Who is Throwing Mud at Whom?
One of America’s preeminent evangelical leaders recently asserted that Mormons are not Christians during an online debate with a well-known Mormon author. Dr. R. Albert Mohler Jr., president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, argued that Mormonism cannot be considered part of the Christian faith because it rejects historic Christianity. “We are not talking here about the postmodern conception of Christianity that minimizes truth,” Mohler wrote. “We are talking about historic, traditional, Christian orthodoxy,” he continued. Mohler accuses Mormons of rejecting one of Christianity’s central tenets -- the Trinity -- as defined by the Nicene Creed. A bit of irony here in that Southern Baptists have not generally emphasized adherence to creeds and have, instead, insisted upon the literal truth of the Bible, a document in which the doctrine of the Trinity never appears.
Over the past several years the Southern Baptists have attempted to purge their own church of those they view as not being sufficiently "Christian." Meanwhile, the membership ranks of the Southern Baptist Convention, have begun to decline. I believe the family of Christ would be a whole lot healthier if we emphasized constructive dialogue among those who adhere to different versions of the faith, rather than trying to purge our ranks of those we don't consider sufficiently "Christian." American Baptists would do a whole lot better, in my opinion, by seeking inspiration from their founder, the great Roger Williams, who dared reach out in friendship to native Americans and so deeply offended his far more orthodox, Puritan peers, that they tossed him out of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
For more on the families of Christianity and how Christianity compares with the other, great religions of the world.
One of America’s preeminent evangelical leaders recently asserted that Mormons are not Christians during an online debate with a well-known Mormon author. Dr. R. Albert Mohler Jr., president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, argued that Mormonism cannot be considered part of the Christian faith because it rejects historic Christianity. “We are not talking here about the postmodern conception of Christianity that minimizes truth,” Mohler wrote. “We are talking about historic, traditional, Christian orthodoxy,” he continued. Mohler accuses Mormons of rejecting one of Christianity’s central tenets -- the Trinity -- as defined by the Nicene Creed. A bit of irony here in that Southern Baptists have not generally emphasized adherence to creeds and have, instead, insisted upon the literal truth of the Bible, a document in which the doctrine of the Trinity never appears.
Over the past several years the Southern Baptists have attempted to purge their own church of those they view as not being sufficiently "Christian." Meanwhile, the membership ranks of the Southern Baptist Convention, have begun to decline. I believe the family of Christ would be a whole lot healthier if we emphasized constructive dialogue among those who adhere to different versions of the faith, rather than trying to purge our ranks of those we don't consider sufficiently "Christian." American Baptists would do a whole lot better, in my opinion, by seeking inspiration from their founder, the great Roger Williams, who dared reach out in friendship to native Americans and so deeply offended his far more orthodox, Puritan peers, that they tossed him out of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
For more on the families of Christianity and how Christianity compares with the other, great religions of the world.
2 Comments:
Even Mormons don't consider themselves Christians, so why should Dr. Mohler or any other Follower of Christ?
That is what a Christian is, isn't it? A follower of Christ, aka "little Christs". Mormons most definitely don't follow Christ and they don't claim to.
This is post-modern, feel-good thinking mixed with plain old ignorance of the facts.
Talk to a few mormons and ask them if they are followers of Jesus Christ.
Most Mormons clearly do consider themselves Christian. In fact, Mormons consider their beliefs to be closer to those of Jesus Christ than the doctrines of other Christian denomination. Why do you think the denomination is called: The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints.
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