Are JW's and mormons Christians?

Question

I have been pondering this question. When I started here I would have said emphatically no. However I have to confess to a bit of confusion now. The Bible says if we believe in our heart and confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord we shall be saved. Mormons and JW's freely admit Jesus is Lord. That He is the reason they are saved. Yes their doctrines are different from what I would call mainstream Christianity. But does the doctrine make them not a Christian? We see Jesus different. I see Him as part of the trinity. Mormons say He is a separate God. JW's say he is Michael and the Son of God but not God. Does this matter? Or is the important thing that we all believe He is Lord and saves us?

I would really love some thoughtful answers and not just they are not Christian comments.

mighty.macabros - My pastor is named after a man who died in a snake handling church. That being said if I am in a church and they bring out snakes I will make a door if I have to in order to get out of there.

Deuce - no they do not yet they still believe Jesus died for them and is Lord. I am not looking for discussion of doctrine here.

Deuce - JW's means Jehovah's witnesses not Jews.

cadisneygirl76 - I know I have baited you before but I swear I am not now. I have truly been thinking and praying about this. I mean don't get me wrong I have no intention of becoming a mormon but is doctrine or Jesus what is important. Does the fact that I disagree with your doctrine make you a non-Christian or just a different brand of Christian. I must admit to being unsure at this moment.

Worshipful Heart - You say JW's hold their members under unbiblical laws. Isn't that true of all denominations? My church teaches if you drink at all it is a sin. They also teach gambling is a sin. I disagree with both. The church I grew up in would not allow women to wear make up, wear any jewelry except a wedding ring, and frowned on cutting their hair. None of which matter in the least. So does that make them non-Christian? If so the church I grew up in was non-Christian.

Answer 1

They are not Biblical Christians because their Jesus is not the Jesus of the Bible. Both JWs and Mormons deny that Jesus is also the Father God. That is the key missunderstanding.

Answer 2

As Jehovah's Witnesses. We believe Jesus is unique, not just a man, but the Firstborn of Creation. He started ministry during 30 C.E. when after his baptism Jehovah God, His Father pour and anointed him with his holy spirit (Matthew 3:16; Daniel 9 prophecy) Without getting into too much detail: There are sound reasons why Jehovah's Witnesses support an identification with Christ Jesus with Michael the Archangel, and is not to put Jesus down, in any way There are actually many reasons why this seems logical and plausible. One is the title: Archangel means the Commander or Leader of the angels (Matthew 13:41: 24:31; Hebrews 1:6) and like a fingerprint, the Bible describes Michael and Jesus do same things (matching) e.g, - kicking Satan out of heaven (Revelation 12 compare with 19:11-16 and 1 Thessalonians 4:16). However that's a bit of another topic. The Trinity means different things to different people. How are Christ Jesus and Jehovah the same? And how are they different? Christians believe turn to God's Word the Bible as the authority on spiritual matters. The Bible describes Christ Jesus the Firstborn as unique, as existing before Abraham (alluding to his pre-human existence), as the very reflection and exact representation of his Father Jehovah. We are at his service, however, as Christians we don't worship Jesus as Jehovah his Father, actually no one reflect him better than Jesus does. They do differ though, logically, Jesus Christ and Jehovah differ in: position, power, role, age, and knowledge. I encourage to read these scriptures and see for yourself. – (John 8:28; 1 Corinthians 3:23; 11:3; 15:24-28; Galatians 3:20; Ephesians 1:3; Philippians 2:9; 1 John 4:12; Revelation 1:1, 2; 3:12, 14) – I encourage you to compare it with: Matthew 20:20-23; 24:36; Mark 13:32; (Luke 18:18, 19*) John 14:28; Hebrews 5:5; 1 Peter 5:21. ((Deuteronomy 6:4 – Compare: Mark 12:29; Isaiah 48:11)) To Jehovah's Witnesses (Christians) we LOVE Jesus, he is the 2nd Most important person there is and the ONLY way to his warm and loving Heavenly Father Jehovah. This is why we proclaim him! With all due respect for Mormons, the final chapter of Revelation (Revelation 22:18, 19) says not to add to God's Word the Bible. Their practices conflict with the Bible and the book of Mormon is fraud. Seeming similarities to Jehovah's Witnesses are superficial. For example the term “elder” is not a religious title to Jehovah's Witnesses (in harmony with Matthew 23) however, read a Mormon badge is ELDER So-and-So, doesn't it? Food for thought. Best Wishes, Hope this answers your questions. (Jehovah's Witnesses are NOT pseudo-Christians! With all due respect, shame on you who say otherwise. Thousands have died in various regimes, for holding to Jesus' teaching and many are in prisons even today because of their sincere Love for Jesus and his Father Jehovah God.)

