Is it "Christian" to Attack other Faiths?

[happyinhisgrace]

"I believe..." is the strongest statement a Christian can make.

I also agree with this. But when what one believes goes against what the Bible teaches, that "I believe" becomes a stand for falsehood.

Grace

 

[Helaman]

I sense this thread getting off track.

 

[arizona_sunshine]

"I believe..." is the strongest statement a Christian can make.

I also agree with this. But when what one believes goes against what the Bible teaches, that "I believe" becomes a stand for falsehood.

I understand where you are coming from.

My commentary is not exclusive to the Mainstream Christian vs LDS argument. I am taking into consideration all faiths, and all arguments for them / "attacks" against them. I hope, that because the original poster was not specific, that this was his intent.

All arguments. All faiths.

God will be the ultimate determinate of truth.

 

[happyinhisgrace]

I understand where you are coming from.

My commentary is not exclusive to the Mainstream Christian vs LDS argument. I am taking into consideration all faiths, and all arguments for them. I hope, that because the original poster was not specific, that this was his intent.

All arguments. All faiths.

God will be the ultimate determinate of truth.

Yes. And the Christian viewpoint is that the Bible is the measuring stick of God's truth for mankind. So regardless of what "faith" we were talking about I would still say the same thing...if that "belief" goes against what God's Word says (the Bible) then it is a stand for a false belief (faith).

Grace

 

[arizona_sunshine]

Yes. And the Christian viewpoint is that the Bible is the measuring stick of God's truth for mankind. So regardless of what "faith" we were talking about I would still say the same thing...if that "belief" goes against what God's Word says (the Bible) then it is a stand for a false belief (faith).

Agreed.

 

[Svt4Him]

I sense this thread getting off track.

I actually think this is the reason for so many threads. Someone believes, but with more information, maybe they'll see how their belief is or isn't wrong.

 

[Northern Christian]

Christianity isn't about following the Buddah, or Josheph Smith, or Mohammad, or the guy down the street. It's about following Jesus Christ.

That being said, we're not out to be "best friends" with the non-believers.

 

[Helaman]

Jesus Christ is the key, indeed.

 

[arizona_sunshine]

Christianity isn't about following the Buddah, or Josheph Smith, or Mohammad, or the guy down the street. It's about following Jesus Christ.

That being said, we're not out to be "best friends" with the non-believers.

I do not understand this perspective.

How else can the Gospel of Christ be shared? Friendship is part of following Christ's example.

 

[RufustheRed]

Contend "FOR THE FAITH" is most definately different than Contending "against" another Faith.

Only as far as others come in an attempt to convince Christians that they are the "Only True Christian Church." In that case, it is contending for orthodoxy against some new comers who are promulgating that we only have some of the truth and no authority.

Plus, the scripture says "as was once delivered to the Saints".
This is CLEAR then that the Lord is teaching us hold fast to the faith the Lord delivered, and defend it diligently.

This is in reference to the fact that the gospel was delivered, once and for all, at that time. The Greek syntax refers us to this being a "done deal," cf Galatians 1:6-9

Sven

 

[coyoteBR]

Agreed, arizona. Jesus made no distinction about the faith of his followers (non-jewish, zelots, essenes,...) nor his social condition (he even walked with those of the most vile, and one of the most ancient of professions: the tax collector )

We're all sons of the same God, and each one of us have their own way to re-unite with Him.

 

[RufustheRed]

Sven,

I agree with your definition of CONTEND, in this case (Jude 1:3) its not used as an evangelical preaching method.

Thanks, but it isn't my definition, it is basic Greek.

Jude 1:4

4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

He is speaking of the church and those trying to destroy it from the inside out.

Please tell me how this is different from missionaries asking to speak in Christian churches, or knocking on ten million doors in an effort to convert Christians to become LDS? Also, there is the issue of public relations, the free Bibles and BoMs, which is merely an effort to convince the world that the LDS church is like other Christian churches. I will declare that the passage to "contend for" is very applicable to the LDS church wanting people to believe that they are a part of the Christian community, therefore, many uninformed persons will believe that they are on the inside of the community. It is best to "contend for the faith" lest that lie become accepted as truth. It is the old adage of "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

And actually Paul in Ephesians is speaking in a church context as well to resolve the divisions with love.

