MORMON: Doesn't embrace the Trinity

While one could wish that the tone of Mr. Patterson’s article were more winsome, the fact that he has been honest about the content of Mormon teaching is refreshing. Frequently Mormons soft-pedal these differences between Mormonism and historic Christianity — particularly in the “missionary lessons” offered by their mobile missionary force. But Mr. Patterson has come out and told us the truth. Thank you. So for all those inquiring souls investigating the claims of Mormons to represent the only true church on Earth, let us take note of what we’ve learned.

First, Mormonism rejects the Trinity. There are three gods for our planet and millions of gods besides. Monotheism is bunk. Polytheism is in.

Second, Mormonism teaches that the god of this planet was once a man who by dint of faithfulness, hard work, and industry earned the right to be a god. He had a god over him to whom he was responsible even as we have a god to whom we’re responsible — for now. But one day you can become a god yourself. You can rule your own planet and populate it no longer living for the glory of your Creator but making others glorify you.

Third, Mormonism teaches that Jesus is the literal offspring of this man-made-god. Mormonism is quite clear that there are no mysteries here. This man-made-god came down, had sex with the virgin — now no longer a virgin — Mary, and the child Jesus was conceived. He was the literal offspring of this man-made-god.

So this is Mormonism 101 — and those of you who perhaps thought that Mormonism was just another Christian denomination will now understand how far afield the two belief systems are and why Christians have consistently opposed Mormonism. Its man-made-god is radically non-Christian and unbiblical.

And this brings us to Mr. Patterson’s biblical and historical claims. Like him I would urge you to read the Bible and the early church fathers for yourself — but don’t just snatch little paragraphs here and there and wrench them from their context — as Mr. Patterson does with C.S. Lewis and as Mormons do with the Bible. Instead read them entire and in them you will find nothing even approaching Mormonism.

What you will find is that the Christian Gospel, which we celebrate every year at Christmas, is not that man can become a god but that God became man in order to rescue us from our sin and rebellion. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). This God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is the Creator of all, eternal and unchanging. “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent” (Numbers 23:19). And it is this very God, the Creator and Sustainer of all, who took on human flesh and dwelt among us. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only-begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

And why did He come among us? Because we humans are broken and lost; because we have rebelled against the Living God and worshiped man made gods. “Professing to be wise, [we] became fools and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man… and exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen” (Rom 1:22-23, 25). But praise to God — He saw our plight and took on human flesh and dwelt among us and gave His life for us that we might be forgiven for our idolatry and by His Spirit enabled to love Him and serve Him and know Him. “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for Him; we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation” (Isaiah 25:9). What we could not do, weak as we were because of our sin, God did. So turn from your man made gods and worship the God who became man.

STUART W. BRYAN

Pastor

Trinity Church