Preface
Since I was fairly young, I have found the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, theologically and culturally, interesting. I have attended the open house at the Vancouver Temple (Langley) at its beginning and toured Temple Square in May. I have been to the local Mormon church, once, for a public gathering.
I consider myself friendly to Latter-day Saints, and their various versions, and only friendly, although my theology, being biblical and Reformed/Protestant, is vastly different, as is my worldview. I appreciated their kindness to me on the occasions I visited. I appreciated the tours. This is not an attack, it is a theological (philosophical, biblical) comparison in brief.
Further, I have been watching Mormon Christmas specials, from time to time over the years, not because I am interested in Christmas music; no not very much, although the performances seem first rate.
I am interested in the culture of belief. In other words, in my view, there are very strong emotional and cultural reasons persons embrace Mormonism (and persons that embrace other worldviews, religious and otherwise).
Being the oddball I am, I am one of the minority on the planet that primarily bases my worldview on researched theology (scriptural) and philosophy, while I do give God the credit as the philosophical first cause and the one that theologically regenerates my spirit and person through the Holy Spirit (John 3, Titus 3).
So, in kindness, here are some differences in views.
Theology/Philosophy
At approximately 39: 58-59, Mr. Hugh Bonneville (paraphrased) names the Christmas birth of Jesus Christ and his example showing God's love that does overcome the darkness and evil.
A Christmas example...
I realize he is a performer, but still he is representing their Church at this point, publicly.
In contrast:
The incarnation of Jesus Christ, God the Son actually leads to his crucifixion and his atoning (see gospel accounts on the crucifixion) and resurrection work (1 Corinthians 15) for those chosen and predestined by God (Ephesians 1).
Christ's work in life and in death, as example is rather secondary theologically and in regards to overcoming evil. (See my archives for vast MPhil/PhD work on the problem of evil)
It is secondary, as no finite, sinful human being can duplicate it, so as an example it has its fatal limitations!
Atonement, in particular, examples:
Romans 5:7-8 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
7 For one will hardly die for a righteous man; [a]though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Footnotes: Romans 5:7 Lit for
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
3 For I delivered to you [a]as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, Footnotes: 1 Corinthians 15:3 Lit among the first
Hebrews 10: 10-14 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
10 By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; 12 but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time onward until His enemies be made a footstool for His feet. 14 For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.
LDS.org
Salvation from Sin. To be cleansed from sin through the Savior’s Atonement, an individual must exercise faith in Jesus Christ, repent, be baptized, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (see Acts 2:37–38). Those who have been baptized and have received the Holy Ghost through the proper priesthood authority have been conditionally saved from sin. In this sense, salvation is conditional, depending on an individual’s continuing in faithfulness, or enduring to the end in keeping the commandments of God (see 2 Peter 2:20–22).
Individuals cannot be saved in their sins; they cannot receive unconditional salvation simply by declaring a belief in Christ with the understanding that they will inevitably commit sins throughout the rest of their lives (see Alma 11:36–37). However, through the grace of God, all can be saved from their sins (see 2 Nephi 25:23; Helaman 5:10–11) as they repent and follow Jesus Christ.
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I differ from this approach, as theologically we are saved by the atoning work (and resurrection work) of Christ by regeneration, through grace through faith (Romans, Galatians, Ephesians 2).
Biblical repentance is a result during regeneration, simultaneously in conversion of the work initiated by God. No one is going to receive the Holy Spirit without being first regenerated by the triune God.
A proper priesthood authority, biblically has nothing to do with salvation and brings us theologically, firmly to work's righteousness, which is in fatal contrast to the historical, biblical gospel.
A proper priesthood authority, biblically has nothing to do with salvation and brings us theologically, firmly to work's righteousness, which is in fatal contrast to the historical, biblical gospel. Hebrews discusses Jesus Christ as the high priest and mediator of the new covenant. His atoning work makes a priesthood obsolete.
The Latter-day Saints claim to provide a restored gospel, but it is not a biblical one (Galatians 1).
Salvation is not conditional on work's righteousness (again Romans, Galatians, Ephesians 2) and by keeping the commandments of God as the human nature (desires, will, choice) is corrupted by sin and unable to begin or maintain a work's righteousness for salvation.
I reason that God alone plans, creates, initiates salvation. Regenerated human beings, embrace the gospel work of salvation for salvation. Human righteousness, and good works arise from salvation but do not create or maintain salvation. Even when guided by the Holy Spirit, this righteousness and good works remains humanly tainted until the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15, Revelation 21-22), while God remains holy.
Happy New Year!
