The Mormon Challenge - Carl Mosser
“[Approximately] 75-80 percent of Mormon converts come from specifically Protestant background. A well-known saying within LDS circles, based on the average size of a Baptist church in America, is “We baptize a Baptist church every week.” Whatever the actual figures are, the fact is that far more people convert to Mormonism from evangelical churches than vice versa. Second, given the current levels of biblical and theological literacy in evangelical churches and the kinds of converts produced by certain segments of the church growth movement, I am skeptical that evangelicalism is growing in the right kind of way to stave off groups like the Mormons. An increasingly theologically illiterate laity and an entertainment-focused pastoral ministry opens wide the doors of opportunity for Mormonism and other heterodox movements to attract converts from our churches.”~Carl Mosser The New Mormon Challenge~
posted by Doug E. @ 2:22 PM
14 comments
14 Comments:
Doug,
It looks like i am going to be the first to comment again.
It is sad to see this kind of info where mormon's claim one Baptist church per week. I heard this same thing about 10 years ago. I am like you, I do not know if it is true or not, and hope it is not true. The sad thing is pastors who are supposed to be preaching the Word of God with teaching of doctrine have weakened in order to gain an unredeemed crowd.
Doug,
Recently in the Greeley Tribune there was an article written by a christian about Mormonism. It stated facts about what Mormonism teaches and that it is not christian. A few days later a lady called in to say that she was a christian and a member of the mormon church and that what was written was not true. I just found it interesting that mormons are not even aware of what their "church" teaches. I wonder what is taught in "church" each week.
Doug,
Having said what I did in my previous comment, I realize there are many "christians" who go to church each week and don't know what they really believe either. Even when the truth is clearly presented each week.
Hey Gail,
It's true that many mormon's don't know what they believe either. I guess that is one thing that we have in common with them. :-)
Doug
P.S. It was good to hear from you.
These figures are startling. Just goes to show that the road is narrow.
I visited a Mormon church in Australia a while ago. All the guys had white shirts black pants and big smiles. The girls were modest and very feminine.
Everyone obeyed all the written commands and ordinances of their faith as best they could. I had a colourful shirt on and so did my friend so we stood out big time. Some got up and testified to how good they were and how nice the Spirit made them feel and what happened when they went on evangalism camp.
Finally it came to bible study so we went to a room and they started talking to us. They placed us in the beginners group with about 15 others. As soon as they mentioned Jesus I was quick to jump in and Questioned them on a few verses declaring His deity eg Colossians 2:9 and the conversation with Phillip. This shocked a few of them and soon they evacuated all the other members and 2 elders had a chat with us. We went through a few verses and finally one elder who was very angry by this stage told us that he felt like the Spirit had left the room. (Finally that demon was gone.)
Anyway they realised we were beyond converting and even though we gave them our house address to come visit they never did.
God only knows, but if I had to guess, I would say that a "Christian" who converted to Mormonism was never a true convert in the first place. In that sense they've only brought hypocrites/pretend believers into their fold. That is still an awful thing to think about considering all those souls whose hope is not based on the false teachings of the LDS.
oops...typo...
correction ---> IS BASED
Joshua,
I agree! What that says about our churches is frightening too. The fact that so many in our churches may not even be Christians though they think they are.
Have we watered down the truth so much that people sitting in our flocks can remain is such a condition. May there be Fire in the pulpit. (see Fire and Hammer blog in my links)
Doug
That's a great book. I think that most evangelicals have no idea about the current state of the Mormon church.
I haven't noticed Mormons around here as much. I once went on a tour of the then new temple outside Toronto (I was doing a comparative religion class through Operation Mobilization) and at the end they had a meet and greet. This guy came up and I told him who I was (a Christian) and he began to tell me how he left the Baptist church. I lost it and began questioning him for leaving the church for this - needless to say two elders escorted me out quite quickly. I do have a friend whose family left the Mormon church, he isn't a Christian yet, and it is very interesting. Like someone here said most Mormons really don't know what their organization believes (sadly true for many Christians too). I don't think the answer is dogma, but what is really unique about Christianity - that is the nature of Jesus who not only stepped into the world 2000 years ago, but continually steps into our lives as our ever present help in time of need. I think many "Christians" need to experience this as well.
I am a fifth generation Mormon. I realize Mormonism may sound silly to you, but believe it or not you sound silly to me. I am sorry if you feel you were rudely treated. I guess the Mormons were just trying to protect their property and their followers, but sounds like they should have been more tactful. I have tried to study other forms of Christianity and while I admit Mormonism is not perfect it makes way more sense than anything else. I am not sure you will ever understand me and I will never understand you. Maybe to really understand you have to be born into it or really have a huge change of heart. Most of us however seem to be stuck with how we are raised. Peace.
Anonymous,
I really do appreciate you leaving a comment. You are correct when you say we sound silly to each other. In fact I sound silly to a lot of people (even other Christians). This, however, should not be a determining factor when it comes to seeking the truth.
Bad experiences happen on both sides of the Mormon/Christian divide. This also should not be a determining factor regarding the truth.
What our differences come down to deals with truth. There are really only three options. Either one of us is right and the other wrong, or we are both wrong.
We also cannot use "what we are born into" as a crutch either. If the mormon view is correct, God will not say, hey you were born into the Christian lifestyle and you couldn't know any better, so I am going to go ahead and give you a planet to be a God over even though you didn't do what you were supposed to. And the same applies to you if Christianity is correct. God will not say hey, you didn't know and couldn't know you are excused from hell, even though you rejected who I really was and what I revealed
God has revealed Himself and all mankind is held responsible for that truth.
Be sure you are seeking the truth. The Mormon foundation is spurious at best, any deep analysis will reveal that.
Start by taking a look at the video in my sidebar called the Bible v. the book of mormon.
Doug
Doug. Thanks for responding. I am the fifth generation Mormon. I have been researching religion all my life. I am nearly 50. Mormonism may be right or wrong but it is not spurious. Even Mosser admits it is a tough nut to crack. I like Mosser. He may not agree with Mormonism, but he is smart enough to realize it is not a religion that can be easily dismissed or ignored. Sounds like you need to do more homework like Mosser.
Anonymous,
One thing we can both agree on is that Mosser is much more educated than I, and has certainly done more homework than I have.
You sound like an intellegent person, and I am certain that I cannot address the Mormon issues better than Mosser, and since you have been, and are capable of digging in yourself, I will spare you any of my arguments at this point.
You are welcome to stop by my blog and leave a comment anytime. I will keep you in prayer that the Holy Spirit will illuminate your heart to the truth of Christianity. I do not say that to beg the question but to reveal my heart's desire for you.
Doug
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