Limiting Christ

I don't know what happened to my algorithm, but for the last several weeks I've been treated to various articles and videos explaining why members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints aren't Christian. It's not a new accusation--I've run into it multiple times over the years--but it's still frustrating and so very untrue.

For those of you who don't know, the church is Non-Trinitarian, meaning that we don't subscribe to the belief that God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are simply facets of the same literal being--different stages of spiritual matter, as it were.  Instead, we believe that God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Ghost are three separate beings united in one purpose: the salvation of all humankind. 

I've been ruminating on this post for weeks.  I was ready to spit facts, to illuminate the history and doctrine of the Holy Trinity, to show the concept of the Trinity isn't established so much in the New Testament as it was in the various ecumenical councils that took place centuries after Christ's death, where it was voted on by men in need of a consensus and defense against charges of polytheism. I was going to cite various places in scripture where the Son and Father and Holy Ghost interact as three separate beings, and the teachings of Christ himself in regards to his relationship with the Father.  I was going to point out the decidedly un-Christ-like nature of their deliberately narrow and exclusionary definition of Christianity.  I was going to. There was going to be logic, and persuasion, and just darned good arguments.

Was. Past tense.

Every time I sat down to type, I couldn't.  Every time I tried to get offensive, defensive, argumentative, or negative I floundered. I knew my arguments, had all my sources... The words just wouldn't come.  Finally, sitting in church and listening to a talk about being a peace-maker, it hit me. I was going about this all wrong.

I don't need to point out scriptural inconsistency, flaws in logic, or inconvenient historical observations.  The need for validation and the desire to win is just pride. The fact is that the people who I want to convince have already made up their minds about what constitutes Christianity, and the Nicene Creed is the first of many non-negotiable qualifications to meet their standard.  I don't need to plead my case to them.

Instead, I offer two excerpts from the Articles of Faith, which is a summary of our key points of doctrine.

First, Article of Faith 11: We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may. We believe in agency, and therefore in the differences in opinion that arise as imperfect people try to understand and apply a perfect gospel.  That doesn't mean we are playing for different teams.  We are children of the same God.  Just as every child has a slightly different understanding of their parent, we all have slightly different views of God both as individuals and as churches.  One doesn't necessarily invalidate the other. I don't believe--and no where does the church teach--that believing in the Trinity disqualifies you from salvation any more than not believing in the Holy Trinity. God gives grace to our imperfect understanding.  That concept is actually scripturally based.

Second, Article of Faith 13: We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul--We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things.  If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.  Notice that it doesn't say anything about only seeking those things from a single, established, acceptable religion.  I have had my understanding of Christ and His doctrine broadened by beautiful, thoughtful, sincere insights from people both within and without the church.  They are as much a part of my testimony as the scriptures and personal revelation. I wouldn't be here without them.  What a blessing to have so many sources of light to provide illumination.

Most importantly, I have been a member of this church for over 20 years. Every prayer, lesson, doctrine, covenant and ordinance I've ever participated in or observed revolves around Jesus Christ and the God who sent Him to save us all. Every Sunday I renew promises to take His name upon me and to serve others as He would.  My testimony is between me and Him. Nobody else gets to limit or define my discipleship; they have neither the authority nor the monopoly on Christianity. 

I know Who I follow.

And that is enough.

The Articles of Faith: 13 Beliefs | Come unto Christ