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Criticism of Mormonism/Books/Becoming Gods/Chapter 4
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| Chapter 3 | A FAIR Analysis of: Becoming Gods: A Closer Look at 21st-Century Mormonism A work by author: Richard Abanes
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Chapter 5 |
Claims made in "Chapter 4: One God Versus Many Gods"
109
Claim
Mormons embrace polytheism—the belief in a plurality of gods.
Author's source(s)
- Definition of "polytheism" taken from Vergilius Ferm, ed., The Encyclopedia of Religion, p. 774.
Response
112 n25-26
Claim
Mormons redefine monotheism to be the worship of one "primary or supreme god above all other gods."
Author's source(s)
- The author adds the endnote: "LDS theology recognized that other supreme gods exist for other universes and world. But Mormons contend that we have nothing to do with these gods."
- John Widtsoe, A Rational Theology, p. 67.
- Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses 11:41.
- Joseph Smith, Lecture on Faith, Lecture 2, paragraph 2.
Response
114
Claim
Early biblical church quotes used by Mormons to support tritheism only superficially support their position. Upon closer examination, they do not provide this support.
Author's source(s)
- No source provided.
Response
- Absurd claim: Ironically, it is Nicene trinitarianism which scholars have concluded is not biblical or believed by the early Church.
- Nature of God/Trinity/Nicene creed
114
Claim
Mormons worship the Godhead as "one god."
Author's source(s)
- No source provided.
Response
- Scripture consistently affirms that the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are "one God." This is why members of the Church consider them as such. The just do not consider them "one God" in the same sense as Nicene trinitarians like the author.
- Nature of God/Trinity/Nicene creed
115, 379n47-48
Claim
The Trinity is "one of the most important doctrines of the Christian faith" and is at the "heart of the Christian conception of God."
Author's source(s)
- Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology, p. 226.
- Stanley Grenz, Theology for the Community of God, p. 99.
Response
- The Saints are trinitarians, just not Nicene trinitarians:
- Nature of God/Trinity/Nicene creed
130
Claim
The Mormon concept of the "eternality of matter" is a pagan belief.
Author's source(s)
- Source not provided.
Response
- Absurd claim: Ironically, it is creatio ex nihilo that was unknown to the Hebrews, and represents borrowing from Greek philosophy.
- Creation/Creatio ex nihilo
130
Claim
The Mormon concept of "pre-existence of spirits" is a pagan belief.
Author's source(s)
- The author claims that this is derived from "pure Greek philosophy."
Response
- History unclear or in error: Plan of salvation/Premortal existence
- Terryl Givens, "When Souls Had Wings: What the Western Tradition Has to teach Us About Pre-Existence," FAIR Conference 2007 off-site
130
Claim
The Mormon concept of "human deification" is a pagan belief.
Author's source(s)
- Source not provided.
Response