Who are the Mormons

With all the talk about Glenn Beck's rally this past Saturday, this blog was posted that is a reprint from the ESV Study Bible that will help us to know who Mormons are (since Glenn Beck is a Mormon).

by Justin Taylor

The following is adapted from the section on Mormonism (or The Church of Jesus Christ of Ladder-Day Saints) in the ESV Study Bible article on religious cults. The attempt is to be concise yet still accurate. I’ve added questions in bold to break it up a bit.

What do Mormons believe about apostasy and restoration?

Mormons claim that “total” apostasy overcame the church following apostolic times, and that the Mormon Church (founded in 1830) is the “restored church.”

What’s the problem with this understanding?

If the Mormon Church were truly a “restored church,” one would expect to find first-century historical evidence for Mormon doctrines like the plurality of gods and God the Father having once been a man. Such evidence is completely lacking. Besides, the Bible disallows a total apostasy of the church (e.g., Matt. 16:18; 28:20; Eph. 3:21; 4:11–16), warning instead of partial apostasy (1 Tim. 4:1).

What do Mormons believe about God?

Mormons claim that God the Father was once a man and that he then progressed to godhood (that is, he is a now-exalted, immortal man with a flesh-and-bone body).

What does the Bible teach about the nature of God?

Based on the Bible, God is not and has never been a man (Num. 23:19; Hos. 11:9). He is a spirit (John 4:24), and a spirit does not have flesh and bones (Luke 24:39). Furthermore, God is eternal (Ps. 90:2; 102:27; Isa. 57:15; 1 Tim. 1:17) and immutable (or unchangeable in his being and perfections; see Ps. 102:25–27; Mal. 3:6). He did not “progress” toward godhood, but has always been God.

What do Mormons believe about the Trinity and polytheism?

Mormons believe that the Trinity consists not of three persons in one God but rather of three distinct gods. According to Mormonism, there are potentially many thousands of gods besides these.

What does the Bible teach about the Triune God?

Trusting in or worshiping more than one god is explicitly condemned throughout the Bible (e.g., Ex. 20:3). There is only one true God (Deut. 4:35, 39; 6:4; Isa. 43:10; 44:6, 8; 45:18; 46:9; 1 Cor. 8:4; James 2:19), who exists eternally in three persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14).

What do Mormons believe about human exaltation?

Mormons believe that humans, like God the Father, can go through a process of exaltation to godhood.

What does the Bible teach about humanity?

The Bible teaches that the yearning to be godlike led to the fall of mankind (Gen. 3:4ff.). God does not look kindly on humans who pretend to attain to deity (Acts 12:21–23; contrast Acts 14:11–15). God desires humans to humbly recognize that they are his creatures (Gen. 2:7; 5:2; Ps. 95:6–7; 100:3). The state of the redeemed in eternity will be one of glorious immortality, but they will forever remain God’s creatures, adopted as his children (Rom. 8:14–30; 1 Cor. 15:42–57; Rev. 21:3–7). Believers will never become gods.

What do Mormons believe about Jesus?

Mormons believe that Jesus Christ was the firstborn spirit-child of the heavenly Father and a heavenly Mother. Jesus then progressed to deity in the spirit world. He was later physically conceived in Mary’s womb, as the literal “only begotten” Son of God the Father in the flesh (though many present-day Mormons remain somewhat vague as to how this occurred).

What does the Bible teach about Jesus?

Biblically, the description of Jesus as the “only begotten” refers to his being the Father’s unique, one-of-a-kindSon for all eternity, with the same divine nature as the Father (see note on John 1:14; cf. John 1:18; 3:16, 18; see also John 5:18; 10:30). Moreover, he is eternal deity (John 1:1; 8:58) and is immutable (Heb. 1:10–12; 13:8), meaning he did not progress to deity but has always been God. And Mary’s conception of Jesus in his humanity was through a miracle of the Holy Spirit (Matt. 1:20).

What do Mormons believe about our eternal destiny?

Mormons believe that most people will end up in one of three kingdoms of glory, depending on one’s level of faithfulness. Belief in Christ, or even in God, is not necessary to obtain immortality in one of these three kingdoms, and therefore only the most spiritually perverse will go to hell.

What does the Bible teach about our eternal destiny ?

The Bible teaches that people have just two possibilities for their eternal futures: the saved will enjoy eternal life with God in the new heavens and new earth (Phil. 3:20; Rev. 21:1–4; 22:1–5), while the unsaved will spend eternity in hell (Matt. 25:41, 46; Rev. 20:13–15).