Answer 3

No they are not Christians if they are trusting their works.

Both JW's and Mormon teach a faith + works salvation.

Jehovah’s Witnesses believe salvation is obtained by a combination of faith, good works, and obedience. This contradicts countless Scriptures which declare salvation to be received by faith (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5).

Mormons believe that there are different levels or kingdoms in the afterlife: The Celestial Kingdom, the Terrestrial Kingdom, the Telestial Kingdom and outer darkness. Where mankind will end up depends on what they believe and do in this mortal life.

Clearly there is only one way to receive salvation; to know God and His Son, Jesus (John 17:3). It is not done by works, but by faith (Romans 1:17, 3:28).

Answer 4

I believe that all that claim to be Christian are Christian, unless they change there mind. To me, to be a good Christian, you have to follow the teachings of Christ to the best of your abilities.

Deuce - Mormons do not believe that Jesus was God's only begotten son.

I disagree. To quote the first Article of Faith: "We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost." We believe that Jesus is the Only Begotten of the Father, who is God.

Wartz - The Mormons have their own scriptures and levels of salvation based on works which is contrary to Christianity's salvation by grace.

Actually, we believe in salvation by Grace. We also believe that works are necessary. Works can be anything from smiling at someone to saving a life.

Answer 5

Hmmm Edge, I dont know if I am taking some kind of bait with you right now but your question seems rather sincere.

My whole thought on this issue is really where does anyone get the authority to claim that their interpretation of the Bible is the one which gets to declare who is a christian. I cant talk about JW's, but I know as a mormon that I read and study and learn about Christ straight from the Bible. Almost every doctrinal issue that mainstream christianity has about mormons can be defended with the Bible, just using a different interpretation of the Bible then them. What I dont understand is why their interpretation is more valid. Even the concept of Jesus as God and the trinity was resolved years and years after Christ and was of great contention in the early church. Just because we dont agree with what this council of men decided should be the nature of God doesnt mean we dont believe in the Biblical Christ. We dont believe in their intepretation of the biblical Christ. We believe his teachings. We believe he is our savior. We believe he created this world thru the priesthood authority of our Heavenly Father. We believe that thru him, because of the atonement we can be cleansed of our sins and live with our Heavenly Father once more. How anyone can say that because we dont believe in a concept that the early christian church itself didnt agree on that we arent christian makes no sense to me.

If we go by the logic that if you dont believe certain interpretations then you arent christian then anyone can claim anyone else is not a christian according to their own individual sects beliefs. To be christian you must believe as Jesus as the savior of the world. The other details are just individual interpretations and noone has the authority to say that their individual interpretation trumps anyone elses so that they can now declare who is and isnt a christian.



and we do believe that Jesus is Gods only begotten son
I think more people need to really know what mormons believe before they make judgements about mormons.


worshipful
you said "THe mormons have a very unbiblical and outirght bizarre idea of who Jesus is, they also hold their members under a completely unbiblical law while not following the commands ordained by God."

Would you like to back that up. I dont believe Jesus is God. How is that bizarre? I believe Jesus is the son of God. That is in the Bible over and over again. What unbiblical laws are we following exactly? How do we not follow the commandments of God?
You say we dont live a christlike life. How so? Do you have a clue how mormons live or what mormons really believe? What do mormons do, exactly, that makes us not live christlike lives? Is it the hours of service and money we devote to charities? Is it the dedication we teach to our families? Is it the respect our church teaches to give all other religions out there?
If you are going to make such incredible statements, you should back them up.


