Is the Mormon My Brother?: Discerning the Differences Between Mormonism and Christianity (Paperback)

~ James R. White (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

A Straightforward, Accurate Answer to a Question Once Considered Settled

In Television campaigns, parachurch events, and clergy fellowships all across the United States, Mormons are presenting themselves as mainstream Christians. Is it unloving or backward to say they aren't real Christians?

In contrast to Christian monotheism the belief in one God Mormonism teaches that God was once a man who lived on another planet and was exalted to the status of God, and that Mormon men can also become gods upon death and resurrection. Is the Mormon My Brother? shows how this fact alone means Mormons and Christians are irreconcilably at odds at faith's most basic level.

In recent years Mormon apologists and church leaders have waged an unflagging public relations campaign to try to rid themselves of the stigma of being considered a "cult" in the evangelical community -. James White demonstrates in a peaceable yet conclusive way that the divide between Mormonism and true Christianity remains an impassible gulf.

Dr. John MacArthur, Senior Pastor, Grace Community Church

The first act of love in reaching out to Mormons is to demonstrate that we do not worship the same God. In Is the Mormon My Brother? James White powerfully drives home that message.

Hank Hanegraaff, President, Christian Research Institute

As Mormonism continues to remake itself and adjust its public image, evangelicals need to be even more aware of what is happening and why. Here is a useful, accessible, well-written resource that will help Christians sort out the growing misunderstanding of Mormon faith and practice.

Dr. John H. Armstrong, President, Reformation & Revival Ministries

About the Author

James R. White is the author of the popular The King James Only Controversy, The Roman Catholic Controversy, and Grieving: God's Path Back to Peace. He is the director of ministries for Alpha and Omega Ministries, a Christian apologetics ministry, and scholar-in-residence at Grand Canyon University. He holds an M.A. from Fuller Theological Seminary. He and his wife have two children and live in Arizona.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (November 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764220470
• ISBN-13: 978-0764220470
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,109,004 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #50 in

  Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Mormonism > Controversial

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Is the Mormon My Brother" is an excellent book., April 15, 2000

By	Vader2005 (Arizona, US) - See all my reviews

During the Last decade or so, the LDS Church has been engaged in a campaign to convince the evangelical community that it is orthodox expression of Christianity. "Is the Mormon My Brother" is an honest analysis of this claim---and the answer to this question is a gentle, respectful, but firm "no."

One of the toughest problems that White tackles is getting Mormons to clearly explain the LDS doctrine of God and goodhood. Many Christians who have with dialogued with Mormons know that a Mormon will agree with just about anything about God that an evangelical has to say. The oneness of God, the eternality of God, and the Trinity. In fact, it is very difficult, in a normal conversation to bring out any differences that set Christianity and Mormonism apart. However, if the Christian researchs a bit more, and asks more pointed questions, one soons discovers that LDS doctrine, in spite of the "agreements" that have been expressed over the Doctine of God, one find out that Man can become a God, and God, was one a man, and that there are actually an infinite number of gods in the universe and that every person can become a god. White's book is perhaps one of the best resources available to bring these differences out.

White does a great job of bringing this out, and he does so with extensive use of Mormon primary sources---everything from the Standards Works and early and modern publications from LDS Church authorities such as LDS prophets, and the general assemblies.

Moreover, he also addresses the issues brought about the book "How Wide the Divide" by Blomberg and Robinson, and the use of the Church Fathers (the doctrine of Theosis )by Mormon apologists to argue that the Early Church taught man can become a god.

However, it is important to keep in mind that the book is narrow in scope---the issue of monotheism vs. polytheism. It does not (and does not pretend to) deal with other issues that are also important (Such as the Historicity of the Book of Mormons). However, the book is very complete because it explains its purpose and it fulfills it. It is great if read along with Books such as "Reasoning from the Scriptures with the Mormons" by Ron Rhodes and Marian Bodine and "Mormonism" by Kurt Van Gorden. Thus "Is the Mormon my Brother" is a must for anyone interesting to witnessing to Mormons.

12 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book on the CORE-ISSUE, November 7, 1999

By	Brandon Anderson ([e-mail]) (Salt Lake City, UT) - See all my reviews

It's interesting to me how easy it is to tell which of the people who commented on this book at this site have actually read it, by the one line, one star comments, that include NO reasons as to why the book would recieve one star other than vaguely saying "it isnt good" (or the like), you have to know there's some out there simply criticizing this book with one star simply because they know it criticizes the LDS church. Regardless of the opinions below, pick it up, read it, and ask if it doesn't really hit the CORE issue on the question "Are Mormons Christians?", which is: Are Mormons Monotheists or Polytheists?

10 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars For the most part...good, August 12, 2000

By	"cl8" (WA United States) - See all my reviews

I believe I should first state my religious belief and my association with Mormon(s). I am a Protestant who has been studying Mormonism for quite a while (the ball got rolling when some Mormon friends started talking to me about their faith).

I've always enjoyed White's writing style and form. He is a good writer, I don't think many will deny that. The problem with his last book dealing with Mormonism, Letters To A Mormon Elder, was that it was designed as a 'witness tool' and the book was too broad...there weren't enough details in the arguments for them to be successful. This book, on the other hand has a very narrow focus. Only on the difference between the 'Mormon God' and the 'God Christians worship'. White simply pours out a fantastic variety of quotations as well. That is where the book shines...in it's number of references and quotations. I have looked up many of his references and found some very interesting statements. The Appendix where he discuses 'theos' in the early church is fantastic, he should write a whole book just discussing the early church. I've looked up a few references given by some LDS apologists who quote the early church...most of what is quoted is taken heavily out of context, but since the resources to read these early church leaders is so limited, no one will know the better (they hope at least).

The flaw of this book is one chapter; "The God Christians Worship". Where he quotes biblical passages that support his belief in the 'Christian God'. It is again too broad. God is so vast, you cannot simply demonstrate 'the God Christians worship' in a single chapter. Maybe in 3 books, sure, but one chapter, no. Besides that issue this book is good, it doesn't presume Mormonism is a cult and it isn't designed largely as a witness tool (I hate books like that). I'd give it 3.5 stars if possible.