sleepyhead wrote:Hello makelan,
I agree that the above would be an accurate description of how the average individual will interpret the claim of being a Christian. In other words when the claim is being made to being a Christian this is what will be assumed. Therefore I agree it is essential that anyone who claims to be a Christian adhere to the above doctrine. Whether this doctrine is essential for anything else (eternal life) I won't say it is and I won't say that it isn't.
According to Jesus Christ in the New Testament, that's the most important part of his message, and the most important thing anyone can believe. How would this not be essential?
sleepyhead wrote:For the question of whether Mormons are Christian or not I'd like to use the above definition. I realize it should be posted on the other thread "no Mormons are not Christian" but that thread drifted off into something else. 1st off I choose not to define myself as a Christian because of the above definition. I don't know what a "son of God" means and I believed he saved us from sin rather than the saved from hell and going to heaven thing.
What it means, precisely, to be the Son of God is not a part of the question, since there were different ideas in early Christianity.
sleepyhead wrote:The problem I see with a claim with regards to whether Mormons are Christian deals with salvation. Most of Christianity sees salvation as one thing i.e. going to heaven. Mormons have 2 halves of salvation, one being going to heaven and the other being exaltation.
It doesn't appear that Mormons look to the Christ for exaltation.
Completely wrong. Exaltation is all about Christ for Latter-day Saints.
sleepyhead wrote:Suppose an individual built a fancy club. He then hired a bouncer to stand at the door and only let cool people in. The bouncer and not the owner would now be in control of who could enter. It's the belief of Christianity and Mormonism that God made Jesus the bouncer to decide who could enter heaven. Jesus says as much in the parable of the sheep and goats.
Of course, Latter-day Saints also believe that Jesus and God are one in will, with Jesus subordinating his will to God's. This means it's still really God's prerogative, even if Jesus is the proximate cause.
sleepyhead wrote:With regards to exaltation this requires various temple ceremonies. To take part in these ceremonies depends on approval from the local bishop determining that you are worthy. In other words Jesus is not the gate keeper but the local bishop is.
No, one can still have the ordinances and not be accepted by Christ. Temple ceremonies do not overrule Christ.
sleepyhead wrote:The church also has a ceremony with regards to having your calling and election made sure which requires church approval but I don't know much about how that works.
Because the existence of such a ceremony is something you're not really sure about. It's just something you hear about from critics of the church on the internet.
sleepy head wrote:For the above reason with regards to exaltation Jesus is not the savior.
Utter nonsense.
Not interested.