A Case of Not Willing to Listen

Richard Mouw is probably best known for his seven-minute speech at the Mormon Tabernacle a few years ago that preceded a talk by Christian apologist Ravi Zacharias. Using half of his fifteen minutes of fame, Mouw apologized to the Mormons for ill treatment over the years by the Christian community. Meanwhile, his words upstaged the main speaker, as the media led off their broadcasts and articles with Mouw’s apology while relegating Zacharias’ excellent talk to nothing more than an afterthought. 

Earlier this year Mouw wrote a reprehensible book called Talking with Mormons. Using this book as a basis, Peggy Fletcher Stack—a Mormon who writes about religion for the Salt Lake Tribune—interviewed Mouw in the August 2012 Christianity Today magazine (“Quick to Listen”).  

The article is filled with misrepresentations. For example, Mouw explains, “One thing that really upsets me is when evangelicals say, ‘We don’t have time for dialogue with Mormons and all the niceties. We have to stand up for the truth and denounce error.’” 

First of all, who has ever made such a statement? This is certainly a straw man logical fallacy. Christian apologists are generally willing to dialogue. At the same time, their desire is to stand for truth. If Mormons want to allow for the disagreement of ideas and rightly forego personal opinion while correctly defining Mormonism as taught by the LDS leadership, the Christian apologist is more than happy to accommodate. However, the Christian should not allow for “dialogue” where this disagreement is allowed to be nothing more than superficial. 

In the article, Mouw continued, “They (Christian apologists) fail to recognize that if we are to be people of the truth, we need to be sure we are criticizing Mormons for what they really believe, let we commit the serious sin of bearing false witness against our neighbors.” He also insinuates that these Christians “tell (Mormons) what they believe.” The Christian apologists I know don’t just take a Mormon theologian at his/her word about Mormon doctrine. Rather, they go to the primary sources—including the Standard Works, church manuals, and the teachings of leaders in general conference addresses—to define Mormonism. This is not “bearing false witness” since the Mormon theological structure is set up this way. While LDS scholars may disagree with their leaders, their opinions should not be taken as official doctrine, in any stretch of the imagination.

Mouw goes on, saying, “To be concerned about the truth means we ourselves better be sure we are being truthful, to listen to others and really understand before we tell them that they’re wrong.” To this, I reply, “To be concerned about the truth mean that you, Mr. Mouw, better be sure you are being truthful, to listen to what the actual leaders in charge of the church have said in their addresses as apostles and prophets as well as what they write on church web sites and in church manuals before you tell the Christian apologists that they are wrong in their assessment.” Caution needs to be given in bearing false witness against the Christian brethren. 

Mouw then insinuates that the “working theology” of Mormonism is somehow different from “previous declarations.” For example, he believes that “the most important development in recent decades has been an increasingly strong emphasis on the substitutionary atonement of Christ on the cross.” Such a statement shows a complete naiveté of Mormonism. Just what makes him think that LDS leaders believe that the cross alone is what qualifies a person for the celestial kingdom? Just as recently as the July 2012 Ensign magazine, the church said that “a covenant is a two-way promise, the conditions of which are set by God. When we enter into a covenant with God, we promise to keep those conditions. He promises us certain blessings in return.” 

Explaining the covenant of baptism, for example, the artcile said that “we covenant to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ, to always remember Him, and to keep His commandments. We also promise ‘to serve him to the end’ (D&C 20:37; see also Mosiah 18:8–10).” If the covenant is broken on the Mormon’s end, then the covenant will not be kept by God. In other words, God will keep His end of the bargain only if the Mormon keeps his. How can Mouw be accurate when he told Christianity Today, “In the past, (Mormonism) put more emphasis on good works.” Does he even read current LDS manuals and magazines? Or is he merely hearing what he wants from his BYU professor friends?

