Customer Reviews

Are Mormons Christians

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I think Robinson presents a convincing argument for including LDS faith holders under the heading of Christians. He not arguing that the LDS perspectives falls under Protestant, Catholic, or Orthodox headings...just Christian.

He also is not arguing that the LDS perspective/beliefs are correct...just that there have been other groups, who are currently categorized under the heading of Christian, who have also held some disparate opinions on some of the same issues that the LDS do.

A very thought provoking read.

Mr. Robinson does an excellent job in backing up his point that the Mormon's are Christians. They are not Orthodox by any means, but they do follow the New Testament. Their interpretations are often very different than Evangelical, Catholic, or any other Protestants. However their traditions and faith are clearly founded in the Bible. If you wanted a book that showed that the Mormons were not Christians you will be dissapointed. Mr Robinson is a scholar that proves his point very well.

Having read this book three times, I am still amazed at the variety of means that are employed to exclude Mormons from Christianity. This book is not designed as ammunition for argument, rather as a scholarly examination of how every charge leveled against the Latter-day Saints unavoidably takes in others who are universally accepted as Christians. The book is neatly organized, extensively documented, and thorough, yet easy to read and comprehend. A must if you are as concerned with fairness as you are with definitions.

Robinson looks at most of the major LDS
doctrines, and explains how these are actually

close enough to average mainstream Christian

beliefs to be considered Christian. He cannot,

of course reconcile LDS beliefs with

fundamentalist/evangelical doctrines, but he

correctly points out that these represent only a

small fraction of all Christians worldwide. His

argment that LDS doctrine fits into the limits

defined by Christianity as a whole (conservative,

liberal, Catholic, and Protestant) seems very

reasonable.

This is not the first book to address this issue, nor is it probably the last. Robinson makes some excellent arguments, but it's apparent that both stuffy Christians and stuffy Mormons are too concerned with names and terminologies.

Do Mormons worship another Jesus other than the traditional one? No, not according to them. A person can look at a portrait of Abraham Lincoln and see a great president who saved the Union and abolished slavery or a bigoted opportunist who waged an undeclared war that killed hundreds of thousands of people, including innocent civilians. Which one is correct? And who gets to say? Robinson provides evidence that while LDS perceptions of Jesus aren't the same as traditional 4th Century Christians, they do match many 1st Century Christians who weren't considered heretics until the 4th Century and beyond.

This book will make a great gift to Mormons or people who have been scammed by ignorant propaganda. It wasn't too many years ago that Protestants and Catholics were damning each other with equal vit and vigor.

Mormon theology is consistent with First Century Christianity, but not with Fourth Century (man-made) Creeds.

Mormon theology regarding baptism, lay ministry, the Trinity, theosis, and Grace vs Works is based on First Century Christianity:

[...].

Robinson shows an academic depth in the understanding of the differences which some delineate the "Mormon" religion from other Christian religions. He has not taken offense at accusations leveled at the "Mormon" religion in July 1986. He has merely offered accounts, logical arguments and historically accepted facts as reasons why "Mormons" are Christians.

It should be noted that for all who ever questioned whether "Mormons" are Christians, this is the book to start your quest. It is consise, easy to read and full of references for further study. It is detailed enough for the serious student as well as written in a style that will not weary the casual reader.

The points that Mr. Robinson covers are a wide variety of the contentions but forth to "Mormons". His subjects start with philosophical exclusions. They continue on addressing historical, canonical and Biblical debarring. Lastly, he discusses so called doctrinal restrictions. In conclusion he uses "Mormon" scriptures to show the depth of their belief in Jesus Christ.

The main point of this book is that no where is the question asked "Do the 'Mormons' believe in Jesus Christ and his Atonement for the sins of all mankind?" He uses a story about two men, the first man claims the other has the first's wallet in a box. The second gives all the reasons why it is not in the box, but when asked to open the box he sidesteps the request with further arguments. So goes the argument on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Christianity.

I loved this book. It made me understand relgions and their purpose a little better.

I think the LDS community encourages people to find out for themselves and this just compares how each religion allows this within the different faiths, some better than others.

Plus the points of what a cult is really hits home! (Which comes from a non-LDS person) If you use that, then there are many more cults on the earth than I ever thought possible. So stop saying CULT like its a bad thing. If you belong to a relgion you are in a cult!

As I have read through Mr. Robinson's book and have observed the controversy relating to whether Mormons should be included within the definition of who or what can be considered a "Christian," I am perplexed by those who claim, in reliance on the Grace of God, to be considered Christians themselves, but once they feel they are safely within His fold, quickly abandon the very Grace that let them in, and then, based on their own standards, boldly exclude others from the fold.

As I see this happen, my mind and heart are drawn to the vision of the Apostle Peter that is recorded in Acts 10:9-35, where he is invited to "eat" from the creatures that are within the sheet that descends from heaven before him. Peter's reaction, based on his historical prejudice was, "Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean." The heavenly instruction that was then given to Peter was, "What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common." Later, Peter confirmed, "God hath shewed me that I should not call ANY MAN common or unclean."

So with this Divine admonition in mind, I am persuaded by the positions taken by Mr. Robinson in his book. Who are we to say who should or should not be considered a Christian, or for that matter, who can or cannot partake of the cleansing power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ? Aren't those determinations up to Christ and Christ alone?

Christ was a God of love and inclusion, and never of exclusion. In three of the Gospels we find Christ commanding his disciples to: "Suffer the little children to come unto me, AND FORBID THEM NOT: for of such is the kingdom of God." He did not limit His invitation to only those children who were not from Mormon families (or from any other kind of family).

So as suggested by Mr. Robinson in his book, as for me and my house, we will FORBID THEM NOT, whether individually or collectively, from coming unto Christ, and with us, being called by His name! After reading Mr. Robinson's book, neither my heart nor my mind could support anything to the contrary . . . and I think neither would Christ!

Although relatively short, this book makes a solid case for the claim that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, although clearly not mainstream, is a Christian church. I have not seen any very cogent response from those who would argue for the contrary position. For a more detailed presentation of a similar case, I recommend Peterson and Ricks's "Offenders for a Word."