Questions to ask Mormons Pt 5: Are you Christian?

Are they Christian Too?

Mormonism is quite a slippery animal,…. in fact their claims are fragmented and confused. If you talk to a typical “Elder” today who may come to your door today, they may not know much about the origins about Mormonism really teaches.

Here are somethings you need to know about Mormonism. They believe that the truth that the Church had after the time of Jesus was lost. They believe that God added new revelation, it is a Restored Gospel, to the Bible via Mormon works such as the Book of Mormon, The Pearl of Great Price, The Book of Abraham, the Kinderhook Plates and many other revelations not only y of Joseph Smith, but of Subsequent Living prophets. Mormons value the word of a Living Prophet because in Mormonism, God can change his mind.

Gordon B. Hinckley, prior President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1995-2008), said:

“We are Christians in a very real sense and that is coming to be more and more widely recognized. Once upon a time people everywhere said we are not Christians. They have come to recognize that we are, and that we have a very vital and dynamic religion based on the teachings of Jesus Christ. We, of course, accept Jesus Christ as our Leader, our King, our Savior…the dominant figure in the history of the world, the only perfect Man who ever walked the earth, the living Son of the living God. He is our Savior and our Redeemer through whose atoning sacrifice has come the opportunity of eternal life. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints pray and worship in the name of Jesus Christ. He is the center of our faith and the head of our Church. The Book of Mormon is Another Testament of Jesus Christ and witnesses of His divinity, His life, and His Atonement.”

Here are some questions to ask Mormons.

Are you Christians?

Mormons have consistently said that all other religions are wrong. That is not so unusual, Christianity holds to a similar view-point. However Christianity does not try to be both Christian and Hindu, or Christian and Wiccan or Christian and Mormon. Mormons want to be both. The Mormons as a PR move are even using the Bible and claiming that they are a Christian organization, when their teaching clearly says that they are not? — According to Doctrines and Covenants 1:30 the Mormon Church is the only True Church and Joseph Smith said in the Pearl of Great Price said that 1:19 all other Churches are wrong? They in fact believe that Christianity today is an abomination. So I have trouble understanding why they would want to even look like, be associated with or be confused with the Christian church.

So if they say that they are Christian, this is what they have been taught themselves, or they have no idea that Mormon Christianity is not the same as Christianity. Either way, they are not worth following if they can’t make up their mind on WHO they even are. You also need to know that they have many similar terms that mean different things. They may say that they love Jesus. But the Jesus in Mormonism is the Spirit Brother of Lucifer, and the Elder Brother of all Mormon Believers. That is vastly different from the Christian Jesus who was and always has been God, who was born, died and rose again, paying for our sins. They may speak the same words, but what they mean by those words can be very different.

Possible Follow Up Questions on this Subject:

If you perceive yourselves as a Christian and I am already a Christian, why do I need your conversion?

We have all we need for salvation in the Bible, which by the way is has more support via science through: archeology, history, astronomy, biology

9 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. 11 As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” 12 Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. 13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.” Romans 10:9-13 (NLT)

13 Christ also brought you the truth, which is the good news about how you can be saved. You put your faith in Christ and were given the promised Holy Spirit to show that you belong to God. Ephesians 1:13 (CEV)

8 You were saved by faith in God, who treats us much better than we deserve. This is God’s gift to you, and not anything you have done on your own. Ephesians 2:8 (CEV)

12 Jesus is the only One who can save people. His name is the only power in the world that has been given to save people. We must be saved through him.” Acts 4:12 (NCV)

9 I am the door, and the person who enters through me will be saved and will be able to come in and go out and find pasture. John 10:9 (NCV)

The short answer to why Mormonism is not Christian is because it denies one or more of the essential doctrines inherent in Christianity. Some of these are the nature of God, the origins of creation, teaching that there is only one God, Jesus is God in flesh, forgiveness of sins is by grace alone, and Jesus rose from the dead physically, the gospel as being the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ to atone for our sins by grace and not of works. They deny by their theology the Bible as authoritative scripture and what the scripture teaches.

