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.

[Katzpur]

Hi, Sleepyhead.

Hello katzpur,

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.

You know, I don't let myself get too awfully worked up over a label. There was a time when I did, but I guess I've just gotten to the point where I don't let strangers' opinions get to me a lot. The people who insist Mormons aren't Christians are either (1) uninformed about LDS beliefs, or (2) just out to create hard feelings and hurt. God knows us. He doesn't care how people label us. In the end, His opinion is the only one that's going to matter.

As far as I know yours is the only faith system which believes in an exaltation separate from salvation ( I could be wrong here).

That's interesting. As far as I know, mine is the only belief system which even uses the word "Exaltation." Does yours? I do know that most believe there is a difference between justification and sanctification. One non-LDS website describes justification as "the work of God where the righteousness of Jesus is reckoned to the sinner so the sinner is declared by God as being righteous under the Law." The same site explains that "sanctification, on the other hand, involves the work of the person who has already been justified... It... is not the work of God alone.... Significantly, sanctification has no bearing on justification. That is, even if we don't live a perfect life, we are still justified." That, to me sounds similar in concept to our doctrine. For us, salvation would be roughly equivalent to justification and exaltation would be roughly equivalent to sanctification.

From reading your post it appears that this exaltation wasn't provided by Jesus.

Well, He certain did make it possible. Without Him, it would not be possible for any human being to become exalted. But it definitely does involve us, too. It's contingent upon the degree of sincere commitment we have to living up to a particular standard. It involves obedience to the law and participation in the various ordinances of the gospel.

I personally don't care if you believe in jesus for anything.

Now what on earth would have prompted such a comment?

It is however expecting to much for a non lds to make the distinction between salvation and exaltation.

That's okay. Anyone who can understand the difference between justification and sanctification shouldn't have too much trouble making the distinction between salvation and exaltation. Anyone who really wants to understand should be able to. Those who don't will probably have a more difficult time of it.

[sleepyhead]

Hello Katzpur,

me>>>I personally don't care if you believe in jesus for anything.<<<
you >>>Now what on earth would have prompted such a comment?<<<

sorry. I probably should have phrased that differently.

me>>>As far as I know yours is the only faith system which believes in an exaltation separate from salvation ( I could be wrong here).

you>>>That's interesting. As far as I know, mine is the only belief system which even uses the word "Exaltation." Does yours?<<<

My personal faith system is derived from the readings given through Edgar Cayce. We believe in a version of reincarnation. We believe the ultimate goal is to be one with God. We don't use the term exaltation. The difference in our beliefs is in yours you are able to create your own worlds independently, while in ours, as it was explained to me, the goal is to be one drop in an ocean, and yet we embody all of the ocean. I know that part doesn't necesarily make a great deal of sense but I'm sure that't the best they could explain it. Anyway were straying from the thread topic.

[Katzpur]

My personal faith system is derived from the readings given through Edgar Cayce. We believe in a version of reincarnation. We believe the ultimate goal is to be one with God. We don't use the term exaltation. The difference in our beliefs is in yours you are able to create your own worlds independently, while in ours, as it was explained to me, the goal is to be one drop in an ocean, and yet we embody all of the ocean. I know that part doesn't necesarily make a great deal of sense but I'm sure that't the best they could explain it. Anyway were straying from the thread topic.

I have heard the name Edgar Cayce, but know nothing of his teachings. Yes, we are straying from the thread topic, but I thank you for your response, and your comments about your belief system actually did make sense. I believe I've heard a similar explanation from someone before. (I hang out on a lot of these forums, and have heard a lot of people explain their beliefs. Yours does sound familiar to me.)

[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.

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?

I use Savior because Jesus Christ is a sacred name. I have a story about that but you probably dont care for it ha ha. Anyways what I believe is hard to explain so I hope I do it well. Any christian would be a person who follows the Savior.