Responding to “This evangeliscal says Mormanism in not a cult”
Though the entirety of the article describes Mormonism, I don’t think that Dr. Mouw is trying to defend a religion…he’s standing up for a man…another human being. Remember, the main point of the article has a political thrust. Does supporting Mitt Romney fly in the face of evangelical conservatism? Others would venture to say that Romney’s religion makes him unfit to run a country. To that I will add that his ideologies are probably closer linked to Christian thought than those of our country’s founding forefathers. Also, don’t mistake Dr. Mouw’s article as touting universalism. He does not believe “that their theology falls within the scope of historic Christian teaching.” This professor and his seminary have made great contributions to missions, global evangelism and church multiplication and to my knowledge, he is a faithful man of God.
The 16th century etymology of the word “cult” is rooted in worship…of any type, any religion, and any group. It later morphed into describing smaller offshoots of mainline religions running counter to orthodox doctrine. And today a cult is a demeaning and hateful word used to describe people of opposing beliefs. If someone told you that you were part of a cult, how would you respond?
When we (Christians) use such oppressive words to categorize and judge others, the light of the Gospel might appear a little muddled to those watching. I mean, the world sees Christianity as just another religion anyways (not the relationship with Jesus most evangelicals describe). Unfortunately we are better known for our boldly crass and aggressive ways…our dividing nature, our passion to convert at all costs and our need to disassociate our lives from so called sinners (a misinterpretation of 1 Cor 5:1-12).
As a missionary and evangelist I’ve befriended many people of other religions and cultures. Many of the people I call friend are not Christian. Many of the people I serve are unbelievers. Some have admitted that when they first realized I was a Christian, they put up a wall labeling me as “one of those people.” Instead of possessing a great reputation for serving the disenfranchised, sacrificing our own lives for the sake of others, loving the marginal, taking care of the outcasts and treating the world with the type of love God poured down upon humanity, “Christian” puts a bad taste in people’s mouths. These friends of mine did not want to be converted or judged. If that’s what people think about us, there is a problem.
And sure, we could blame the deception that comes from the “evil one” and remember that Christ promised persecution as reasons to why the world is unhappy with followers of Christ. But modern day anti-Christian sentiment in religiously open/plural countries like North America and Europe are not founded in the same soil as the great martyrs who died proclaiming Christ…martyrs who were challenged to declare their allegiance to one God, one Gospel and one faith. Modern day anti-Christian sentiment is a response to the actions of God’s people, not in proclaiming the Gospel of love but in judging the people who have yet to know the God who saved them…people whom God created…whom Christ died for. When the truth of God’s Gospel is exhibited in his people, the world could be flipped upside down, not in hate but in love. Unfortunately, to the observer, Christians rub people the wrong way in the name of truth and in a manner I believe is not Christ-like.
In the end we have to ask ourselves some questions. Are we willing to dine with tax collectors (today, they’d probably be the Mormons, JW’s and so on)? Are we willing to talk to them like they’re human and eat at the same table with them the way Jesus did with Matthew and his guests (Matthew 9:9-13)? Do we have any close friends who believe in something completely different from us? Or have we separated our lives from the people who need to hear the Gospel most? Are we willing to openly dialogue with those who differ from our own beliefs and work tirelessly to answer in gentleness and respect the hard questions of our faith, the hope that we have (1 Timothy 3:15)? Or will we simply remain hardened to the unique and varied ideologies of people of other religions, push them away and write them off as those who simply believe in lies?
Dr. Mouw has decided to associate himself with people not readily accepted by the Christian world. Is he really falling into some sort of deception or are his actions reflective of Jesus’ actions to love all, even our enemies (Matthew 5:44)? Are his actions reflective of the Apostle Paul’s strategy of being all things to all men so that some may be saved (1 Corinthians 9:19-23)?
This article should challenge us to find ways to love the people we seem to hate. I pray that in the face of personal insult I am still willing to journey with whomever, no matter what station of life they’re in just so that they may experience the light of the Gospel, the truth that Jesus Christ has already completed the work required to redeem the very people who rejected Him (Galatians 3:13).
davidstamaria
October 11, 2011 at 3:14 am
wonderfully written, and very well-said, Mr. Samson!