Sunday afternoon, two young Mormon missionaries stopped by as I was putting up Christmas lights outside the house. In the past, I have played ignorant and allowed them to think I was a "religious seeker" of sorts, open to listening to their views. Today, as I saw them approach from my perch on the ladder, I prayed and felt directed to take a different tack.
"What is the gospel?" I immediately asked them.
They responded with an explanation that would suggest that we share the same views, but as I drilled down, it became apparent that we are worlds apart, and my refusal to budge from the dividing line sent them away more frustrated and angry than I've ever seen an LDS missionary before: They actually told me to my face that I am an apostate, as they turned their backs and quickly walked down my driveway.
What was the dividing line?
I embrace the "heresy of the closed canon."
Final authority for the Mormon is not the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants or the Pearl of Great Price—all of which are sacred books to them. Their final authority is the living apostles and prophets of the LDS church, who possess the right to interpret and supercede all former teachings.
In the past, I've never had an LDS missionary openly tell me this, because we've spent most of our time dithering over obscure Bible passages about baptism for the dead or the meaning of the trinity. In the end, they leave smiling, as we "agree to disagree." The problem with this verbal shadowboxing is that it avoids the key area of difference between the LDS and biblical Christianity—which is not individual interpretations of obscure Bible passages, but what holds the final authority as the Word of God.
Lest you think this encounter gave me the spiritual jollies, let me remind you that the sovereign grace of God is the only thing that separates me from these sincerely deceived young men.
I inwardly grieved and prayed for them for the rest of the day.
1 comment:
Hi Matt, I've enjoyed a few of your blogs. I've had quite a few run ins with Mormons in my time and the last one lasted 2 hours at my house. One time years ago I even purposely called them into my home by ordereing a free tape and agreeing to let it be delivered by local missionaries. It gave an opportunity to witness to the girl on the phone as well.Like you said, it is sad that they are so lost. I thank God for His grace in saving me. I went round and round with them over their authority structure and how I held to the Bible alone. Their adherence to the living prophet is sad truth. They told me they follow the author rather than the book. I took a whole course on witnessing to Mormons and understand muvh of their beliefs and I'm always blessed to get a chance to share Gospel truth. Now this advice was from a friend of mine that I've also shared, it's not gospel but I believe it is good if you are founded in your faith and have time on your hands when they arrive. When Mormons come to your door invite them in and keep them there as long as you can. The longer they are with you there is less chance of them reaching a house where someone is open to receiving their heretical teachings. No matter what preach to them the true Gospel. "Faith comes from hearing, and hearing from the Word of God." Rom 10:17. The man who taught the mormonism course years ago directed us to stay with 2 main topics. They are applicable to any cult. 1. Who is Jesus? and 2. How do you obtain salvation? For any true CHristian they will learn with little digging that Mormos, JWs, etc do not know the truth. I pray for mormons to be saved. Short of that every time a I see Mormon missionaries I pray the Lord thwarts their minsitry efforts. Let ua all pray God draws them to Himself in repentance and faith. Thanks Matt!
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