Edge
I think all religions have truth in them. All people need to find an outlet to God and when they are ready will be given the truths they are seeking for if their search is sincere. Yes it matters in our religion that you believe in Christ as your savior to attain the highest degrees of glory, but sometimes on this earth and in this life people arent in a position to accept the gospel. The christian label really doesnt make that much of a difference because I think there are plenty of good non christians on this planet that will eventually accept Gods plan even if they havent yet. Of course I think I am christian and consider mormons a christian sect because our entire religion is focused around Christ. But if you people never want to call us christian or others that consider themselves christian I guess it really doesnt matter. It isnt up to people on earth to decide who is going to be saved. Until I came on this message board I never really understood the animosity of certain christian groups twds mormons. Mormons are highly respected where I live (so cal not utah, lol) If someone wants to consider themselves a christian then who am I to say they are not. It is just a human label. If they are honestly seeking for truth then they will find it. If they are sincere in their desire to be a good person then God will judge them accordingly. I am grateful that I hold these beliefs about God and the afterlife because frankly, I dont really understand how anyone can believe in a loving God that condemns good people to an eternity of hell for not fully comprehending the entire gospel plan even though they were really trying to live a Christlike life. I know I am a christian. I know that my God and my savior knows that I am a christian. I really shouldnt care who else knows that. It just gets annoying to read posts by people on here that clearly dont know the first thing about mormons judge us.

Answer 6

There is no such thing as mainstream Christianity. Either a person is Christian or he's not. At 1 Cor. 1:10, Paul said: "Now I exhort you, brothers, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that you should all speak in agreement, and that there should not be divisions among you, but that you may be fitly united in the same mind and in the same line of thought." With all the confusing and conflicting doctrines taught by professed Christians, can they all be Christian? No. For that reason, Jesus said at John 7:21-23: "Not everyone saying to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of the heavens, but the one doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens will. Many will say to me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and expel demons in your name, and perform many powerful works in your name?’ And yet then I will confess to them: I never knew you! Get away from me, you workers of lawlessness."

Does it matter what one believes? Yes! At John 4:23, Jesus said: "Nevertheless, the hour is coming, and it is now, when the true worshipers will worship the Father with spirit and truth, for, indeed, the Father is looking for suchlike ones to worship him. God is a Spirit, and those worshiping him must worship with spirit and truth." If we are to worship God in spirit and truth, we must not have anything in our lives that will contaminate that worship.

You say you see Jesus as part of the trinity. Does the Bible say that God is triune and that Jesus is God the Son, the second person of the trinity? No. Instead of saying God is composed of THREE persons, Jesus said that God is only ONE person--the Father. At John 17:3, Jesus said in prayer to his Father: "This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ." 1 Cor. 8:6 says: "There is actually to us one God the Father, out of whom all things are, and we for him."

The trinity is not based on the Bible. It is based on the Catholic Athanasian Creed.

As hard as you may try, you won't find one scripture or series of scriptures where Jesus or his disciples taught a trinity.

What do research sources say about the trinity?

"The word Trinity is not found in the Bible.... It did not find a place formally in the theology of the church until the fourth century" (Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Intervarsity Press, Tyndale House Publishers, 1980, part 3, p. 1).

The Trinity "is not directly and immediately the Word of God" (New Catholic Encyclopedia, 1967, Vol. XIV, p. 304).

The New Encyclopedia Britannica reports: "Neither the word Trinity nor the explicit doctrine appears in the New Testament."

The New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology confirms: "The New Testament does not contain the developed doctrine of the Trinity."

Are Jehovah's Witnesses Christian? What is a Christian? A Christian is a follower of the teachings of Jesus Christ? Do true followers of Jesus observe pagan holidays like Christmas, Easter, and the openly demonic Halloween? NO!

Do true Christians teach pagan doctrines like the trinity and the immortality of the soul? NO!

The facts speak for themselves. Jehovah's Witnesses are Christians.

Answer 7

And what do the words "doctrines of demons" mean? I honestly don't know. This is a good question and I look forward to reading the answers.