Next Question: How Good Is Good Enough?

Super-Sized on Religion

Get out of the Field!!!

Saw this article and loved how this Pastor Branded this concept. Too many do have a Supersized Mentality about themselves and ignore the world around them,.. this is a good wake up call for every Christian. Here is the article… By Lillian Kwon. Thank you Lillian!

There are a lot of fat, super sized sheep inside the church, says one Georgia megachurch pastor. They may call themselves followers of Christ, but few are willing to go out and share the Gospel.

“I don’t care how many Bible studies you’ve been through; if it’s not causing you to love God, … serve more, share your faith, all you’re becoming is nothing more than a big, fat sheep that is super-sized on knowledge and full of religion,” said Pastor Brian Bloye of West Ridge Church.

His straightforward message was conveyed to thousands at his Dallas, Ga., megachurch on Sunday. For the past four weeks, Bloye has been addressing what he considers is an epidemic in the American church – that is, a “Super Size Me” culture.

The fast food mentality, he says, has crept into the church with many Christians approaching church with a “have it my way” attitude.

Such a mentality has resulted in churchgoers who hop from church to church, make no long-term commitments, and have no accountability. They’ve essentially become puffed up sheep, Bloye lamented.

“It’s countercultural to what Scripture teaches us about how we are to live as followers of Jesus and how we are to relate to the church,” the pastor said.

Though these super-sized sheep appear to be spiritually mature followers of Christ – considering they go to church, attend Bible studies and conferences, and give offerings – not all end up being true disciples, he indicated.

Instead, they are full of biblical knowledge that doesn’t add up to be anything more than “a bunch of religion.”

In his concluding message of the four-part series, Bloye said the only way to tell if a fat sheep is a mature believer is to squeeze them or put them through life’s ups and downs.

What should come out of true disciples during trials is love, the pastor stressed.

Additionally, that believer would also be listening to God’s voice, obeying, serving and sharing the Gospel.

But many believers, Bloye has found, are not compelled to do any of that. They get stuck and become puffed up.

“That’s why there are so many fat, super-sized sheep inside the church,” he said.

The West Ridge pastor made it clear to churchgoers that if biblical knowledge is not causing them to love God and others, to serve, and share their faith, then they have been wasting their time.

“We’ve been left here on this earth for a purpose. We’ve been called to share the good news of salvation,” he stressed.

But “some of us … don’t care and that’s just the facts. We’re indifferent to it because we’ve created a little [Christian] bubble for ourselves.”

It’s time to burst that bubble, Bloye said.

It’s time to be “missional,” he preached, defining the term as “living out the mission of Jesus in your community and in your world.”

Bloye challenged the congregation to grow outward and to share the Gospel with everyone.

“Everyone deserves an opportunity to be brought into the presence of Jesus. I don’t care who they are, I don’t care what color their skin is, I don’t care what their sexual preference is, I don’t care where they come from,” he said to applause.

“People around us … they’re lost and they need to hear the Good News – the Gospel.”

Bloye founded West Ridge Church in 1997 and considers himself a missionary to Atlanta. The church currently has three campuses.³⁴ Jesus said, “The food that keeps me going is that I do the will of the One who sent me, finishing the work he started.

