Is Now The Time?
Apparently, Orrin Hatch has a new book out – “An American, A Mormon and A Christian.” I found out about it as he spoke with U.S. News about the fact that Mormons are Christians.
“People don’t think Mormons are Christian,” he tells Whispers. “That’s totally wrong. [As a Mormon] you can hardly move without hearing the name of Jesus Christ. We’re fervent believers in Jesus Christ.”
Although there are key differences between Mormonism and mainstream Christian doctrine, such as their understanding of creation, Mormons describe themselves as Christians.
The understanding of creation is one of the least significant differences between Mormons and traditional Christians. This reveals a definite areligious bent to the article’s author. Non-Christians are significantly hung-up on creation issues which are truly peripheral to almost any religion. Atheists types use it as a red herring to keep from confronting the serious life-changing stuff that lies at the heart of faith. And since atheists are generally lefties….
The book was published in September. Clearly this date would indicate an attempt to aid Romney in his run. So why is this coming up now? Maybe it is because the left knows the thing we have been talking about, but that seems to remain the dirty little secret of 2012, anti-Mormon sentiment was a significant contributor to Romney’s defeat. Given that Obama’s negotiating tactics on the fiscal cliff seemed more aimed at destroying the Republicans than bringing fiscal sanity to the nation, is it surprising the mags would seek to widen a divide that has put Republicans on the ropes?
On a different topic, noted Christian stats guy Ed Stetzer is declaring an to “nominal Protestantism.“ We will return to this “No duh” of a piece when we get the the next post in the “Open Letter” series. But for the moment a brief comment. He concludes that the fact that people no longer culturally identify with Christianity has led to “more vibrant” congregations. Seems nonsensical to me – seems to me a vibrant congregation would be attractive enough that people would want to identify with it culturally.
Posted in Analyzing 2012 | 4 Comments » | 
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JLF9999 on 13 Dec 2012 at 7:45 am #
Regarding the dumbing down of Christian congregations in favor of cultural diversity, Mormons would say that is why Christianity went off the rails in the first place. Ergo, the process of diverging from first century Christianity in the 4th and 5th century in favor of more politically correct versions was the reason for so much dissention in the ranks. The effects were two millenia of war, bloodshed and manipulating the church and Christ’s teaching for partisan political reasons. Sound familiar?
Virginia on 13 Dec 2012 at 8:25 am #
You say that “The understanding of creation is one of the least significant differences between Mormons and traditional Christians.” I must beg to differ. Perhaps you are thinking about the creation in terms of “creationism” vs evolution. Mormons, however, would be more likely to be thinking about ex nihilo vs “from pre-existing materials” and in that regard the difference is stark and fundamental. To understand the implications, I would suggest you read the new book by Terryl and Fiona Givens The God Who Weeps.
John Schroeder on 15 Dec 2012 at 7:22 am #
Virginia – I know there are differences, the key is their significance. There are big theological differences, this being one of them. But in terms of how either of us conducts ourselves here on earth, how precisely does this matter?
JLF9999 on 17 Dec 2012 at 7:46 am #
I agree John. Theological differences should be points of interest not separation. The leadership of the LDS Church regularly points to early Catholic theologians for inspiration and clearer understanding. John Wesley’s views too. But mention Joseph Smith Jr.’s name in conversations in most traditional Christian circles and you get the most awful looks yet few have no clue to what he said or taught. If all I knew about the subject was what the majority of devout Christian thinkers know, I wouldn’t know anything either.