over Mitt Romney. Both Mormonism and Wicca are incomprehensible, but at least Wicca, by its very existence, isn't a slap in the face to believers. 'The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints' is an insult in its very name.
A religion with tenants so insane, they rival those of Scientology is bidding for the highest office in this country. Perhaps I might benefit personally from Romney being in office, but voting for him would feel to me like trading my vote for bread.
Chuck
Posted: May 31, 2007 1:20 PM
Ditto John's comment. The authors of this article are guilty of propagating the same trash (Mormonism=Christianity) I hear when I open the front door to the Mormon missionaries.
daveescaped
Posted: May 31, 2007 1:08 PM
Chris
First of all to claim, "There has never been any evidence found of such civilizations, and nor will there ever be. They did not exist." I would hope you are an expert on meso-American archaeology. Otherwise you're claim is just as specious as those you hope to defame. Second, there is certainly a mountian of evidence of civilizations in central america. I hope you are not claiming otherwise. If so I'll send you my vacation photos from teotihuacan and tikal. Civilization abounded in this part of the world before Christ. I assume you are claiming that there is no evidence of a connection of these obvious civilizations to Book of Mormons claims of Middle Eastern extraction. And here I would again disagree. You may or may not be familiar with the Tree of Life carving found in 1941 in Izapa Mexico which indeed supports BoM claims. Morover, similar claims could be made against the Bible. Where is the hard evidence of the Exodus or definitive proof of the city of Jericho?
Stan Baldwin
Posted: May 31, 2007 1:06 PM
I don't get it. Evangelicals react to Hillary Clinton--so far as I can tell a practicing Christian (Methodist)--with an almost visceral hatred, while they practically baptize the cult member--Romney. I too might vote for Romney under certain circumstances. I think he'd be a lot better than Bush has been. Maybe. He does seem to be more an opportunist, though, than a man of principle. He "believes" whatever he thinks will get him the most votes at the time. Well, hey, it at least promises to be an interesting election. May God have mercy on us to have better luck with this upcoming crap shoot than we had with the ast one.
John
Posted: May 31, 2007 12:59 PM
If you're going to let a Mormon professor pen an article for you, fine. But you should have shown better journalistic standards. You let him get away with suggesting that Mormonism and Christianity are similar, if not essentially the same. Mormonism is diametrically opposed to Christianity. There are dozens of examples. For example, Mormonism is polytheistic. There are billions of gods in the Mormon pantheon. Also, you say that the Book of Mormon has passages that teach salvation by grace. You didn't mention that "salvation" means something totally different to Mormons. They believe salvation means becoming a god -- if you're good enough and if you have a marraige in the Temple --and inheriting a planet on which they will copulate with their goddess wife into eternity. Earning this privilege is abostlutely based on works. Please don't allow Mormons to spread their views on your pages without refuting their arguments. Bad Christian journalism.
Alton H Wilson
Posted: May 31, 2007 12:58 PM
The morals of the military (when I served--WW2) were far superior to any other group, including some professing Christians. When the alternative is to vote for chronic liars, libertines, abortionists, etc. vs. a moral Mormon, the Mormon wins hands down. If Romney is a moral, capable, honest, truthful man, how could I vote for any of the opposition instead? My first choice would be a real Christian of evangelical persuasion, but if that is not available, Romney is. and we could have a lot worse. God help us all.....We are in a sad state when there is no strong, forthright, candidate. At this point, there is Romney, or potentially Fred Thompson.
Stan T
Posted: May 31, 2007 12:34 PM
Wow. What a whitewashing of Mormon theology. "Mormon beliefs are not as un-evangelical as most evangelicals think"? They can't be serious. It's this kind of doctrinal subterfuge and semantic gamesmanship that makes evangelicals so suspicious of recent LDS attempts to mainstream their religion.
Virtually every doctrinal tenet of historical Christianity is redefined or denied by Mormonism: God, Trinity, Jesus, Spirit, Virgin Birth, Scripture, revelation, salvation, justification, sanctification, resurrection, heaven, hell, church, etc.
Mitt Romney may, in fact, be the best man for the presidency, but that case should be made based upon his competency to govern, and not upon the fact that "Mormons are really just like us."
By the way (regardless of its truth content), the authenticity of that Luther quote has been debated.
Subscribe to Christianity Today and get 3 free trial issues. No credit card required.
Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Offer valid in U.S. only.
If you decide you want to keep Christianity Today coming, honor your invoice for just $19.95 and receive nine more issues, a full year in all. If not, simply write "cancel" across the invoice and return it. The three trial issues are yours to keep, regardless.
RSS Feeds
Audio
Twitter
E-mail
Print
Post
Subscribe to Christianity Today magazine today!
