MrStakhanovite wrote:Simon, you need to understand the difference of not recognizing an institution’s form of ecclesiology.
As to the use of the broad term "Christian" with reference to Roman Catholicism, such a term, due to its ambiguity in this situation, is less than useful. Faithful in preaching the apostolic message of the gospel? Certainly not, and that is the issue, Dave. If you feel a communion that replaces the grace of God with sacraments, mediators, and merit, can be properly called "Christian," then please go ahead and use the phrase. But please understand that if a person shares the perspective of the epistle to the churches of Galatia they will have to hold to a different understanding, and hence may not be as quick to use the term "Christian" of such a system.
I don't believe that I've ever said that I prefer the term "creedal Christian," only that I did not see it as particularly problematic or offensive. I know that some Latter-day Saints intend to offend with it because they see belief in the creeds as a negative quality, but I'm not ashamed of my belief in the creeds.
I think "traditional Christianity" is probably the best term, but I understand that a minority of Mormons will object even to that in spite of its use in official LDS discourse.
This thread was never about "Are Mormons Christians?" (an issue that I'm fairly ambivalent on) and I'm kind of disappointed that it's gone in that direction.
I will reply in full tomorrow and try to re-direct the thread back to the issues I raised in my OP.
"It seems to me that these women were the head (κεφάλαιον) of the church which was at Philippi." ~ John Chrysostom, Homilies on Philippians 13
Doctor Scratch wrote: I don't think that's what he's saying, Simon. As far as I can tell, he wants to protect people from falling prey to these things. But you've demonstrated repeatedly that you don't even understand how any of those things are possible w/r/t to Mormonism (and moreover, that you're either too stupid or too intransigent to *try* to understand), so I don't know why you bother.
If you read your post, you will see some loaded words that would cloud Rich's site. The use of the words 'falling prey' is a dead giveaway. To use this term is an insult to those particular faiths. I have never heard Mormons say that they teach the apostacy because they do not want people fall prey to the catholics or mainstream postestants. See my point.
Then of course, you say that Simon is too stupid to understand the goal of Rich's site.
I intend to lay a foundation that will revolutionize the whole world. Joseph Smith We are “to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to provide for the widow, to dry up the tear of the orphan, to comfort the afflicted, whether in this church, or in any other, or in no church at all…” Joseph Smith
Hoops wrote: And two of those are institutionally not Christian. I don't know much about SDAs
And who decides what particular christian groups are not christian? You?
I intend to lay a foundation that will revolutionize the whole world. Joseph Smith We are “to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to provide for the widow, to dry up the tear of the orphan, to comfort the afflicted, whether in this church, or in any other, or in no church at all…” Joseph Smith
Hoops wrote: If an institution denies the Trinity (among other things, but that's enough) they become decidedly non-christian. That is a game changer as it addresses so many other core christian doctrines.
The LDS church denies Jesus Christ, Heavenly Father and the Holy Ghost? I don't think so.
I intend to lay a foundation that will revolutionize the whole world. Joseph Smith We are “to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to provide for the widow, to dry up the tear of the orphan, to comfort the afflicted, whether in this church, or in any other, or in no church at all…” Joseph Smith