Probe Ministries had an excellent series of short commentaries on how Christians should view and interact with Mormons and Mormonism. It was very forward thinking. You can read Understanding Our Mormon Neighbors, or go there and listen to the mp3 podcast.
The elevating discussion includes:
- Mormon Neo-orthodoxy? Have you noticed that Mormons are sounding more and more like evangelical Christians?….Although Mormon theology has been somewhat fluid over the decades, some feel that a new band of Mormon scholars are indeed moving the religion in a new direction and that Christians need to be aware of these changes if we are to have effective dialogue with our Mormon neighbors.
- Recent Events and Historical Patterns: Also challenging are the results of a recent George Barna survey that found 26% of those Mormons that participated were classified as ‘born again’ by their responses. How can this be? Are all these Mormons being disingenuous regarding their true beliefs?
- The Mormon Neo-Orthodox Movement: Robinson passionately implores evangelicals to not give into a caricature of Mormon theology, one that few Mormons actually believe. He argues that there are legitimate reasons for misunderstanding between Mormons and evangelicals.
- Are Mormons Christian? Robinson believes that ‘If humans accept this gift and enter the gospel covenant by making Christ their Lord, they are justified of their sins, not by their own works and merits, but by the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ accepted on their behalf.’ He admits that the LDS Church is thoroughly Arminian, rejecting the Calvinist doctrine of eternal security, but that this shouldn’t remove them from the sphere of biblical Christianity.
- CONCLUSION: In spite of the recent changes in Mormon theology, a person who holds to the full spectrum of Mormon teachings has a view of God, salvation, and particularly the relationship between mankind and its creator, that is radically different from what traditional Christians believe and what we think the Bible teaches. This is not a reason to stop talking with Mormons; in fact, it is why we need to continue to express the reasons for the hope that we have in Christ.
You want to know the number one funny thing about this Mormon return to a "Christ-centric" theology? The one reason that Evangelical Christians aren't going to have inroads for the Mormons because of the "new" focus?
It is because this focus on Jesus Christ is influenced by the emphasis on the Book of Mormon. Just look at the timeline of when Mormonism really started a "neo-orthodox" movement. It was during the time when the Book of Mormon was re-emphasised. Talk to a Mormon about what inspires them to believe in Christ centered salvation, and the Book of Mormon will be on the top of the list. Mormons will quote it as examples of their faith. In other words, I love how Evangelical Christians are all excited about the Mormon's "Christian Talk" as if it was just borrowed from other Christians out of thin air.
The irony is that if you take the Book of Mormon out of the belief in Christ for Mormons, then other Christians don't have a leg to stand on. Evangelical Christians can continue to delude themselves into believing Mormons are getting "Christianified" by pressure from more orthodox Christians. What is really happening is that Mormons are reading the Book of Mormon for what it claims to be, a Witness of Jesus Christ. The "language" you hear Mormons use are simply "orthodox" words for concepts taught in the Book of Mormon about salvation in Christ.
The self-inflicted ignorance of Evangelical Christians toward Mormons (or Muslims, or any "other" group) really amuses me. Before you can " express the reasons for the hope that we have in Christ," you have to have a realistic understanding of why others have the hopes that they do. It reminds me of the much touted poll that shows a large number of Americans wouldn't be comfortable with a Mormon for President. What is ignored is those same polls show a similar number of Americans are only a few points more comfortable with an Evangelical Christian. Yet, they continue to act as if they own the United States. My point is to get over yourselves before you can dialogue with others in a meaningful way.
Evangelical Christians can continue to delude themselves into believing Mormons are getting "Christianified" …. The "language" you hear Mormons use are simply "orthodox" words for concepts taught in the Book of Mormon about salvation in Christ.
The self-inflicted ignorance of Evangelical Christians toward Mormons (or Muslims, or any "other" group) really amuses me.
Actually, in this case, I think that Christians are not being naive, but hopeful, just like Protestants have been about the modern Catholic church, as well as such organizations as the Worldwide Church of God, which made it's famous return to orthodoxy a few years back.
Additionally, I think many Christians give Mormons some extra space for change because they feel Mormons have *earned* respect through their exemplary lifestyle and character. I've got Mormon family, and worked with Mormons, and they often embody the Christian values better than most Christians – as John said "against such, there is no law."
But I don't think we are being naive at all – we understand the historical roots of the Mormon (and Catholic) heresies, but we also understand that we ourselves have erred in doctrine, and needed correction (e.g. Arminianism). Admittedly, the Mormon heresies are in many ways more critical, to the point of serving a false Christ, and demonic teachings. Still, in the spirit of reaching them for the gospel, we are also hopeful that they will abandon their doctrines for the Word of God.