The Theology Behind Unease With Romney
The Rev. R. Philip Roberts, the president of a Southern Baptist seminary in Kansas City, Mo., is an evangelist with a particular goal: countering Mormon beliefs.
Mr. Roberts has traveled throughout the United States, and to some countries abroad, preaching that Mormonism is heretical to Christianity. His message is a theological one, but theology is about to land squarely in the middle of the Republican presidential primary campaign.
As the Republican voting moves South, with primaries in South Carolina on Saturday and in Florida on Jan. 31, the religion of Mitt Romney, the front-runner, may be an inescapable issue in many voters’ minds. In South Carolina, where about 60 percent of Republican voters are evangelical Christians, Mr. Romney, a devout Mormon and a former bishop in the church, faces an electorate that has been exposed over the years to preachers like Mr. Roberts who teach that the Mormon faith is apostasy.
Many evangelicals have numerous reasons, other than religion, for objecting to Mr. Romney. But to understand just how hard it is for some to coalesce around his candidacy, it is important to understand the gravity of their theological qualms.
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"And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." (1 Timothy 3:16)
"For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house [your house, the White House, the House of Representatives, the Senate, etc.], neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds." (2 John 1:7-11)
-TedRWeilandYou think John 1:7-11 is about the United States Government?
-daves
-DespevilleUnder your concept there are only a few in government that should be there, most of them are godless, immoral chislers, lining their own pockets. Some are Gay or Lesbians. So what so you now?
-Bill HoI couldn't have said it better. Sounds like a fulfillment where were told that Yahweh turns ourleaders into fools and worse as judgment for rejecting Him and His laws. Time to repent and return to our God. For more, see "Bible Law vs. The United States Constitution: The Christian Perspective" at http://www.missiontoisrael.org/blvc-index.php.
-TedRWeilandI am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (a Mormon) and I also have problems with Romney's candidacy for the Presidency. My objections are not at all related to theology, since I obviously accept the same doctrines he does.
My objections are political at their foundation. He is a believer in big government. I am a Jeffersonian Constitutionalist. He doesn't even understand those words. He really doesn't understand the constitution, and thinks it requires a lawyer to understand it.
It doesn't require a lawyer. It only requires a simple understanding of English. The writing is plain. It also cannot be understood without understanding the Declaration of Independence; and its references to "the laws of nature, and of nature's God." There really is natural law, and there is a God, the Father of us all. Our natural liberties come from Him, not from any doctrine of men, document created by men, or any assembly of whores like our congress.
Americans used to understand these things, and when they do again our liberty will be stronger and more secure than it is now.
-Ken NoelI am not Mormon and agree with you on what Romney believes politically. That is why I pray that he does not get the nomination. It seems to me that the GOP is pushing him to be their candidate. They will be able to run him on puppet strings. His surge is happening right before our eyes even though he says things that are not concrete as to how he would run his presidency. When I listened to the debate last night he waffled on issues and said it would be either this or that or maybe something else; whatever works. However, if he does get the nomination I will vote for him and go home and continue to pray for our Nation. How goes believers so goes the nation.
-msjallenMormon or muslim …I will take the Mormon any day of the week….if thatis my only choices….jrg
-Joe GloverDon't worry. There will be no Mormon on the ballot for the 2012 presidential election, notwithstanding the inane, unsubstantiated, and utterly absurd contentions of deluded dupes such as yourself, who continue to insist that the president is a Kenyan Muslim born outside the United States and lacking a legitimate birth certificate. How doe it feel to be wrong about so many things at the same time?
-bighosscorrection: "does"
-bighossHello, Bighoss. Are we being arrogant again? When you ask someone how it feels to be wrong but offer nothing of substance to demonstrate that they are wrong, you leave the rest of us wondering if you know what you are talking about. People who have unanswered questions about Mr. Obama can't be dismissed in such a manner.
Why did President Obama spend so much money hiding his birth certificate for so long when he could have just released it? Now that he has finally released a birth certificate, it raises so many questions that a judge in Georgia wants him to prove he is eligible before he can get on the Georgia ballot.
Is he a socialist? He acts like one while denying he is. Can you reconcile socialism and Christianity? I'd love to see you try. Quit being dismissive of others and contribute to the conversation.
-VladimirSocialism and Christianity? Easy.
Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, living in luxury every day. A certain beggar, named Lazarus, was laid at his gate, full of sores, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table. Yes, even the dogs came and licked his sores. It happened that the beggar died, and that he was carried away by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died, and was buried. In Hades, he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far off, and Lazarus at his bosom. He cried and said, "Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue! For I am in anguish in this flame."
But Abraham said, "Son, remember that you, in your lifetime, received your good things, and Lazarus, in the same way, bad things. But now here he is comforted and you are in anguish. Besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, that those who want to pass from here to you are not able, and that none may cross over from there to us."
-davesAnd how exactly does this passage prove that Christianity and socialism are compatible? I suppose you believe Jesus telling His disciples that it is harder for a rich man to enter the kingdom than it is for a camel to walk through a needle's eye is also a pro-socialism statement?
-EricMany rich people have a hard time relying on God because riches gets in their way and they feel self sustained; not in need of anything. Whereas the Bible says we are to rely on Him.
-msjallenII Tim 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and discipline.
I Peter 5:7 -casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
Jer 17:5 Thus says the LORD, "Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind and makes flesh his strength, and whose heart turns away from the LORD.
Jer 17:7 Blessed (happy) is the man who trusts in the LORD and whose trust is the LORD.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him; And He will make your paths straight.
