Introduction
In commencing the Olivet Discourse, Jesus provides a premonitory prophecy regarding the inevitable rise of false prophets/teachers (Matthew 24:3-5, 23-28). Similarly, in anticipation of his imminent martyrdom, Peter writes a final letter warning about false teachers and exhorting believers to remain vigilant. In concluding his letter, Peter writes, “Therefore, dear friends, since you know this in advance, be on your guard, so that you are not led away by the error of lawless people and fall from your own stability.”1 These admonitions are not anomalous, as the Bible addresses the issue of false prophets/teachers no less than 65 times.2 Accordingly, the Christian must remain observant, diligently studying the Scriptures to identify and avoid heretical teachings.3 This brief article will define the difference between historic Christianity and modern cults in America while demonstrating why Mormonism receive classification as a cult rather than a Christian denomination.
Characteristics of a Christian Cult
Differentiating between a false religion and a Christian Cult is an essential first step in this inquiry. There exists a passel of religious systems throughout the world, each making truth-claims concerning external reality. A religion is objectively false if any of its fundamental beliefs fail to correspond with reality. A Christian cult differs in that the group of iconoclasts leverages Christianity to gain legitimacy—claiming to be a denomination of the Christian faith—while simultaneously denying one or more fundamental doctrines.4 Consequently, all Christian cults are false religions, but not all false religions are cults—since many do not classify themselves as a Christian denomination.
To identify a cult, one must first define the essential doctrines of Christianity. Essential Christian doctrines include:
1. The Hypostatic Union (cf. John 8:58, Exod. 3:14, 1 John 4:2-3; John 1:1, 14; 6:39-41; 10:30-33; 20:28; Col. 2:9; Phil. 2:5-8; Heb. 1:8; Titus 2:13).
2. Vicarious Satisfaction (Atonement) and Salvation by Grace (cf. 1 Pet. 2:24, 2 Cor. 5:21, Rom. 4:25, 1 John 2:2, 4:10; John 11:25-26; 14:6; Eph. 2:8-9; Gal. 2:21, 5:4; Rom. 3:20; 4:1-11; 10:1-13).
3. Monotheism and the Doctrine of the Trinity (cf. Deut. 4:35; 6:4; Exodus 20:3-6; Neh. 9:6; Psalm 90:2; Isaiah 43:10; 44:6, 8; 3:16-17; 28:19; 1 Cor. 12:4-6; 2 Cor. 13:14; Eph. 4:4-6).
4. The Bodily Resurrection of Christ (cf. 1 Cor. 15:14-17; John 2:19-21, 20:19-20; Luke 24:38-39; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; 1 Cor. 15:20-23, 51-55).
5. The Inspiration and Authority of Scripture (cf. 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:20-21).5
While there are many important doctrines within Christianity, these beliefs provide the essential basis of historic Christianity and all legitimate denominations will affirm these indispensable declarations. Religious groups identifying themselves as “Christian,” while simultaneously denying one or more of these core doctrines—either implicitly or explicitly—receive classification as a cult.
Mormonism Denies Monotheism and the Trinity
Based upon the teachings of Joseph Smith Jr., Mormonism denies monotheism, embracing a polytheistic worldview. In a sermon given on April 07, 1844, Mr. Smith states,
I will go back to the beginning before the world was, to show what kind of a being God is… God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens! That is the great secret… We have imagined and supposed that God was God from all eternity. I will refute that idea, and take away the veil, so that you may see.6
Using this framework, Smith goes on to explain that faithful Mormons are capable of becoming divine beings, elucidating the process by employing the simile of climbing a ladder. As gods receive a promotion to higher exaltation (moving up the ladder), another god moves up to take his place.7 Therefore, humans have begun at the bottom of the ladder, but are capable of climbing the proverbial ladder, eventually becoming gods themselves. Mormon President Orson Hyde reinforces this concept, stating, “Remember that God, our heavenly Father, was perhaps once a child, and mortal like we ourselves, and rose step by step in the scale of progress, in the school of advancement; has moved forward and overcome, until He has arrived at the point where He now is.”8
Since the Mormon god is an exalted human—operating within a polytheistic system—Mormon leaders adamantly deny an ex nihilo creation of the universe, as detailed in the book of Genesis. Regarding creation, Smith comments, “In the beginning, the head of the Gods called a council of the Gods; and they came together and concocted a plan to create the world and people it… Now, I ask all who hear me, why the learned men who are preaching salvation, say that God created the heavens and the earth out of nothing? The reason is that they are unlearned in the things of God, and have not the gift of the Holy Ghost…”9 In this statement, Smith rejects the orthodox Christian view of monotheism, accepting polytheism instead, thereby fundamentally differentiating Mormonism from a Christian denomination.
Inherent in this theological viewpoint, is a denial of the doctrine of the Trinity; for if the Mormon god is an exalted man, and Jesus is merely another exalted individual, they are two distinct entities (in both personage and nature). Rejection of the Trinity is not merely an implication of Mormon theology; Smith explicitly rejects the notion remarking,
I have always declared God to be a distinct personage, Jesus Christ a separate and distinct personage from God the Father, and the Holy Ghost was a distinct personage and a Spirit: and these three constitute three distinct personages and three Gods… Many men say there is one God; the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost are only one God! I say that is a strange God anyhow—three in one, and one in three! …All are to be crammed into one God, according to sectarianism. It would make the biggest God in all the world. He would be a wonderfully big God—he would be a giant or a monster.10
Smith presents an explicit denial of monotheism and the doctrine of the Trinity, both of which serve as foundational doctrines of the Christian faith.11 As such, it is baseless to classify Mormonism as a Christian denomination.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a Christian cult is a religious group claiming Christian affiliation, while denying any fundamental doctrine of historic Christianity. Mormons claim their religious system is a denomination of Christianity, while simultaneously denying essential doctrines of the Christian faith. While brevity excludes comprehensive analysis of fundamental principles within the Mormon religion, it is evident that Mormonism rejects both monotheism and the doctrine of the Trinity. Consequently, Mormonism embodies a modern cult in America, not a Christian denomination.
