How do you respond to ‘Yes you are Christians but not legitimate ones?’
Question
Hi Gramps,
I know that the response to “Mormons aren’t Christians” is “we believe Jesus Christ, so yes we are.” But how would you respond to the more specific “Mormonism is a part of Christianity but not a valid, authentic, faithful expression of the Christian faith?” Basically, how do you respond to yes, you are Christians, but not legitimate ones?
Spencer
Answer
Dear Spencer,
The way other people choose to define your faith has no real impact on you. So don’t let the words of anti-Mormon ministries trouble you. It’s important that substantial answers to criticisms of the Church exist, but please don’t let these questions dominate your time or thinking.
By any fair definition, Latter-day Saints are Christian. We believe in the historical existence of Jesus of Nazareth. We believe the Bible, which describes his life, is the Word of God. We believe he died for all mankind, and that salvation is only available through Jesus Christ. The Church’s leadership reaffirmed these beliefs in the strongest possible language in their 2000 statement “The Living Christ.”
Our doctrine, however, is different in some ways, from other Christians. A fact which we should be happy to accept. Otherwise, there would have been no reason for Jesus to restore the Church through Joseph Smith.
Many who attack the Church as not being “truly” Christian are referring to creedal Christianity. During the great apostasy, many well-meaning Christians gathered to vote on and define Christian belief. The documents these gathering produced are called creeds, and include “The Apostles’ Creed,” “The Creed of Jerusalem” and “The Nicene Creed.”
Latter-day Saints do not accept these creeds as binding doctrine because Jesus Christ, himself, told Joseph Smith not to.
When others say “true Christian” they simply mean people who believe all the same doctrines that they do. These people routinely exclude even the largest Christian denominations from their definition of Christianity. While it can be frustrating to feel excluded from what they define as Christianity, this can be an opportunity for them to tell you what defines “true” Christianity for them, and for you to then share more of your beliefs. “The Living Christ” may be a great starting point.
In some ways, Latter-day Saints are also exclusive. We recognize that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only Church led by prophecy and the authorized priesthood authority. Those of other faiths can feel just as excluded by these beliefs as we do by their assertion that we aren’t Christian.
We should make sure that as we discuss our doctrinal differences we focus on including those from all backgrounds and adding to what they already have, rather than excluding them from an exclusive group.
Gramps
The best response I have for this type of argument is that following Christ to any degree should be considered a legitimate form of Christianity. Many people say the same things about Catholics and other non-Protestant believers, and frankly it’s unfair and based on sectarian precedence.
I had an experience that I was able to build upon and share my testimony of the Reestablished Church of Jesus Christ. I went to my high school reunion and there I saw a former class mate that I had not seen in about 50 years. I live in a state and community where the LDS Church is in the minority. This is the Bible Belt of America. They had rumored among themselves that; I was a “preacher” so the MC asked me if I would give the class prayer. I was honored to do so.
After the meeting the above mentioned class mate pulled me aside to ask me if I was a Mormon and she, with some concern in her voice, told me that her son, daughter-in-law and their children had moved about 3,000 miles away and had joined the MORMON Church. She and her husband had brought them up in a protestant church and she was concerned that they may have lost their salvation.
We did not have a quiet place to chat so I tried to assure her that they would be just fine. As I drove home I prayerfully was seeking out a way to help. I called her shortly thereafter and asked her if she would sincerely like to know more about this new found Church that her son’s family had embraced. I invited her to come to our home and promised her that she would be made to feel very welcomed and would not be uncomfortable. She accepted my invitation and said that she would really like to understand more. My good wife prepared a wonderful dinner. The visit was warm and the Spirit was inviting.
Now to cut to the chase – She and her adult daughter were converted and baptized.
If asked, I tell people every principle we follow can be found in the bible. But, you better know your bible. Other Christian churches do not follow all bible practices, which is a comeback I use if needed.
Our Redeemer told us we would know those who followed him by their fruits. The people produced by a church attempting to follow Christ is in itself the greatest testimony of who Christians are. Anyone who wants to make an argument about it after looking at that is doing just that, arguing.
My maternal grandparents were missionaries to the Congo 31 years for their protestant church. I grew up in that church. As it happens the congregation I attended had about the same number of returned missionaries as a normal ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I do not deride any Christian church that is attempting to follow Christ and the things he taught us. I am sometimes in awe of the individuals that these churches can produce. All that said I am grateful for the privilege of membership in the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
I ask them to explain several scriptures like.;i Corinthians 15;29 and 1 Peter 4;6 gospel preached to the dead, we are told not to do that because they don’t understand will they understand how to pray and they can ask god what it means. They don’t know because there lambs, and you cant teach little children college grade spirituality they have to learn it.
I once heard an apologist give an answer to this charge and I’ve used it since that time. When told that Mormons aren’t Christian because we believe in a “different Jesus”, I now answer something like this…”Mormons believe in the Jesus of Nazareth of the Bible, the one who taught in the temple, healed the sick, gave sight to the blind and raised the dead. I believe in the Jesus who suffered for my sins in Gethsemane, was brought before Pilate and condemned to death. I believe in the Jesus who died for me on Golgotha, was buried and raised on the third day. He was resurrected, appeared to His disciples and lives today. WHICH ONE DO YOU BELIEVE IN?”
That usually does it.