Too often, ….[says Mouw in his new book], Evangelicals pick up little-taught LDS beliefs ”” such as humans becoming gods or having their own planets ”” and put them at the center of Mormon theology, rather than at the periphery.
“If in our attempts to defeat them we play fast and loose with the truth by attributing to them things they don’t in fact teach,” Mouw writes, “then we have become false teachers: teachers of untruths.”
Mouw spells out the doctrinal differences between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and historical Christian faiths: the nature of God and Jesus, the nature of the Trinity, nonbiblical Mormon scriptures and the rejection of the creeds. He rejects these positions.
This book might very well be worth reading, not only by “Evangelicals” but by all trinitarian Christians. One of the significant features of Mormonism is the belief that its leader can receive new revelations. These pronouncements can make profound changes in LDS belief and practice. In dealing with Mormons, then, it would be most useful to know what they are taught and believe today.
Kendall, I don’t recall if you linked Matt Kennedy’s talk to a group of Mormons in his area of upstate NY, it is an excellent example of how to engage those of a different faith.
“The Real Gospelâ€: Speaking to a Mormon Congregation
http://www.standfirminfaith.com/?/sf/page/28729
Also, the Gospel Coalition blog just recently had a good blog entry about Mormonism as well:
Are Mormons Christian.
http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2012/04/24/the-faqs-are-mormons-christian/