No argument from me on that. Christians are to "speak the truth in love." However, if we disagree "Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?" (Galatians 4:16)

A humble servant of the King of Kings,

Sven

 

[RufustheRed]

The LDS church is trying to evangelize, but I am not.
I am not trying to sneek into your "congregation to "steal away" any of the flock. My purpose here is to learn what others believe and share my own beliefs as well. The only true path of conversion is of God and through His Holy Spirit. This forum does not provide that.[/quote]

Agreed that this forum does not provide that.

The majority of the time I spend here is correcting false notions of what others say I believe. Its obvious that most here already have made up their mind what the LDS gospel is and have turned a deaf ear to any LDS'ers explanation of it.

It has been my experience, TW, that most of the people here (and I have only been on for a very few days) are not here for evangelism. I spent several years as a member of your organization, but I will never pretend to know what you personally know. I can only share what {b]I[/b] was taught during those years. At the risk of speaking for others, I presume that those who do what you say they are, speak from the experiential foundation.

I have said many things to LDSers who have "turned a deaf ear" to me, also. Don't take this personally, but I call it the "I don't care if what you say is correct, I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet, the Book of Mormon is true, and the 'Church' is true" syndrome. If you want to investigate other beliefs, may I suggest going to another forum with a completely unbiased attitude. Ask people what they believe and why. Don't try to convert others, just dialogue with them. Go ahead and tell them that you are LDS, but you are only interested in learning about other faiths, not converting other faiths to Mormonism . If a person gets beligerent, ignore them.

It seems like I'm always the one on the defense and I never get any opportunity to "creep"

See the above.

Sven

 

[RufustheRed]

"And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will." (2 Timothy 2:24-26.) Indeed, the spirit of contention is of the Devil. Christ, in my humble opinion, would not do what many on this site do. Disparaging the faith of others is not Christian.

Then tell your missionary army to stay away. They bring only a message that I personally find inadequate and incorrect. I have never been rough when discussing the gospel of Jesus Christ with an LDSer. I only wish I could say that the opposite was true. The spirit of contention may be of the devil (I refuse to capitalize that name), but the spirit of condending is of the Lord.

Sven

 

[twhite982]

Thanks, but it isn't my definition, it is basic Greek.

Cool 'cause thats where I got it from.
Jude 1:4

Please tell me how this is different from missionaries asking to speak in Christian churches

Forgive me, but I'm at a little disadvantage since I never served a mission for the LDs church. However as I understand it the method WAS to preach on the street corner and have theological debates at different churches. I personally haven't heard of this and I am fairly certain this is not the way its done now.

, or knocking on ten million doors in an effort to convert Christians to become LDS? Also, there is the issue of public relations, the free Bibles and BoMs, which is merely an effort to convince the world that the LDS church is like other Christian churches. I will declare that the passage to "contend for" is very applicable to the LDS church wanting people to believe that they are a part of the Christian community, therefore, many uninformed persons will believe that they are on the inside of the community. It is best to "contend for the faith" lest that lie become accepted as truth. It is the old adage of "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

This is our evangelical methods of preaching to the world. I am unaware that we go to church services of different faiths and try to "steal away" converts in this method.

Also the LDS is not trying to convince the world that we are just another church. No other faith holds to the scripture that we do and during the missionary discussion this is the first point brought up. In fact this is brought up during the initial contacts. We don't want to be considered the same as everyone else. We want to be peculiar as Peter describes it.

No argument from me on that. Christians are to "speak the truth in love." However, if we disagree "Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?" (Galatians 4:16)

A humble servant of the King of Kings,

Sven

Much of what I've seen on this thread is just rehashing of material our critics haven't changed in many years.
It all boils down to a misrepresentation or misunderstanding our what the LDS actually believe.

Don't you think it strange for someone to tell me what I believe and then I try to correct them, but they know better than I do and reject what I have to say.

What makes them the expert on my church?

Anyone can quote LDS leaders, but what really is important is what the church teaches as a whole.

