Journal: Chafer Theological Seminary Journal
Volume: CTSJ 06:2 (Apr 2000)
Article: Repentance And Works In Cultic Theology: Part 2
Author: Ronald C. Rhodes

CTSJ 6:2 (April 2000) p. 19

Repentance And Works In Cultic Theology: Part 2

Ron Rhodes*

[*Editor's note: Ron Rhodes earned his Th.M. and Th.D. degrees from Dallas Theological Seminary. He is President of Reasoning from the Scriptures Ministries—a discipleship ministry helping Christians become biblically literate. His address is P.O. Box 80087, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688. His email address is [email protected].]

Introduction

Mormons feel strongly that the Christian doctrine of justification by faith alone is wrong. James E. Talmage goes so far as to say that “the sectarian dogma of justification by faith alone has exercised an influence for evil.”1 They view repentance and works as prerequisite for eternal salvation. In Mormon theology, grace is simply God’s enabling power that allows people to “lay hold on eternal life and exaltation after they have expended their own best efforts.”2 Grace aids people as they seek to attain perfection by personal effort.

In Mormon theology God’s grace alone does not save. Spencer Kimball made the point that “one of the most fallacious doctrines originated by Satan and propounded by man is that man is saved alone by the grace of God; that belief in Jesus Christ alone is all that is needed for salvation.”3 There is a great necessity for personal striving and doing good works in order to be saved.

An Overview of Mormon Theology

Although at times the language seems similar, the theology of the LDS Church is foreign to most evangelicals. They view several books outside of the King James Bible as canonical Scripture: The Book of Mormon, The Doctrine and Covanants,

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and The Pearl of Great Price. This examination of the doctrine of salvation in Mormon theology draws upon the LDS canon and works by noted Mormon theologians, apostles, and prophets.

General Versus Individual Salvation

Mormons talk about both general salvation and individual salvation. General salvation is “that which comes by grace alone without obedience to gospel law, [and] consists in the mere fact of being resurrected. In this sense salvation is synonymous with immortality; it is the inseparable connection of body and spirit so that the resurrected personage lives forever…. This kind of salvation eventually will come to all mankind, excepting the sons of perdition.”4 On the other hand, individual salvation refers to “that which man merits through his own ...