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#13 The Facts On The Mormon Church
13. What does Mormonism teach about the
atoning death of Jesus Christ on the cross?
Mormonism claims that salvation comes because of the
atonement. In spite of such claims, the Mormon Church does believe in the
biblical atonement, but rather in an atonement of its own devising. The value
of the atonement in Mormon thinking is that it gives men the opportunity
to earn their own salvation through personal merit.
For the individual Mormon, righteousness by works would avail nothing if the
atonement has not canceled the penalty of Adam's sin, which brought physical
death to every man. Mormons are grateful for the atonement because it raises
them from the dead-but this is all it does. Mormons believe that "...the Lord
died in order to bring about the resurrection of the dead.
In other words, in no way has Christ's death actually purchased full
salvation for anyone.
Just as college degree does not secure a salary but only makes earning one
possible, so Christ's death does not secure salvation but only makes earning is
possible by good works. In Mormonism, the actual saving value of the
atonement is virtually nonexistent. In fact, Mormonism has such a low view of
the atonement that during its early history, the Church taught that men must
have their own blood shed (be killed) in order to atone for certain sins.
Unfortunately, there is little doubt that many individuals were actually
murdered in the mistaken belief that this would allegedly atone for their sins
and send them to heaven. Mormon leaders such as C. W. Penrose have taught that
the idea that Christ's death is sufficient for salvation is "the great error"
and most pernicious delusion of Christianity.
But the teaching of the Bible is clear: The death of Christ on the cross
actually paid the penalty for all sin. In order to appropriate that
forgiveness, all any person need to do is believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as
these Scriptures (emphases added ) show.
Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you
shall be saved...(Acts 16:31).
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that
Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures (1
Corinthians 15:3).
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our
trespasses, according to the riches of His grace (Ephesians 1:7).
He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross that we might die to
sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed (1 Peter
2:24).
He forgave us all our sins (Colossians 2:13).
In essence, Mormonism completely opposes the
saving value of Christ's death on the cross. It tells men and women that their
good works will save them, forgive their sins, and bring them to heaven. But in
doing this, it rejects the most fundamental teaching of the Bible and all
Christian faith. When Mormonism teaches men to trust in false gospel, again this
teaching comes under the Judgment of God Himself (Galatians 1:6-8).
One thing should be obvious from this discussion of Mormon
beliefs-Mormon faith and Christian faith are not the same. Mormonism rejects and
opposes the clear biblical teaching concerning God, Jesus Christ, salvation,
the death of Christ, and so on down the list. It denies the biblical teaching on
man, faith, the Fall, death and the afterlife, the Bible, the Holy Spirit, and
many doctrines.
In conclusion, those people who claim that Mormons are brothers or sisters in
Christ or that Mormonism is a Christian religion are simply wrong. Mormonism
oppose almost every biblical doctrine and, therefore, cannot possibly be
considered Christian.
Taken from The Facts Of The Mormon Church, by
John Ankerberg and John Weldon, published by Harvest House Publishers.
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