He also explains the many differences in the two faiths. The major differences are seen in their doctrines and their beliefs. With mitt romney, a mormon and former bishop of the mormon religion, having run for president, many wonder are mormons christians. But is their jesus different from the jesus of the bible. What do mormons believe about apostasy and restoration.
In fact, mormonism uses the same words found in christianity, but it redefines them. Many other people and churches make this claim, but are not recognized as christian by traditional christian churches. In keeping with its goal to be accepted by the public as another. Hidden doctrines of mormonism what the mormon church hides from potential converts the church of jesus christ of latterday saints also known as the mormon church or mormonism presents itself as a christian religion. Since mormons respect and use the king james version of the bible, i recommend that you use this version when witnessing to mormons. The book of mormon vs the bible christian research institute. The egyptian language was a very corrupt language from idol.
As we touched on above, the prophet joseph smith translated the ancient book. Top ten books the lds mormon church doesnt want you to. Mormon beliefs about jesus versus christian beliefs about jesus. The following are a list of some verses to know when witnessing to mormons. The book of mormon 1830, which codifies the earliest mormon doctrine, was intended, in part, to settle ongoing. The contradictions between the book of mormon and the bible constitute a most serious obstacle to accepting the book of mormon as latterday scripture supplemental to the bible. The book of mormon is the second sacred text of mormons. In light of the recent interest in mormonism, it will be helpful to compare and contrast some of the key differences between mormonism and christianity.
What other christians can learn from the latterday saints 9780199316816. Often capturing public fascination, mormonism can actually refer to several different groups. Yet on closer investigation, the actual doctrines of mormonism differ significantly from the historic, orthodox christian faith. Detroit baptist theological seminary are mormons christians. Its not uncommon for mormons to argue that they should be regarded as christians because their faith is centered on jesus christ. If we compare the historical, prophetical, and doctrinal parts of the book of mormon with the great truths of science and nature, we find no contradictionsno absurditiesnothing unreasonable. They do not hold to the essentials of the christian. Surprisingly, mormonism is probably as different from christianity as hinduism is from buddhism. Oct 22, 2014 james walker, a former fourth generation mormon, tells his story of conversion from mormonism to biblical christianity. Traditional christianity members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints share beliefs with traditional christians, but there are also tenets of their faith that are unique. In mormonism the hierarchy of authority begins with jesus christ himself and continues to the presidency of the church. If you are ready to leave the latter day saint, and want to learn the truth and attend a church that truly restores new testament christianity, click the link to the left. Historic christianity mormonism the one god is a spirit who is the personal, eternal, infinite creator of all that exists. A collection of handselected books on mormonism, chosen on the basis of apparent usefulness and quality.
All of these should be interpreted together, and from them the true teaching of god can be made clear. The book of mormon refers in several passages to god, christ, and the holy ghost as one god, but latterday saints understand this to mean. The church has 4 standard works that are authoritative. Whether mormons should be considered christians is a controversial issue. Unlike christian trinitarianism one god existing in three persons. The truth of all things is measured by the scriptures bruce mcconkie, mormon doctrine, 764765. What is the difference between the mormon jesus and the. When mormon missionaries properly called latter day saints or simply lds come to your door, they will often offer a free copy of the book of mormon and tell you about its author, joseph smith. Following is a comparison between christian doctrine and mormon doctrine. A comparison between christian doctrine and mormon doctrine. Comparison chart mormonism vs christianity view ridge. Nov 22, 20 on a friday in january 2006, at home in alpine, utah, i received a phone call from my third son, micah, that changed my life.
An faq on the difference between mormonism and biblical. You do not want mormons to get distracted by the various bible translations. Contradictions between the book of mormon and the bible. Thats why its important for evangelical christians to be aware of the following six theological differences between mormonism and biblical christianity. It also includes the book of mormon bom which joseph smith declared is the most. Some view mormonism as a form of christianity, but distinct enough from traditional christianity so as to form a new religious tradition, much as christianity is more than just a sect of judaism. The president of the church is the highest ecclesiastical authority on the earth and is often referred to as the prophet. Mormonism is the predominant religious tradition of the latter day saint movement of restorationist christianity started by joseph smith in western new york in the 1820s and 30s. Jul 23, 2014 whats the difference between mormonism and christianity in a nutshell. Discover the basic beliefs and values of the religion of mormonism from a christian perspective, and learn how it differs from christianity. Religionfacts does not necessarily endorse the contents of these books.
So, with a proper understanding of what mormonism really teaches, you will be able to see past those definitions. Whats the difference between mormonism and christianity in a nutshell. Christianity view of god first, while christians believe that god is spirit, joseph smith taught, god himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens. The problem with mormonism is that it contradicts, modifies, and expands on the bible. A comparison between christian doctrine and mormon. So close, yet so far away what should we make of claims that the two faiths are on a path to reconciling.