A much needed motivation.
³⁵ As you look around right now, wouldn’t you say that in about four months it will be time to harvest? Well, I’m telling you to open your eyes and take a good look at what’s right in front of you. These Samaritan fields are ripe. It’s harvest time!  John 4:34-35 (MSG)

¹ Later the Lord chose seventy-two other followers and sent them out two by two to every town and village where he was about to go. ² He said to them: A large crop is in the fields, but there are only a few workers. Ask the Lord in charge of the harvest to send out workers to bring it in. Luke 10:1-2 (CEV) 

TO THINK ABOUT:

• If you are a believer, who are you actively praying for to come to Christ?
• Who are you actively engaged in ongoing conversations about spiritual things?
• Can you remember the last spiritual conversation you had with a non-believer?
• Do you know the basics about what you believe?
• Are you prepared to share what you believe and why?
• Do you live in a Christian bubble? Are all your connections (free time) attached to church and family, or do you have friends outside the faith as well?
• Are you actively serving in some capacity at church at some point during the year?
• Do you have the attitude that someone else will do that (talk to someone about faith issues)

Not trying to beat up on anyone,.. but maybe in light of we could reassess where we are in sharing our faith.

Retrieved From: http://www.christianpost.com/news/ga-pastor-churches-full-of-fat-sheep-super-sized-on-religion-54666/

“Foster Home” or Just “Home”

I have briefly blogged before about the fact that I am in graduate school. I have been privileged to work with kids who are in the foster care system. I don’t know what you typically think of when you think of Foster Care, but my experience as a volunteer have been refreshing! Maybe you think of Annie or even more recently the Foster home from “Despicable Me” with sweet Miss Hattie. Did I say sweet? I meant Horrible Hattie and her box of shame! When I began my first internship there I didn’t know what to expect. I had no idea what the place was going to look like. I think I was expecting something like a barracks or a sterile environment or sorts. I am glad that I was wrong.

Well the organization I run with has a Miss Hattie, but she is just the opposite.  She ensures that the home in “Foster Home”, is the key ingredient.  These kids come from a wide variety of backgrounds, emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, but when they come to the home, they are part of a family where they receive love, boundaries, attention, counseling, encouragement,… sometimes for the first time in their lives. It makes you angry when you hear the stories of what their “parents” have done to them or have allowed to happen to them.

This Group Home is colorful, inviting, filled with toys, books, games and lots of caring people.  These kids come for a few weeks or a few months, but they are all very special.  Some of these kids have never had 3 meals a day and snacks, their own toys, birthdays, been to a movie, or gone on a field trip,… it is truly a new world for them. Just as they are starting to get comfortable however, for many it is time to go. It’s hard to see them go to foster parents, it is easy to get attached and you have favorites, although you do you best to never show it, and you never say so, but its hard to see them leave, even if you know it’s too a good place.

All in all, you know that this is the best “home” some of these kids have ever been a part of and you fear for them when they leave. Kids are a product of their environment and sometimes they go back, the “family” that they came from, and you wonder if they will make it.

I think that this is the key lesson we aim to teach these children, “We are influenced by where we come from, but it never determines where we end up!”

I would have to say. at least where I am,.. you could leave the foster off the Foster Home and just say Home!

Top Ten Objections to Atheism???

Okay this list is a bit tongue in cheek but I hear these objections to Christianity all the time and wondered what they would look like if I just switched out Christianity for Atheism.  Yes it is a bit absurd, but that is the point, you could make many of these arguments about many groups. Well here you go,…

1. Atheists are Hypocrites

2. What about all the atrocities that atheists have committed?

3. Atheism is a crutch.

4. It’s narrow-minded to think that Atheism is the only way.

5. Where is Atheism when bad things happen?

6. Atheism is intolerant and judgemental.

7. The Origin of Species is full of errors.

8. If Atheism is so good, why is there evil?

9. Being a good person is all that really matters.

10. Atheists think that they are better than non atheists.

Okay but seriously what do you think are serious objections to Christianity? Can you give me your reasons?

10 Ways to Get Kids to Self Destruct

So how do you get your kids to self destruct and make a mess of their life in 10 easy steps? Well if you ever wondered its pretty easy.

10. Don’t invest in your marriage, let them know relationships are disposable.

9.  Make sure that they know you love them only if…..

8.  Teach them that the world “Owes Them” by doing everything for them.

7.  Allow them to just take for granted that evolution as taught in the classroom is true and that we are evolved monkeys, this provides lots of worth for life!

