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Evangelicals and Romney: Should Theology Matter?
· Tuesday, January 24, 2012
As an American, a Republican, and a fiscal and social conservative -- and though I have endorsed no Republican candidate -- there is one thing that would disturb me greatly if Mitt Romney were not the Republican nominee: if Romney's Mormon faith were a factor in his defeat.
Many evangelical leaders have said that if Romney is the Republican presidential candidate, they would not vote for him in the general election. What is implied -- and sometimes explicitly stated -- is that his Mormonism prevents them from voting for him in the primaries.
Most evangelicals label Mormonism a cult, and many accuse Mormons of being dishonest for calling themselves Christians.
Let me explain where I'm coming from on this issue. First, all I care about with regard to the forthcoming election is that a Republican wins. It is difficult to see how the United States could survive as anything but another Europe between Mexico and Canada (while Europe itself is not surviving as Europe) with another four years of the most left-wing president in American history. Just the prospect of Barack Obama appointing one or more Supreme Court justices should focus every non-leftist's mind.
Second, as a Jew, I have no religious pony in this race. I believe that American Christianity has been the greatest force for good in the modern world and that evangelicals are at the core of America's backbone. And I have enormous respect for Mormons. Third, none of my favorite candidates -- Paul Ryan and Marco Rubio, for example -- are running. So I do not write this column on behalf of Mitt Romney or against Newt Gingrich.
Having said that, let me offer three observations on Mormonism and evangelical views of it.
Observation No. 1: Regarding Mormonism being labeled a cult, my study of religious history has taught me that just about every religion is seen as a cult in its formative years by the religion from which it sprang, or it gets labeled a cult by the older religion in order to delegitimize it. Jews and others regarded Christianity as a cult in its early years. Sunnis regard Shiites as a cult. The Catholic Church saw the early Protestants as a cult, while Protestants regarded the Roman Church as a cult. And Christians regarded the early Mormons as a cult.
Over the course of time, as a religion establishes itself and its members act more or less like members of the older religions, the charge is usually dropped. Jews hardly regard Christianity as a cult, and few Catholics or Protestants regard the other as members of a cult. After nearly 200 years, Mormons are an integral part of American society, with impressive reputations for family life, integrity and other values. The "cult" label just doesn't seem appropriate.
Observation No. 2: I may be mistaken, but I believe that what most annoys evangelicals (and some other Christians) about Mormonism is that Mormons call themselves Christian. In order for Jews to better understand evangelicals -- and for evangelicals to better understand Jews -- I think there is a parallel here.
The vast majority of Jews understand that in a free society, people convert to other religions. Therefore, some Christians convert to Judaism and some Jews convert to Christianity. What particularly annoys Jews is not the existence of converts but the existence of "Jews for Jesus." To most Jews, this is a misleading label because people who come to believe in Christ should call themselves Christian, not Jews.
So, too, in the view of most evangelicals, if people wish to believe in the divinity of the Book of Mormon and the prophecy of Joseph Smith, that is their business, but to call these and other distinctive Mormon beliefs "Christian" bothers many evangelicals. Of course, Mormons respond that a religion that calls itself The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, can hardly be dismissed as non-Christian. But it is not my interest here to adjudicate this debate. I only wish to offer one reason that evangelicals might be disturbed by Mormonism calling itself Christian.
Observation No. 3: Most importantly, theology and values are not the same thing. Traditional Jews and evangelical Christians have quite different theologies, but they often have virtually identical values. (That is why this Jew is so supportive of evangelicals and why evangelical Christians syndicate my radio show.) Conservative Catholics and evangelicals differ on theology but share virtually every important value. The Founders differed on theology but rarely on values.
It is hard to identify any area of life in which Mitt Romney's values and life differ in any way from the finest evangelical's values and life. And with regard to electing a president, that is what matters.
What I am asking here is that evangelicals and other traditional and conservative Christians who have problems with Mormonism not allow those problems (however legitimate they may be from the perspective of Christian theology) to play a role in their primary voting or in their general election voting if Mitt Romney wins the nomination. The fate of America and the world hangs in the balance.
In other words, fight the left now. You can fight theology later.
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Ted R. Weiland
"And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh...." (1 Timothy 3:16)
"For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house [your house, the White House, the House of Representative, the Senate, etc.), neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds." (2 John 1:7-11)
The "house" known as the United States Constitutional Republic was doomed to fall (and it will - Matthew 7:24-27) from the onset (among other reasons) because the framers provided for Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Muslims, atheists, etc. to be unequally yoked in civil leadership:
"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." (2 Corinthians 6:14-18)
For more, see "Amendment 1: Government-Sanctioned Polytheism" at http://www.missiontoisrael.org/biblelaw-constitutionalism-pt11.php.
