Some Christians say, “Mormons are not Christians.” They’re offended that Mormons claim to be Christian. I understand why they think I’m not a Christian. And I’m ok with that —
If they want to call me Mormon, that’s fine. But let’s just take a look at why Mormons consider themselves to be more like 1st century Christians — those of the Apostolic Age (from Jesus to the end of the Apostles — called the Primitive Church.)
Most Christians believe in the Christian dogma of the 4th century — The Nicene Creed of 325 AD. Mormons don’t follow that creed. And that’s part of the rub.
Here’s an example: 1st century Christians believed in a God that was a separate Being from Jesus; 4th century Christians adopted the creed of the Holy Trinity — that God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit are one-being, one in-essence, co-existing.
This Trinity, three Gods in one, was adopted in 325 AD — at the Nicene Council. Under the Roman Emperor, Constantine, where the First Council of Nicaea convened to decide what Christians should believe. The Emperor wanted a universal creed; he invited 1800 bishops from the Roman Empire — about 220 – 318 showed up.
Constantine
Many bishops at the council did not agree with the creed, but they were out-voted and voted out. Those not following the creed were excommunicated and the books that contained these teachings were burned and those possessing those books were to be executed — that’s right, executed.
Emperor Constantine and the Council of Nicaea. The burning of Arian books is illustrated below. Drawing on vellum. From MS CLXV, Biblioteca Capitolare, Vercelli, a compendium of canon law produced in northern Italy ca. 825.
Differing interpretations of the Scriptures were not accepted. The following christological doctrines were condemned as heresies: Ebionism, Docetism,Basilidianism, Alogism or Artemonism, Patripassianism, Sabellianism, Arianism, Apollinarianism, Nestorianism, Eutychianism, Monophysitism, and Monothelitism.
Ditto some Christians today. No differing interpretation of the scriptures or you are not Christian, you are exiled.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints believes that God the Father, Jesus Christ and The Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit are three separate Beings with one purpose. They believe that God has a tangible body, as does his son Jesus Christ; the Holy Ghost is a personage of spirit
Some Christians want to excommunicate Mormons because they interpret the scriptures more like the earlier, 1st century Christians. But hopefully, as a society we have moved on from the year 325 AD when the Emperor Constantine enforced what it meant to be Christian.
Joseph Smith’s First Vision by Jon McNaughton, showing the Father and The Son as separate personages.
Most Christians today believe in the Trinity — the three Gods in One, illustrated in this medieval fresco:
Fresco in the Sistine portraying the Nicene Council of 325 AD
 Fridolin Leiber – The Holy Trinity. Note that the iconography of “triplets” may not be accepted by all modern Christian groups. (The Holy Trinity is more usually depicted with God the Father as an elder, God the Son as Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit as a divine Dove, as in Fridolin Leiber’s other work File:Fridolin Leiber – Pater noster.jpg .) The persons of the trinity are identified by symbols on their chests: The Son has a lamb (agnus dei), the Father an Eye of Providence, and the Spirit a dove. |
Comparing LDS Beliefs With First Century Christianity
