Is Mormonism a Cult, and Does It Matter in 2012?

Dr. James Emery White

You’ve probably read the news by now. In a less-than-veiled attempt to sway evangelical voters to presidential hopeful Rick Perry after introducing him as a “true” Christian at the Values Voter Summit last Friday, the senior pastor of First Baptist Church-Dallas termed GOP front-runner Mitt Romney’s Mormonism a “cult.”
So is it?
The answer is both “yes” and “no,” and understanding why is an important discussion.
The answer is obviously “no” from a popular perspective, and this is what has created a bit of a firestorm.
Mention “cult” and most people think of Jim Jones or David Koresh. Or even worse, Charles Manson. They think poisoned Kool-Aid and Waco, mind control and isolation.
None of which would be true of Mormonism, and would be wrong to insinuate.
But in theological terms, if you were to define cult as a religious group that denies the biblical nature of God, the full divinity of Jesus Christ, and that we are only saved through His atoning death on the cross through grace, then yes, it is.
This is not news; it has been the position of mainstream Christian faith since Joseph Smith came on the scene with his extra-biblical revelations. In a LifeWay Research survey of 1,000 American Protestant pastors, 75 percent rejected the idea that Mormons were Christians.
Not because of bigotry, but because of theology.
So sociologically, no, Mormonism is not a cult. It is not like Scientology or Hare Krishna, Jehovah’s Witnesses or Christian Science.
But theologically, yes, it is.
But because of the cultural overtones, we’re better off calling them a religion that borrows heavily from Christianity but stands outside of mainstream orthodoxy. They themselves would agree, maintaining that they have something different to offer than traditional Christian faith.
But whether a theological cult or not, does it matter? Does it matter whether we elect a non-Christian president? In the rush to condemn the comments by Jeffress, many seem to be bending over backward to maintain that one’s personal religious beliefs are irrelevant to higher office.
Much of this is pure politics. If Romney’s Mormonism becomes a liability, it will hurt the GOP’s chances in 2012 if indeed he proves to be their candidate for president. According to the Pew Research Center, 34 percent of white evangelicals report themselves “less likely” to vote for a Mormon for president.
But should faith matter?
Again, “yes” and “no,” and, again, understanding why is an important investment.
The answer is “no” in that we are not electing a president to be a pastor or Pope, priest or prophet. The title is commander in chief, not cleric in chief. Further, Article VI of the Constitution is very clear: “[N]o religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.”
There should be no doubt as to the freedom for any citizen to participate in the political process, regardless of faith.
But the answer is “yes” in that a person’s religious convictions, or lack thereof, shape their thinking. And we are very much electing someone to think and decide on our behalf.
Does the candidate claim a faith but it has no real bearing on their life?
That matters to me.
Does the candidate hold to an End Times view that will shape their dealings with the Middle East?
That matters to me.
Does the candidate sincerely pray to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Jesus and Paul for wisdom and discernment?
That matters to me.
Does the candidate hold to a theological perspective that will shape views on marriage, the sanctity of life, the treatment of the widow and the orphan and the alien?
That matters to me.
I think the question would matter to any thoughtful voter of any political leaning. They may want different answers than I would, but most in the electorate would find the answers to be relevant. People who say personal conviction, or religious faith, is irrelevant to a presidential candidate are being politically and intellectual naïve. Yes, vote for president on the basis of your estimation of their ability to govern, but don’t be misled that religious conviction is irrelevant to the decision-making process inherent within governance.
So is Mormonism a cult?
Yes and no.
Does it matter if a presidential candidate is a Mormon … or a Muslim, or a Jew or a Christian?
Yes and no.
Just make sure you know which “yes” and which “no” you have in mind.
James Emery White

A Mission Story

It was a sunny, cool morning - perfect weather for what we were about to do.  My daughter and I had packed our backpacks the night before and were laughing over the fact they weighed around 50 pounds each.  Add to that another tote bag full of CD players and Bibles and we were wondering if we'd even be able to walk!  We woke early, had breakfast and drove down to the train station.  We had started our adventure - the one God had been calling me to do for the past year or so.  And He had blessed us with beautiful weather.

