I think the answer to your observation is the Bible passage below. Bible Christians have an extremely high view of Jesus Christ and an extremely high view of the Bible as complete revelation. I think Roman Catholic and Orthodox Christians believe in ongoing revelation.
I believe you are mistaken, Hunter. According to the Catechsim of the Catholic Church:
"The Christian economy, therefore, since it is the new and definitive Covenant, will never pass away; and no new public revelation is to be expected before the glorious manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ."
It is the official position of the Roman Catholic Church that "public revelation" was complete, and ended with the death of the last apostle (Vatican II, Dei Verbum 4).
God speaks through the Catholic Magestrium (Popes and bishops in communion with him) which is considered revelation. Sacred oral and written tradition is equivalent to the Bible. According to official Roman Catholic doctrine, the Word of God consists of Holy Scripture (+) Sacred oral and written Tradition. I think only historical Protestant Christians believe that revelation is complete with the Protestant cannon of Scripture of 66 books.
Yeah, interesting, huh, how public revelation was complete nearly 2000 years ago, but God still speaks through the Catholic Magestrium. I never have been able to figure out how the Catholic Church can manage to have its cake and eat it, too.
You have to admit, if a religion undermines the trustworthiness, final authority, and sufficiency of the Christian Bible, then adds additional extra-biblical revelation like the Book of Mormon, by a new prophet who came after the first advent of Christ...it changes everything and creates a brand new religion. Additional holy books will always change the traditional Christian Faith.
I think you need to do your homework. Catholicism categorically denies continuing revelation while at the same time basing many of its doctrines on extra-biblical teachings. That's all tradition really is. What is "traditional Christianity" anyway? Is it first-century Christianity, fifth-century Christianity, eleventh-century Christianity or seventeenth-century Christianity? Please don't tell me that "traditional Christianity" has not evolved over time. If you want to talk about extra-biblical texts creating a brand new religion, you'll have to go a lot further back than 1820. You might want to consider focusing on the second-century A.D. There was a "new religion" well underway at that early date.
I bet you have an extremely difficult time sharing with Bible Christians because you basically have two separate sources of revelation.
On the contrary. Most of the 900+ converts to Mormonism
per day come from Protestant Christianity. There have been many Baptists, Lutherans and Methodists who were born and raised in their respective churches but who were, oddly enough, apparently not "destined" to remain in those faiths. Remember, you're not the only person looking for absolute truth. Somewhere along the way, they stop and put two and two together and realize that the doctrine of sola scriptura has produced over 30,000 different Christian denominations. It's when they come to the obvious conclusion that 30,000 different interpretations of the Bible cannot all be correct that they decide to abandon the erroneous notion that one source of revelation can be trusted any more than two sources of revelation can.
I think additional holy men and prophets added after Christ will cause a lower view of Jesus Christ because the revelation of the new prophet is needed in addition to Jesus Christ. Does that make sense?
No, it doesn't. The word "apostasy" is derived from the Greek word, "apostasia" which means "rebellion, mutiny, revolt, or revolution." It is found in ancient texts to describe uprisings against established authority. It is the very word Paul used to describe what was to take place in the ancient Church.
Throughout the New Testament, the Apostles also warned that this was to happen. Paul seemed particularly concerned about the infant Church and frequently voiced his concerns to the early Christians. Among his statements to Christ's followers, are these:
Acts 20:29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition
Galatians 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel
2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears
Paul made it absolutely clear that (1)the flock would not only be attacked, it would not be spared, (2) Christ would not return to the earth until this universal "falling away" or "apostasy" had taken place, (3) these things were already beginning to take place as he spoke, and (4) the doctrines taught by the Savior would, in time, cease to endure.
Jesus Christ did not fall short in presenting His gospel message to His followers. Had there not been an apostasy, "traditional Christianity" would be teaching the same things today that have since been restored. This is no reflection on Jesus Christ. I can assure you that there are no Christians alive who revere Jesus Christ to any greater degree than do that Latter-day Saints. He is the foundation of everything we believe in and hope for. The fact that He has once again begun to speak to us through living prophets is proof that He loves us today every bit as much as He loved His followers anciently. Believe me, if you were to actually read the Book of Mormon and see what it has to say about Him, you would not even consider saying what you have just said. It testifies of Jesus Christ from the first page to the last, and teaches that it is through Him and Him alone that we can be reconciled to our Father in Heaven and be redeemed of our sins. He was with His Father in the beginning and, under His Father's direction, created this universe. He condescended to take upon himself a body of flesh and bones, to experience mortality himself, and to suffer and die for each and every one of us. How much higher esteem could we give Him than to believe these things and to dedicate our lives to honoring Him in all that we do?
I don't know if you've noticed this or not, Hunter, but you've been asking questions and I've been answering them. I've asked a number of questions, too, but for the most part, you have not responded to them. They were not rhetorical questions. I asked these questions because I want to hear what you have to say. I would very much appreciate it if you would go through each of my posts so far and respond to the questions I've asked.
I really don't know whether RedRain believes Swedenborg to have been a prophet or not, or whether his church has claimed to have prophets since him. I'll just make one observation at this point... I am always baffled by religions who teach that there has been one other prophet after Jesus (always the prophet who founded their religion), but that there have been no additional prophets since, nor can there be. From my perspective, either all new revelation ceased with Jesus Christ (the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox position) or else God is still talking. Why would He spoken one more time -- to Joseph Smith or Muhammad or anyone else -- and then suddenly decided to clam up? Either He is still in contact with us today or He left us with the sacred texts that make up the Bible and told us we were on our own. I don't see an in-between position as making much sense.
