Faith in Christ...or in Faith?
Sincerity doesn't save anyone.
October, 2019
Our primary ministry was recently contacted by a member of the Latter-Day Saints—a Mormon—who objected to statements we'd made about LDS beliefs. In particular, she claimed that the LDS did not deny the Trinity, did not teach that God was once a man, and did not teach that Jesus and Satan were brothers. She also took exception to the idea that we'd speak ill of a "denomination of Christianity."
I responded with thanks for her interest in accuracy. Then I provided links to LDS sources proving ours, in fact, are accurate statements. The Mormon faith does not teach anything close to the orthodox concept of the Trinity. Joseph Smith overtly taught that God was once a mortal man with a physical body. LDS teachings say Jesus, Satan, and all people are "spirit children" of God. More important than our articles, however, was the fact that these positions blatantly contradict the Bible. They're part of the extensive evidence that Mormonism is not a "denomination" of anything. It's a false approach that's not Christianity, at all.
Her reply suggested that her personal experience was more than enough proof of her faith in LDS teachings. She then stated that "the Savior's way" was not "trying to convince others that their truth is wrong." Her final conclusion was that my response—showing how and where she was incorrect about LDS teachings—was "a sign to [her] even more that [she was] on the right path."
I referred to Scripture which showed that telling others "their truth is wrong" was something Jesus was more than willing to do, especially when "their truth" was leading people to hell (Matthew 23:15; John 5:39–40; 2 Peter 2:1; 2 Timothy 4:3). As gently as was possible, I suggested that brushing off facts as a Satanic ploy looked a lot like 2 Corinthians 11:13–14 in action. I reminded her that error is possible, despite sincerity (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Timothy 4:2; Colossians 2:8–9). And I encouraged her to be willing to follow truth, rather than subjective experience.
Unfortunately, the rest of the conversation continued down exactly that same path. She wanted to debate denominations, claim that I could not question another person's relationship with Christ, said she didn't need to defend her beliefs to me, and even told me that using the term "Mormon" meant whatever I said was not credible. She then repeated her claim that the challenges I'd given to her beliefs were, themselves, proof that her faith was correct. Despite me pointing out that she'd been objectively, totally wrong both about LDS doctrine and statements in the Bible, she insisted there was no possible way she could be wrong about Jesus.
Clearly, there was no reason to continue. I left her with two crucial points. First, if someone describes "their Savior" as someone entirely different from the person described in the Bible, one has no choice but to question their relationship with the actual Son of God. Second, one cannot simply claim "I follow Jesus" as a cure-all for doctrinal error. I pointedly noted that she had to decide whether she was putting her faith in Christ, or in LDS doctrine. Those who claim to sincerely seek God should be willing to question whether their "denomination" is teaching the truth about Him. A person who says, "I'll follow truth…unless it deviates from my traditions or upbringing" is not following truth, at all.
That final point is one we find useful applying to other people, but harder to levy against our own experience. And yet, it's a crucial part of how we're meant to avoid error. Scripture tells us to test and examine what we're taught (1 John 4:1; Acts 17:11). But that also means examining what we, ourselves, claim to believe (1 Corinthians 11:28; 2 Corinthians 13:5).
It's a challenging question. Are we following the Bible's instructions to test, examine, and verify? When we look at some doctrinal position or church teaching, what are we really doing? Are we simply looking for a way to confirm what we already "know?" Or are we sincerely and honestly seeking truth, even if it means having to say, "oops, I was wrong?" Ultimately, there are only two options: we can seek truth (Matthew 7:7–8), or we can put our faith in our own preferences (John 5:39–40).
To bluntly pose the same question I asked the Mormon critic: do you have faith in Christ? Or do you merely have faith in your own faith? Are you trusting in the Son of God, so far as God has revealed Him, or are you trusting in whatever you happen to think about Jesus? What reason do you have to think your beliefs are correct? If you found out you were wrong about some doctrinal view, would you submit to truth, or walk away from that truth with sadness (Mark 10:21–22)?
It's not a pleasant examination, but it's a necessary one: will you follow the Way, the Truth, and the Life anywhere, or only to the borders of your own preferences?
-- Editor