Christianity the differences mormonism the church of jesus christ of latterday saints was birthed in 1820 by a vision in which two celestial personages appeared to joseph smith claiming all existing churches were wrong, all their creeds were an abomination, and all their professors were corrupt. That these three are separate individuals, physically distinct from each other, is. The great divide between mormonism and christianity geisler, norman l. So what is the difference between baptists and mormons. Whats the difference between mormonism and christianity in a. Sun myung moons unification church, primarily because it deviates from traditional christian teachings on jesus and claims sources of revelation beyond the bible. Speeches and writings of the current president of the church are also authoritative. What is the difference between mormonism and christianity. Following is a short comparison between christian doctrine and mormon doctrine. Mormons express the doctrines of mormonism using standard biblical terminology and have similar views about the nature of jesus atonement, bodily resurrection, and second coming as traditional christianity. Mormonism differs from mainstream christianity for being nontrinitarian. However, whereas islam insists upon the eternity, complete oneness and uniqueness of god, mormonism asserts that the godhead is made up of three distinct beings, each of which is referred to as a god. What are the main differences between mormons and jehovahs witnesses.
My family and i loved living in zion, the result of a decision that. Mormonism also holds to a plurality of gods and contends that as man is god once was. The republican nominee for president is a mormon, there is a play on broadway about the book of mormon and the lds church has. A contemporary observer of mormon public relations is not going to hear this logic presented directly, but it is the very logic and message of the book of mormon and the structure of mormon thought. Claiming to be christian, however, doesnt automatically make mormonism a christian religion. All are available for purchase on click book images for details. He is the only god and necessary for all other things to exist.
Mormon prophets who lived from 600 bc to ad 400 wrote the book. While claiming to follow the bible, are they actually contradicting the word of god. Mormonism rejects christian orthodoxy as the very argument for its own existence, and it clearly identifies historic christianity as a false faith. Mormons believe that revelation did not stop with the bible. All of these should be interpreted together, and from. Where mormonism meets biblical christianity face to face is a 650 page comparison between what mormonism teaches as true doctrine and what the bible says. Islam and mormonism both originate in the abrahamic tradition. Oct 31, 2017 brett kunkle shares the differences between mormonism and a biblical worldview. But there never was a time when there were not gods.
Mormonism is obviously not the biblical version of christianity. The republican nominee for president is a mormon, there is a play on broadway about the book of mormon and the lds church has launched a multimilliondollar ad campaign called im a mormon. We debated things like the nature of jesus, the trinity, the gospel and other prominent issues pertaining to the dialogue of christianity vs mormonism. The jesus of mormonism is created, while the jesus of the bible is the second person of the trinity. The rise and fall of a religious empire on the american frontier by benjami. Each reads very much like the bible in type and breadth of thematic concerns and literary forms history, law, psalm. It is the singular restoration of the church of jesus christ after the church ceased to exist on earth shortly after the death of the last. The gospel of mormonism is not the same gospel as christianity. Mormonism, in its historical selfdefinition, is the one true church on earth. Why mormonism is not christianity the issue of christology august 27, 2012 ben witherington. Next to the bible, the lds church believes in the book of mormon. The most wellknown group of mormons is the church of jesus christ of the latterday saints, which was founded in the early 1800s. Many catholics and protestants do not consider mormons to be christians because they believe the differences in doctrines are larger and more fundamental than those between christian denominations.
Aug 31, 2010 the following is adapted from the section on mormonism or the church of jesus christ of latterday saints in the esv study bible article on religious cults. He gradually attained godhood by living a perfectly righteous life. Mormons include the bible among the four books they recognize as scripture and insist that jesus christ is central to their faith as evidenced by their official name, the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. That is most assuredly not christian according to the bible. It, and it alone, possesses authority from god in the priesthood.
The great divide between mormonism and christianity. The things you hear from false teachers and heretics like joel osteen are false. That belief has come true for the 33yearold mother of three youngsters. Befitting their religious studies training, coauthors duffy and howlett have produced a volume that, belying its subtitle the basics, offers a sophisticated analysis both of mormonism in several of its streams and of the american religious landscape more generally, along several lines of analysis. Since they are the will, mind, and, voice of god, they are true. A brief overview of the beliefs of each religious group in 150 words or less. Christianity there is a lot in the press today concerning mormonism verses traditional christianity. How i escaped the mormon temple christianity today.
This new 7th edition compares 2 more religious groups. There have been many religious groups that have been referred to as christian cults over the centuries. The word mormon originally derived from the book of mormon, a religious text published by smith, which he said he translated from golden plates with divine assistance. It will become very obvious that mormonism does not agree with the bible.
How does the book of mormons and the bible compare. Mormons consider themselves to be christians but mormonism has historically had an uneasy relationship with traditional christianity and its branches such as the roman catholic church, eastern orthodox church, and most branches of protestantism. Instead, mormonism teaches that god is an exalted man from another world who has a goddess wife and that people have the potential of becoming gods. Hierarchy in mormonism vs traditional christianity.
