What Makes Mormonism Not Christian? Mormonism differs by rejecting the Trinity and teaching Jesus as a separate being, with extra scriptures beyond the Bible.
Mormonism, or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), has consistently been a flashpoint in religious debates.
While Mormons believe that to belong to the body of Christian doctrine, many traditional denominations and scholars argue otherwise: they feel that Mormonism is not Christianity at all. More serious questions of doctrine, of scripture, and of God is at issue.
So here we have summarized the key reasons that some people think Mormonism is not Christian, even though it shares several similarities with Christianity.
Contents
How Mormonism Isn’t Christian
Mormonism is different because it doesn’t believe in the Trinity and teaches that Jesus is a separate being. It also has more texts than the Bible.
The question of whether or not Mormonism is truly Christian has been a matter of debate for decades. This debate is not necessarily about Mormonism’s acknowledgement of Jesus Christ but refers instead to certain unique beliefs that put the church outside orthodox Christianity.
Mormons believe in the divinity of Jesus Christ and see Him as their faith’s central figure. But it’s the differences in how they understand Christ, God petulantly Father, salvation, and scripture that make Mormonism a separate new phenomenon from traditional Christianity.
The theological divisions between the two religions originate from the origins of Mormonism itself. The movement was founded by Joseph Smith in the early 1800s, and he claimed that it was he who had restored the “true” Christian gospel, which had been lost after the death of the apostles.
Consequently, Mormonism has new scripture, doctrine, and beliefs that are far removed from or in complete opposition to what is taught by traditional Christianity.
Knowing Christianity
In order to comprehend why Mormonism is often seen as something distinct from Christianity, we must first examine the elementary tenets of the Christian faith. [What Makes Mormonism Not Christian?]
The Trinity
Traditional Christianity holds the doctrine of the Trinity — that God exists as three persons in one essence: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit. This understanding of God as a unified yet triune being is central to Christianity.
The Divinity of Jesus Christ
In Christianity, Jesus is conceived as the eternal Son of God who, through his death and resurrection, provides salvation for humanity. Jesus is both fully God and fully human, a doctrine that is central to the Christian understanding of redemption.
The Bible as the Sacred Text
Christianity maintains that the Bible, composed of the Old and New Testament,s is the inspired, infallible word of God. It is the ultimate authority for Christian doctrine and practice.
These basic beliefs shape the Christian worldview and form the foundation for what it means to be Christian. Any departure from these beliefs is often seen as a denial of Christianity.
What Is Mormonism?
Mormonism was founded by Joseph Smith in 1830. According to Smith, who said he had been visited by God and Jesus Christ. [What Makes Mormonism Not Christian?]
He was told that all existing Christian denominations were wrong and that he was to restore the true Church of Christ. This led to the publication of the Book of Mormon, which Mormons believe is another volume of scripture (alongside the Bible).
The LDS Church teaches that the Book of Mormon, together with the Bible, forms the complete canon of scripture. Besides these, Mormons hold the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price as sacred texts.
Mormon belief holds that after Jesus and the Apostles died, there ensued a ‘Great Apostasy,’ during which time the true church became corrupt.
Through Joseph Smith, the restoration of the church was supposed to have been accomplished. Today, the LDS Church claims to be the sole revelation on Earth.
Major Differences Between Mormonism and Christianity
Now, let’s compare some of the major differences between Mormonism and conventional Christianity–in the nature of God, Jesus Christ’s role, and the value placed on scripture.
The Nature of God
One of the most basic contrasts between Mormonism and Christianity lies in their differing views of God. [What Makes Mormonism Not Christian?]
In orthodox Christian teaching, God is Triune, that is, God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit are coeternal and coequal. They are one God in three Persons, identical one with another in Their divine essence. This is a fundamental doctrine of every major Christian denomination.
But in Mormon belief, it becomes even murkier. Mormons say Godhead; that is to say, God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
However, all look on these as separate beings, each with its own function. Mormons teach that God the Father has a physical body, that Jesus Christ is his Son, and that the Holy Spirit is a different and non-physical being.
In addition, Mormons believe that God was once a man and has progressed to being God; also, man can attain the same ultimate life out of his mortal body, which godhood even now enjoys.
The teachings directly contradict basic Christian views on both God’s unchanging nature and the Trinity. The Trinity is, however, that God has always been three persons in one divine essence.
Jesus Christ’s Role
In some extremely crucial respects, Christians and Mormons stand together in believing that Jesus Christ is humanity’s Savior. Yet the nature of his essence and function very much differ between them.