Arriving in Philadelphia about 50 minutes later we paused in the train station to pray about our mission that day -  ministering to the street homeless.  We had 16 survivor kits, 10 CD players with the CD The Invitation, and 8 New Testaments.  Our brothers and sisters in Christ had contributed in so many ways - finances, materials and prayers.  We asked God to guide us, give us a boldness, soften hearts, keep us humble and most of all, give all the glory to Him.  We were excited!!

The first homeless man we came across was playing a guitar while sitting on the sidewalk, leaning against a building.  No one was paying attention to him.  We approached, I bent down and asked him if he could use a kit.  He nodded, stopped playing and started talking. It took me about a minute or so to realize he was rambling and making no sense whatsoever.  Just disjointed words racing from his mouth.  It broke my heart.  In fact, the next couple of homeless were the same.  They all had lost their minds.  We tried to talk to them about Jesus, but it was difficult.  One said he knew Jesus and then went on to tell us how Jesus had a steel plate in his head.  Another one told us Jesus lived next door to him.  All we could do is love them and pray for them. 

Perhaps God was testing us - or maybe preparing us to be bold.  Because after that He put homeless in our paths that were coherent.  There were also some that were asleep so we would leave a pile next to them of the kit, CD player and Bible.  Wonder what they thought when they woke up!  There were a couple of men that told us we were the second ones that day to give them something - that others had given them some tracts about Jesus.  Of course we smiled and told them God must be trying to reach them!  Praise the Lord!

My daughter and I started walking down one street and I spotted a homeless guy with a cardboard sign up ahead.  He was sitting on the sidewalk leaning against the building.  We also saw a family of tourists coming the other way.  As they passed the homeless man, they all looked at him and his sign, then the mother actually made a face of distaste and rolled her eyes.  It could have been something right out of a movie it was so surreal.  We stopped to talk to him and give him our goodies - he was so excited!  He stood up and thanked us.  We asked him his name (Bobby) and could we pray for him.  He seemed apprehensive but excited at the same time and said yes.  So we held hands and prayed for him.  Will you keep Bobby in your prayers, too? 

By noon we had given away all of our stuff and decided to make a stop at the bookstore before going home.  Instead of looking at a map I figured I had been in Philly enough to wing it, so we just started walking.  I wasn't sure of the streets, I just knew the general direction to head in.   But God knew - and He took us down a street we had been down earlier, unbeknownst to us.  There had been a homeless man earlier, sleeping on a grate, that we left one of our piles with.  Next thing we know, we are passing him again. And lo and behold, he was sitting up listening to The Invitation CD we had left him!!!  We were so thrilled and knew God took us there to show us and use it to encourage us.  Thank you, Lord.

By the end of our adventure, I could hardly walk - literally.  My calves hurt so bad I was limping. And the next day my pain wasn't much better and my daughter was hurting, too!  But it was worth those pains - they are minor in comparison to the pain of being eternally seperated from God.  And we can't wait to do it again.  I pray this will become a regular mission for us.  God is good - all the time!  I know the weather may not be so beautiful the next time we do this - I think God was generous our first time out - but that's okay because I'm blessed to have a roof over my head while these street people do not.  God bless them.

Please pray for all the homeless.  Pray for their safety; pray they will be fed and clothed; most of all pray they will come to know Jesus.  One last note -  my daughter and I wondered how the mentally diminished will be able to accept the Lord in their lives when they can't understand what we are saying to them.  Well God reminded me that with Him all things are possible - could He not give them lucid moments?  Perhaps when they are listening to The Invitation or reading a passage in the Bible.  So we need to witness to everyone - everywhere - all the time. 

May all the glory and praise go to Him.