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FAIR is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing well-documented answers to criticisms of the doctrine, practice, and history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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|link=Jesus Christ/Atonement | |link=Jesus Christ/Atonement | ||
− | |subject=Atonement | + | |subject=The Atonement of Jesus Christ |
|summary=Critics seriously understate the position of the Church of Jesus Christ with respect to the atonement. | |summary=Critics seriously understate the position of the Church of Jesus Christ with respect to the atonement. | ||
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|link=Jesus Christ/Atonement/Quotes | |link=Jesus Christ/Atonement/Quotes | ||
|subject=LDS view of the atonement | |subject=LDS view of the atonement | ||
|summary=Statements regarding the LDS view of the atonement | |summary=Statements regarding the LDS view of the atonement | ||
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|link=Jesus Christ/Atonement/Centrality in LDS thought | |link=Jesus Christ/Atonement/Centrality in LDS thought | ||
|subject=The centrality of the atonement in LDS thought | |subject=The centrality of the atonement in LDS thought | ||
|summary=Joseph Smith, the founding prophet, stated that "the fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it." Those appendages include the gift of the Holy Ghost, power of faith, enjoyment of the spiritual gifts, restoration of the house of Israel, and the final triumph of truth. {{ref|hoc.3.30}} The atonement of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is the central fact of all LDS theological teaching. | |summary=Joseph Smith, the founding prophet, stated that "the fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it." Those appendages include the gift of the Holy Ghost, power of faith, enjoyment of the spiritual gifts, restoration of the house of Israel, and the final triumph of truth. {{ref|hoc.3.30}} The atonement of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is the central fact of all LDS theological teaching. | ||
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|link=Jesus Christ/Crucified on a cross | |link=Jesus Christ/Crucified on a cross | ||
|subject=Was Jesus actually crucified on a cross? | |subject=Was Jesus actually crucified on a cross? | ||
|summary=In the original Greek of the New Testament, accounts of Jesus' death only say he was put to death on "a pole." Is the belief of most of Christianity on "the cross" actually misguided? | |summary=In the original Greek of the New Testament, accounts of Jesus' death only say he was put to death on "a pole." Is the belief of most of Christianity on "the cross" actually misguided? | ||
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|link=Jesus Christ/Crucified on a cross | |link=Jesus Christ/Crucified on a cross | ||
|subject=Crucified on a cross | |subject=Crucified on a cross | ||
|summary=In the original Greek of the New Testament, accounts of Jesus' death only say he was put to death on "a pole." Is the belief of most of Christianity on "the cross" actually misguided? | |summary=In the original Greek of the New Testament, accounts of Jesus' death only say he was put to death on "a pole." Is the belief of most of Christianity on "the cross" actually misguided? | ||
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|link=Jesus Christ/Atonement/The garden and the cross | |link=Jesus Christ/Atonement/The garden and the cross | ||
|subject=The garden and the cross | |subject=The garden and the cross | ||
|summary=There is evidence that other mainstream Christians considered the atonement to have at least begun in the Garden, being consummated on the cross, which is what the Latter-day Saints have taught for more than 170 years. Evangelical critics say almost nothing about the universalism of the LDS position, simply mentioning it as one of the two major areas of disagreement. This suggests that for critics the atonement does not provide for all mortals to be resurrected, or saved. Critics do correctly indicate, nevertheless, that the LDS do place a good deal of emphasis on the Lord's experience in the Garden of Gethsemane. | |summary=There is evidence that other mainstream Christians considered the atonement to have at least begun in the Garden, being consummated on the cross, which is what the Latter-day Saints have taught for more than 170 years. Evangelical critics say almost nothing about the universalism of the LDS position, simply mentioning it as one of the two major areas of disagreement. This suggests that for critics the atonement does not provide for all mortals to be resurrected, or saved. Critics do correctly indicate, nevertheless, that the LDS do place a good deal of emphasis on the Lord's experience in the Garden of Gethsemane. | ||
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|link=Jesus Christ/Atonement/As viewed by Historical Christianity | |link=Jesus Christ/Atonement/As viewed by Historical Christianity | ||
|subject=The Atonement as viewed by historical Christianity | |subject=The Atonement as viewed by historical Christianity | ||
|summary=Critics seem to assume that the LDS position is a "ransom" theory of atonement, and that the mainstream Christian interpretation is one of sacrificial death on the cross. They quote some statements from Latter-day Saint leaders emphasizing the Garden of Gethsemane as being the place of the atonement. They write, "Christians have long maintained that this glorious act of sacrifice took place on Golgotha Hill… It was here that God Himself was subject to the humiliating death of a common criminal," {{ref|m101.145}} and note that "Christians realize that salvation is a result of what Jesus did for them on the cross… To even insinuate that this took place in the Garden of Gethsemane is a foreign concept to the Christian." {{ref|m101.148}} | |summary=Critics seem to assume that the LDS position is a "ransom" theory of atonement, and that the mainstream Christian interpretation is one of sacrificial death on the cross. They quote some statements from Latter-day Saint leaders emphasizing the Garden of Gethsemane as being the place of the atonement. They write, "Christians have long maintained that this glorious act of sacrifice took place on Golgotha Hill… It was here that God Himself was subject to the humiliating death of a common criminal," {{ref|m101.145}} and note that "Christians realize that salvation is a result of what Jesus did for them on the cross… To even insinuate that this took place in the Garden of Gethsemane is a foreign concept to the Christian." {{ref|m101.148}} | ||
