Tag Archives: Mormonism

Christianity Today Misrepresents Mormonism

June 3, 2007 2:50 am / 5 Comments /

One of the blogs I check regularly is Mormon Coffee, the blog operated by the folks at Mormonism Research Ministry. I checked it on Friday and read a post about an article on Mitt Romney and Evangelical voters. In Sharon’s post she pointed out that the article misrepresented the differences between Mormonism and Christianity when it said, “Mormon beliefs are not as un-evangelical as most evangelicals think. ” I read through the rest of her post and decided to click on the USA Today article to see what else they had to say, only to be surprised that I had misread Sharon’s post. It was not the USA Today that made the mistake. I would have expected that magazine to say something like that. When I clicked on the link, I was taken to the Christianity Today website.

I learned that the article was co-authored by Robert Millet, a Mormon professor at BYU, and Gerald McDermott, a Christian professor of religion at Roanoke College. I decided to do a Google search on McDermott and see what I could find out about him. I was not happy to find out that he teaches a class on New Religions in America, which includes Mormonism. Before I found this out, I wanted to contact McDermott to inform him about some of the things that most Christians do not realize about Mormonism. But after I found out that he teaches on the subject of Mormonism, I had a new motivation for contacting him. Here is my e-mail to him.

Mr. McDermott,

I read your Christianity Today article co-authored with Robert Millet. I must say that I was very disappointed. I realize that the thrust of the article was more about Evangelicals voting for Romney than it was about the differences between Mormonism and Christianity, but there are some very dangerous omissions in your article. To mention that “Most evangelicals would also be surprised to learn that the Book of Mormon contains passages that teach salvation by the merits and grace of Christ,” yet not explain that the grace comes only after our best efforts is irresponsible and misleading to the readers who do not know what Mormonism teaches.

At first reading, I assumed that you didn’t know much about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and thought that I would write to you to inform you about some things that most Christians do not realize regarding Mormon theology. But after reading your profile on the Roankoe.edu web site, I was shocked to see that you teach courses on New Religions in America, which include Mormonism. Since this is the case, the motivation for writing this e-mail has now moved from information to rebuke.

I do not understand how a Christian who teaches on Mormonism can say, “Mormon beliefs are not as un-evangelical as most evangelicals think.” I have been a missionary to the Mormon people for more than 11 years and the biggest problem we face in our ministry is to overcome the misconception that statements like yours convey. Not only is Mormonism entirely “un-evangelical,” it is wholly un-Christian. Yes, Mormons hold to the deity of Christ… if you redefine deity as a species. Yes, the Book of Mormon speaks of “salvation by the merits and grace of Christ,” but it also states, “for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do” (2nd Nephi 25:23). Let us also not forget that Mormon Prophet/President
Spencer W. Kimball taught, “One of the most fallacious doctrines originated by
Satan and propounded by man is that man is saved alone by the grace of God; that belief in Jesus Christ alone is all that is needed for salvation. (Miracle of Forgiveness, p. 206) By pointing to Book of Mormon passages that seem to support Christianity, yet neglect to balance your article with the truth about Mormon doctrine is reckless and negligent.

I can only pray that you consider revising your article to reflect a more accurate
portrayal of Mormon doctrine. I am concerned that many unsuspecting Christians will read it and come to the erroneous conclusion that Mormonism is another valid Christian denomination. By saying that “there is still doctrinal distance between Mormons and evangelicals,” but refraining from explaining that those doctrinal differences are salvific by nature is to stumble those who do not know better. As a Christian pastor and professor of religion, you should know better. I look forward to your upcoming book, Claiming Christ: A Mormon-Evangelical Debate and can only hope that you will learn from this mistake in your future projects regarding Mormonism.

I will be praying for God to bless you with abundant wisdom and protection from deception.

Sincerely,
Keith Walker
Evidence Ministries

Not only did I contact Mr. McDermott, I also wrote an e-mail to the editor of Christianity Today and left an online comment for the article. Those two responses are presented below respectively.

