Romney's Religion
As a pastor, I should stay out of politics. However, when politicians make theological statements, it is my duty to clarify, if necessary, theological issues. So here I go again. The last time I did this was when Kerry made an illogical statement concerning a fetus. (A Piece of My Mind #62, “Kerry’s Logic.” July 29, 2004 at insightsfromtheword.com.)
Recently, Mitt Romney delivered a defense of religious liberties. He vowed that he would stand proudly by his beliefs as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He also said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God and the Savior of mankind” and “My church’s beliefs about Christ may not all be those of other faiths.”
Romney is right about his religion; it has different beliefs than the Scripture about Christ and a number of other things. Their official doctrinal statement says:
Article 3 We believe that through the atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel.
Article 4 We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the gospel are: 1) faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, 2) repentance 3) baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, 4) laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Article 8 We believe the Bible to be the Word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the Word of God.
That is only the beginning. They also believe Adam was God, Jesus was the natural offspring of Adam and Mary, Jesus was a polygamist who married two Marys, and Martha and Jesus had children.
What makes Mormonism radically different from biblical Christianity is that the Bible teaches Jesus is God (Jn. 1:1), who became a man (Jn. 1:14—Christmas!), who died for our sins and arose from the dead (1 Cor. 15:3-4—Good Friday and Easter) and that salvation is by faith alone in Christ alone (Eph. 2:8-9). While Mormons say they believe in the Trinity and in the deity of Christ, they actually believe in another Jesus (2 Cor. 11:4) and another Gospel (Gal. 1:6). Mormons are sincere, hardworking, family-oriented people, but doctrinally they are just plain wrong.
If nominated and elected, Mitt Romney may make a good president. As a Christian what bothers me is that a Mormon president would give Mormonism a form of legitimacy in the US and around the world. That is a spiritual issue, not a political issue, and spiritual issues ought to take precedence over all other issues.
© G. Michael Cocoris, 12/10/2007
Recently, Mitt Romney delivered a defense of religious liberties. He vowed that he would stand proudly by his beliefs as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He also said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God and the Savior of mankind” and “My church’s beliefs about Christ may not all be those of other faiths.”
Romney is right about his religion; it has different beliefs than the Scripture about Christ and a number of other things. Their official doctrinal statement says:
Article 3 We believe that through the atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel.
Article 4 We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the gospel are: 1) faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, 2) repentance 3) baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, 4) laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Article 8 We believe the Bible to be the Word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the Word of God.
That is only the beginning. They also believe Adam was God, Jesus was the natural offspring of Adam and Mary, Jesus was a polygamist who married two Marys, and Martha and Jesus had children.
What makes Mormonism radically different from biblical Christianity is that the Bible teaches Jesus is God (Jn. 1:1), who became a man (Jn. 1:14—Christmas!), who died for our sins and arose from the dead (1 Cor. 15:3-4—Good Friday and Easter) and that salvation is by faith alone in Christ alone (Eph. 2:8-9). While Mormons say they believe in the Trinity and in the deity of Christ, they actually believe in another Jesus (2 Cor. 11:4) and another Gospel (Gal. 1:6). Mormons are sincere, hardworking, family-oriented people, but doctrinally they are just plain wrong.
If nominated and elected, Mitt Romney may make a good president. As a Christian what bothers me is that a Mormon president would give Mormonism a form of legitimacy in the US and around the world. That is a spiritual issue, not a political issue, and spiritual issues ought to take precedence over all other issues.
© G. Michael Cocoris, 12/10/2007