Unlike the “Jehovah’s Witnesses, Scientology, and Hare Krishna,” Mouw believes that Mormonism is not a cult because it does not emphasize “secrecy, duplicity, and a rigid ‘one true church’ mentality.” In his book, Mouw even claims that a group like the Mormons who believe in higher education should not be labeled as a cult. This make-up-a-definition-as-you-go mentality is self-serving. Certainly his view goes against Alan W. Gomes, who is a professor of historical theology at Biola University in California and a graduate of Fuller Seminary (where, until recently, Mouw served as president).  

Gomes defines “cult” as “a group of people, which claiming to be Christian, embraces a particular doctrinal system taught by an individual leader, group of leaders, or organization, which (system) denies (either explicitly or implicitly) one or more of the central doctrines of the Christian faith as taught in the sixty-six books of the Bible.” Among these central doctrines are “the Trinity, the deity of Christ, the bodily resurrection, the atoning work of Christ on the cross, and salvation by grace through faith. These doctrines so comprise the essence of the Christian faith that to remove any of them is to make the belief system non-Christian.” Based on Gomes’ analysis, Mormonism most certainly is a cult.

When asked about Mormon Church founder Joseph Smith, Mouw says the character of Smith should not be scrutinized. Rather, a person should consider “the central issue of what Mormons have taught about sin, redemption, and the person and work of Jesus Christ.” While he believes some LDS teachings are “off the charts,” he believes that these doctrines “contain some elements of biblical orthodoxy.” As far as sin, Mormonism teaches that “Adam sinned that men might be.” Mormonism teaches that “redemption” allows for the general resurrection of all humankind but cannot, by the grace of God alone, allow a person into the celestial kingdom without works. And Mormonism teaches that the person and work of Jesus Christ alone is not efficacious for a person to receive exaltation. To the contrary, Mormonism gets it wrong on all accounts involving essential doctrines.

In the article’s last line, Mouw states, “Instead of just criticizing religious movements and their founders, we need to understand their teachings and the communities built around them.” However, it is the teachings of Mormonism that leads to the criticism of this religious movement and its founders, not the other way around. By respectfully disagreeing with our Latter-day Saint friends, Christians want the very best for them. However, pretending that Mormonism is close enough to Christianity is nothing less than damnable for those who are not being properly challenged. Yes, we can have relationships with Latter-day Saints, but not at the high price of allowing these fine folks think that the religion they follow is somehow close enough to the biblical original.

Thoughts on turning 50

I turned 50 last week. Typical, I was too busy to sit down and write a piece that’s been ruminating in my mind for the past few weeks. I don’t want to write a novel, but I do want to say a few things. First, I want to thank my wife for making my birthday very special. She put on a party at the local park and invited many friends to attend. In addition, she quietly collected more than 50 cards and emails from friends and family. It was totally unexpected. Because 50 is apparently an important milestone, now she’s set the bar high when her turn comes next spring.

I also want to say how much I appreciate my three girls. They bring a great joy to my life. (I had to correct a word in that sentence because spell check didn’t catch it—could it be a Freudian slip when I used the word “job” in place of “joy”!) You make life fun and interesting. I also appreciate my family in San Diego. Before Dr. Dobson was dispensing advice, my folks did everything they could to raise their children the right way, and I am truly indebted to them.

Below are some of the things I’ve most enjoyed over these past 50 years (in no particular order): 

• Teaching: I did this for 17 years, serving as Bible department chair at Christian High. Serving with other excellent teachers, including my friend Craig Breuninger, helped me grow in my theology as well as my thinking process. I also taught English classes at Grossmont Community College in El Cajon for eight years—other places were San Diego Christian College (Bible and English), San Diego State University, and Bethel Seminary San Diego. Probably no matter what I do for the rest of my life, I will be most remembered for being a teacher…and that truly satisfies me.

