A continuation of the Evangelical/Mormon dialogue started with the book “How Wide The Divide” by Craig Blomberg and Stephen Robinson and continued in “Bridging The Divide” by Robert L Millet and Gregory C.V. Johnson.

Dr. Robert L. Millet is professor of religious education at BYU and Dr. Gerald R. McDemott is professor of religion and philosophy at Roanoke College and teaching pastor at St/ John Lutheran Church.  <<Read my review>>        *Top

Related Posts?:

1. -“Jesus, The Final Days”

By Craig L. Blomberg & Stephen E. Robinson (Downers Grove,Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1997, 228 pages)

This book is really a first–an actual dialogue between an Evangelical scholar, Dr. Craig Blomberg of Denver Seminary, and Dr. Stephen E. Robinson of BYU.  Both are recognized scriptural scholars in their own respective religious communities.

<<Read my Complete Review>>            *Top

Related Posts?:

1. -“Jesus, The Final Days”

Now, ‘apostolic ministry’ is being taken seriously by many different Christian groups and denominations. There has been an on-going conversation in the last several years among many on the internet on the subject of ‘Apostles Today’.

Here’s a link to an article I wrote on Charismatica blog with numerous links to other worthy articles on this subject.           *Top

They believe that they have the only ministry & priesthood which has any authority to administer the ordinances and the sacraments of Jesus Christ. The LDS question the authority of all the different Christian denominations and churches.

According to LDS history, Peter, James, and John appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in June 1829 and conferred upon them the Melchizedek Priesthood. They became the first Elders when the church was organized on April 6, 1830. Priesthood members in the Mormon Church today trace their lineage back to one of those first Elders.

2. For Evangelical Christians, authority ultimately resides in the Holy Spirit and the Bible. When one first believes the gospel and accepts Christ, the Holy Spirit comes and dwells within you and makes you part of a Royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9) that can enter the holy of holies so to speak, and commune directly with God (Heb. 10:19-23).

Roman Catholics, Orthodox, and even Anglican churches take their episcopal and apostolic traditions and heritage seriously. Church polity and organizational authority resides in the Bishops for these churches. However, real authority has always resided in the Holy Spirit, Apostolic tradition, and the Bible. Even when the Bishops get together to confer, historically and in the present, they always appeal to the Spirit to guide their decisions.

Among the many protestant denominations and independent Christian churches, authority resides in the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and in the written ‘word of God’ -the Bible. Most pastors look back to a call of the Holy Spirit for them to serve. Most churches trace their beginnings to the work of the Spirit. Evangelicals believe that the Holy Spirit continues to direct the Church of Jesus Christ in all of its forms. There is also a sense among many that the Holy Spirit continues to lead and direct changes in the ‘wine skins’ (church organizations) to meet the current needs of the church in different lands, cultures, and generations.

Conclusions: The LDS (Mormons) view authority as resident in their church and an important part of their church identity, and a unique characteristic of their Priesthood. They do not believe that other churches have any real authority from God.

Evangelical Christians on the other hand, believe that their authority comes directly from the Holy Spirit which guides the path and direction of every Christian and continues to guide the church today. They also believe that the Holy Spirit confirms the authority of the Bible as the standard of truth and the basis for all the traditional doctrines of the Christian faith.

When Evangelical Christians look at the LDS (Mormon) claims of authority, they look at the aberrant doctrines of the Mormons. Then they are convinced that the Mormon Church doesn’t have any real authority from the Holy Spirit, but that their authority and power must come from a different source.

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While Christians believe that God The Father is a Spiritual Being that transcends our universe and has universal presence.  Mormons teach that God the Father has a more physical presence. A ‘spiritual body’ similar to what Jesus received at the resurrection. A presence that can be seen and even touched.   Bruce McConkie states it this way:

God the Father is a glorified and perfected Man.  A Personage of flesh and bones (D.& C. 130:22), in which tangible body an eternal spirit is housed.  It is in this sense that God is a Spirit.” (Mormon Doctrine, pg 318-19)

Evangelical Christians believe what Jesus taught in John 4:21-24, that God the Father is a Spirit that is not limited to any particular location.  Mormons counter that the passage was not ‘translated’ correctly and changes were probably made to the text.

Some LDS point to Joseph Smith’s own ‘translation’ of the Bible (though not an official LDS church book) which reads substantially different (See: Inspired Version, John 4:25-26).  However, a study of Smith’s work clearly shows that he did no real ‘translating’ but merely made changes in his copy of the King James Version, crossing out words that he disagreed with, and adding new words and passages that agree with his own teaching and understanding.  To be fair, Mormons believe that he was ‘inspired’ by God to make the changes.

For a good understanding of the Evangelical Christian view, see: Grudem, Systematic Theology pgs 186-190

Click here and see: ‘Sources‘ -For a bibliography of the references in this article.

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