I am a Lutheran, but my aunt's boyfriend is a Mormon. What are the big differences between the two religions? I just want to have a better understanding of what he believes.
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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the official name for Mormonism. Their television commercials are very appealing and family oriented, but Mormonism cannot be considered a Christian denomination.
The Latter Day Saints deny the scriptural doctrine of the Trinity. They teach that there are many gods and human beings can become gods themselves through a kind of spiritual evolution. Mormons are taught "As man now is, God once was; as God now is, man may become." Mormonism denies the scriptural teaching of justification by grace alone through faith in Jesus and teaches a system of salvation by works. They teach that people are born inherently good and have the freedom to make the right decisions. They believe that people progress by making wise use of this freedom.
Mormons practice "baptism for the dead." They believe that the spirits of the dead can accept Mormonism in the spirit world, but since they don't have a body they cannot be baptized. Since Mormon baptism is essential for spiritual progression, Mormons can be baptized in the place of a departed relative. This is the reason why Mormonism places such an emphasis on genealogy.
Mormons teach that there are three spirit kingdoms to which the spirits of the dead can go. The Celestial Kingdom is the highest kingdom and is reserved for faithful Mormons and those who die before the age of eight. The Terrestrial Kingdom is for moral non-Mormons and less "valiant" Mormons. The Telestial Kingdom is the place where most people will go after suffering for their sins. This is the kingdom of the least glory.
The Mormons accept the following as scripture: The Bible, The Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. They also consider the words of their living prophets to be scripture.
For more information about Mormonism and witnessing to Mormons visit the Speaking in Love & Truth to Mormons Web site. -
During Old Testament times, did believing Jews go to heaven? How about since our Savior Jesus Christ completed his work of redemption?
Salvation, including heavenly citizenship, was always part of the Messianic faith. Believers of all ethnic, cultural, and linguistic groups went to heaven in Old Testament times. This included Jewish believers. The testimony of prominent Jewish believers affirm that they knew about and believed this: David in Psalm 16:11, Asaph in Psalm 73:23-26, Isaiah in Isaiah 26:19, and Daniel in Daniel 12:1-3 are good examples.
The same is equally true during the New Testament era and will be so until the Last Day, at Christ's Second, Final Coming. Believing Jews are citizens of heaven just as believing Gentiles are. The original disciples and apostles were Jewish believers. The New Testament Letter to the Hebrews was addressed to Jewish believers, and Hebrews 12:22-24 affirms that heaven is their eternal home.
If your question is about unbelieving Jews (or unbelievers from any other ethnic group) or followers of Judaism who have rejected Jesus Christ as the Messiah and Savior of mankind, then we must sadly answer that they did not and do not go to heaven. Acts 4:12 affirms that Christ alone is the Savior of mankind. The grief of all believers regarding the loss of unbelieving Jews (Israel) is well expressed by Paul in Romans 9:30-33 and Romans 10:1-13.
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Could you please compare the main teachings and doctrines of confessional Lutherans to those of the Jehovah's Witnesses? What is their acceptance of other religions?
Although Jehovah's Witnesses claim to accept the inspiration and authority of Scripture, in practice they subject all teaching to human reason. Historically, the starting point for the doctrine of Jehovah's Witnesses was the hostility which their founder, Charles Russel, had against the doctrine of the eternal duration of hell. He believed this teaching was contrary to reason, justice, and love.
The most serious consequence of the Jehovah's Witnesses' use of reason as the standard for doctrine is their denial of the Trinity. They believe there is only one divine person, who should be called Jehovah. Christ can be called Son of God, but he is only "a god," not true God. Before he came into the world he was the archangel Michael. He is not equal to the Father. The "holy spirit" is only the power of God.
Since Jehovah's Witnesses do not believe Jesus is the divine Savior from sin, their doctrine of salvation is a system of work righteousness. All that Christ won for us is a chance for us to win life for ourselves.
Other errors of Jehovah's Witnesses are millennialism and rejection of the continued existence of the soul between death and the resurrection. During the millennium people will have another chance to win salvation.
A practice which has often gotten Jehovah's Witnesses into difficulties with governments is their refusal to salute the flag or to participate in the affairs of secular government. Jehovah's Witnesses have sometimes been taken into court because their beliefs led them to refuse blood transfusions for their children.
The errors of Jehovah's Witnesses are so serious that they cannot be regarded as a Christian church. They, however, regard themselves as the true religion.
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