Does the Idea of a Mormon Jesus Really Offend Jews?

[_Enuma Elish]

Hello Misery,

I will defend anyone that deserves to be defended...

Having read through a variety of your posts, clearly Mormons are one of the few groups that you sincerely feel never deserve to be defended, no matter how vicious the attack.

In fact, quite frequently, you are the attacker.

I am surprised that youdo not understand why it would be offense to Jewish people ...I mean considering how easily offended Mormons are.....

Honestly, this is simply another excuse for you to offer up a criticism of Latter-day Saints. The idea that Jews would find offensive the idea of a Mormon Jesus is absurd.

Do you know any Jewish people yourself personally???

Well, yes. I’ve studied at a non-sectarian Jewish institution for five years. I’ve taught Hebrew Bible classes to Jewish students coming from a variety of backgrounds, including Israeli. I hold a Master’s degree in Judaic studies and am a few steps away from holding a PhD in Hebrew Bible.

Given my background, some of my closest friends happen to be Jewish. I can assure you that there’s no need for you to express pain for the Jewish people when reading the words “Jesus is a Mormon.”

As I suggested, this comment provides another classic illustration of your unique gift to send me to the floor rolling with laughter.

I honestly do appreciate it.

I feel that once again you are trying to lump everything and everyone into Mormonisn...which if that is the case you will be met with much opposition on this board....

In what way do you believe Latter-day Saints try to lump everything and everyone into Mormonism? Do please explain.

This is the reason that I will never belong to an organized religion ever in my life....it is simply easier to remain unattached to anyone one belief system...much much easier

Sincerely, Misery, I’m glad you’ve found such peace.

[_Jersey Girl]

Enuma Elish,

I'm admittedly out of my depth in this however, I have seen many references to the Gnostic Gospels used as support for LDS theology by it's online apologists. Could that be the area of connectedness that vegas alludes to?

What has the MAD board community had to say in addressing this claim?

Jersey Girl

[_Enuma Elish]

Hello Jersey Girl,

I'm admittedly out of my depth in this however, I have seen many references to the Gnostic Gospels used as support for LDS theology by it's online apologists. Could that be the area of connectedness that vegas alludes to?

This is a good question. I have also heard Christian Gnostic texts used to support certain concepts within Mormonism--sometimes even effectively, I might add.

But these are separate documents from the Dead Sea Scrolls and I still think we would be hard pressed to find anyone who has ever written for FARMS advocating the believe that Mormonism is the fulfillment of Gnostic Christianity.

Regards,

E.E.

[_Jersey Girl]

Hello Jersey Girl,

I'm admittedly out of my depth in this however, I have seen many references to the Gnostic Gospels used as support for LDS theology by it's online apologists. Could that be the area of connectedness that vegas alludes to?

This is a good question. I have also heard Christian Gnostic texts used to support certain concepts within Mormonism--sometimes even effectively, I might add.

But these are separate documents from the Dead Sea Scrolls and I still think we would be hard pressed to find anyone who has ever written for FARMS advocating the believe that Mormonism is the fulfillment of Gnostic Christianity.

Regards,

E.E.

FAIR enough ;-). How would you describe/define "Gnostic Christianity"?

Jersey Girl

[_Ray A]

David, I'm interested in your choice of moniker, Enuma Elish, which is a Babylonian creation myth. Is there any particular reason you chose that?

[_Gazelam]

Hugh Nibley frequently refers to gnostic writeings in his writeings and talks, along with apocryphal works. Mainly to show that Mormon Doctrine didn't come out of nowhere, there is a precedent to the things Joseph brought forth in restoreing the gospel.

Of coarce not all that is written in these various writeings is trustworthy, but much of it contains truth. Alot of what is in the Enoch writeingfs is very interesting, as are the things found in the various Abraham accounts.

[_Jersey Girl]

Hugh Nibley frequently refers to gnostic writeings in his writeings and talks, along with apocryphal works. Mainly to show that Mormon Doctrine didn't come out of nowhere, there is a precedent to the things Joseph brought forth in restoreing the gospel.

Of coarce not all that is written in these various writeings is trustworthy, but much of it contains truth. Alot of what is in the Enoch writeingfs is very interesting, as are the things found in the various Abraham accounts.

Well, Gaz, what is your understanding of what constitutes "Gnostic Christianity" and how would LDS theology fit into what vegas has asserted regarding FARMS?

Jersey Girl

[_harmony]

I'm no Biblical scholar and I know few Jews in real life, but it seems to me that the Jews would be happy to be rid of Jesus. They didn't much like him when he was alive, and he's caused them no end of problems since he died. So someone else, like the Mormons, claiming him can only be considered a good thing.

It seems to me that it's the Mormons who seek to establish a relationship with the Jews, not the other way around.

And Elish, if you're going to be offended at the occasional swear word, I don't see how you can function in the real world. We try to keep this forum swept up, but occasionally someone will slip. Most of us just ignore it, like we ignore it in real life. If you want to use that as the reason you participate no longer, we'll all know it's just a handy excuse and we'll understand. That would be too bad though. We're always on the lookout for articulate posters such as yourself.

[_Rollo Tomasi]

I'm just curious, in view of the fact that so many Jewish people are so very, very concerned with maintaining a connection with Jesus, does anyone else share Misery’s pain when reading the words, “Jesus is a Mormon”?

In my experience, no. I live in an area with a large Jewish population; I work with many Jews, including orthodox Jews. In my experience, Jesus is simply irrelevant to them. They don't look at Jesus as a Jew, but as a Christian. They likely would look at it differently if they read the words "Moses is a Mormon," or something like that, but Jesus simply is not a big force with Jews.

The only Jews who would be pissed off to read "Jesus is a Mormon" would be those who call themselves "Jews for Jesus." I work with a lady who belongs to that group, and she takes her Jewish heritage and her belief in Jesus very, very seriously. Just my $.02.

[_Yoda]

I found the following assertion from Misery on the Jesus is a Mormon thread so incredible that I did not want it to get lost.

I know what Harmony was doing....I am glad she is saying this and making MEN think...Hopefully Harmony can accomplish this...She can hold her own...I would be so hurt if I was Jewish...I know too many Jewish people...and it justs hurts me to hear that.....

I'm just curious, in view of the fact that so many Jewish people are so very, very concerned with maintaining a connection with Jesus, does anyone else share Misery’s pain when reading the words, “Jesus is a Mormon”?

In response to your initial OP...and...for the record, EE, I do hope that you come back to the board...

I don't see how a Jewish person would be offended if Jesus was referred to as a Mormon by Mormons.

Don't all different Christian denominations view Jesus as part of their faith or sect?

Also...we never denounce Jesus as being a Jew. He is a Jewish descendant. This is freely taught in our doctrine.

My understanding of the Jewish faith is that they do view Jesus as a great teacher and prophet, but not the Savior of the world. Is this correct?