tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post7457667571408862816..comments2023-11-02T07:25:45.884-05:00Comments on Mormanity - a blog for those interested in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Cramming for the Eternal Salvation Quiz: One Wrong Theological Answer and You're DoomedJeff Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08776493593387402607noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post-370269293597529442007-07-24T11:31:00.000-05:002007-07-24T11:31:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Jeff Lindsayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08776493593387402607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post-12563659890918091482007-07-23T21:41:00.000-05:002007-07-23T21:41:00.000-05:00Why are modern Mormons so intent on being called C...Why are modern Mormons so intent on being called Christian? Brigham Young and his contemporaries had no problem decrying Christianity and praising Mormonism as its contrast. Why is popularity in the eyes of the world suddenly such a priority?!?<BR/><BR/>By the way, I suspect the bigger issue for informed Christians is the henotheism, not the Trinity. That's what makes it such a different religion at its core.Ujlapanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13040772399261340723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post-6022275961612308662007-07-04T17:20:00.000-05:002007-07-04T17:20:00.000-05:00The true danger in judging others "Christianity" b...The true danger in judging others "Christianity" based on their doctrinal orthodoxy arises from changing from what Christ taught about discipleship. Christ rejected those who said "Lord, Lord" but who did not ACT in a Christlike way. This should be simple enough for anyone to understand, theology degree or not. Can you imagine any religious controversy ending in violence if Christ's most basic teachings were followed? How much easier is it to kill or harm someone, for example, once you add to the Bible Calvinism's creed of "total depravity" and apply it to your opponent and then add "permanent salvation" to free you from the fear of hellfire as a consequence of your actions. Is it a coincidence that terrible abuses of human rights have occurred so frequently in societies dominated by Calvinists? Think South Africa (Dutch Reformed), Northern Ireland (Presbyterian), American South (Southern Baptist).Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18368952766054307380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post-49346205776991124562007-07-01T21:44:00.000-05:002007-07-01T21:44:00.000-05:00Jeff,I appreciate your comments from Robinson on t...Jeff,<BR/>I appreciate your comments from Robinson on the Trinity. I just posted my 2 new podcasts on my blog about this Trinity doctrine being used to throw out Mormonism from Christianity. It's rather futile.<BR/><BR/>Best,<BR/>Kerry<BR/>(The Backyard Professor)Kerry Shirtshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11071947829451013579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post-37600303685134312382007-06-29T10:04:00.000-05:002007-06-29T10:04:00.000-05:00"It's easy to do the ordinances and fill out the p..."It's easy to do the ordinances and fill out the paperwork. The hard part is becoming like Christ."<BR/><BR/>Well put!<BR/><BR/>Many people accuse us of being less-than-merciful in our view of post-earth destinations (ie, that only "Mormons can go to Heaven"). <BR/><BR/>As far as I'm concerned, the most merciful thing I've ever heard is that ANYBODY can repent and accept the Gospel AFTER this life (in the Spirit World) in order to go the Celestial Kingdom. Not only that, but pretty much EVERYONE, whether or not they receive Gospel, will receive at least some glory after this life (Celestial, Terrestrial, Telestial) - not exactly the black/white, heaven/hell, damned-if-you-don't doctrine many of our well-meaning Christian brothers teach.<BR/><BR/>Those who are offended by the LDS view of the after-life clearly don't understand it in its entirety.todopuretehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14415450749102265369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post-12245245991544924192007-06-27T22:46:00.000-05:002007-06-27T22:46:00.000-05:00I wouldn't say that, Josh. Christ himself sought o...I wouldn't say that, Josh. Christ himself sought out John to be baptized. He didn't go to just anybody, nor did he rationalize that he didn't really need to be baptized. He simply obeyed.<BR/><BR/>Because we don't understand why authorized ordinances play such an important role in God's economy is not a really great reason for assuming it must be a mistake.<BR/><BR/>Another way to look at it, though, is that persons who develop Christlike attributes in this life, who worship Christ, who seek and receive the blessings of the atonement, but don't receive the authorized ordinances, may receive them later.<BR/><BR/>It's easy to do the ordinances and fill out the paperwork. The hard part is becoming like Christ.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post-56690430365960456742007-06-27T22:32:00.000-05:002007-06-27T22:32:00.000-05:00One the one hand we say, minor differences in theo...One the one hand we say, minor differences in theology shouldn't keep you from heaven - it depends on the life you live. But on the other hand, we say that unless you recieve the ordinances through the LDS church, you can't reach the celestial kingdom - it doesn't matter how good you were. Sounds like we want it both ways.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post-21721909829414920212007-06-26T20:36:00.000-05:002007-06-26T20:36:00.000-05:00Fixed the type in the title. Oops! Thanks for lett...Fixed the type in the title. Oops! Thanks for letting me know.Jeff Lindsayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08776493593387402607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post-84996510694358181962007-06-26T20:35:00.000-05:002007-06-26T20:35:00.000-05:00". . .the official mormon view of Jesus historical...<I>". . .the official mormon view of Jesus historically been very different from that of more 'traditional' christians?"