Compare mainstream christianity and mormonism religionfacts. The rage has come from mormon claims that the book of mormon contains new revelation superseding and correcting the bible, and that christians are apostates from the apostolic church. Christians do not have a reason to believe that the bible is untrue or inadequate. This is a great question, but somewhat impossible to answer in a nutshell, it would take a very big nutshell. I recently accepted a live debate with a mormon at cornerstone church in arizona to have a dialogue about the main differences between christianity and mormonism, a. To reiterate, mormonism is not christian because it denies one or more of the essential doctrines of christianity that are stated in the. However, because most of these cults often adhere to heretical beliefs, the term christian cults is an oxymoron. Then how did he become glorified and exalted and attain his present status of. Comparison chart mormonism vs christianity mormonism christianity many gods joseph smith taught, i have always declared god to be a distinct personage, jesus christ a separate and distinct. The mormon jesus introduction mormons openly profess to believe in jesus christ. It is the sole authority for faith and practice for christians. Although many of the doctrines do strongly distinguish mormonism from any other christian faith, the belief that jesus of nazareth is the christ, the lord and savior of all mankind, includes mormonism in christianity. That these three are separate individuals, physically distinct from each other, is demonstrated by the accepted records of divine dealings with man, articles of.
Mormonism vs christianity difference and comparison diffen. Whats the difference between mormonism and christianity. Baptists believe and follow the teachings of only one authority, which is the bible. Mormonism puts a heavy burden of works on its followers. The book of mormon contains doctrinal and philosophical teachings on a wide range of topics, from basic themes of christianity and judaism to political and. Oct 18, 2005 compare mainstream christianity and mormonism. What are the key differences between mormonism and. Mormonism is worksbased, while genuine christianity is gracebased. An a to z doctrinal comparative between mormonism and biblical christianity shawn aaron mccraney on. Mormonism and christianity have a complex theological, historical, and sociological relationship. Christianity, cults and religions is the bestselling cults and religions comparison chart. Jan 20, 2012 no one can speak for all of christianity in all its nuances. Four holy books of mormonism is mormonism christian.
No other sidebyside cults and religions chart gives this concise information. One example would be the christian identity movement affiliated with white supremacy. What are the key differences between mormonism and christianity. Like many little girls, lisa brockman earnestly believed that someday she would grow up to be a mommy. It is not christian, and mormons serve a different god than christians a god that does not exist.
The translation was what is now the book of mormon. The book of mormon is remarkably christfocused, and presents a godhead resembling the trinity. Mormons, while holding that the bible is a part of the canon of scripture, add to it several mormon works. Where mormonism meets biblical christianity face to face. Mar 15, 2020 although one could also argue that the roots of christianity date back to the dawn of human history, since the bible both old and new testaments is a profoundly christian book.
The book of mormon teaches that little children are not capable of sin because they do not have a sinful nature moroni 8. From mormonism to biblical christianity marti, katrina on. On a friday in january 2006, at home in alpine, utah, i received a phone call from my third son, micah, that changed my life. Needless to say, it made for a very interesting and informative discussion. The bible old and new testaments is the unique, revealed, and inspired word of god.
Joseph smith then set out to restore true christianity and claimed his church to be the only true church on earth mormon doctrine, p. Mormons, on the other hand, read the bible in conjunction with the book of mormon. Smith, they will say, translated the book of mormon from golden plates he dug up in a hill in new york in the early 1800s. Instead, revelation continues in the modern age, starting with the book of mormon and continues with revelations to church apostles. In mormonism there are numerous holy books, a corrupted bible, and a living tradition that supersedes them all. Mormons claim that total apostasy overcame the church following apostolic. Mormonism has been and continues to be criticized by some christian fundamentalists because of its peculiar beliefs and doctrines. Nevertheless, most mormons do not accept the trinitarian views of orthodox nicene. The christian bible, the book of mormon, the doctrine and covenants and the pearl of great price. God is the supreme being of the universe, but he has not always held that position. Four holy books of mormonism these four volumes are the standard, the measuring rods, the gauges by which all things are judged. It would be enlightening for any latterday saint to read this description of the mormon jesus in the left column and see just how much of this is recognizable as church doctrine.
What are the main differences between mormons and jehovah. The book of mormon, the doctrines of the covenant, and the pearl of great price. A former mormon and an adult convert to christianity, author ross anderson provides a clear summary of the book of mormon including its history, teachings. Mar 30, 2020 the god of mormonism has a body, is limited, and is one of many. Christianity stack exchange is a question and answer site for committed christians, experts in christianity and those interested in learning more. Surely i was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me niv. We must accept the fact that there was a time when deity was much less powerful than he is today. The atlas lists mormonism as a marginal christian group, along with jehovahs witnesses and the rev.