6.  Teach them that there are absolutely  ”No Absolute”s, except for this one of course.

5.  Teach them that there is no right or wrong, it only matters what you “feel” about something.

4.  Spend as little time with them as possible, stay busy and enjoy yourself, they can entertain themselves.

3.  Let them know loud and often when they have messed up, forget telling them you love them, you don’t want them to get a big head.

2. Downplay education and critical thinking, they don’t need to be smart, just rich.

1.  Let them grow up thinking that they don’t need God, or better yet that there is no God, after all if God is real, we aren’t  accountable to just ourselves are we?

Five Reasons why the Bible is the Most Important Book on Earth! Reason One

Reason #1:
The Bible has transformed the world

The Bible is the single most important book ever written. It is an eyewitness  account of historical events of such magnitude that they have literally shaped the world in which we live. Without this book the Western world and a good deal of the Eastern world would be completely different today than if the events of this book had never occurred.

It is not too much to say that the events recorded in this book are claimed  by a significant percentage of people who have ever lived on this earth to be the most important events ever recorded in the history of the world. This book is foundational to just about everything mankind will ever know or accomplish. It has directly led to massive undertakings of good will and charity. Because of  this book, great projects have been undertaken, hospitals have been built, multitudes fed and clothed and orphanages founded.

Reason #1:
The Bible has transformed the World

It would be impossible to claim to be  an educated person in today’s world without having at least some familiarity with the events contained in this book. Actually, all of the events contained in this book should be known by everyone.

• A good number of people around the world read portions of this book every day. It is one of the most published and printed books in the history of the world. It has been printed in just about every known language (including braille) and each year, since it was first written, it has been the world’s greatest bestseller year after year. As time marches on it is continually printed in yet more languages. Collectors of rare books treasure it in every form.
• The Bible was the first book ever put to the printing press. The man who first printed it, Johannes Gutenberg, was recently voted the most important man to have ever lived within the past 1000 years!
• A good number of museums exist today which are dedicated solely to this very  book and the events contained therein.
• The Bible is available in every corner of the globe, even where it is illegal to own or read this book. It is available in electronic format and on CD  as well. You can find it on the internet for free. Famous actors and personages regularly quote it. It was quoted by William Shakespeare many times in his writings.
• Worldwide organizations and associations have been formed because of this book and its message, many of them existing for centuries. Together they represent multiple hundreds of millions of members.

“Ripped Off”

It is not unusual to have to learn hard lessons at a young age. Today my son Ty, had to learn one. At least hard for a 2nd grader.  He went to his summer club and they like to play with “Bey Blades”. If you are not familiar with them, they are essentially “high tech” tops, that “battle” each other in competitions. A month ago, Ty had zero, yesterday, he had 7. Today, when he went to bed, he had four. Someone had went into his locker and “Ripped Him Off”. He was quite upset.

However, we were able to talk about it later. I have to ,that I am proud of my son. Tonight he prayed for the kid that took his stuff and forgive him or her. I know it was hard for him to do so. I am thankful for his willingness to do so.  I know that there are much bigger life issues, but for him this is another step toward maturity.

God tells us that if we expect us to receive his forgiveness when we blow it, we need to be ready to extend forgiveness not only to our friends and family, because that can be easy.  Ultimately we need to be ready to offer it to people we don’t like, to those we would call our enemy, so that they wont remain so. And no matter what, whether or not the person returns your toys or not, you did what pleases God and you made me proud.

The Clockmaker

Months ago I was cleaning out the garage and I found this old box. I opened it up and it had a bunch of small metal parts in it? It was a box I thought that I might need it in the future so I taped up the box. I shook it to make sure that it was taped up well and I set it up on the shelf. Yesterday I found it again, I always seem to need to clean out the garage, and I was like “hey there is that box!”, I shook it again but it sounded different. Before it sounded different because it, I mean it was a bunch of metal parts. This time it was it sounded solid. Weird? I was curious so I opened the box and to my surprise was a Zenith Men’sM Defy Xtreme Tourbillon Titanium Chronograph Watch Incredible! I can pay some bills! I left some metal parts in a box, shook it up and just left it to time and chance! How cool!

