Scripture In The Mormon Church
EXPLORING THE ESSENTIALS
INTRODUCTION
“Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.”
The apostle John wrote these words stressing to his readers that by believing that Jesus was the Christ and the Son of God, they would receive eternal life. This statement could raise the question, is that all that is essential for salvation? One finds that very idea in the teaching of the Mormon Church. However, there is an overall consensus within Western Christian Churches that the Mormon Church believes things outside of Christian Orthodoxy. The late BYU Professor Alvin Goodman, Ph.D. defended the Mormon Church, stating that, “Anyone that believes in Christ is a Christian, and we believe we are Christians…” Therefore, it seems that the questions regarding the essential beliefs of Christianity need answers. The goal of this research paper is to …show more content…
On those grounds, a person could ask, is believing the Bible essential and if so, does that mean each of its statements are concrete literal? In general, all Christians regard the Bible as having been inspired by God and is thus a holy text. The expression of this view appears as early as the Apostle’s Creed states, “I believe in the Holy Spirit… who has spoken through the prophets.” Although this position is common within Christianity, its meaning has several nuances. For that reason, statements of faith from denominations or movements often quantify inspired with other terms such as inerrancy or plenary. Perhaps, it would be best first to distinguish what inspiration is not and second to see how theologians have explained their
INTRODUCTION
“Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.”
The apostle John wrote these words stressing to his readers that by believing that Jesus was the Christ and the Son of God, they would receive eternal life. This statement could raise the question, is that all that is essential for salvation? One finds that very idea in the teaching of the Mormon Church. However, there is an overall consensus within Western Christian Churches that the Mormon Church believes things outside of Christian Orthodoxy. The late BYU Professor Alvin Goodman, Ph.D. defended the Mormon Church, stating that, “Anyone that believes in Christ is a Christian, and we believe we are Christians…” Therefore, it seems that the questions regarding the essential beliefs of Christianity need answers. The goal of this research paper is to …show more content…
On those grounds, a person could ask, is believing the Bible essential and if so, does that mean each of its statements are concrete literal? In general, all Christians regard the Bible as having been inspired by God and is thus a holy text. The expression of this view appears as early as the Apostle’s Creed states, “I believe in the Holy Spirit… who has spoken through the prophets.” Although this position is common within Christianity, its meaning has several nuances. For that reason, statements of faith from denominations or movements often quantify inspired with other terms such as inerrancy or plenary. Perhaps, it would be best first to distinguish what inspiration is not and second to see how theologians have explained their