What do Mormons believe about sin and atonement?

Mormons believe that Adam’s transgression was a noble act that made it possible for humans to become mortal, a necessary step on the path to exaltation to godhood. They think that Christ’s atonement secures immortality for virtually all people, whether they repent and believe or not.

What does the Bible teach about sin and atonement?

Biblically, there was nothing noble about Adam’s sin, which was not a stepping-stone to godhood but rather brought nothing but sin, misery, and death to mankind (Gen. 3:16–19; Rom. 5:12–14). Jesus atoned for the sins of all who would trust him for salvation (Isa. 53:6; John 1:29; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Pet. 2:24; 3:18; 1 John 2:2; 4:10).

What do Mormons believe about salvation?

Mormons believe that God gives to (virtually) everyone a general salvation to immortal life in one of the heavenly kingdoms, which is how they understand salvation by grace. Belief in Christ is necessary only to obtain passage to the highest, celestial kingdom—for which not only faith but participation in Mormon temple rituals and obedience to its “laws of the gospel” are also prerequisites.

What does the Bible teach about salvation?

Biblically, salvation by grace must be received through faith in Christ (John 3:15–16; 11:25; 12:46; Acts 16:31;Rom. 3:22–24; Eph. 2:8–9), and all true believers are promised eternal life in God’s presence (Matt. 5:3–8; John 14:1–3; Rev. 21:3–7).

Giving Thanks for our Food

This post comes from Andrew Fountain, pastor of New Life Church Toronto:

Some of us were brought up in a legalistic environment where it was a fearful sin to eat food without first “saying grace”.^✱ I remember hearing of one woman who wanted to know how much food she there needed to be for her to have to give thanks. She was told that no grace was required for a cookie, but a coffee and doughnut required it.

Those of us who have come to enjoy God’s grace and understand that we are no-longer living under an Old-Testament legal system sometimes react in the opposite direction. We are so afraid of a formal religion that giving thanks for food is reduced to a brief “thank you God”, if we do it at all.

When I recently studied “thankfulness” in the New Testament, I was shocked to see how many of the references were to giving thanks for food. If you leave out the general prayers of thanks, there are more specific prayers of thanks for food than all the others put together!

In some places thanks is mentioned even when is seems unnecessary to the storyline, e.g. John 6:23 “Other boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks.”

Let’s look first at the times Jesus gave thanks. Two major events were the feeding of the five thousand and of the four thousand, In both cases there seems to be an emphasis on the thanks/blessing. Matthew and Mark recount the first event:

Matt 14:19	Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.
Mark 6:41	He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves.

When John tells it, he interchanges “thanks” for “blessing”, and then repeats this fact later in v.23:

John 6:11	Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted.
John 6:23	Other boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks.

Matthew and Mark tell us of the feeding of the four thousand

Matt 15:36	he took the seven loaves and the fish, and having given thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.
Mark 8:7	And they had a few small fish. And having blessed them, he said that these also should be set before them.

In three of the Gospels we read how Jesus instituted “Breaking Bread”. (The New Testament rarely calls it communion or the Lord’s Supper.) Every time giving thanks/blessing the food is to the forefront:

Matt 26:26 & 27	Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you,
Mark 14:22 & 23	And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it.
Luke 22:17 & 19	And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
1Cor 11:24	and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

And in fact, it was at the point that Jesus broke the bread and said the blessing that the two disciples recognized him:

Luke 24:30	When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them.

The early church continued this practice. Sometimes we are embarrassed to give thanks in a public place such as a restaurant. Paul didn’t have a problem doing this in front of a group of pagan sailors and soldiers!

Acts 27:35,37	And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat… (We were in all two hundred seventy-six persons on the ship.)

What is really interesting is that the freedom that the Christian has to eat all foods seems to be based on the fact that we are giving thanks:

Rom 14:6	The one who observes the day, observes it in honour of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honour of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honour of the Lord and gives thanks to God.
1Cor 10:30 & 31	If I partake [of meat] with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks? So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
1Tim 4:3 & 4	who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,

Far from being a legalistic ritual, in these verses “giving thanks” is the very basis for our New-Covenant freedom.

Why food? Of course God wants us to be thankful for everything, but there is something special about the way food is both enjoyable and necessary to sustain us, which makes it uniquely suitable as an opportunity for thankfulness. “Saying Grace” is not so much a ritual as a trigger for joyful and vocal thanksgiving.

