Are Mormons Christians?

[WinePusher]

I have some christian family members who say that Mormons are not really christians. Most mainstream christian theologians, (William Lane Craig,
Dinesh D' Souza, Scott Hahn, Billy Graham) also say that Mormons are not really Christians.

I am not educated on Mormon theology, and it only leads to misinformation when you judge something that your not educated on, so I have no position on the issue.

Are Mormons Christians? I would invite any Mormons on this site to defend or explain their beliefs.

[WinePusher]

I'm Mormon and I consider myself Christian, I believe in Jesus, I pray to him, and worship him and the father, doesn't that constitute a Christian?

In my book it does. But I'm sure you've heard of the contreversy surrounding mormonism? Just like Catholics tell protestants they're not "christian" so Protestants tell Catholics there not Christian and some say Mormons aren't christian. I don't have a position on it, but some prominent theologians say mormons aren't christian because of specific practices, people like Rick Warren, Dinesh D' Souza, William Lane Craig and my Great Aunt

[Kuan]

I know about some of that ha ha, I understand but what is so different about us that disqualify's us from being Christian to others?

[sleepyhead]

I'm Mormon and I consider myself Christian, I believe in Jesus, I pray to him, and worship him and the father, doesn't that constitute a Christian?[/strike]

Hello mormonboy51,

My understanding of a Christian would be someone who looks to Jesus for their salvation. I don't personally, therefore, I don't consider myself a Christian.

Using your criteria what is it about having the title of Christian that makes that title desirable. In other words, if your description of what a Christian is were adopted by everyone, then why would it be important to you to be viewed as a Christian?

[Kuan]

Its important to me cause it's my religion and it offends me when I'm told I don't folow my savior. I'm also curious as to why some think its that we aren't.

[sleepyhead]

Its important to me cause it's my religion and it offends me when I'm told I don't folow my savior. I'm also curious as to why some think its that we aren't.

Hello mormonboy,

You appear to be changing your definition of Christian in the sense that now it involves "following" your savior. That wasn't included in your original post.

I also noticed you used the term "savior". Do you believe one should view Jesus as their savior in order to be a Christian? That would be my understanding also. In your view if an individual considers Jesus to be just one of many saviors can he still consider himself a Christian? In other words if an individual looks to other things besides Jesus for salvation, or as in the case for mormons exaltation, can he be considered a Christian?

[fredonly]

Its important to me cause it's my religion and it offends me when I'm told I don't folow my savior. I'm also curious as to why some think its that we aren't.

I know some Southern Baptists who have an extremely narrow definition of "Chrisitian": you have to "accept Jesus Christ as your personal savior." They exclude Roman Catholics, and any protestants who fail to make this specific commitment.

I still stand by my definition: if you call yourself a Christian, then you're a Christian. Ebionites and Marcionites were Christians.

[Katzpur]

I have some christian family members who say that Mormons are not really christians. Most mainstream christian theologians, (William Lane Craig,
Dinesh D' Souza, Scott Hahn, Billy Graham) also say that Mormons are not really Christians.

I am not educated on Mormon theology, and it only leads to misinformation when you judge something that your not educated on, so I have no position on the issue.

Are Mormons Christians? I would invite any Mormons on this site to defend or explain their beliefs.

Hello, Winepusher. I see that this is kind of an old thread, however it does not appear to me that any Mormons have responded. As a newcomer to the forum and a Mormon, I would like to state that we Mormons (i.e. Latter-day Saints) most definitely consider ourselves to be Christians. We are, of course, aware that there are a lot of people who disagree with us. To me and to other members of my church, the primary requirement for a person to be considered a Christian is a belief in Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God and the recognition that salvation comes only through Him. We do believe and recognize this. We honor Him and strive to keep His commandments. We know that He is the only means by which we can be forgiven of our sins and can return to the presence of our Father in Heaven. If you have any questions regarding issues that you believe might disqualify us from the Christian family, I would be happy to answer them.

[sleepyhead]

Hello Katzpur,

>>>To me and to other members of my church, the primary requirement for a person to be considered a Christian is a belief in Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God and the recognition that salvation comes only through Him.<<<

When you refer to salvation, are you also including exaltation, or are you keeping that separate. If it doesn't include exaltation then exactly what does salvation include.

[Katzpur]

When you refer to salvation, are you also including exaltation, or are you keeping that separate. If it doesn't include exaltation then exactly what does salvation include.

In the context in which I responded, I was thinking of salvation as meaning "being granted entrance to Heaven." Correct me if I'm wrong, but judging from your mention of Exaltation, I think what you're really asking is how we view the question of whether salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ, by our own works, or by a combination of the two. Since we are essentially universalists with respect to our belief that almost everyone who has ever lived will ultimately end up in Heaven, we clearly do not believe that this is due to a person's righteousness, but to the love, grace and atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. There is not one person who has ever lived or who ever will live (aside from Jesus Christ Himself, of course), who has lived a good enough life to be able to get to Heaven on his own. All of us have sinned; consequently, all of us need a Savior. We believe that true faith in Christ is manifest in faithfulness to Christ. To put it another way, we believe in a living faith (a faith that is evident through our obedience) as opposed to a dead faith (one that amounts to nothing more than lip service). Exaltation, often described as "the fulness of salvation," is the greatest of all the gifts God offers to mankind. It is continuent upon faithfulness and obedience.

I don't know for sure how traditional Christianity explains what could be interpreted as a contradition between these two verses:

"For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." (1 Corinthians 15:22)
"Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." (Matthew 7:14)

On one hand, we are told that all will be "made alive." On the other hand, we are told that few will find the gate that "leads to life."

My personal feelings are that while almost all will eventually be forgiven of their sins and allowed to spend eternity in Heaven, Exaltation is a blessing very few will be judged worthy of attaining.

[sleepyhead]

Hello katzpur,

mormonboy>>>Its important to me cause it's my religion and it offends me when I'm told I don't folow my savior. I'm also curious as to why some think its that we aren't.<<<

Actually I'm responding to mormonboy. He along with other mormons feel a sense that they are being discriminated against because others don't donsider them Christian.

As far as I know yours is the only faith system which believes in an exaltation separate from salvation ( I could be wrong here). From reading your post it appears that this exaltation wasn't provided by Jesus. Since I was mormon for a few years I know it's attained by performing various ordinances.

Going back to your original comment with regards to who is a Christian and bolding the portion I consider significant:

>>>To me and to other members of my church, the primary requirement for a person to be considered a Christian is a belief in Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God and the recognition that salvation comes only through Him.<<

As mentioned above you and the members of your church don't believe exaltation comes only through him. I'm not criticising your beliefs. I personally don't care if you believe in jesus for anything. It is however expecting to much for a non lds to make the distinction between salvation and exaltation.