</I><BR/><BR/>What differences are there that would be relevant to the issue of being Christian? I admit, we believe that He has given other scripture beyond the Bible, has spoken to other prophets, etc., but all that the Bible teaches about Him we affirm. In my opinion, the differences used to deny our Christianity are typically differences of modern Christianity from ancient Christianity. If we aren't Christian for believing that the resurrected Christ had a physical body and was the Son of God, the Son who stands at the right hand of God the Father as a distinct Being, then we are in good company with most of the earliest Christians before the theological battles fueled by Greek philosphy that led to the post-biblical creeds. I feel that we are on sound footing when we proclaim that our understanding of God and Christ is closer to that of early Christianity than we find in the creeds.Jeff Lindsayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08776493593387402607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post-82381177886053763042007-06-26T18:02:00.000-05:002007-06-26T18:02:00.000-05:00I had some success with the following scripture. M...I had some success with the following scripture. <BR/><BR/>Mark 10: 17-21<BR/><BR/>[17] And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?<BR/>[18] And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.<BR/>[19] Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.<BR/>[20] And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.<BR/>[21] Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.<BR/><BR/>No mention of homoousios there. Maybe that was an oversight.Doug Forbeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12672434922650800374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post-65296116222676474012007-06-26T17:37:00.000-05:002007-06-26T17:37:00.000-05:00Egad, man! Surely you meant to title this entry "...Egad, man! Surely you meant to title this entry "You're Doomed," as in "you are doomed," not "Your Doomed," as in...there is a doom which we own. A rare slip from the usually fastidious Mr. Lindsay!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post-25546269927664102302007-06-26T08:56:00.000-05:002007-06-26T08:56:00.000-05:00I think a point of the post was following Christ i...I think a point of the post was following Christ isn't about the extensive knowledge needed. It is about the extensive faith,love, kindness, charity etc... needed. True faith in Christ will generate these needed godly attributes. Being able to argue who he really was or wasn't isn't important. In my experience this is missed by many.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post-10727663166798306222007-06-26T08:51:00.000-05:002007-06-26T08:51:00.000-05:00I think a point of the post was following Christ i...I think a point of the post was following Christ isn't about the extensive knowledge needed. It is about the extensive faith,love, kindness, charity etc... needed. True faith in Christ will generate these needed godly attributes. Not being able to argue who he really was or wasn't isn't important.Aaronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14704602115584718404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post-73392240443546909282007-06-26T08:20:00.000-05:002007-06-26T08:20:00.000-05:00I'm not a christian, and no longer a mormon, but I...I'm not a christian, and no longer a mormon, but I "can't leave mormonism alone". There - now I've said it. Anything I say now can simply be dismissed as the rants of an anti who is trying to stir the pot.<BR/><BR/>But Jeff, is it really true that those who claim that mormons worship a different Jesus are just quibbling about details? Has not the official mormon view of Jesus historically been very different from that of more "traditional" christians? Is this not one of the things that has distinguished mormons from (other?) christians?<BR/><BR/>If the question were simply one of minor details, would the other christians make such a big deal of it?malkiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10620568715773842591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post-48873993268422298552007-06-25T23:41:00.000-05:002007-06-25T23:41:00.000-05:00So why do any of us follow any tenets at all? If ...So why do any of us follow any tenets at all? If we cannot know, then we should just live life as we find it expedient--complete with all the money-mongering and promiscuity.<BR/><BR/>I should hope that if a God exists, then he would give some clue as to how we should spend our borrowed time.Russtafarianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07575287678616776636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post-53253459213076330482007-06-25T23:20:00.000-05:002007-06-25T23:20:00.000-05:00None of us are Christians (i.e., know that we are ...None of us are Christians (i.e., know that we are claimed by Christ) until judgment day where we find out if we are His sheep (on the right hand) or soon to be cast out goats (on the left hand).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post-23111452237033043912007-06-25T12:13:00.000-05:002007-06-25T12:13:00.000-05:00In dealing with the differences between "Christian...In dealing with the differences between "Christians" and Mormons one of my favorite approaches is to ask the following series of questions: Do you believe the Bible is the word of God and is correct? Yes. Do you believe that God and Christ are one being and is a spirit? Yes. Do you believe Christ died and was resurrected? Yes. After He went back to heaven did he keep His body? Yes, I think so. Then you're saying that God/Christ has a body? Well, I don't know but Mormons can't be right. <BR/> I have even been told that He puts His body on when coming to Earth so his followers won't be frightened by a ghost and then takes it off back in Heaven! I think I'll stay wrong.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7139169.post-61757926150423822072007-06-25T11:35:00.000-05:002007-06-25T11:35:00.000-05:00An exceptionally great post today. I always apprec...An exceptionally great post today. I always appreciate Jeff's insights.<BR/>This reminded me of a sermon I heard many years ago. Hadn't thought of it in ages. This televangelist, whose name I don't remember, announced he had chosen to speak on Numbers 23:19, but it turned out to be only part of 19. He spent the whole half hour loudly proclaiming that "God is not a man!" and railing at whoever might suppose He is. Nothing about "...that He should lie." GOD IS NOT A MAN, so there!<BR/>This in turn reminded me of a neat Baptist brother in Minnesota who has a newletter I really like. He draws cartoons on Bible subjects; gently teases people for odd attitudes, has some great camping cartoons; lots of fun stuff, all clean; great newsletter. <BR/>The cartoon I'm thinking of has a minister preaching. This minister asks the congregation to go to such and such a book in the Bible (I don't recall which), then turn to this a verse, find this particular sentence, find this particular word, then focus on the letter "R" which he announces will be the topic of his sermon.<BR/><BR/>I hope these aren't too far off-topic, but you know how old ladies can be when their memories fire up.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com