A Different Jesus?: The Christ of the Latter-day Saints

by Robert L. Millet

Foreword and afterword by Richard J. Mouw

Are Latter-day Saints Christian, or do they worship a different Jesus? In this engaging book based on the foundational Mormon documents, Robert Millet clearly explains why Latter-day Saints claim to be Christians and compares their understanding of Jesus with the views of traditional Christian believers.

A leading Mormon scholar who has spent much of his career in conversation with traditional Christians and their writings, Millet discusses what constitutes Christianity and examines how the Latter-day Saints fit or do not fit within that rubric. Intended to inform rather than to convince or persuade, A Different Jesus? clears away misconceptions and doctrinal distortions that characterize more polemical works about Mormonism. Millet points out the many beliefs that Latter-day Saints hold in common with traditional Christians, yet he also emphasizes differences where they exist.

A Different Jesus? initiates and will foster a significant dialogue between Latter-day Saints and traditional Christians. Of special value are a lengthy chapter that answers some of the most frequently asked questions about Mormonism, a glossary showing how key theological terms are defined by Latter-day Saints, and evangelical scholar Richard Mouw's foreword and afterword, which help set an agenda for future discussions between these rich religious traditions.

Genres: Lds, Mormonism, Religion

244 pages, Paperback

First published April 30, 2005

About the author

Robert L. Millet, professor of ancient scripture and former dean of Religious Education at Brigham Young University, holds a master s degree in psychology from BYU and a Ph.D. in religious studies from Florida State University. He is a popular speaker and prolific writer whose other books include Lost and Found: Reflections on the Prodigal Son; Grace Works; and More Holiness Give Me. He and his wife, Shauna, have six children and live in Provo, Utah.

Reviews

[Malin Friess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robert Millet (Professor of Religious Understanding BYU) lays out what the LDS faith believes about Jesus. Richard Mouw (President of Fuller Theological Seminary) responds.

This book moves beyond LIghthouse ministries and divisive "gotcha" questions and seeks that both communities (mormons and evangelicals) would better understand each other. Is the LDS faith hurt when they are called a cult or non-christian (Rick Perry's Pastor)? How should protestants respond when LDS faith claim as the "only true chruch"--restored to fullness? Is this hurtful to evangelicals? Does the LDS faith worship a different Jesus than the traditional evangelical view? Can the LDS faith fall under the umbrella of Christianity? Is LDS faith more Christian than say Catholic, Orthodox, Unitarian?

Several good points are made...

1- Evangelicals/Protestants need to admit that different denominations commonly disagree on important theological issues...
the flood local or global
the innerrancy of scripture
whether only the elect are saved
Is God sovereign over all things or does he allow significant free will
Is the creation account literal or figurative
How women should be involved in ministerial duties
When to be baptized..what does it mean
The fate of the unevangelized

You can't throw a faith out from the umbrella just because they have differences.

2- There is much that Evangelicals and Mormons agree...
Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior
He is born of a Virgin
He died on a Cross as an atonement
He lived a perfect life
Christ alone is necessary for Salvation
Christ is the source of truth and Redemption

3- There is much that the Mormons and Evangelicals Disagree..
The Trinity --Mormons see the The Holy Spirit, Jesus, and God as three distinct entities...Evangelicals say they are three in the same
The nature of god-Evangelicals believe God is Spirit. Mormons believe God has flesh and bones
Post-Mortem Conversion--Baptism for the Dead by Mormons. Evangelicals traditionally believe opportunity for salvation has passed when one dies
The role of the Bible--Evangelicals believe the Bible is sufficient, innerant, and not to be added to. Mormons supplement the BIble with Prophesy and additional texts transcribed by Joseph Smith
Glorification of Man---Mormons support a belief that man can reach perfection.

It seems that the Mormon faith has changed...deemphasizing Joseph Smith and taking a higher view of Christ and Grace. Mormons would probably say they have not changed just perceptions of their faith have changed. President Mouw took a lot of heat for looking at what Mormons believe...I think this book is worth reading. I think the Mormon faith has been unfairly demonized due to some of their habits (2 year mission, undergarments, past history of polygamy). But their faith will stand or fall behind Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon...Many have said I could accept this faith if I could leave out the JS part. But President Hinkley and others say without Joseph Smith their is no LDS church at all.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was written by Millet, a Mormon, for the ministers in the Evangelical Ministry, many of whom were good friends with Millet. He talks about pretty basic church things. I did enjoy the last part of the book where he lists many of the questions he is asked by the other Ministers. His answers are wonderful. Makes you wish you could come up with such answers.

[Allison Dunlap · Rating 5 out of 5]

i could not breeze through this book. It was deeply doctrinal but I'm glad I persevered. It was an attempt to bridge understanding between evangelical and LDS beliefs in Jesus Christ. I don't think we can ever convince the other perspective that our way is correct but perhaps if the goal is simply to understand one another, it succeeded.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robert Millet, who is a BYU Religion professor, wrote this book to explain to people of other religions (primarily written to Evangelical Christians) what Mormons REALLY believe about Jesus Christ and how we are saved. He refers often to the writings of prominent non-LDS Christian writers and the book has a forward and afterword by RIchard J. Mouw, an evangelical who worked with Millet on this project. Both of these men believe it is important for there to be more of a dialogue between all kinds of Christians and I'm all for that.

[Lee Irons · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author, an emeritus professor at BYU, tries to make the case that Mormonism is Christian. This book came out of Mormon-Evangelical dialogue in the early 2000s. The author’s strategy is to pull out quotes by writers widely accepted by evangelicals that seem to say what LDS theology says about deification (C. S. Lewis) or salvation by obedience (MacArthur), etc. The afterword by evangelical theologian Richard Mouw was good, but I would have liked him to give a more decisive answer to the question posed by the title of the book.

[Tbone · Rating 4 out of 5]

I only skimmed this book but it was really good and I learned things I didn't know like the papyrus that Joseph Smith translated to the book of Abraham was very large and long and what we have as the book of Abraham is just a small part of the papryus.

[Joshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was great. It goes along way towards bridging the gap between "traditional" Christianity and LDS Christianity. While Robert Millett doesn't discount or avoid the doctrinal differences he clearly illustrates how LDS are not the evil cultists many portray us to be.

[Ernie Dawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bro. Millet lays out the LDS case for believing in the "same" Christ as the Evangelicals. There is a foreward and afterward by Richard Mouw, an Evangelical friend to Millet.