Letter To The Editor

The article titled, “Mitt’s Mormonism and the Evangelical Vote” is a dangerous article and needs to be edited or removed from the web. It is coauthored by a Christian and a Mormon and completely misrepresents Mormon doctrine. It has been worded to minimize the differences between Christianity and Mormonism and will mislead the unsuspecting into possibly thinking that Mormonism is a legitimate Christian denomination. I have been a missionary toMormons for more than 11 years and the biggest problem we face is getting people to understand that Mormonism is not Christian. This article contains serious omissions and is too ambiguous to be helpful. I pray that you take your responsibility in the body of Christ seriously enough to correct this grievous error. I would appreciate a response to my e-mail. Thank you and God bless you for His glory.

Keith Walker
Evidence Ministries

Online Comment

This article is not helpful at all. The BoM does contain passages that mention
grace, but the article doesn’t disclose that Mormons couple that “grace” with
their own works. 2 Nephi 25:23 says “for we know that it is by grace that we are
saved, after all we can do.” Former Mormon Prophet/President Spencer W. Kimball
once stated, “One of the most fallacious doctrines originated by Satan and propounded by man is that man is saved alone by the grace of God; that belief in
Jesus Christ alone is all that is needed for salvation.” (Miracle of Forgiveness, p. 206)

Where is the balance in this article? What is the point of reporting that Mormons believe in grace, yet fail to mention that the “grace” is added only after the best we can do? It is obvious that Millet doesn’t want those distinctions made, but what about McDermott? I am grieved that Christianity Today has published a piece that does not reflect the Christianity of yesterday. The Apostle Paul says of grace, “But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.” (Romans 11:6)

At this point, I’ve done what I can in an attempt to rectify this error and I ask that you help me. Prayerfully consider leaving a comment to the article, writing the editor of Christianity Today and sending an e-mail the Mr. McDermott. There is no gaurantee that our voices will be heard, but you can count on them not being heard if we don’t speak up.

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Manti 2007 Team T-shirt

May 22, 2007 10:25 pm / 3 Comments /

Here is a picture of our Manti 2007 team T-shirt. The shirt itself is going to be bright yellow and will have the same art on both sides. Available sizes are small through XL. We aren’t sure about the price yet, but it will probably be somewhere between $12-$15. If we have to mail it to you, we will add postage to the cost of the shirt. If you would be interested in purchasing one, please contact us through our ministry web site.

For the sake of those without a Book of Mormon, 2nd Nephi 25:23 states, “For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.”

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Romney Believes Polygamy Is Awful

May 21, 2007 3:54 pm / Leave a Comment /

This is simply amazing. Presidential hopeful, Mitt Romney, has gone on record as saying,

“Look, the polygamy, which was outlawed in our church in the 1800s, that’s
troubling to me,” he said, “I have a great-great grandfather. They were trying to build a generation out there in the desert. And so he took additional wives as he
was told to do. And I must admit, I can’t imagine anything more awful than
polygamy.”

Huh? How in the world can Romney honestly say this? Be sure to read the whole article, “Romney Slams Mormon Church’s Past Practice.” I find it hard to believe that Romney does not know that the LDS Church teaches that polygamy is necessary in order for one to become a God. The current Doctrine and Covenants section 132:1-4 still states of this practice,

“1 Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you my servant Joseph, that inasmuch as
you have inquired of my hand to know and understand wherein I, the Lord,
justified my servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as also Moses, David and
Solomon, my servants, as touching the principle and doctrine of their having
many wives and concubines—

2 Behold, and lo, I am the Lord thy God, and will answer thee as touching this matter.

3 Therefore, prepare thy heart to receive and obey the instructions which I am about to give unto you; for all those who have this law revealed unto them must obey the same.

4 For behold, I reveal unto you a new and an everlasting covenant; and if ye abide not that covenant, then are ye damned; for no one can reject this covenant and be permitted to enter into my glory.

