Item Detail
-
20037
-
0
-
0
-
English
-
An Assessment of the Distinctive Soteriology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) from the Perspective of Selected Evangelical Theologians
-
Wake Forest, North Carolina
-
Southeatern Baptist Theological Seminary
-
269
-
Ph.D. diss.
-
"Despite alleged similarities, evangelicals and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) embrace tenets of soteriology which are fundamentally incompatible. Some LDS argue that, although LDS and evangelical soteriology differ on some issues, they are sufficiently similar on foundational issues for LDS to be considered Christians. Evangelicals, on the other hand, argue that numerous aspects of LDS soteriology are fundamentally different from evangelical soteriology. This dissertation will survey the soteriology of the LDS Church and argue that despite the use of similar terminology, evangelicals and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints embrace tenets of soteriology that are fundamentally incompatible. The soteriology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints significantly differs from evangelical soteriology in at least eight areas: (1) the LDS Church teaches that all humans existed in a pre-mortal state during which they were presented with the plan of salvation; (2) the fall was a blessing and a necessary component in the plan of salvation, and it did not result in inherited original sin; (3) Christ's suffering and bleeding in Gethsemane made forgiveness of individual sins possible, while his suffering and bleeding on the cross, and his resurrection, secured physical resurrection for all earthborn humans; (4) grace is not a sufficient basis for forgiveness of individual sins without obedience; (5) faith is not a sufficient means of receiving forgiveness of individual sins without obedience; (6) only Satan, demons, and the sons of perdition are sentenced to eternal damnation; (7) physical resurrection is a form of universal salvation for all earthborn humans; and (8) all earthborn humans, except the sons of perdition, will be assigned to a level of heaven based on their faithfulness, and the most faithful have the opportunity to receive exaltation to godhood. Latter-day Saint soteriology also differs from evangelical soteriology in differing degrees, depending on the evangelical tradition, in at least four areas: (1) every earthborn human has the opportunity to hear and accept the gospel; (2) the unevangelized dead can hear and receive the gospel in the post-mortal realm; (3) children who die while under the age of accountability are redeemed through the atonement; and (4) people who commit apostasy cannot be redeemed. The topics listed above will be explored and assessed from an evangelical point of view based on theologians from various evangelical traditions. Chapter one provides an overview of the history, philosophy, and theology of the LDS Church, and it explains the methodology of this dissertation. Chapter two describes the doctrine of the atonement of the LDS Church. Chapter three describes the doctrines of grace, faith, obedience, and endurance of the LDS Church. Chapter four describes evangelical doctrines regarding the above listed topics and identifies differences between evangelical and LDS theology. Chapter five summarizes the arguments of this dissertation and states the conclusions." [Author's Abstract]