The African Ex-Mormon Foundation recently published an article in The Inquirer Online newspaper (Liberia, West Africa). Seeking to address the question, “Is Mormonism The Same As Biblical Christianity?,” the article forms an interesting argument:
“The most important issue with any religion is ‘Is it the true religion?’ How can we determine that? By investigating, studying and comparing the foundation and core issues of each faith. Here are three foundational keys to all religions. This foundation actually forms the backbone of any faith that makes each one distinctly different. They are as follows:
- “Key #1 Source of Truth
- “Key #2 Who is God?
- “Key #3 How are you saved?”
The author notes that number one above, the source of truth, is the most important key to understanding the different faiths. That’s because the source of truth determines any given faith’s understanding of both the nature of God and the way to be reconciled to Him.
Biblical Christianity accepts the written Word of God, the Bible, as its sole source of spiritual truth and authority. Developing the answers to “Who is God?” and “How are you saved?” from this source of truth provides a firm and comprehensive faith system that has flourished to the glory of God for over two thousand years.
Mormonism is built on a different source of truth. Accepting the Bible as a book containing the word of God, but problematic and insufficient as the sole source of truth, Mormonism turns to additional books, and men regarded as living prophets, to find the answers to “Who is God?” and “How are you saved?” Consequently, the developed faith system of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints “differs drastically” from biblical Christianity.
Mormonism suggests that by accepting such a wide source of truth it is able to do away with doctrinal confusion, but that has not actually been the case. In the relatively brief period of the LDS Church’s existence (since 1830) many important teachings of Mormonism’s living prophets have come and gone, deemed imperative to true faith one day, false and irrelevant the next.
Biblical Christianity’s perspective on the prophetic office in the latter-days (as promoted in Mormonism) is found in the book of Hebrews. Ken Jones explains,
“What is expressed in Hebrews 1:1-4 is illustrated in the gospel accounts of Jesus’ public ministry. He is superior to the prophets of old in His position of preeminence, His person, and His prophetic utterances. But the writer of Hebrews is not just making the point that Jesus is qualitatively superior to the prophets of old. There is also an eschatological dimension to be considered. The former days consisted of types, shadows, and promises that pointed to the coming prophet-priest-king of a new covenant. The death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Christ have brought an end to those elements, practices, and offices that pointed to Him. This includes the prophetic office. Jesus’ death on the cross has brought animal sacrifices to a close, and His high priestly functions have abrogated the need for human high priests. Likewise, as the consummate prophet of God, Jesus has brought an end to the need of lesser prophets as the means of divine revelation.
“The finished work of Christ and the completion of the canon of Scripture have brought an end to the office of prophet in the Old Testament sense of the term.” (Ken Jones, “God Speaks Through His Son,” Tabletalk, Volume 34, Number 2, February 2010, page 53)
Mr. Jones concludes,
“In short, there is no new revelation apart from Christ. He is the prophet that has come as the fulfillment of the long awaited promise [Deuteronomy 18:15-18]. As the Son of God, Jesus not only declared the Word of God but manifested God to us as the Word of God in the flesh. What more do we need than what God has declared and manifested through His Son?”