The question for this week at “On Faith,” the joint project of The Washington Post and Newsweek magazine, is this: After 175 years of existence, is Mormonism entering the mainstream of American religious life or are people still suspicious of it?

Southern Seminary president, Dr. Albert Mohler responds:

Mormonism holds that God is an exalted man, with a physical body. Christianity teaches that God is Spirit. Mormonism denies the historic Christian understandings of the Trinity, the person and work of Christ, and the doctrine of salvation. Christianity promises salvation through Christ’s atonement and the sinner’s justification by faith. Mormonism promises deification. Christianity calls for personal faith in Jesus Christ. Mormonism calls for obedience to its own teachings as the path to exaltation. Mormonism replaces belief in the sole authority of the Bible with other writings, including the Book of Mormon. This list is only a brief summary of the vast chasm that separates Christianity from Mormonism. Put simply, Mormonism is not just another form of Christianity. It is a rejection of historic Christianity.

That is a theological summary, but there is a sociological dimension as well. From that perspective, Mormonism can certainly claim to have achieved a comfort level in contemporary American culture — especially in what might be called “Middle America.” Most Americans would feel quite comfortable with Mormon neighbors. The Mormon effort to identify with American culture has been stunningly successful, and the movement’s idealization and inculcation of family values has won it the admiration of millions of Americans — including many evangelical Christians. The convergence of Mormon and evangelical Christian concerns on a host of cultural, moral, and political issues is no accident. The preservation and conservation of the family is a prime concern of both groups.

That’s one short and sweet refresher on what Mormonism is It’s definitely not a new kind of Christianity…

Continue reading Mohler’s article here.

Dear friend and fellow Jaffray member, Catherine Ngai, has published a blog post on “inspire, dream, love” on her Facedown blog.

For some reason, she has a brief mention about me in the 3rd group of people in her post.

I am humbled by the mere mention — thanks Catherine! I only wish we could all encourage each other more often and make it a regular habit to build up the body of Christ.

9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

Romans 12:9-13, ESV

Before you read this, if you have not had your quiet time with the LORD of Lords yet, please come back later. I don’t want you to read my blog if you have not done your devos yet. Seriously. “If we are to be Spirit-filled as we engage others in online dialogue, discussion, and debate — we need to first immerse ourselves in prayer and in the Word.” (Nathan Busenitz)

Having said that, the Holy Ghosted led me earlier to Titus 3:9 where Paul exhorts his young disciple to, “avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.”

I just read and commented on Challies’ intriguing article which asked, “Is Error in Doctrine Always Sin?” I never truly wrestled with this tough question, but I am now. And yet at the same time, I am also reminded of the nature of the conversations that I have with others in the blogsphere–some Christians, some not; some are Calvinists, some are not; some go regularly to a church, some go to a church that some evangelicals would not call a church.

Quite frankly, I do not find myself engaging in enough discussions about the things that matter to me–namely, theology and doctrine. There is much discussions going in the Reformed blogsphere that I have not joined in on–like here and here! (Though, I know some of you have already skipped reading this post ’cause of how boring this jibber-jabber seems!)

Reflecting on this, I am somewhat disappointed at my day-to-day schedule which does not allow me to read enough Scripture, not enough Christian books (let alone finish my shelf-full and bedside table full of books I have not finished or started), and not enough time to listen to mp3 sermons and seminary classes that were taught last year! As much as am I do participate in conversations on my blog and respond to posts on other blogs, I still wish I could read & respond to more so that my mind could be sharpened more. Those of you who are reading my blog, and especially those of you who have made comments, have indeed helped me in sharpening my mind of biblical discernment.

At the Pulpit Magazine blog, Nathan Busenitz (MacArthur’s right hand man), has started a series titled “The Blog in Our Eyes” that aims to provide some blogging principles that us Christians should strive embrace. Part 1 and Part 2 has just been published.


Also, fellow SBTS blogger Tony Kummer also wrote recently in a similar tone on the same topic.

Today is “Testimony Tuesday“. Initiated by world renowned Reformed blogger Tim Challies, it is a day to share your personal testimony about how you came into relationship with Christ;-) Check out Challies’ post that has links to the testimony of bloggers around the world, including myself! (Email him if you want your testimony to be linked on that post.)

If you’ve been reading my blog, I just concluded a series with my personal testimony titled “Shaped by the Cross” (which started with Part 1 here). You can download a PDF of my full testimony here.