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Are Mormons Christian?

Stephen E. Robinson, Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Company, 1993, 6x9" softbound, 133 pages.

Missionaries are taunted with it; investigators and recent converts are challenged with it; lifelong members are often puzzled with it-the charge that Mormons are not Christians. Unless we understand the basis for the charge, we are not prepared to deal with it. This book explains each of the arguments used against Latter-day Saints, and demonstrates beyond dispute-using non-LDS authorities-that these arguments are based on false premises. The definitive work on the subject, this book is a must for every LDS home.

Review Excerpts:

"I give the book to members and non-members. It's a "must read" for anyone who loves non-LDS Christians enough to help them come into the light of the restored gospel. I can't keep the book on my bookshelf - the more I buy, the more I give away.." --David Carter of Texas 2003.

"A great book - not perfect, but as close as I care for!
"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you" (Matt. 7:7). I originally borrowed this book and the audio version as a recommendation of and from my high priest leader, who I admire. I personally didn't need the question answered, for that was already accomplished by the Holy Spirit. However, after already having the spiritual witness, I've grown an insatiable desire to understand in an academic sense, the ancient Church, and what happened to it. Likewise, having been raised a Lutheran, and later membership in the Methodist and Baptist churches before the Lord led me to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, my desire to understand how their doctrine - although however complementary and truthful portions of it may be, veered off and became diluted, and distorted. My bishop pointed out something about me that I was previously unaware of specifically, which is my insatiable desire for truth. I mention this only as a sentiment of my sincerity. ,
My own research with additional help of understand from the Holy Spirit, I began to learn more and more about the ancient Church, and could picture how the doctrine could have diverged when I applied my studies in human behavior, psychology, sociology, and cultural anthropology. Additional sources, like my recent studying of writings of the early church fathers and saints, as well as the research of other converts (e.g. Gerald Porath) all helped in this quest, but I wanted more.

What this book became for me was a concise and organized understanding of the quantity and nature of this divergence, and a logician's view of our critic's arguments - they're interdependent. The real value, I believe, is in the author's forbearance from arguing LDS doctrine or authority. The real value is in clarifying most of the objections, and exposing their logical defect by exposing Christian history. It is a very well done manuscript with no noteworthy shortcomings. . . .

I feel it necessary to mention that I feel strongly that Mr. Robinson's description of LDS doctrine of deification is, as I understand it and as I have been taught, indeed close to truth. Our potential is to be as God is - to be deified, yet subordinate (whether He is or not is not our concern, really). Since Mr. Robinson stuck to his focus on exposing the logical defects of our critic's arguments, he wasn't about to expound on doctrinal mystery - and he very well shouldn't - we need to stick to the basics. Simply put, such details are irrelevant to our salvation.

In summary, this book should be in the hands of every stout Latter-day Saint who wishes to proclaim the gospel. We just need to have faith and patience, and realize that God's understanding surpasses our own mortal ability to understand and reason. Search, research, read, study, but never think you'll know all the truth in this life. Books such as this, helps though." --Mark Graybill of Minnesota, 2002

"First, keep in mind that the reason why we have books like this is to 1) clarify the Gospel to members, and 2) clarify the Gospel to non-members. If we miss Christ, then we have missed the point. Our church is the Church of Jesus Christ, not the church of families, or the church of marriage, or the church of famous quarter-backs, or the current church of the Olympics. We always need to be reminded so we stay focused.

Second, to the review! This is a wonderful book that analyzes arguments people use to quote-unquote "prove" that we are not Christians. In substance, this book is like Offenders for a Word, by Daniel Peterson. However, you are not going to confuse these two books, since they have a different feel and structure.

Bro. Robinson has analyzed and created a taxonomy, or a categorization of the arguments against our Christianity. They come under eight heads, with one chapter a piece.

1) Exclusion by Definition 2) Exclusion by Misrepresentation 3) Exclusion by Name-Calling 4) Historical/Tradition Exclusion 5) Canonical/Biblical Exclusion 6) Doctrinal Exclusion (Focusing on Exaltation/Godhood) 7) Doctrinal Exclusion: Trinity and the Name of God 8) Doctrinal Exclusion: Lesser Arguments.

We are familiar with Bro. Robinson's Believing Christ, and this book is written along the same vein. Very conversational, minimal to non-existent jargon, and is written on the Junior High level, so no excuses!

I would only find one pinprick fault with the book. Dr. Robinson says "[We] do not belive that human beings will ever be equal to or independent of God . . . humans will never become 'ultimate' beings in the abstract philosophical sense," (p. 66) and later equates the term "angels" with "gods." (p. 67) My understanding is that first, in the philosophical sense, there is no ultimate being, inasmuch as there is a chain of Gods (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 345-348, 369-376), so that God Himself is subordinate, and so is His Grandfather, and so forth. I realize that these specific words of Joseph Smith are not canonized, but neither is "Standing For Something." I hope that canonization becomes the only criterion of value.

D&C 76:61 "Wherefore, let no man glory in man, but rather let him glory in God" --Kendal Brian Hunter of Utah, 2001

"Very non-antagonistic, very non-offensive, in fact, it is very gifitable to all. This book was an answer to an unspoken prayer. I was given some internet information by my brother-in-law stating that Mormons aren't Christian. The information fell into several categories. I was in the process of preparing a response to my concerned brother-in-law when, after a Temple visit at the St. Lewis Temple, I found this book at the bookstore. Amazing... the clarity, the detail, the categorization of the arguements. What a credible explanation of the facts, what authority in the writer. Am I impressed. It was non-antongonistic, and very non-offensive, in fact, it is very giftable to member and non-member alike. Thanks Brother Robinson." --Gene E Griffin of Indiana, 2000