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|link=Jesus Christ/Atonement/LDS versus evangelical Christian view | |link=Jesus Christ/Atonement/LDS versus evangelical Christian view | ||
|subject=Comparing the LDS and evangelical Christian views of the atonement | |subject=Comparing the LDS and evangelical Christian views of the atonement | ||
|summary=Critics often make comparisons of what they claim are LDS views of the atonement against evangelical Christian views in an attempt to discredit the LDS perspective. As is so frequently done, the critics attempt to compare apples and oranges by contrasting "resurrection" on the LDS side with "salvation" on the other side. They are contrasting "cross only" with "garden and cross." They are rejecting the possibility of the Israelites having any knowledge whatever of the works of the future Messiah, and therefore being saved by their faith in the future Messiah. The restoration of the Gospel through the Prophet Joseph Smith actually makes the two positions most compatible, at least from the perspective of the members of the Church of Jesus Christ. The LDS position is a broader concept, based on further light and knowledge, i.e., revelation from God. | |summary=Critics often make comparisons of what they claim are LDS views of the atonement against evangelical Christian views in an attempt to discredit the LDS perspective. As is so frequently done, the critics attempt to compare apples and oranges by contrasting "resurrection" on the LDS side with "salvation" on the other side. They are contrasting "cross only" with "garden and cross." They are rejecting the possibility of the Israelites having any knowledge whatever of the works of the future Messiah, and therefore being saved by their faith in the future Messiah. The restoration of the Gospel through the Prophet Joseph Smith actually makes the two positions most compatible, at least from the perspective of the members of the Church of Jesus Christ. The LDS position is a broader concept, based on further light and knowledge, i.e., revelation from God. | ||
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|link=Jesus Christ/Atonement/Extent | |link=Jesus Christ/Atonement/Extent | ||
|subject=Extent of the atonement | |subject=Extent of the atonement | ||
|summary=Some time needs to be spent however on the extent to which the atonement is applicable in the world. Critics seem to object that the atonement is applicable to all who have ever lived. They want to restrict it to only those who lived after the Savior ("only after Christ's death" and "for the believer"). This doesn't only limit its accessibility to those who lived before the Savior, it quite literally slams the door on the possibility of their ever receiving salvation. The Gospel of Jesus Christ does not restrict itself in that manner. All will be raised from the dead; all will stand before God to be judged; all will be expected to give an accounting of their behavior on Earth. And they will all be held to basically the same standard. No one slides into heaven, or gets there by hanging onto the tailcoats of another. No one is saved on borrowed light. | |summary=Some time needs to be spent however on the extent to which the atonement is applicable in the world. Critics seem to object that the atonement is applicable to all who have ever lived. They want to restrict it to only those who lived after the Savior ("only after Christ's death" and "for the believer"). This doesn't only limit its accessibility to those who lived before the Savior, it quite literally slams the door on the possibility of their ever receiving salvation. The Gospel of Jesus Christ does not restrict itself in that manner. All will be raised from the dead; all will stand before God to be judged; all will be expected to give an accounting of their behavior on Earth. And they will all be held to basically the same standard. No one slides into heaven, or gets there by hanging onto the tailcoats of another. No one is saved on borrowed light. | ||
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|link=Jesus Christ/Atonement/Portrayed in Latter-day Saint hymns | |link=Jesus Christ/Atonement/Portrayed in Latter-day Saint hymns | ||
|subject=The atonement as portrayed in Latter-day Saint hymns | |subject=The atonement as portrayed in Latter-day Saint hymns |
Critics seriously understate the position of the Church of Jesus Christ with respect to the atonement.
To see citations to the critical sources for these claims, click here
Many of the quotations used by critics regarding the LDS view of the atonement have been taken out of context, or the further comments of the speaker have been ignored. This is an implied a form of "bearing false witness," which is completely against the Gospel that the Savior taught during His earthly ministry. Critics, such as the authors of Mormonism 101, show very little evidence of having "studied the [Latter-day Saint] movement for the greater part of their lives" as they claim. In fact, if one takes up the authors' challenge to check their sources, one finds that in every case they are found wanting, often seriously so. In their "witnessing tip" regarding the Book of Mormon the authors conclude their imaginary dialogue by asking: "If Smith was misleading in this statement, how can I trust his other statements?"
Summary: Critics seriously understate the position of the Church of Jesus Christ with respect to the atonement.
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Notes
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