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Is the LDS Doctrine of
Becoming Joint-Heirs with Christ
Really Radically Incompatible with the Bible?
By Dr Matt Moody
In an online article at Parchment and Pen, the Director of Research at the Institution of Religious Research, Rob Bowman, posted an article entitled: "ARE MORMONS CHRISTIANS." In that article, Bowman asserts that Mormon Doctrines are "radically incompatible with the biblical gospel."
To make his case, Rob Bowman gives his characterization of an LDS Doctrine supposedly radically incompatible with the Bible: Bowman writes:
* "The ultimate goal of the gospel and of LDS religion is to become gods, with the same powers and potential as the Heavenly Father."
The following is a review of Bible verses that are clearly compatible with the conclusion that human beings existed as spirit offspring of Heavenly Father, prior to mortal birth. These Bible passages are evidence that Rob Bowman's assertion is false — that the LDS belief that mortals can become Joint-Heirs with Jesus Christ, and Heirs of God is "radically incompatible with the biblical gospel."
In contrast to what Rob Bowman has erroneously asserted, the Bible teaches theses truths:
The Bible describes God as "the Father."
"But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him." (1 Corinthians 8:6)
From the beginning, God gave the commandment to be perfect:
"And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect." (Genesis 17:1)
Jesus echoed the commandment to be perfect:
"Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." (Matthew 5:48)
God has called prophets and apostles for a divine purpose:
"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ." (Ephesian 4:11-13)
Note: Jesus could have said, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as God is perfect," but the Savior's words were more personal: "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." Further, Jesus might have said "my father," but instead He said "your Father."
But is attaining the perfection of Almighty God even possible? Jesus taught:
"With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible" (Mark 10:27).
King David records these words in the Old Testament:
"As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him. For who is God, save the Lord? and who is a rock, save our God? God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect." (2 Samuel 22:31-33)
Faithful followers are made perfect in every good work and to do His will, through Christ:
"Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." (Hebrews 13:20-21)
Unto what divine purpose does God command His children to have faith in Christ?
And unto what divine purpose does the Father make His faithful children "perfect," like Him?
"The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." (Romans 8:16-17)
In light of the previous passage, the following Bible verses clarify the glorious meaning of the words: "heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ."
"I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High." (Psalm 82:6)
"And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch. Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: . . . I and my Father are one."
"Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God. Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?"
"If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?" (John 10:22-35)
Note, how Christ declared that "I and my Father are one." Now consider the rich meaning of the word "one" that Christ conveyed in His Gethsemane prayer:
"I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are." (John 17:9-11)
"Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one;" (John 17:20-23)
Why is the Son of God praying for the perfection of those who will believe, both men and women? Is the Savior praying in vain? The reality of this mortal world is that God the Father has Male and Female children. Therefore, what is the divine destiny of women who become "heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ"?
A precious pearl of truth, generally hidden from the world, has been revealed in a hymn:
I had learned to call thee Father, through thy Spirit from on high,
But until the key of knowledge was restored, I knew not why.
In the heavens are parents single? No, the thought makes reason stare!
Truth is reason, truth eternal tells me I've a mother there.
Rob, if you believe that a particular point is part of the Biblical Gospel, or not part of it, then simply quote Christ or His prophets to establish and express those beliefs. It is vital to let the Bible clarify the Bible, and let God speak for Himself.
Here's a simple test that can indicate whether we have Honored His Holy Word by letting the Father speak for Himself: Simply strike an editing line through all my words, and all your words, and leave ONLY the words of the Bible to declare the Biblical Gospel. If an asserted-idea still remains, then God has declared His Gospel. But if an asserted-idea disappears (and only appears through the aid of mortal commentary), then God has NOT declared that particular Doctrine as essential to His Plan of Salvation.
I look forward to your Bible-based response.
Sincerely,
Matt Moody, Ph.D.
Social Psychologist
ChangingYourStripes.com
Dr Matt's Rebuttals to Rob Bowman, Research Direcor of the Institute of Religious Research
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Social Psychologist & Personal Advisor