When we talk about who is or is not a Christian, first understand that Mormons and evangelical Christians are using the word “Christian” in two different ways. Evangelicals use a narrow definition of the word. This is complicated by the fact that evangelicals use the word in different ways themselves, in different contexts.
Mormon meanings.
By contrast, Mormons use a broad definition. For them, a Christian is someone who follows Jesus Christ. They point out that Jesus is central to the LDS Church’s very name. Mormons believe in the Jesus who was born in Bethlehem, healed the sick, raised the dead, and offered himself as a sinless sacrifice of the sins of the world. They believe that he literally rose from the dead and lives today. They commemorate his death in every Sunday service, and conclude their prayers in his name. Because of these core beliefs, and because their devotion to Jesus is real (as they understand him – which is another matter), Mormons are bewildered when anyone claims that they are not Christian.
Many Latter-day Saints also have in mind an ethical or behavioral definition: Christians are people who live Christ-like lives. They point to their “Christian” virtues like marital fidelity, obedience to God, service, tithing, care for the poor, and the like. When people claim Mormons aren’t Christian, it probably comes across to Latter-day Saints as saying, “Your upright way of life is not recognized as valid.”
Mormons look at the lives of many people who attend recognized Christian churches, but whose lives bear little resemblance to Jesus’ example and values. They wonder: Why do those people get a pass? Why do they get to be called Christians and we don’t – even when they don’t live like followers of Christ?
Based on the broad definition, the LDS Church has a pretty good claim to make. Jesus Christ does have a central role in their beliefs and practices. Mormonism is certainly within the larger Christian family of religions, compared to Buddhism, Islam, and Hinduism.
Evangelical definitions.
But evangelicals have reasons to use a much narrower definition. But first, the whole question is further confused by the difference between institutions and individuals. To ask: “Is Mormonism Christian” is a different question than: “Are Mormons Christians?” Let me explain.
Institutions.
When it comes to institutions – a college, an agency, a denomination – evangelicals typically use a theological definition. The institution in question is called “Christian” based on what it professes as truth. This definition is an attempt to coalesce the essential, biblically derived doctrines on key issues – such as God, humanity, creation, salvation – that have characterized Christianity worldwide since the first century. A Christian institution stands within the mainstream of historic, biblical Christian doctrine, by virtue of what it asserts to be ultimately true.
Individuals.
When it comes to individuals, however, evangelical Christians commonly use an experiential definition. We call a person “a Christian” based on their status in relation to God. Using biblical categories of experience, we’re asking whether or not that person is regenerated by the Holy Spirit or still dead in sin, bound for heaven or for hell, under God’s grace or still under his just condemnation. The issue is not simply right doctrine or a certain kind of ethical life, but a right standing with God based one’s response of saving faith in God’s gracious work.
None of us can see into another person’s heart, so we have no absolute assurance of where anyone else stands with God. So we use “Christian” to refer to individuals who profess that they are right with God by virtue of their trust in the saving work of Christ alone. Certain basic truths must be believed, even if imperfectly or incompletely. But believing those truths does not make anyone a Christian in this sense. A changed lifestyle is expected as the consequence, and thus as some sort of evidence, of salvation.
According to this experiential definition, we would certainly not assume that a person is right with God – and thus a Christian – simply because of the church he or she attends. In other words, when we ask if an individual is or is not a Christian, we mean: has that person trusted in God’s provision through Jesus Christ alone so as to effect an eternal, spiritual change in his or her life?