For the sake of argument, let us assume that Mormonism is correct and Mitt Romney is telling the truth. He believes that he can become a God, yet can’t think of anything more awful that polygamy. That still does not address the problem of whether or not he would be willing to practice it. If it is necessary to become a polygamist in order to become a God, would he do it? Would he obey God and engage in polygamy or would he dare to challenge God’s authority, reject the practice and lose his wife for all eternity? Remember, he cannot reject the covenant and be permitted to enter into God’s glory. If he was worried about losing the woman who was later to become his wife while he was on his mission, how much more pressure would he face with the thought of losing her for eternity?

I find it disingenuous for Romney to make such comments about “past”Mormon doctrine, while never admitting that the principle in which he finds awful will still be a problem for him in the future.

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Mariners Is At It Again

May 18, 2007 8:40 pm / 3 Comments /

Remember Mariners Church? Back in 2005 Mariners let the Mormons use their parking lot for people who were interested in touring the Mormon temple in Newport Beach, California. They also forbade Christians who desired the preach the gospel from their property. Read more about it in my article “Offending Fish.”

Now Mariners is in violation of 2nd John 9-11 by letting Robert Millet, a Mormon employed by Brigham Young University, speak there in the company of Greg Johnson of Standing Together Ministries. The evening is called, “Conversation: a Mormon/Evangelical Dialogue.”

For a some years now, Millet and Johnson have been traveling around the country and having their conversations in numerous Christian churches. These conversations are just that, conversation. There is no formal debate or attempt to disprove the other person’s position. The Standing Together web site states,

Traditional forms of outreach to the LDS have largely focused on apologetic
confrontations that have lead to a great deal of tension between members of the
Mormon faith and Evangelical Christians. When two people are determined to prove
each other “wrong” and to persuade the other that only there position is valid,
they tend to communicate aggressively, often not realizing how polemical they
are becoming.

While I applaud the effort to talk with Mormons publicly, I must admit that I do not see the wisdom in doing this in a Christian Church. Especially in the light of the fact that the Apostle John gave a clear warning to Believers about letting false teachers spread their message in the house church. This style of conversation gives no allowance for the Christian to refute false doctrine and thus runs the risk of confusing immature Christians. We already know of one person who has joined the LDS Church because of these conversations. To our knowledge, no Mormons have left Mormonism because of them. I am saddened by the apparent lack of discernment from Christian pastors, elders and other leaders by allowing this to happen.

I am also left wondering why these conversations don’t happen in Mormon chapels? Could it be that the Mormons actually have more discernment in this area that some Christian pastors?

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Time Magazine on Mitt Romney

May 17, 2007 5:10 am / 4 Comments /


Time Magazine has an article on its web site about Presidential hopeful, Mitt Romney titled, “What Romney Believes.” While the article does not get into the religious beliefs of Mitt Romney, it does get into some of the moral flip flops that he has made in his past in order to gain the support of the voters he is trying to reach.

Isn’t it interesting how the Mormon Church has done the same thing in it’s past? Here are a few changes;

      • In 1890 the Mormon Church issued what has been known as “The Manifesto.” This statement condemns polygamy and was necessary to institute in order for Utah to be admitted into the Union as a State.
      • There once was a time when Mormons downplayed the term “Christian” and instead wanted to be known as Mormons. Now, in an attempt to be accepted, they claim to be Christians.
      • In 1978 the LDS Church changed it’s doctrine regarding blacks holding the priesthood. Because of outside political pressure, blacks are now accepted.
      • In 1990 the Mormon Church made significant changes in their temple ceremonies because it became known that those rituals included blood oaths and the mockery of Christian clergy.

      Is Romney just following the example of his Church or does he really flip flop on important issues? Either way, it makes me uncomfortable to think about a man running for the Presidency when he changes back and forth. I can’t help but ask the question, what is he promising now that will change once he gets the position he desires? A wise man once said;

      But let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is of evil. (Matthew 5:37)

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