In Christianity, Jesus Christ is completely divine and simultaneously completely human. It is Christian belief that Jesus is eternal, always declared to be the Son of God and by His death on the Cross and subsequent Resurrection, bringing eternal life for all humankind. His divine nature is unchanging, and He remains so to this day in this respect.
In contrast, Mormonism maintains that Jesus Christ was a mortal man who lived on earth and became divine through a process of progression. [What Makes Mormonism Not Christian?]
Mormons believe that Jesus is a different being from God the Father and that He achieved His divinity only after His mortal life. The belief in Jesus as a “created” divine being conflicts with Christian thought of Jesus as eternally divine and uncreated
The Scriptures
One of the critical differences between Mormonism and traditional Christianity is their view of scripture. [What Makes Mormonism Not Christian?]
For Christians, the Bible is the only sacred text, and both the Old and New Testaments are considered to be the inspired word of God. Christians do not recognize as divinely inspired any additional texts.
Mormons, however, believe that the Bible is incomplete as an account of God’s Word. In addition to the Bible, Mormons consider the Book of Mormon to be another scriptural volume, which they claim was revealed by God to Joseph Smith. Also, Mormons designate the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price as what they hold to be inspired texts
This new scripture is a major point of distinction, as traditional Christianity maintains that the Bible is enough and that there is no more revelation needed.
Yet another area where Mormonism differs from traditional Christianity partly lies in its views on salvation and the afterlife. [What Makes Mormonism Not Christian?]
In Christianity, salvation comes from God’s grace and faith in Jesus Christ. Christians believe human beings receive grace alone, so it does not matter what good deeds you might do to gain God’s favour. Salvation is a present of grace, not something earned on merit or human effort.
Mormonism teaches that in order to be saved, faith in Jesus Christ is necessary. However, Mormons also believe people must participate in certain ordinances such as baptism, confirmation, and temple rituals. Mormons believe in the doctrine of eternal progression and exaltation. They believe individuals can eventually become like God.
This emphasis on works and ordinances in Mormonism, as opposed to Christianity’s reliance on grace for salvation, is probably the largest single difference between the two religions.
The Doctrine of Exaltation
Western religions teach that only God is eternal and unchangeable. Thus, the concept of men becoming gods is quite foreign to them. [What Makes Mormonism Not Christian?]
In the West, Christianity teaches that people can never become like God. God is He Alone. And as such, it has been completely unprecedented in Western religion for people to believe that salvation culminates with achieving godhood.
The Role of Works in Salvation
In Christianity, salvation is awarded entirely on faith in Jesus Christ. Christians believe that there are no specific religious rituals or good works needed to gain eternal life.
While good deeds are certainly right, they simply cannot by themselves earn anyone’s right to heaven for a longer or more comfortable life there than others may have. [What Makes Mormonism Not Christian?]
For Mormons, good works are also emphasized in addition to faith. They see the temple rites, baptism, and other religious ordinances as necessary steps to salvation and exaltation.
FAQs
Why don’t some people consider Mormonism Christian?
Mormonism represents a departure from traditional Christian doctrinal teachings, especially concerning who and what God is, Jesus Christ (his death on the cross), salvation, and the acceptance of other sacred writings. These differences are serious enough that many Christian denominations consider them to be an independent belief.
Do Mormons believe in God as spoken of in the Old Testament?
They often use the name Elohim instead. Mormons do have a different concept of God than other Christians. The Mormon Church teaches that God the Father and Jesus Christ are separate beings, as opposed to believing that they form a Trinity in one substance.
Is the Bible the only scripture for Mormons?
No, Mormons also accept the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price as sacred texts alongside the Bible.
What is the significance of the Book of Mormon?
The Book of Mormon is another witness to the veracity of God’s word and the divinity of Jesus Christ. Although it does not replace or contradict other holy scriptures, such as the Old Testament and New Testament, it adds a perspective that clarifies and reinforces these earlier records.
Conclusion: What Makes Mormonism Not Christian?
Even though Mormons consider themselves Christians and reverence Jesus Christ, the doctrinal differences between Mormonism and traditional Christianity are serious enough to separate them.
The nature of God, the role of Jesus Christ, the addition of new scriptures, and understanding salvation all add to the belief that Mormonism is not simply a branch within Christianity. For anyone wishing to investigate the unique character of the LDS faith, understanding these differences is essential.
Ramona Pearson is a U.S.-based religious researcher and writer with over 10 years of experience studying Mormon history and beliefs. She is also a practicing Mormon and writes to inform readers with accuracy and balance.