For Real? If I told 100 people my story, 100 people would call  me crazy. So seriously, No not at all,… but that is what evolution would have you believe. In simplistic terms that design doesn’t need a designer. So what alternatives are there? Well there is ID, or Intelligent Design and it is worth looking into if you don’t by my story either. By the way if you want to buy a watch like the one  I described, they are on sale on Amazon for only $87,000.

What is intelligent design?

Retrieved from http://www.intelligentdesign.org/whatisid.php

Intelligent design refers to a scientific research program as well as a community of scientists, philosophers and other scholars who seek evidence of design in nature. The theory of intelligent design holds that certain features of the universe and of living things are best explained by an intelligent cause, not an undirected process such as natural selection. Through the study and analysis of a system’s components, a design theorist is able to determine whether various natural structures are the product of chance, natural law, intelligent design, or some combination thereof. Such research is conducted by observing the types of information produced when intelligent agents act. Scientists then seek to find objects which have those same types of informational properties which we commonly know come from intelligence. Intelligent design has applied these scientific methods to detect design in irreducibly complex biological structures, the complex and specified information content in DNA, the life-sustaining physical architecture of the universe, and the geologically rapid origin of biological diversity in the fossil record during the Cambrian explosion approximately 530 million years ago.

Five Reasons why the Bible is the Most Important Book on Earth! Reason Two

Reason #2:
People are willing to die for this book

People have died torturous deaths
simply to gain access to this book. You may, even now, be in a country where  this book is discouraged or even banned outright. In many countries it is a  crime to distribute or even possess this book.

• This book has been praised, cursed, restricted, banned, desecrated, burned  and fought over. People swear on it and at it.
• Some have tried to eliminate it. All who have tried have failed. People have  suffered exquisite tortures and loss of freedom and even their lives for  printing it. This has occurred recently and over many centuries past, as well.  It is, in fact, a regular occurrence in this world.
• This book is simultaneously hated and loved. Once read it would be impossible to be indifferent to it; for its claims are monumental and beyond exaggerating. It provokes a strong response in either a positive or negative direction; you will either love it or hate it. It was meant to be so by design.  It is so controversial that wars have been fought over its interpretation. Governments have toppled on account of it and kings have been deposed because of  it. Most importantly, lives have been dramatically changed for good because of  this book.

The Pocket Testament League

Five Reasons why the Bible is the Most Important Book on Earth! Reason Three

Reason #3:
It’s the most accurate book of
antiquity

The Bible is the most copied book of
antiquity. Written over a time period of some 1,500 years, it was completed approximately 2,000 years ago. Yet, in all the centuries that have passed, none
of its contents have ever been found inaccurate.

• It has been translated into its present form directly from the original languages from a vast supply of ancient manuscripts sifted by the best minds and most competent scholars of our day and of many prior generations. It has been translated into every known existing language.
• It is surpassingly accurate to the smallest details. Its contents, as
  translated, are as close to the original words of the authors as humanly
  possible. Only a few words of the entire book (a tiny, insignificant percentage)are in any doubt as to the original words and none of the disputed text affects the message of the book. Additionally, new discoveries of previously unknown ancient manuscripts continue to provide ever greater accuracy to the contents of this book.
• It has been sifted, studied, commentated upon and dissected more than any book in history. Volumes of books have been written about it and if they were stacked on top of one another they would reach to the sky.
• Where this book can be verified by external events such as archeology,geography, custom, politics, culture, known world history and writings in other ancient texts it has been so verified as to be accurate in all respects. New discoveries always support it, never vice versa. It has never once been proven faulty on single detail or fact, although many have mightily tried and failed.

The Pocket Testament League