Do you think that Mormons are Christians? If so why and if not why
I have been struggling a bit with that question myself since I have a friend that is a Mormon. I don't have the time right now to address this completely now but briefly:
The conclusion I came to is that my definition of a Christian is someone who believes in Jesus Christ as our lord and savior - son of God - and tries to follow his teachings. Since Mormons do believe this about Jesus and actually pay him and his teachings a great deal of attention - I would say they are Christians. However there are a few controversies when it comes to being Mormon and following Jesus' teachings.
For example one thing i reacted to:
"For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. (2 Corinthians 11:4 KJV)"
Here Paul tells the Corinthians that if someone comes with another gospel [that is better] they should embrace it. But such a gospel does not exists - and that's why the meaning conveyed is that we shouldn't stick to another gospel, another Jesus etc. etc. (
2 Corinthians 11:4 Commentary - John Gill's Exposition of the Bible)
What is chocking here is that the under title of the book of Mormons actually is: "Another Gospel of Jesus Christ", which they believe it. This exactly what Paul tells us not to do - "we should not believe in another gospel of Jesus Christ" which just so happens to be the very title of the Mormon add-on.
However - there are loads of things Jesus teaches us to do - that we don't. Huge things even. Who of us can say that they truly love their enemy? Among us Christians (the traditional denominations) there is a huge variation in teaching. An orthodox Christian and
Catholic Christian has loads of things they disagree on for example. But still they are both Christians. Many things in the variation of Christian faith comes down to interpretation of the bible - which I belief none of us has the ability to so perfectly. So I don't want to be the Pharisee judging Mormons. I would accept them as Christians - however I think that they might be a bit astray from some of what the Bible teaches. Let alone that there are many controversies as well about the whole historical foundation of Mormonism.
Okay, that was longer than expected - some thoughts at least - but don't take this for truth. View it critically, but if it was to any help I'm happy I could contribute
