Witherington'S Point #5

[Zeta-Flux]

In Witherington's blog post titled "Why Mormonism is not Christianity--the Issue of Christology", he makes 6 points about why Mormonism does not theologically fit into the framework of modern Christianity. I'd like to focus in this thread on point number 5.

5) in terms of soteriology, Mormons deny the sufficiency of Christ’s death for salvation. They suggest, as the linked article says, that each of us must do all we can and then trust in the mercy of God. In other words, the de facto position is that Mormonism is to a significant degree a works religion even when it comes to salvation.

To me, this point has a number of flaws.

First, and foremost, it is false. We believe Christ saves all from death. This even includes the sons of perdition. All will be resurrected. We believe Christ saves all from hell. Again, even the sons of perdition will be brought out of hell, and judged.

What is true is that we believe that those who are murderers in their hearts and would put Christ to an open shame then are judged and suffer a second death. On the other hand, all others are then judged and rewarded according to their works.

Or, in other words, while we certainly believe that to be exalted (i.e. to be Christlike) we must act like Christ, this fact has nothing to do with the freely given salvation of God on account of his grace. (Just as in the evangelical tradition, the rewards God gives at judgement have nothing to do with salvation).

Second, even ignoring these things, does Witherington similarly reject Catholicism as Christianity?

Third, does Witherington consider confession of Christ a "significant work"? If not, then it seems question-begging to consider the minimal requirements for salvation in the telestial kingdom to be signficant. Or the process of reconciling oneself to God, being baptized, etc... to enter the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as being any more significant.

Comments, thoughts?

Edited September 6, 2012 by Zeta-Flux