Posted by:
Nightingale
(
)
Date: May 09, 2020 06:45PM
CrispingPin Wrote:
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> Not to defend Mormons, but….
I agree that readers don't come here expecting to see defence of Mormonism. In fact, I think that "defence of the faith" is not allowed here. At least, mopologists are not permitted to post if they are intent on defending Mormon beliefs (which, by definition, I guess most are).
But. Neither is it a place for the age-old argument of who is Christian or not. I get what caffiend is saying, from an EV standpoint. But those are shark-infested waters in these parts.
I see the question more as being a case of if you're using the Bible you're on the spectrum of Christianity. Then you can argue amongst yourselves as to meanings and interpretation. I think that to outsiders the distinction is negligible between various takes on what a certain scripture means or even what the entire religion is about. I note that many denominations within the Christian circle focus on certain specific aspects of the gospel, each one emphasizing some teachings more than others. Some have a wider view (i.e. United Church), others emphasize certain scriptural interpretations and injunctions (i.e. more fundamentalist style).
As for Mormons carrying the Bible, I think they tend to use their quad (all the LDS-related scriptures in one book), but maybe that's changed. Maybe they have an alternative now to just carry the Bible. Others would know better than I do. I don't see as many LDS missionaries now as before (likely due to COVID) but I note they don't seem to carry their books as much as they used to - perhaps due to the newer approach of just offering to help people or institutions (such as serving breakfast at a homeless shelter, where they wouldn't expect to be preaching).
Re JWs, they do generally carry the Bible - their own translation (New World Translation/NWT) - as well as an array of other books to give away and their magazines of course. Their Bible is not much different from the KJV, in my opinion, but many have a different impression on that. There are a few key scriptures they have changed in order to promote certain key doctrines that differentiate them from mainstream Christianity. The big one, which renders them "not Christian" to most in the Christian world, is John 1:1 - The KJV states "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God". The NWT changes this scripture to: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was *a* God". Of course, this is blasphemy to Christians - "the Word" refers to Jesus Christ and they do not consider him "a god", as that makes him "lesser than" in their view. (JWs do not believe in the Trinity of mainstream Christianity).
JWs consider themselves Christians and all others not "true" Christians. I guess that's not much different from what other Christian/Bible-based groups say about their own group and all others. Definitely, many Christian churches teach that both Mormons and JWs are not Christian.
Both groups use the Bible at their meetings. In my experience, the JWs use the Bible more than do Mormons. When I gave a (rare) talk in the Mormon chapel and included a couple of KJV scriptures (not feeling comfortable with the unfamiliar - to me - LDS scriptures) one of the missionaries told me that was a new one on him. I hadn't really noticed until then how little *any* scriptures are used in SMs, with most of the talks being about missionary work or people giving their testimony.
For the record I will say that in my experience of attending various churches the most frequent use of the Bible, from the pulpit and amongst the congregation, has been in the EV denominations. That shouldn't be too surprising.
Ecumenism is alive and well, at least in my neck of the woods, where various faiths try to find common ground with less emphasis on who is "right" or "wrong". I prefer that approach but some decidedly do not.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/09/2020 07:00PM by Nightingale.