Is Mormonism Really a Cult? Let's Finally Settle This Once and For All

And we're not tryin to be "mainstream". We've always been Christians, if we're in a cult, so is your mom.

Bob

Like other "Creedalists" you are mistaken. Please honestly search any Theological dictionary edited or authored by someone NOT trained at an Evangelical University, and your vision of God will expand three fold.

Mormons are more Biblical in their conceptualization of God and Jesus than most creedalist Christians. The New Testament is full of multiple references to God and Christ as seperate and distinct. If you doubt that, please explain...

1--Who was Jesus praying to in the Garden of Gethsamene and upon the cross at Golgotha?

2--Who introduced "my beloved son" following the Savior's baptism in the river Jordan?
Who's voice was that, and if it was Jesus as God, why confuse his disciples with this act?

3--Why, at the tomb, did Jesus refuse Mary's touch, uttering the command to "touch me not, for I have not yet ascended to my father and to your father"?

I could go on and on. If your answer is, that they are one in purpose and scope and essence, as the Athanasian and Nicene creeds state, then I must ask to what end did God perpetuate the appearance of duality throughout the NT? Why go to such lengths to define Christ and the Father as seperate and distinct, per the questions above, if they are in fact, one personage? Is God the author of confusion? Nay! There is no legitimate or logical explanation as to why God would make himself so clearly the "son" in mortality, if He was, in effect one and the same. The duality they demonstrate, according to your creed, is a lie!

The "Triune" God only came into being with the council of Nicea in 324. Prior to that time, early Christian writers all "knew" that God and Christ were seperate beings. Don't believe me...go study it out, instead of trusting your pastor. May His spirit guide you in your honest strivings.

My Mom is Jewish. And I was not trained at an evangelical university. I graduated San Jose State. I did go on to graduate seminary later but I learned to read the Bible long before that as anyone can if they let the Bible actually speak for itself and read it in context. And since Mormons claim the Bible cannot be properly understood without a prophet's interpretation, that adds an interesting wrinkle to the conversation, doesn't it. If you wish to talk more, call me on my radio show.

Warmest Regards

Bob Siegel

If we understood how God did everything, He would not be much of a God. (Deut 29:2) "The secret things belong to the Lord, but what He reveals is ours to keep forever. The Bible does not explain how the Trinity works metaphysically any more than it explains how God parted the Red Sea (an event Mormons accept) God became a man to be an example of how a man should live. He gave up his power and glory that He, God The Word, had in eternity and depended on the other two persons of the Trinity while He was on Earth. These three persons make up one God. Bottom Line: "I alone am God. Before me, no God existed. Neither shall there be any after me." Isaiah 43:10 We do not have to understand how that works to understand that this is just exactly what God revealed. To interpret that scripture as teaching anything other than that there is only one God, is to do mental gymnastics and make the words stand on their heads. Joseph Smith on the other hand (in the King Follett Discourse) said "As man is, God once was. As God is, man will someday be." for more see my article,"Was Joseph Smith Really a Prophet of God?"

Warmest Regards

Bob Siegel

That first scripture was Deut 29:29

For all of your palavering about whether Mormonism is a cult, you forget that Christianity in general was considered a cult by the Romans.

Every sect is a cult to someone. Anyone involved in a religion is, by definition, involved in a cult., just as everyone is a bigot.

Bibliolatry is cultism. And no, Mr. Seigel, you will not be called upon to judge Mormons at the great and last day.

Jesus will.

If He accepts our Christianity, all of your mockery will count for nothing.

Was Joseph Smith a prophet?

Was Isaiah?

Was John the Revelator?

Was Peter?

Was Moses?

What do all of these men have in common?

1. All were imperfect. Joseph Smith admits to coming in prayer for forgiveness. Peter denied Christ three times. Moses was a murderer. Read the story of Balaam again. Perfection, even in carrying out the directions given in the spirit of prophecy, isn't a requirement to be a prophet. Frankly, I don't know why God chooses who He does. His way is above mine, though, so I'll accept it.

2. All revealed prophecies that have yet to be fulfilled. Not everything they revealed has happened the way it was foretold, yet. That's the key word: Yet.

3. All revealed things that did happen. If you read the Old Testament, you know why that's important.

Bye.

For all of your palavering about whether Mormonism is a cult, you forget that Christianity in general was considered a cult by the Romans.

Every sect is a cult to someone. Anyone involved in a religion is, by definition, involved in a cult., just as everyone is a bigot.

Bibliolatry is cultism. And no, Mr. Seigel, you will not be called upon to judge Mormons at the great and last day.

Jesus will.

If He accepts our Christianity, all of your mockery will count for nothing.

Was Joseph Smith a prophet?

Was Isaiah?

Was John the Revelator?

Was Peter?

Was Moses?

What do all of these men have in common?

1. All were imperfect. Joseph Smith admits to coming in prayer for forgiveness. Peter denied Christ three times. Moses was a murderer. Read the story of Balaam again. Perfection, even in carrying out the directions given in the spirit of prophecy, isn't a requirement to be a prophet. Frankly, I don't know why God chooses who He does. His way is above mine, though, so I'll accept it.

2. All revealed prophecies that have yet to be fulfilled. Not everything they revealed has happened the way it was foretold, yet. That's the key word: Yet.

3. All revealed things that did happen. If you read the Old Testament, you know why that's important.

Bye.

I respond to blog comments on my radio show as I do not have time for internet dialogues. You are welcome to call in and debate me over the air:

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