Dear Evangelical Friends: Can A Mormon Be A Christian?

[coolrok7]

What is being taught in 1 Corinthians 15 is the glorified resurrected body as contrasted with a mortal body. The illustrations used of glories in the heavenlies is for conrast. It is not discussing where the glorified body will reside.

[danielwoods]

The scriptures are full of evidence but you will not receive any of it.

If this were true, then the evidence would be presented. Since it's not true, the claim is made that I "can't see it." There are limitations to what I can see and hear. I agree. I can't read minds, and wasn't given the gift of seeing things that aren't there.

We are told that in the resurrection there is one glory that can be compared with the brightness of the stars, another state of resurrected glory that can be compared to the brightness of the moon, and a final crowning state of resurrected glory that can be compared to the brightness of the sun. But you simply explain this and all evidences away with a mind that seems to be totally closed.

 

If I were a betting man, I would bet that if some of the meat of the Gospel not contained in the Bible were to be revealed to you that you would instantly reject those things out of hand because they wouldn't conform to your preconceived and utterly dogmatic notions. In your mind you have it all figured out, even though Paul twice testified his epistles contain only Gospel milk.

 

One of the reasons why I'm no longer participating on this board as much as I used to is because I've come to realize most of the blathering that goes on here is an exercise in frustration. I believe and accept much of what you believe because I have an open mind and can see truth in what you believe. But it seems there's nary a teaching of the LDS Church that you can support or agree with. So what's the use in trying to dialogue when it's only a one way street.

It's an interesting question. I'd venture to say that I agree with about 60% of LDS teachings. I disagree with any teachings that aren't derived from the bible, and I'm sorry if this frustrates you, that certainly isn't my intention. What I have learned in life is that there are many sources for error, but only one source for truth. It is my goal to find truth.

[Anakin7]

    DW Thank you for the 60 % !.

 

In His Debt/Grace

       Anakin7

[Anakin7]

       DW thanks for yourv thoughts.

 

       In His Debt/Grace

               Anakin7

Edited December 17, 2014 by Anakin7

[danielwoods]

DW I think these Christian Individuals/Group put us at 70 %

 

       http://www.evangelicalsandmormonsforjesus.org

 

       In His Debt/Grace

               Anakin7

That is interesting. However, it's just a guess, and it probably fluctuates. I probably agree with other evangelicals on a 95% basis…

[pogi]

What I have learned in life is that there are many sources for error, but only one source for truth. It is my goal to find truth.

 

What is that source according to you...the Bible?

[danielwoods]

What is that source according to you...the Bible?

 

God is the one source for truth. The bible contains the word of God ("Man shall not live by bread alone…").

[ERayR]

The bible contains the word of God ("Man shall not live by bread alone…").

 

You are right but whose interpretation do you accept because when all is said and done someone is telling you what it means.

[danielwoods]

You are right but whose interpretation do you accept because when all is said and done someone is telling you what it means.

 

I don't think there is an easy "pithy" answer to this question. There are some guiding principles though. 

 

God word connects us to God himself. He is our ultimate guide on interpretation. 

 

We work from what we know, and is plain to us to what we don't know and what isn't so plain. 

 

We trust those who bear the fruit of the spirit. But test all things.

 

Ultimately we trust that God is able and willing to lead us. 

[pogi]

God is the one source for truth. The bible contains the word of God ("Man shall not live by bread alone…").

 

Just to clarify, are you saying - God is the source of truth given to man through the bible and by no other means.  

[Calm]

 

We work from what we know, and is plain to us to what we don't know

And yet there are many who are certain they are right in their interpretation and yet that contradicts with others as certain. If ignorance is plain, if we know where we need more information so clearly, why all the contradictions?

[danielwoods]

Just to clarify, are you saying - God is the source of truth given to man through the bible and by no other means.  

 

No. However, another source's teachings won't contradict what is already known or taught in the Bible, if it's true. 

[pogi]

No. However, another source's teachings won't contradict what is already known or taught in the Bible, if it's true. 

 

What are these other sources?

[danielwoods]

And yet there are many who are certain they are right in their interpretation and yet that contradicts with others as certain. If ignorance is plain, if we know where we need more information so clearly, why all the contradictions?

 

I think there are various reasons that people disagree. So, I don't think I could list them all. Many have to do with man's ego. 

[danielwoods]

What are these other sources?

 

Could be anything or anyone. Could be a talking donkey. Could be revelation direct from God. Could be an NDE. Could be a child. Could be a dream. God works in all things to bring us to himself. 

[pogi]

I think there are various reasons that people disagree. So, I don't think I could list them all. Many have to do with man's ego. 