Sorry, I got off on a little tangent.

Tom

 

[twhite982]

I have said many things to LDSers who have "turned a deaf ear" to me, also. Don't take this personally, but I call it the "I don't care if what you say is correct, I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet, the Book of Mormon is true, and the 'Church' is true" syndrome.

Of course this happens. People are at varying levels in their life and change is hard to all of us. Yet this goes both ways and the advice isn't only for Mormons.

If you want to investigate other beliefs, may I suggest going to another forum with a completely unbiased attitude. Ask people what they believe and why. Don't try to convert others, just dialogue with them.
Sven

I have done this and I've had positive and negative experiences. You may have misunderstood me, I was joking when I was referring to converting anyone.

Most of my time here is correcting false notions about what I believe, which I really can't (but should) ignore.

I have some very good discussion with many here and have gained great insight in their belief system.

Its easy to see that for all the "pretended" differences people really are all the same and we have the same needs.

Tom

 

[RufustheRed]

The LDS church is trying to evangelize, but I am not.
I am not trying to sneek into your "congregation to "steal away" any of the flock. My purpose here is to learn what others believe and share my own beliefs as well. The only true path of conversion is of God and through His Holy Spirit. This forum does not provide that.

Agreed that this forum does not provide that.



It has been my experience, TW, that most of the people here (and I have only been on for a very few days) are not here for evangelism. I spent several years as a member of your organization, but I will never pretend to know what you personally believe. I can only share what I was taught during those years. At the risk of speaking for others, I presume that those who do what you say they are, speak from the experiential foundation.

I have said many things to LDSers who have "turned a deaf ear" to me, also. Don't take this personally, but I call it the "I don't care if what you say is correct, I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet, the Book of Mormon is true, and the 'Church' is true" syndrome. If you want to investigate other beliefs, may I suggest going to another forum with a completely unbiased attitude. Ask people what they believe and why. Don't try to convert others, just dialogue with them. Go ahead and tell them that you are LDS, but you are only interested in learning about other faiths, not converting other faiths to Mormonism . If a person gets beligerent, ignore them.



See the above.

Sven[/QUOTE]

 

[SiSSYGAL]

I am much more likely to be contentious with LDS than with Buddhists or Islam. This is because LDS claim to be Christians and in doing so, they denegrate my faith. Their whole religion is based on the errancy of the Bible. Yet, they say they believe the Bible. I like some others on this thread feel compelled to defend the Bible and its inerrancy. Mormons (as we've argued already) feel justified because they are morally superior. Again, that's an affront to my faith. These things together bring out the ire. Other than that...

 

[twhite982]

Their whole religion is based on the errancy of the Bible. Yet, they say they believe the Bible.

My whole religion is based on the errancy in the Bible?

SiSSYGAL I did not know that, could you explain why you feel that way?

Mormons (as we've argued already) feel justified because they are morally superior.

This point has been argued, but I don't think anything was proven or any evidence was shown.

It could be said of that the LDS have a higher moral code that they are asked to live up to, but that WE are superior is simply false.

I personally feel I fail miserably in my attempts to live as my Savior has asked, but I try.

Tom

 

[SiSSYGAL]

My whole religion is based on the errancy in the Bible?

SiSSYGAL I did not know that, could you explain why you feel that way?

This point has been argued, but I don't think anything was proven or any evidence was shown.

It could be said of that the LDS have a higher moral code that they are asked to live up to, but that WE are superior is simply false.

I personally feel I fail miserably in my attempts to live as my Savior has asked, but I try.

Tom

Hi Tom: Nice to have you here posting. I was told by the missionaries that because the Bible is flawed, it was necessary to add the Book of Mormon.
Without the Book of Mormon, the Bible is incomplete. With the Book of Mormon, we have the fullness of the gospel. Also, the Bible has too many things wrong and or missing to be of much use. That is why a great many Mormons prefer the Book of Mormon. Much of the NT is glossed over in seminary class for example. Four books covered in an hour. That sort of thing. About that higher moral code. What is that? I'll ask a question in reverse. I didn't know there was a higher moral code.