Are Mormons Christians?

Wow! That’s a thought-provoking question! The truth is that I, along with many Christian scholars, do not believe that Mormons are Christians and here’s why:

First, Mormons do not follow or believe that Jesus is God. We believe that Jesus is both man and God (John 1:1, 14) and that He is God’s only son (John 3:16). The Mormons believe that Jesus was created by the father (a separate being) and is a spirit brother to Lucifer (the devil).

Next, we believe there is only one God. He exists as three distinct personalities; the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit but He is still ONE God. The Mormons believe there are many gods and that humans, by doing good works, can eventually become a god.

Finally, and most importantly, the Mormons believe you have to earn your salvation through good works or good deeds and by meeting church requirements. We believe that it is by grace that we’ve been saved, through faith. We don’t have to do anything to earn God’s grace (Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 3:22-24). It is a gift given to us by God.

So, based on those three reasons, we believe that Mormons are not Christians.

What is the difference between your eternal life soul and your regular soul?

Wow! That’s an awesome question! For those of us that call ourselves Christians, or Christ Followers, we believe we only have one soul. That soul, or our spiritual being, is also eternal.

BUT, here’s the kicker, it is by our choice that we choose whether to spend that eternity either with God or separated from God. God does not choose for us. He reveals Himself to us and has revealed Himself to us throughout history in three distinct forms: God, the Father; God, the Son (Jesus); and God, the Holy Spirit. It is important to understand He is One God but in three persons.

It is our acceptance, through faith, of Christ’s saving grace that determines whether or not we spend life with God (Heaven) or apart from God (Hell).

The Bible tells us in Ephesians 2:8-9, “For it is by grace you’ve been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is a gift of God – not by works so that no man can boast.” What that means is that there is nothing you can do or need to do to earn eternal life with God. Everything has already been done by Jesus, who took the sins of the world – past, present and future – on himself and died on the cross for us. He later rose again, three days later, overcoming death.

It is through that sacrifice and ultimate victory that our souls will have eternal life with God, in Heaven. Isn’t that amazing? I am so thankful for a God that loves me so much that He would sacrifice His One and Only Son so that I could have eternal life in Heaven!!!

If God and Jesus are the same, then how does God only know when Jesus is returning?

This is a very thought provoking question and it’s been debated by Biblical scholars a lot. First, there is absolutely no doubt that Jesus and God are one in the same. That is important to remember. The Holy Spirit is also God. So, there is one God but He reveals Himself in three ways: God, the Father; God, the Son; and God, the Holy Spirit.

So, Jesus may very well know when He is returning but He is referring to the greatness of the Father when He says "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Mark 13:32) Also, Jesus is likely not trying to act independently from the Father. It’s like He’s saying, “The Father is in charge, just as I can’t do anything that the Father doesn’t have me do, so it’s up to the Father when this day will occur.

Another widely accepted interpretation is that what Jesus what really saying is that no one will “make known” the hour of the coming of Jesus except God, the Father. God will have the full authority to announce Jesus’ second returning. This theory is based on scholars doing a word study on the ancient texts and breaking down the Greek word “eido” which we’ve translated as “know.”

These Biblical scholars believe also that Jesus, being God, knew when he was coming again but that He was leaving the announcement to God, the Father, to make. That only the Father will “make known” the return of the Son.

Okay, so is that a little confusing? It’s okay. It confuses me too but I believe it is the best way to interpret that passage.

How can God be 3 people at once?

He’s not. God is NOT 3 people at once. What He is, though, is 3 persons in one. Stick with me & let me explain - - - it’s really not that complicated.

The idea that God is 3 persons in one is called the trinity. The word trinity means three together. A trinity is three persons together in one. (A tricycle is three wheels on one cycle; a triangle is a shape with three angles.)

The Bible doesn’t actually use the word trinity. (BTW, the Bible also doesn’t use the word Bible, so don’t let that bug you!) So where does the idea come from? Check this out --- The Bible is the Word of God. God inspired certain men (Moses, Joshua, King David, Paul, John and others) and their words were recorded and became our Bible. One of the big deals about the Word of God is that it does not contradict itself. This means it does not say one thing in one place, and then the opposite in another.

So check out this verse --- James 2:19 NIV. What does it say? It says that there is only one God.

Now check out this one --- 1 Peter 1:2 Msg. God the Father has his eye on each of you, and has determined by the work of the Spirit to keep you obedient through the sacrifice of Jesus. May everything good from God be yours! Who has His eye on everyone? God the Father.

And this verse --- Romans 1:1-4 NIV. Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God—the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. What did the Spirit declare? That Jesus is God. Jesus is the second person of the trinity.

And this verse --- Acts 5:3-4 Msg. Peter said, "Ananias, how did Satan get you to lie to the Holy Spirit and secretly keep back part of the price of the field? Before you sold it, it was all yours, and after you sold it, the money was yours to do with as you wished. So what got into you to pull a trick like this? You didn't lie to men but to God." To whom did Ananias lie? To the Holy Spirit who not a man but is God. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the trinity.

Three persons in one God is a little bit (not exactly though) like five fingers on 1 hand! Or 3 wheels on one cycle. Or three angles in one shape. Each is separate but makes up the whole.

Extra evidence! Read Matthew 28:19; Matthew 3:16-17; 2 Corinthians 13:14. Do it, OK?

And here’s the deal for those who want to know ---

There is only one God.
There is a person called “the Father” and He is God.
There is a person called “the Son” (also called “Jesus” or “Christ”) and He is God.
There is a person called “the Holy Spirit” and He is God.
The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are three separate persons.

So, our one God is three persons, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit! This is what the Bible says. And now you know!