Bridge of Reason

  Isaiah 53 in the Great Isaiah Scroll It is in Acts 8:26-38 we find the story of Philip and the Ethiopian official from the court of Candace. The Spirit directs Philip to ‘go down from Jerusalem to Gaza’ and talk to the man. Here was the last watering hole before the desert on the route from Jerusalem to Egypt, from where he would go on to the ancient Nubian kingdom south of Aswan on the Nile. The man was probably a God-fearer – ‘he had come to Jerusalem to worship.’ He was ‘seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah.’ This was unusual for an outsider, a Gentile. He had, nevertheless, been to Jerusalem and would have heard of the crucifixion, of the events at Pentecost, and might have witnessed the beginning of the Christian Diaspora. What would he have seen and heard that would draw him to Isaiah 53? Philip is instructed to join the man’s chariot, which he did and found himself invited to come up and sit with him. What if it had been Charles Russell in that...

  Russell M Ballard Speaking in Toronto If you were asked to identify ‘the most remarkable event in history’ you would, as a Christian, be spoiled for choice. I know the obvious answer is the events on Golgotha, the cross and the atoning sacrifice of Christ, but there are some pretty close run second place events in Christian history. What about the incarnation itself, God taking on human form and, as John so eloquently puts it: ‘ The Word became flesh and dwelt (tabernacled, pitched his tent) among us and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.’ John 1:14 Then again , that this Word become flesh went about healing the sick, raising the dead, and more remarkable still, forgiving sins – full of grace and truth indeed – must be up there. The unveiling of his glory atop mount Hermon, to which John alludes – ‘we have seen his glory’ – is a truly remarkable event. The Son of God, his glory veiled in flesh, revealing his true natu...

The video continues by showing that the true church of Jesus Christ practices various activities. Baptism and The Gift of the Holy Spirit It says that the early church, established by Christ, baptised by immersion, and bestowed the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands. Mainstream Christianity has no problem with baptism by immersion or the laying on of hands for the reception of the Holy Spirit. [1] The problem therefore lies in how Mormons understand these things. Mormons believe that baptism is essential for exaltation and both baptism and the laying on of hands, must be administered by the proper authority i.e. by their leaders. ‘Baptism into Christ’s true church by proper authority opens the doors for exaltation in the eternal kingdoms of glory, exaltation to be earned by repentance, by living righteously, keeping the commandments of the Lord, and service to one’s fellowmen’ [2] The laying on of hands is the procedure revealed by the Lord for performing many priesthood...

  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is all about looking and sounding Christian. In a series of short videos all with the title ‘How Can It Not Be True’, the church seeks to draw in the unsuspecting and the curious. Several of these brief videos cover the obvious ‘Christian’; topics like: Who is God; Evidence for God’s Existence; The Miracle of Humankind and Jesus Christ as the Son of God. Each of these videos would be appear ‘Christian’ to those who know little or nothing about Mormonism. Then, after lulling you in and convincing you that they are a Christian church, you are hit with the first Mormon distinctive. The video entitled: How Can It Not Be True – Joseph Smith, informs us that during his earthly ministry Christ established his church. They are not wrong. In his gospel account, Matthew records the words of Jesus: And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18 This is ...

  ‘I believe the Bible as it read when it came from the pen of the original writer. Ignorant translators, careless transcribers, or designing and corrupt priests have committed many errors’ [1] Though each Mormon Missionary will own and read a Bible, they have been taught that it is unreliable. Article eight of the LDS faith says: ‘We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly…’ [2] If you ask the missionaries to show you where the Bible has been translated incorrectly, there are unable to do so. This clearly shows that Mormons, like many caught in cults, just believe, and teach what they are told by their leaders. They don’t check things out for themselves. Now we must acknowledge that many so-called Bible believing Christians, will also just trust what they are told by their leaders. It is believed that we can trust those whom God has appointed over us, and so believe there is no need to check what we are being taught. Be Bereans I love the fact ...

  A New Year usually brings a fresh wave of optimism. There appears to be an opportunity for a fresh start, a chance to get your house in order, the possibility of doing something different. Each year people resolve such things as losing weight, giving up smoking, not drinking as much, going to the gym, or learning a new language. None of these are bad in and of themselves, but very few people will continue these activities much beyond February. Why is it that people resolve to try and change themselves? Change Did you hear of the small boy who swallowed a pound coin? When his mother called the doctor to ask of her son’s condition, the doctor said: ‘I’m afraid there has been no change’. There is something deep within us human beings that causes us to be dissatisfied with our lives. We know things are not right and so we seek to change. Realising the truth of this, the American author, Henry David Thoreau said that: ‘The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation’, meaning that mos...

The Mormon Church is not changing it's name again, it is making a 'correction.' In an official statement in August new president, Russell M Nelson, said: “ The Lord has impressed upon my mind the importance of the name He has revealed for His Church, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We have work before us to bring Technorati Tags: ourselves in harmony with His will. In recent weeks, various Church leaders and departments have initiated the necessary steps to do so. Additional information about this important matter will be made available in the coming months.” Call me cynical but I have the suspicion this is not so much an impression from the Lord as a long-standing issue for the man. I imagine all those leadership meetings over the years where he tried to raise the subject - 'Oh, Russell's on his hobby horse again. Mormon is popular Russell, listen to the tech guys. ' I imagine the rolled eyes when this was announced, 'He's only...

The Mormon God has evolved with the thinking of Mormon leaders. The Book of Mormon, the earliest Mormon text, insists there is one God. In a discussion between two characters named Amulek and Zeezrom we read: ‘And Zeezrom said unto him: Thou sayest there is a true and living God? And Amulek said: Yea, there is a true and living God. And Zeezrom said: Is there more than one God? And he answered, No.’ (Alma 11:26-29) In conversations with Mormons this is a helpful text. The question is at the bottom of page 235 while the answer is over the page. Asking a Mormon what answer he or she thinks Amulek gives before turning the page can make for an interesting exchange. On a time-line this teaching comes in March 1830, the date of the Book of Mormon’s publication. This ‘one God’ sounds singularly Trinitarian in nature, although is probably modalist in Smith’s mind: ‘..And the honor be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, which is one God. Amen.’ (Testimony of the...