Senior Pastor Robert Jeffress of the First Baptist Church in Dallas, when introducing Gov. Rick Perry (October 7, 2011), Republican running for presidential office in 2012, essentially said that Mormons are a cult and not true Christians. Mitt Romney is a Mormon.
It is true that Mormon theology and doctrine indeed differs from mainstream, traditional, historical and Biblical Christianity. There can be no real argument there. Just compare the two. A careful review of Historical Christianity as a whole, when compared to Mormonism, should prove Pastor Jeffress’ remarks about Mormonism to be true. Mormonism is not in the same league as other historical mainstream Christian Denominations. However, that is really not the problem with Robert Jeffress’ remarks.
The problem is the assumption that all Evangelical, Born-Again Christians are and ought to be cut from the same political cloth. I am a Born Again, Evangelical Christian but I do not subscribe to the far, rightwing, conservative, Republican Party politics (especially the Tea Party). The fact is, President Obama is also a Born Again Christian (read his testimony and the witness he gives to his own faith as a Christian), yet Obama is often demonized by many right wing conservative Christian Believers as if he were not only a non-believer but a scoundrel to boot. What’s going on here?
As a Christian, I hate to state this obvious truth, but I feel that I must. The truth is this: being a Protestant, a devoted follower of Jesus Christ, a Born Again Christian, and accepting the Bible as the Inspired Word of God, does not necessarily make someone better qualified as a presidential candidate.
For example, I accept President George W. Bush’s own testimony that he is a Believer in Christ, a Born Again Christian. Yet I do NOT believe that his being a Born Again Christian made him a better president as such. In fact I think that his international policies regarding Iraq and Afghanistan were naïve, foolish, and short sighted. He made some terrible decisions as president, especially as regards his taking us to war in Afghanistan and Iraq. And so, in my opinion his being an Evangelical Protestant Born Again Christian did not make him one ounce of a better—more capable, more intelligent, more insightful and/or wise—president. A Roman Catholic president (remember J. F. Kennedy) or yes, even a Mormon president might have done just as well or even better than did George W. Bush when he was in office.
Christians have always drawn the line between Genuine Authentic Christianity and Heretical or Nominal Christianity. Such arguments existed even in New Testament times (see 1 Corinthians 1:10-17). This is nothing new. But the danger in contemporary American politics is the pervasive assumption that a certain type of right wing political Christian is the only true voice for Christianity and for this nation’s conservative social and economic policies. Not True!
Yes, mainstream Christianity generally views Mormonism as a cult and not as authentic genuine Christianity. But it is also true that there is indeed a wide range of Christian expression, teachings and practices. Consider the difference between the Friends Church (Quakerism) and the Eastern Orthodox Church or between Pentecostals and Episcopalians or Presbyterians. Likewise, within this wide range of Christian Identity and Faith there is also a wide range of “Christian” political, social, and economic conviction as well, representing the far left as well as the far right. In short, we Christians all follow the same Lord of Lords and King of Kings but our politics vary greatly. Point being: not all authentically genuine Born Again Christians subscribe to the right wing political position or assume that the president of the United States of America will necessarily make a better president by virtue of his (or her) being a Born Again Christian as such.
Thus, who knows, Mitt Romney may make an outstanding president. I’m not endorsing him. I’m just saying, his ability to be a good or outstanding president has little to do with whether or not he is an Evangelical Born Again Christian or a Mormon. There are many, many other qualifying skills, abilities, values, and perspectives, not to mention one’s philosophical worldview that must be weighed-in as significant factors for considering a person fit for the office of President, not just that one is a genuine Born Again Christian. And I say this as a genuine Born Again Believer—though I am sure there will be those who question my authenticity as a real Born Again Believer on the basis of what I just said—which only serves to substantiate my point.
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