Posted January 24, 2012 at 11:25:27 AM
Dale
Romney's Mormonism troubles me but I would vote for him to eliminate this scourge we have in office now. I have had much contact and conversation with Mormon's - they do not believe in the divinity of Christ and what they do believe in is strange( to be charitable) - with Romney in office, for the first time in our history, we would be governed by an unbeliever. Very unsettling. Will Almighty God bless and prosper a nation led by someone who denies the divinity of His Son? As Ted R. Weiland alluded to, the scriptures are filled with warnings against false doctrines and unbelievers being in positions of leadership. Obama is so bad, such a disaster, that I would, with much trepidation, vote for Romney - and I would because of Dennis' last point - let's fix this problem and then argue theology.
Posted January 24, 2012 at 11:57:28 AM
Richard Ryan
In spite of the fact that I am a born again Christian, I never take into account the religious beliefs of a presidential candidate. Carter was a born again Christian and an absolutely awful president. I would gladly vote for someone of the Jewish belief if his fedelity to the constitution of the United States was unquestionable. I would not however; vote for a Muslim under any circumstances. I must clarify that statement by saying that I do not consider Islim a religion. It is a political belief. I care not that Romney is a Mormon. As far as I can see, he is a fine, upstanding family man with good moral character. I do not think that alone would make him a good president.
Richard Ryan
Lamar,Missouri - Birthplace of Harry S Truman
Posted January 24, 2012 at 1:45:56 PM
Geoff
I have two problems with Mitt Romney, neither being his religion. I have a problem of trust concerning his Second Amenment stance, sorry folks, but that's a litmus test as far as I'm concerned. Without the Second Amendment we have none of the others. I also have a problem believing that he will dismantle what Obama has built. Having said that, if he is indeed the nominee, I will vote for him.
Posted January 24, 2012 at 1:58:28 PM
Sherry
All I care about is if a man of integrity wins. Someone who I can trust to uphold his oath of office. Someone who will present any imminent threats to congress for their authority to execute a legal and just war if it becomes absolutely necessary. I want someone with the courage to say, "NO" to every demand to increase spending for unconstitutionally enumerated costs. I want someone who will fight for me and not for the bankers and the lobbyist bribes. I want someone who votes to uphold the Constitution with every vote.
The paid media messengers obviously want someone who will give their bosses trillions in fiat money, pay bankers bribe money and allow those same bankers to foreclose on homeowners and confiscate their property. It is profitable for paid media messengers to present the messages they are paid to present.
I don't profit from those pay offs. I prefer someone I can trust to represent me by upholding the Constitution.
Posted January 24, 2012 at 9:07:47 PM
Rebecca E.
Dale, I can't believe you know many Mormons, or perhaps faithful Mormons, because I am a Latter-day Saint and I worship Jesus Christ as Lord and God, the Savior of mankind and our Advocate with the Father. He is the central figure in all human history and the only way for people to return to the God who gave them life.
The Book of Mormon testifies of Jesus Christ, from the first to the last. If you read it and conclude Mormons don't worship Jesus Christ, then you may be guilty of intellectual dishonesty. Another of the best books I've ever read is "Jesus the Christ" by James E. Talmage, written about 100 years ago within the walls of the Salt Lake Temple. Read that and see if we deny Christ's divinity or importance. Read "The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles," an official declaration of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, announced in 2000. http://lds.org/study/living-christ?lang=eng This is not a new theological development or a PR stunt - this is the center of our religion and the rock upon which everything is built. Please educate yourself by personal study of our writings, because that is the only way you will *know* what we believe. "By their fruits ye shall know them."
Posted January 24, 2012 at 9:29:10 PM
Dave
That's a very funny statement. As a left-wing person, Obama is actually very middle-of-the-road, if not a little to the right.
Posted January 29, 2012 at 2:18:48 PM
Mike
The problem with ignoring the "Christian Beliefs"
concept when it comes to anything in this country is that no one believes it matters until total destruction occurs. Then it's too late. The Old Testament of the Bible(KJV) cites many many accounts in which people who obeyed God's word were successful. Then, those same people drifted away from God to their own religions and lifestyles contrary to God's will. The results every time were destruction, loss of power, and defeat. History repeats itself when people don't know or forget....As a Christian, it should always matter what the person's professed religion is.... No matter what their religion is , they won't be perfect. However, what they openly professed to believe and confessed out of their mouth to believe is what they and their supporters will be held accountable to God for. What leaders publicly say will either lead followers to sucess or it will lead them astray.
Posted April 12, 2012 at 2:43:48 PM