Answer 8

The operative words are "that Jesus is Lord"
You can confess with your mouth all you want but if Jesus is not truly the Lord of your life then you aren to saved. You must follow after Jesus - both the JWs and Mormons (as well as many nondenominational Christians , unfortunately) do not live in a manner that shows Jesus is Lord over their lives. They hold their members under nonbiblical laws. You cannot make Jesus lord over your life if you have a false idea of who Jesus is. I have not gotten any definitive answer from the JWs regarding who Jesus is to them, most of their doctrine is unbiblical and they hold their members under a yoke that is definitely not easy and light as is the yoke of Jesus. THe mormons have a very unbiblical and outirght bizarre idea of who Jesus is, they also hold their members under a completely unbiblical law while not following the commands ordained by God.

There are many "debatable" issues- all of which come into agreement when jesus is truly Lord overthe lives of those that call upon His name- there are many that just do not know and are taught so much fallicy that it is hard forthem to see but whatever religion a person calls themself, if they sincerely seek the truth , they will eventually come to the knowledge of it, so not speaking of the individual members, as no one can judge the heart but God, but the religion as a whole, the core beliefs and values are not inherently Christian

Answer 9

The Jehovah's Witnesses have a theology that harks back to the Arians who were booted out during the Council of Nicea in 323. The Mormons have their own scriptures and levels of salvation based on works which is contrary to Christianity's salvation by grace (not to mention reporting history for which is totally contracdicted by the historical record. I classify them both as non-Christian with a Christian veneer.

Doubtlessly the Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons will disagree with me.

Answer 10

first, thanks for your honest comment.

Do you what to know which one is telling the true?

ask to each denomination what will happen with the future of this planet?

What JWs believe is very simple, sooner Armageddon will come to remove Satan and evils of the control of this planet since Adam we have been ruled by Satan (2 Corithians 4:4 and 1 John 5:19).

Jesus will rule this planet and restore the original purpose of God for this planet , during 1000 years Jesus will restore the planet and humans that will be done with certain group of people that were reedem from earth or taken from earth.

BUT THIS PLANET WON´T be destroyed it.

here below is why...

Like all other created things, the earth was brought into existence because of Jehovah’s will (“pleasure,” KJ). (Re 4:11) It was created to remain forever. (Ps 78:69; 104:5; 119:90; Ec 1:4) God speaks of himself as a God of purpose and declares that his purposes are certain to come to fruition. (Isa 46:10; 55:11) He made his purpose for the earth very clear when he said to the first human pair: “Be fruitful and become many and fill the earth and subdue it, and have in subjection the fish of the sea and the flying creatures of the heavens and every living creature that is moving upon the earth.” (Ge 1:28) There were no flaws in earth or the things on it. Having created all necessary things, Jehovah saw that they were “very good” and “proceeded to rest” or desist from other earthly creative works.—Ge 1:31–2:2.
Man’s habitation on earth is also permanent. When God gave man the law regarding the tree of the knowledge of good and bad, he implied that man could live on earth forever. (Ge 2:17) We are assured by Jehovah’s own words that “all the days the earth continues, seed sowing and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night, will never cease” (Ge 8:22) and that he will never destroy all flesh again by a flood. (Ge 9:12-16) Jehovah says that he did not make the earth for nothing but, rather, that he has given it to men as a home and that death will eventually be done away with. God’s purpose, therefore, is for the earth to be the habitation of man in perfection and happiness with eternal life.—Ps 37:11; 115:16; Isa 45:18; Re 21:3, 4.
That this is the purpose of Jehovah God, sacred to him and not to be thwarted, is indicated when the Bible says: “And by the seventh day God came to the completion of his work that he had made . . . And God proceeded to bless the seventh day and make it sacred, because on it he has been resting from all his work that God has created for the purpose of making.” (Ge 2:2, 3) The seventh, or rest, day is not shown in the Genesis account as ending, as in the case of the other six days. The apostle Paul explained that the rest day of God had been continuous right through Israelite history down to his own time and had not yet ended. (Heb 3:7-11; 4:3-9) God says the seventh day was set aside as sacred to him. He would carry out his purpose toward the earth; it would be fully accomplished during that day, with no necessity of further creative works toward the earth during that time.

If you investiguate this topic and read all this verse (using the bible that you have) you will realize that all denominations of Christianity or believe that this planet is "disposable" that will be destroyed or simple won´t give you a clear answer.