So how did doing this study affect me? Following Jesus’ example in this way is much more important in my life and now I love to give thanks for my food!

North Korea Kills Three

Did you see the recent news that North Korea killed three church house leaders and arrested 20 more? The incident may have occurred in May but the news is just now being released.

Article here or here

http://www.christianpost.com/article/20100819/north-korea-executes-3-house-church-leaders/index.html

What is our greatest need?

This past Sunday night I preached from Mark 10:46-52 "This One Thing." Jesus asked Bartimaeus a question in response to his persistent cries "What do you want Me to do for you?" If Jesus was to ask us that question, what would be our response? What is our greatest need?

At the close I gave these seven principles in determining what is "the one thing" we would want from God.

How do you know what is your desperate need?

1. This need is known by you as a deep, desperate need.
2. The need is persistent over time.
3. The need is determined by whom can answer the need. Who do you go to?
4. The need causes you to cry out.
5. The need is such a magnitude that other people can’t stop you from pursuing it.
6. The meeting of the need produces a willingness to give up something for it.
7. The need causes you to respond quickly when there is the right opportunity for the need to be met.

Worship Is A Big Deal

Tullian Tchividjian, grandson of Evangelist Billy Graham and Pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, has written a series of blogs on worship. He challenges us with a strong Biblical perspective to worship. Take a few minutes and read through these.

Part I -Worship is a Big Deal

Part II - Worship is a Big Deal

Part III - Worship is a Big Deal - the best one if you are limited on time

Part IV - Worship is a Big Deal

Part V - Worship is a Big Deal

Part VI - Worship is a Big Deal

Mission Team picture

Here is the full mission team including the family of Tim and Donna Akers. And yes, this was the last day of ministry featuring our clowns.

Sermon Notes from Sunday, August 8, 2010

I am nearing the end of Romans 8 in our Sunday morning messages. Here is the sermon from this past Sunday, August 8, on "The Absolute, Air-Tight Security of the Believer." Click here

Ukraine Trip 2010

We were in Lviv, Ukraine July 23-August 3 serving with Tim and Donna Akers and The Love of God Church. What a precious time. Here is a picture of our group (with Tim on the back row, far left) and a picture of me preaching August 1 at Love of God Church.

Words for those in trials

I read Randy Alcorn's blogs as well as have been blessed by his books especially on Heaven and The Treasure Principle. His latest on suffering and the goodness of God I have not tackled.

He spoke at the funeral of Sono Harris, mother of Josh Harris. He read this email he received from her in 2007. It is worth your read especially for the last sentence.

Date: July 04, 2007 - 0:19, after midnight, exactly three years—to the day—before she died:

Dear Randy,

Thank you for sharing your prayer request. Honestly, it brought me to tears because there are so many things (like your battle with depression that I hate about this world.

As I have been praying for you, the Lord brought two things to my mind. I hope and pray that God will use them to encourage your heart.

First is a quote by Thomas Brooks (whose 'pithy extracts' Spurgeon loved): “Ah, believer, it is only Heaven that is above all winds, storms, and tempests; God did not cast man out of Paradise that he might find another paradise in this world.”

And the other was a song by John Newton:

I asked the Lord that I might grow
In faith and love and every grace;
Might more of His salvation know
And seek more earnestly His face

‘Twas He who taught me thus to pray
And He I trust has answered prayer;
Bur it has been in such a way
As almost drove me to despair

I hoped that in some favored hour
At once He'd answer my request
And by His love's constraining power
Subdue my sins and give me rest

Instead of this He made me feel
The hidden evils of my heart
And let the angry powers of Hell
Assault my soul in every part

Yea more with His own hand He seemed
Intent to aggravate my woe
Crossed all the fair designs I schemed
Cast out my feelings, laid me low

Lord, why is this, I trembling cried
Wilt thou pursue thy worm to death?
"Tis in this way" the Lord replied
"I answer prayer for grace and faith"

"These inward trials I employ
From self and pride to set thee free
And break thy schemes of earthly joy
That thou mayest seek thy all in me,
That thou mayest seek thy all in me.

Oh, Randy, it seems that His servants who are used in special ways often experience commensurate trials. These trials are simultaneously burdens God gives to keep them utterly dependent; and thorns which pin back the veil that hides His face. In a fallen world, they are gifts.

Prayerfully, Sono