So what is my advice for being on mission during this “Mormon Moment” and beyond?  When we are setting out to theologically define religions, we should call it what it is– a theological cult. But if you want to reach people (particularly Mormons) for Christ, then drop the cult language as your starting point.

Mormonism is something we cannot escape right now. We are in a “Mormon Moment,” thanks to the candidacy of Governor Mitt Romney. Christians need to address this moment with truth and grace.

Right now, many are discussing what to call members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Is it a denomination, a cult, or another religion? How should we discuss such things in the moment?

First, Mitt Romney is right.  At Liberty University he spoke about people of different faiths, “your faith and mine.” Yes, those words were certainly chosen to assure evangelicals, but it hit the right tone– Mormonism is a different faith or religion. Three out of four Protestant pastors (and it’s higher for evangelicals) agree that Mormons are not Christians.

The problem is that most Mormons want to use the Christian label without believing biblical, Christian theology.

The obvious question is, how divergent can your views be and still be a part of a faith group (in contrast to forming a new one)? Can you believe, for instance, that Muhammad is not the prophet and still call yourself a Muslim? The vast majority of Muslims would say you cannot. For Christians, calling yourself a Christian while not believing God has always existed as the triune Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is just as inconceivable. That’s what Mormonism does. It’s not a Christian denomination. It is a different religion.

In some ways, Mormonism is to Christianity what Christianity is to Judaism.  Christianity took basic beliefs from Judaism, but from their perspective it added another testament and doctrines that did not match the original. To Christians, our faith is naturally connected to and a product of Judaism, rightly understood.  To Mormons, their faith is the natural completion of Christianity, restored and rightly understood.  Ironically, Jews don’t call us a “theological cult,” though I guess from their point of view, they could. As such, Mormonism is a theological cult of Christianity, in the same way that Christian Science and Armstrongism are.

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