 

You have overcome all of these barriers? 

[Calm]

I think there are various reasons that people disagree. So, I don't think I could list them all. Many have to do with man's ego.

So you agree it is not plain when we don't actually know something given how often people think they do, but don't?

[pogi]

Could be anything or anyone. Could be a talking donkey. Could be revelation direct from God. Could be an NDE. Could be a child. Could be a dream. God works in all things to bring us to himself. 

 

Good.  I like your answer. 

[danielwoods]

You have overcome all of these barriers? 

 

Not a chance. Romans 7. The thing I want to do, I don't… 

 

The struggle makes me painfully aware of the problem in myself, and I see it in others as well. I think the older I get the more aware of it I become. 

 

So you agree it is not plain when we don't actually know something given how often people think they do, but don't?

 

I agree that some things aren't as plain as others. I've also found that if someone has been taught a certain way all their life, they have trouble seeing it objectively, or as others see it. 

 

Pride and ego play a big part in our two camps talking past each other. It's a fairly common problem in any cross-cultural communication. 

Edited December 17, 2014 by danielwoods

[ERayR]

I don't think there is an easy "pithy" answer to this question. There are some guiding principles though. 

 

God word connects us to God himself. He is our ultimate guide on interpretation. 

 

We work from what we know, and is plain to us to what we don't know and what isn't so plain. 

 

We trust those who bear the fruit of the spirit. But test all things.

 

Ultimately we trust that God is able and willing to lead us. 

 

I wasn't looking for "pithy" answers.

 

Sounds right to me.  How does he do it?

 

Also Sounds right. 

 

At times you have to trust someone.  How do you decide who to trust? 

 

How do you go about getting direction and aansweres from God?

 

 

I agree that some things aren't as plain as others. I've also found that if someone has been taught a certain way all their life, they have trouble seeing it objectively, or as others see it. 

 

Pride and ego play a big part in our two camps talking past each other. It's a fairly common problem in any cross-cultural communication. 

 

How do you know you are seeing objectively ?

 

I agree it certainly is.

[Kenngo1969]

What is being taught in 1 Corinthians 15 is the glorified resurrected body as contrasted with a mortal body. The illustrations used of glories in the heavenlies is for conrast. It is not discussing where the glorified body will reside.

Ipse dixit?

[Kenngo1969]

No. However, another source's teachings won't contradict what is already known or taught in the Bible, if it's true. 

What do we do when the Bible contradicts itself?

[pogi]

Not a chance. Romans 7. The thing I want to do, I don't… 

 

The struggle makes me painfully aware of the problem in myself, and I see it in others as well. I think the older I get the more aware of it I become. 

 

Here's the deal.  My interpretation of scripture threatens your view of heaven and your interpretation threatens my view of heaven.  Neither of us can abandon our understanding of heaven without threatening our religious foundation, which I don't suspect either of us are willing to abandon on the credence of your word or my word alone.  So, perhaps this is a fruitless exercise.

 

I simply want to point out that no man on earth is free from the barriers that you mention and all are therefore susceptible to false interpretations.  I would therefore caution an open mind on both sides, and to not authoritatively state with certainty that the Bible does not allow for one interpretation or another.  The Bible doesn't have a say in what the bible says quite frankly, it is you and I who decide what the Bible means, and unfortunately, it is you and I who are susceptible to error. 

 

I would suggest that even God allows for any and all interpretations of the Bible.  We each have to start somewhere, and we each learn line upon line and precept upon precept.  God expects this and thus allows for us to be wrong sometimes.  The only thing that matters to Him is if we are following the light that we are each given.  He gives us more light, and our perceptions become more clear, as we heed the light we have been given.  That is the one and only thing that I am entirely confident in and certain of - that God is happy and pleased with my direction and path.  I know this as surely as I know anything.  I have no reason to suspect otherwise with you.  That is the beauty of Mormon theology - we can both be right in following the light that we have.  We are each where we are supposed to be, learning line upon line.  If we each continue in that light that we are given, we will both know the true meaning of heaven as we greet each other there someday.  If we are both humbly open to the spirit, we cannot end up anywhere else.

Edited December 17, 2014 by pogi

[Teancum]

What is being taught in 1 Corinthians 15 is the glorified resurrected body as contrasted with a mortal body. The illustrations used of glories in the heavenlies is for conrast. It is not discussing where the glorified body will reside.

 

 

More proof texting from the EV camp.

[Teancum]

What do we do when the Bible contradicts itself?

 

 

You should conclude it is not a reliable text nor something a person should base their entire world view and life on....