How Mormon Scholars Conduct Patristic Research To Prove The Legitimacy Of Their Religion: An Analysis Of Mormon Use Of Patristic Literature And History -- By: Gordon Allen Carle
Journal: Global Journal of Classical Theology
Volume: GJCT 04:1 (Feb 2004)
Article: How Mormon Scholars Conduct Patristic Research To Prove The Legitimacy Of Their Religion: An Analysis Of Mormon Use Of Patristic Literature And History
Author: Gordon Allen Carle
How Mormon Scholars Conduct Patristic Research To Prove The Legitimacy Of Their Religion: An Analysis Of Mormon Use Of Patristic Literature And History
Adjunct Professor
Faith Seminary
Tacoma, Washington
Extension Site, Oceanside, California
Introduction
On August 15th, 1996, the eminent evangelical philosopher, Alvin Plantinga, gave a commencement address at an American University graduation ceremony where he lauded the achievements and God-honoring accomplishments of the students’ alma mater by saying, “Give thanks to the Lord for what this university…has been and is; support it in accomplishing this task of Christian scholarship; insist that it carry out the task with zeal, patience, discernment and deep Christian commitment.”1 Dr. Plantinga gave this address to the 2,566 graduating students of Mormon-owned Brigham Young University . In 1997 former President Jimmy Carter had harsh words for the leadership of his own Christian affiliation, the Southern Baptist denomination, for teaching that Mormonism lies outside the bounds of orthodox Christianity: “Among the worst things we can do is spend our time condemning others who profess faith in Christ.”2
What the examples above serve to illustrate is a growing phenomenon within Christendom of an apparent inability of many otherwise well-read, theologically informed3 evangelicals, who have been duped into thinking of Mormonism as just another species of Christendom. The examples of Dr. Plantinga and former President Jimmy Carter are just the tip of the iceberg that illustrates a disturbing trend among Christians who believe Mormonism is a legitimate Christian denomination. But what it also illustrates is the apparent success of a relatively recent strategy of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints over the past fifteen years of deliberately appearing as “Christian” before the broader Christian church. Some examples shall serve to prove this fact.
As a part of their regular temple “open house” tours for the general public, visitors of Mormon temples view an 11-minute video, which implies that the Mormon ritual practice of baptism for the dead and eternal marriage ceremonies are an extension of the biblical Temple.4 This is an attempt to present itself to the public, particularly to nominal Christians, as part of mainstream Christianity. Another example of this “mainstream tactic” is the Mormon Church’s new logo, designed in 1995 by a secular marketing firm that features the words “JESUS CHRIST” in large, uppercase type, and the remainder o...
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