Comments on: What Is a Christian?

By: Michael

Michael — Sat, 22 Feb 2014 02:47:42 +0000

From a Mormon Perspective:
1, What is our purpose in existence?
Romans 8:16-17 “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”
John 17: 20-23 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.”
John 4: 19-21 We love him, because he first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
All of 1 Corinthians 13
Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
2 Nephi 2:25 Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.
Moses 1:39 For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.
3, Why do we need to become a Christian?
I would add to Bobby’s comments:
John 14: 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Luke 22: 41-44 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
Alma 7:11-12 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.
2 Nephi 2:6-9 Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; for he is full of grace and truth. Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered. Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise. Wherefore, he is the firstfruits unto God, inasmuch as he shall make intercession for all the children of men; and they that believe in him shall be saved.
4. What is my definition of a Christian?
I would add to Bobby’s comments which I wholeheartedly agree with and appreciate very much: John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

By: “Some have claimed that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not a Christian church.” | Mormon Coffee

Mon, 13 Jan 2014 13:42:16 +0000

[…] seventeen and a half decades non-Mormons have expressed publicly that Mormonism is not genuine or authentic Christianity. Any suggestion that this is a recent development is […]

By: miketea

miketea — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 17:51:49 +0000

Hi Ted,

Forgive me but I don’t think I have misunderstood Dee (who has offered a challenge then apparently walked off) I simply countered with a comment on the basic understanding of what the Bible is. It is no good saying, “lets talk about the Bible,” if we don’t first establish whether we trust the Bible.

I know full well that Mormons “use” the Bible but I question whether Mormons allow the Bible to speak for itself. We both use the Bible but I trust it while Mormons don’t even trust their own scriptures, hence my quoting the introduction to the Book of Mormon.

I am happy to discuss faith based only on the Bible but I doubt any Mormon could do it because Mormons don’t get their faith from the Bible, rather, they take their faith to the Bible. But if you – or Dee – want a discussion I am up for it.

By: Ned Scarisbrick

Ned Scarisbrick — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 01:25:44 +0000

Just off the top of my head I found a illustration of putting God first.

January 2014 Ensign,

pg. 29 there is a picture of the Savior with a insert on doctrinal points.
1. Maintain faith in the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ
2. Put Heavenly Father first in our lives
3. Dedicate our life and consecrate our time to the building the kingdom
of God.

-Ned

By: Bobby Gilpin

Bobby Gilpin — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 17:15:43 +0000

Yeah please Ned I certainly like to see both sides thanks bud

Sent from my iPhone

By: Ned Scarisbrick

Ned Scarisbrick — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 17:12:03 +0000

I think this video is one of those “planned” answer events. Almost like a political poll where you skew the question to get the answer you want. What’s the most important thing to this LDS person? What is not ask is the context of the question. What the most important thing to most people in their day to day lives? Their families. This is were we live. This is what we come home to. This is were children are reared, etc. The Church’s official teaching on this matter is this.
Priority #1…God and our relationship with Him
Priority #2…Our families
Priority #3…Church responsibilities and our labors in the world to support ourselves and serve
others.
Lot’s of references to this priority outline in LDS publications. If you would like I can provide them for you.

-Ned

By: Bobby

Bobby — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 09:58:45 +0000

I think there are more than some that hold their family over God in their priorities, and as ever its fueled by the LDS Church, the more I think about it, the more it seems like Jesus is a means to an end in Mormonism. That is to help everyone gain their exaltation and eternal families, rather than the means to the end that is Himself as the Bible material I quoted seems to show.

I appreciate this is likely not how you think, and of course others too, but I think you far from represent the majority view in Mormonism and the responses on that video does seem to support that view.

By: Ted Meikle

Ted Meikle — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 05:33:24 +0000

miketea: I think you mis-read Dee’s post. He said he was willing to carry on a discussion on the following terms:

“1. We only use the bible (I’m suggesting the KJV as Latter-day saints use it as their standard).

“2. We both already accept the existence of God.

“3. We’re only trying to argue who has a more robust interpretation of the Bible, as diverging into other Anti Mormon literature is a distraction.”

Bobby has said he is not willing to do this.

In response to this, you went into a lecture about how Mormons do not believe in the Bible. You miss Dee’s point. Dee is offering to engage in a discussion based solely on the Bible.

I am a Mormon. I have read the Old Testament from beginning to end probably 4 to 6 times, once in Spanish and the remaining times in English. I don’t have any idea how many times I have read the New Testament, but more than the Old Testament. I have taught the Old Testament multiple times for an entire year’s curriculum in the church, as well as the New Testament. I love these books and find them consistent with the Book of Mormon, in setting forth God’s word.

I also am a Christian. And, although I believe that you are handicapped and mistaken in your understanding of God and Christ and the good news, I fully accept that you too are a Christian, one who believes that Jesus Christ is our Savior and the only means by which we can return to our God.

I appreciate Bobby’s attempt to write about his beliefs about Christ. As to what I, as a Mormon, believe about Christ, you may be interested in some entries I wrote a few years ago. I cited Biblical references for each of the beliefs. (It was never finished, and it does not get into really the most important aspect of my belief–that through His grace I can be saved.)

http://meiklesmusings.blogspot.com/2012/01/normal-0-microsoftinternetexplorer4.html

“Grace be with you,” my brothers. May we appreciate our unity, not only our differences.

By: Ned Scarisbrick

Ned Scarisbrick — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 00:52:15 +0000

Perhaps your reference in Psalms is a indirect illustration of Christ’s work being perfect and our works being imperfect (workers of iniquity). I see the Old testament or Covenant as a preparation for the New Testament or the New Covenant which is in Christ. We are justified by His atoning sacrifice (no longer workers of iniquity) when we receive Him as Savior. Is this your meaning?
I do think there are some who focus more on their families being together in the afterlife than being with God the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost. Just a desire to not lose their family relationships. It’s not that their families take precedence over God it’s just the sincere desire to be with them forever.

-Ned

By: Bobby

Bobby — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 20:56:26 +0000

Thanks Ned we are all workers of iniquity outside of being in Christ according to the New Testament.

However onto the 2nd point, I think this is a matter of diluting the sufficiency of Christ for our eternity.

We see in Philippians 1:21 Paul’s absolute longing to die and be with Christ, we see in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 Christ coming for His people and them forever being with Him. In Revelation 7:9 we see the great crowd before the throne bringing honour to Christ. This is Christianity that we might know, love and adore Christ eternally.

It may seem harmless enough just to throw the family unit in there however in doing so it dilutes the sufficiency of an eternity with Christ saying actually eternity with Him alone is not all I want.

As well there is a massive other side to this, I think within Mormonism the family has become an idol, check out this video where many LDS people are asked what is the most important thing to them. You dont need to watch it all to get the idea.

We see the Christians placing Christ above all things even the family, as Christ said He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. (Matthew 10:37)

Many Mormons if they are honest would say love their family more than Christ, because thats who they are really looking forward to their eternity with, and therefore thats who matters the most. To call what I am saying simply the basics, that are ok for some not all is an insult to the greatness of Christ.