Is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 'Christian'.

[Sonny]

My sole purpose in starting this Thread is to openly, honestly and in a civil manner discuss whether the LDS church fits the criteria of a Christian church. All of us have our own personal opinions about many issues, including religion and politics. But, how many of us know what the facts say?
My hope is we can discuss our opinions, the evidence, speculation and myths and learn as we have a civil, rational and reasonable debate. After all, isn't this why we have a Religious Debate Forum? To share what we think, feel, believe and know about Religion.
I would also like to add, if you have info that may be useful or applicable please post it so we all can enjoy or learn it (references and quotes are always helpful and encouraged).
Thanks! And, tell us all what you think.

 

[Sonny]

Since I started this thread let me be the first to comment. This thread, like every Thread, can be interesting. There are people here on both sides and in the middle. Expressing our feelings and our facts about any issue is American. One thing is certain, both the Christian and Mormon beliefs are open for debate and consideration. And, this not about which one- whether one, both or neither - is true or not. This is about whether one is part of the other or if it stands as it's own individual version of beliefs. But it is intended, by design, to say nothing about either's truthfulness or falseness- that is not the point to this Thread.

 

[Kirran]

Interesting quote by Timothy Beale:

Although all of them have their historical roots in Christian theology and tradition, and although most would identify themselves as Christian, many would not identify others within the larger category as Christian. Most Baptists and fundamentalists, for example, would not acknowledge Mormonism or Christian Science as Christian. In fact, the nearly 77 percent of Americans who self-identify as Christian are a diverse pluribus of Christianities that are far from any collective unity.

 

[Kirran]

Expressing our feelings and our facts about any issue is American.

It is? Blast! I guess I can't join in then.

 

[buddhist]

My sole purpose in starting this Thread is to openly, honestly and in a civil manner discuss whether the LDS church fits the criteria of a Christian church. All of us have our own personal opinions about many issues, including religion and politics.

Only the founder - allegedly Jesus - can properly say if it's truly "Christian". The rest of us can only offer our own personal opinions.

 

[Kirran]

Only the founder - allegedly Jesus - can properly say if it's truly "Christian". The rest of us can only offer our own personal opinions.

Not sure Jesus had any intention of the emergence of Christianity!

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

The quick answer is, yes they are Christian.
However they are also more Christian, than those that deny them.

My own church would describe their faith as dangerous ... as they do any non Trinitarian. But then I am an Anglican (heretic)

 

[Kirran]

My own church would describe their faith as dangerous ... as they do any non Trinitarian. But then I am an Anglican (heretic)

You're in the Church of England, is that right Terry?

 

[buddhist]

Not sure Jesus had any intention of the emergence of Christianity!

That begs the question - which Jesus? Will my neighbor, Jesus, do?

 

[Kirran]

That begs the question - which Jesus? Will my neighbor, Jesus, do?

I think it's pretty much only Jesus of Nazareth. Or Yeshua, more accurately.

 

[Neo Deist]

I will just say this and leave it alone: I always find it interesting that the so called "prophets," from Moses to Joseph Smith, always managed to be alone when they received their divine revelation. No one else was around to witness it. That's rather...convenient.

 

[Sonny]

Interesting quote by Timothy Beale:

Although all of them have their historical roots in Christian theology and tradition, and although most would identify themselves as Christian, many would not identify others within the larger category as Christian. Most Baptists and fundamentalists, for example, would not acknowledge Mormonism or Christian Science as Christian. In fact, the nearly 77 percent of Americans who self-identify as Christian are a diverse pluribus of Christianities that are far from any collective unity.

That is a good quote. I have to agree with it. I think one needs to, first, determine what constitutes 'Christian' to determine what it is not. That will take some work for many have ideas that are firmly set but could be anywhere from 'Spot on’ to 'way off base '.

 

[buddhist]

I think it's pretty much only Jesus of Nazareth. Or Yeshua, more accurately.

The cruel Jesus of the Gospel of Thomas?

 

[Kirran]

I will just say this and leave it alone: I always find it interesting that the so called "prophets," from Moses to Joseph Smith, always managed to be alone when they received their divine revelation. No one else was around to witness it. That's rather...convenient.

Along with Joseph Smith, the Three Witnesses Martin Harris, Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer had a vision of the angel with the Golden Plates shown to Joseph Smith.

 

[Kirran]

That is a good quote. I have to agree with it. I think one needs to, first, determine what constitutes 'Christian' to determine what it is not. That will take some work for many have ideas that are firmly set but could be anywhere from 'Spot on’ to 'way off base '.

I don't think one can, that's the point. It's a social identity, I don't think any Christian has the right to tell someone else they're not Christian when they understand themselves to be so.

People can insist until they're blue in the face that Jehovah's Witnesses and Latter-day Saints aren't Christian, it doesn't change the fact they are living their own form of Christianity just as a Catholic, an Eastern Orthodox-er and a Baptist are.

 

[Sonny]

It is? Blast! I guess I can't join in then.

Sure, you can. No one is omitted bc of where they live or what they believe. All comments are welcomed.

 

[Sonny]

I will just say this and leave it alone: I always find it interesting that the so called "prophets," from Moses to Joseph Smith, always managed to be alone when they received their divine revelation. No one else was around to witness it. That's rather...convenient.

Does add interest if not a fear factor.

 

[Sonny]

Along with Joseph Smith, the Three Witnesses Martin Harris, Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer had a vision of the angel with the Golden Plates shown to Joseph Smith.

True, but- all of them had 'issues' with JS. And none actually saw the plates, if one believes their own,isolated comments. Personally, I prefer facts. Yet, if it was that easy we wouldn't be having any discussions about religion, would we?

 

[Kirran]

True, but- all of them had 'issues' with JS. And none actually saw the plates, if one believes their own,isolated comments. Personally, I prefer facts. Yet, if it was that easy we wouldn't be having any discussions about religion, would we?

Well hey, I'm no Mormon. But they were all very convinced that the experience they had had was genuine.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

You're in the Church of England, is that right Terry?

Yes indeed.

The Church of Endland and all Anglican churches and other trinitarian faiths. share a common view about non trinitarians. Including the Unitarians and LDS.
As a very Unitarian minded Anglican, I am somewhat out of step, and tend to look at how a church acts and behaves rather than the details of their beliefs and dogma.

We all get things wrong, we are all fallible, and we are all sinners. So who apart from God can decide who is worthy.