I assume you have given up all your wealth as Jesus commanded you to?
"Blessed are you poor, For yours is the kingdom of God…Woe to you who are rich, For you have received your consolation"; and,"Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. "Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."; and, "Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys." (Luke 6:20, 24; Matt. 19:23-24; Luke 12:33)
-Jeff DixonActually, Jeff, I practically lost everything I owned about three years ago. The only money I have is from Social Security. Yet, I am at peace and content. God's grace is sustaining me and providing all my needs. It was nice having plenty for many years but I have learned to live day by day under His wings. As Paul wrote…
-msjallenPhilippians 4:11-12 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.
It is all God's grace.
WOW Jeff you make comments that you take out of context and twisted them for your pleasure,WOW your a low Blow.
Until you except the truth Jeff you will NEVER learn what it is all really about. And you are living a fairy tale.v
-heath3435OH WOW daves, the use of the story of Lazarus is a great story but not what you think in this topic.
-heath3435Better read the whole story from beginning to the end
It's certainly true that the Obama campaign has spent some amount of money opposing an array of lawsuits brought by people who claim that Obama has failed to produce a legitimate birth certificate and is therefore ineligible to serve as president.
We found that in the last quarter of 2008 — which is roughly the period after Obama was elected in early November — and the first three quarters of 2009, which is when WND wrote its story, Obama for America did, in fact, pay Perkins Coie $1.7 million.
For the sake of comparison, the Roll Call story noted that the campaign for Obama's 2008 Republican opponent John McCain — which was a smaller operation — had spent more than $1.3 million on lawyers since the election.
-davesVlad, we have also had a challenge to the citizenship of the president in Alabama, and just like the one in Georgia, it has been thrown out by the judge. There might be more of these silly-assed challenges in other states, which proves NOTHING at all except that the "birther" nut jobs are as determined as they are wrong and ignorant!
-bighossHoss look how Obama is stimulating China… http://abcn.ws/rum3kC
-DespevilleDon't blame Obama when the STATES choose to exercise THEIR options under law. Those laws were not made by Obama.
-bighossSure, he has nothing to do with that at all and has no influence… Poor Obamaton wanted to stimulate the economy but they allowed him to to do that with Chinese one…
-DespevileI was angered by that video. >:(
-tboneWith the US economy in the dire straits it is in, this is tantamount to treason.
-Jeff DixonVery much true Jeff and guess what. Some in D.C. and few on states level see their Cayman Islands accounts receiving significant deposits in euro or dollars converted from renminbi…
-DespevileIf you really want to know the truth go to Not Natural Born—-Truth Matters on youtube.com. You won't have to wonder any longer.
-FEWCORRECTION: I meant to say that there will be no MUSLIM on the 2012 ballot. Sorry for the confusion.
-bighossThat was a wonderful Christian response. You sound like the Pharisees of old. As to being wrong, let's remember your prediction as to who is on the ballot for 2012.
-Bill RichardsOne must wonder just what goes on in the minds of the Republican elites to even present such controversial candidates AGAIN as they did with John McCain..the big loser. When the GOP elites bring up controversial candidates (e.g., Romney, Gingrich, Huntsman, Perry, Santorum) with suspect records, corrupt personal values, and apostate Christian beliefs, that the GOP purposely creates fragmentation amongst conservative and moderate Republicans.
-WinstonSince the RNC did not even question the qualifications of Barack Obama due to the "birther" concerns and legitimacy, it must be sending a strong subtle deceptive message that the Republican Party and the Democrat Party are both hell bent on destroying the Constitution, Rule of Law, Bill of Rights, national sovereignty, et al, to throw the U.S.A. under the bus and push it under a global ruler/government. Think about it. Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
"[T}he RNC did not even question the qualifications of Barack Obama due to the 'birther' concerns" because the RNC had some thoughtful leadership that could think straight and that refused to be prodded into inane and ignorant reaction by the dunderheaded "birther" nut jobs who contaminated political dialogue throughout the 2008 campaign and who continue to barf out their utterly unprovable, patently false accusations. They are a disgrace to themselves and to this nation.
-bighossObama is a marketed, media created, unqualified, inept, leftist and Marxist sympathizer (by his own admission, in his book, he said he was attracted to Marxists), with a questionable past. Unwilling to present his birth certificate, something you and I have often had to produce for some government agency, Obama delayed and delayed and caused the problem himself. As an elitist, one would guess Obama felt he was above the law and need not worry about producing a birth certificate, unlike the citizens of his country. After years of stalling, he finally came up with a phoney piece of paper and a few officials willing to testify to his birth in Hawaii. Who knows? Also, all of his papers on Constitutional law that he prepared as a law professor have disappeared from sight, and one might believe these show his true leftist colors. But then, if you had a sympathetic liberal media behind you, making sure the right questions are not asked, well, then even bighoss could rise to the presidency of the United States.
-John J FlanaganHey John, Bighoss won't comment on Christianity vs Socialism because he's smart enough to know he'd get his ears pinned back. He supports Mr. Obama, a socialist, and spends all his time sniping at people that strongly claim they are Christian and live Christian principles.
-VladimirA-a-a-a-r-g-h-h-h! Birtherism still lives!!
-bighossThe Republican elites did not offer Romney. He decided to run on his own. Many of the elites do not want him. But that has not stopped the people from making their own decision about him.
-Jeff DixonOnly "the people" in two states have made a decision about him thus far, with prospects looking pretty good in a third.
Bring on the varmint! Obama will eat him alive!
-bighossAssuming, Obama's teleprompter will not fail him.
-Jeff Dixon