Christians; Are Modern Prophets worth anything?

[Katzpur]

And you just lost what little credibility you had left. If you were wiling to learn you'd quickly see how varied members of the Church are, and how non-zombie like we are. Not to mention the use of such loaded language such as that is insulting to both the speaker, those who read it, and those to whom it is directed.

It's pretty amazing the kinds of things people will say when they start feeling flustered. It kind of reminds me of when my son was in fifth or sixth grade and being bullied by some kids over his not being athletic. I told him that the only people who feel the need to resort to belittling other people are the ones who are actually insecure themselves. I mean, can you even imagine the Catholic Pope referring to the LDS Church as a cult or its members as zombies? I sure can't!

The funny thing is that, at least here is Utah, the relationship between the Catholic Church and the LDS Church is excellent. Just a couple of years ago, LDS Church President Thomas S. Monson was one of the featured speakers at the service held in the Catholic Cathedral of the Madeleine to celebrate its 100th anniversary. Funny how the Catholic Church would ask the leader of a "cult" to participate in such a significant event. And almost twenty years ago, when the cathedral was undergoing a $10 million renovation, the Catholic Church graciously accepted a very, very sizable financial contribution from that same "cult," and even expressed their appreciation by having the Mormon "Cult" Tabernacle Choir sing at the rededication of the building. Chicago's Cardinal Francis George recently received a warm welcome when he spoke at Brigham Young University, which is, of course, a private religious institution owned and operated by the "cult," and earlier this year, several LDS Apostles spent time at the Vatican with such distinguished Catholic leaders as Cardinal William Joseph Levada, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith; Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, Head of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue; Monsignor Ettore Balestrero, the Undersecretary for Relations with States; and Archbishop Brian Farrell, Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. Maybe this was just part of an annual Take-a-Zombie-to-Work-Day or something.

Ya gotta love it, don't ya?

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

I don't know why this has turned in to a knock the LDS and their prophet thread.

Most branches of Christianity have beliefs that others of the thousands of Churches neither believe or follow.
The LDS are not an exception, but the norm in this.
many churches separate faith and work's as valid paths to salvation.
The LDS have an exceptionally balanced view on this and many other important matters of faith.
In fact they seem to be one of the least hypocritical of our churches, In that they live closely to the Lives they preach.

In time they may well reinterpret some of their thoughts on Jesus coming to America, Though I see no reason to suppose that he did not visit.
This can be one of the most important features of prophet hood. The ability to modify teachings and interpretation in the light of God's guidance. Where thoughts and practises are in error they correct and guide their fellow believers back onto the true path.
The world and its people are in constant flux and change, new ideas and discoveries need to be incorporated into our spiritual understandings of the world. These needed revisions are prime reasons that God speaks through his prophets.
Religions such as Islam and the more dogmatic forms of Christianity, that rely on their Holy Scripture to be both wholly true and unchanging, are inevitably at odds with a living and growing world.

 

[idav]

I've been reading some Ellen White and absording some info from some of Mormon friends about Joseph Smith, not that I'm an Adventist or a Mormon myself, as of yet

Yet the vast majority of Christians reject prophets entirely, despite Paul speaking highly of them,

What's the deal, care to explain?

I think that there are plenty of sects that accept miracles as real which would include prophecy. However there are a few that believe miracles have gone away do to some sort of apostasy that we still haven't gotten out of. Faith in miracles is likely declining in general.

 

[javajo]

And yet there are more than 30,000 different Christian denominations in the world today, each and every one with a different interpretation of one or more point of doctrine, and the vast, vast majority basing their beliefs on what they think the Bible is saying.

There are many reasons we have many different denominations besides differing interpretations of some doctrines. As each individual is unique and worships God in their own special way, so to with different denominations. Most Christians (except some fringe groups and cults) agree on the core doctrines and while we may squabble over those of lesser importance, we still (ought to) and I pray most do, love each other deeply as brothers and sisters of Christ.

I value the Bible highly, but it clearly does not give us the answers to all of our questions. There are many areas in which the Bible is silent, forcing Christians to make assumptions and suppositions based on what it does say. With all of the missing puzzle pieces, the various Christian groups fill in the gaps differently. Furthermore, it is possible to argue pretty much any position you wish to take on any point of doctrine that is of interest to Christians. All you have to do is pick the verses that support your point of view and ignore the ones that don't. If you think I'm wrong, I'd be happy to provide examples for you, but I think you know I'm right about that.

While the Bible may be or seem to be silent on some things people may question, I believe it gives us all we need to be thoroughly furnished to all good works, and is all we need for correction, doctrine, reproof, and instruction in righteousness, etc. I believe it is dangerous to follow other writings that claim to be scripture especially when they contradict the Bible as it is God's Word and is the truth and light unto our feet and a lamp for our path. As far as arguing positions of doctrine, I believe there is clear truth in the Bible that we can know for sure, but people are on different levels and points in their journey and maturity and understanding of those truths, and there are plain false teachers.

That's an interesting perspective. The Bible clearly does warn against "false prophets." Why do you think it doesn't warn against "prophets" in general? If there were to be no more "true prophets" after Christ, why doesn't the Bible just warn against prophets, period?

Good question. I think while the New Testament was being put together there were prophets and false prophets among them. As I said, all the so called prophets today say something will happen and it never does, every time. Then the ones who claim to have new scriptures for us always contradict truths in the Bible and say the Bible is corrupt. The Bible is not corrupt and is indeed the truth. They also have some weird spin on things that is nothing like what the Bible teaches. That is all just my belief. Also, sorry for lapse of time in my response, I'm still borrowing my daughter's laptop when available as a part I ordered for my pc came but was defective. I pray you are enjoying a nice holiday time!