• Traveling to the Holy Land: Since 2009, I have taken three different groups of 40 or more to the Holy Land, including Israel, Egypt and Turkey. Most of those traveling with me have been high school students (mostly mine) and their parents. What a joy to lead devotions in some important places, baptizing several dozen and leading a communion service.  I’ve had a chance also to share this land with my three children. And it’s not stopping. My wife and I (along with Bill McKeever and Sandra Tanner) are taking 50 adults next February. Then, in April, I’ll lead a trip with senior citizens, on a much slower scale. Pinch me, what a great side-job this has become! 
• Working in Utah: Since 1989, I have assisted Bill McKeever of Mormonism Research Ministry. In 2010, I moved my family to Utah so we could work side-by-side once more. Based on my slip from above, I don not consider this to be just a job but a joy.  From working on articles to traveling to churches and even coauthoring another book (Answering Mormons’ Questions is due out Oct.1—I need to turn in the final edit this week), I have enjoyed sharing my faith in a land that needs the Good News.
• Working in the grocery industry: I did this for 16 years, and while many would ask what good could come out of what appears to be a monotonous job, it actually played a large role in shaping me. For example, I credit this job for helping me get out of a shy shell I had created.  If you had told me in high school that I would become a teacher/preacher, I would have laughed. And starting this month, I am now officially retired from the industry that I haven’t worked in since 1994, as I am scheduled to receive a small check each month. It was a great job to get through college and seminary.
• Traveling with my family: I’ll never forget a number of small trips taken with my wife and children. But we also had the chance to take a two-week trip to WA DC/Philadelphia/VA in 2005, and in 2007, we spent two weeks traveling on a train through 33 states, ending up in New Orleans, Boston, Chicago, and Seattle. I recommend every family travel together in such a way—a creator of great memories.

There’s more, but space limits me. Let me close with five ideas/pieces of advice, again, in no particular order:  

1. Money is important but not all-important. My advice for students and my own children is to find a career where you won’t starve but in which you find great satisfaction. Recently an Israeli citizen asked a friend and me how much it would take to live comfortably in Southern California. This friend stated, “$100,000.” He truly meant it because he makes much more than this in his successful career in SOCAL. I’ve never made close to this figure and yet I have never been in want. I’m satisfied, even though, on paper, the jobs I’ve had would not be considered lucrative. Would I have the same priorities if I became used to a six-figure income? I wonder. 
2. Hard work will go a long way. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from my parents, it’s a work ethic. Nothing has ever come easy, but I have been creative in manufacturing my own opportunities. Whichever hat I’ve worn in my different careers, I’ve always tried to dedicate myself 100%. I believe this is what has made my life full and satisfying.
3. Take time out for God. We’re so busy in our culture today that many well-meaning Christians tend to forget about God, His Word, prayer, and the other disciplines. Throughout my life, I’ve tried to focus the beginning of each day on Him. For the most part, I read the entire Bible each year, using different formats, and it doesn’t get old. I have found that seeking first His kingdom makes the rest gravy, and my relationship with God has grown over the years.
4. Get educated, and keep getting educated. I’ve told my girls to get their college taken care of before marriage and kids. In college, I taught too many moms who went back to school with their 18-year-old kids, trying to earn a degree while working a full-time job and still managing a house. Taking one class at a time will seem like eternity before you’re done. While marriage is worthwhile, it can wait. Then, after graduation and even marriage, consider other educational opportunities.  And even when you’re not in school, read—I find reading so much more beneficial than the CD versions—and stay abreast of current events. Read the newspaper or magazines. Read good books. Don’t get lost in your own little world.  
5. Invest in your family. I’ve tried to spend time with my kids, however that looked. Having summers off with them was very beneficial. In addition, we turned the sport of softball into a family experience. In fact, I coached my girls at East County ASA. A year before Carissa got into junior high, I began to help coach the team with my mentor, Roma Dawson. This allowed me to coach Carissa and Janelle in junior high ball. I later became the JV softball coach and got to coach Carissa for two years before it became too much for me and I “retired.” But I have great memories in a simple but fun activity. Although my kids have grown up so quickly, I’m glad I had the chance to invest in their lives.

But my life is not over. Halftime might be finished, but it’s time to go out and play the second half. As the Chargers know, it’s not how you end the first half. The score at the end is what matters. Time to buckle up the chinstrap and finish strong.