Capitalism, Mormonism, and the Bible
December 2, 2008 by Rick Koerber
Filed under Business, Religion, Rick's Most Recent Posts
Its not uncommon for me to receive questions via Facebook or email regarding my convictions as a capitalist and my religious identity as a Mormon. Recently, a sincere Facebook friend posted a few questions on my Facebook wall and I thought I’d answer them publicly for the benefit of all who read here regularly and who might have similar questions.
My Friend Writes: “Rick, your religious beliefs intrigue me, I will say I am an evangelical Christian and believe the Bible and take it as literal. I have never heard you say anything that contradicts what I believe (as far as principal goes).”
My Response: Well, being a Christian (specifically a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) I too “believe” the Bible. What this statement means to me, may be something different than it means to you. So, to clarify – let me briefly explain what I’m attempting to express. I will outline a few basic points that describe my beliefs regarding the book commonly referred as the Bible.
1. First, it’s important to clarify just what book is being referred to as “the Bible.” Not everyone agrees. Not even most Christians agree. For example, the King James Version of the Holy Bible is much different than the New Revised Standard edition of the Holy Bible. Also, the New American Bible based upon the Latin Vulgate is quite different in substance than most Protestant bible’s because it includes an additional set of whole books that includes Tobit, Judith, First and Second Maccabees, The Book of Wisdom, and Ecclesiasticus (not to be confused with Ecclesiastes). Also, when different language versions of these editions there can be many differences. So, in summary, when someone asks me my opinion about “the Bible” if it is for a matter of specific discussion related to a verse or a chapter of a book within the Bible, the first thing that must be determined is, “What book, specifically, are we talking about?”
2. As a Latter-Day Saint, I generally use the King James Version as the primary source of my own Gospel Study from the Bible.
3. I believe that the bible, generally, is what it is set apart to be, an inspired collection of written testaments of the Gospel, including a record of God’s dealings with certain groups of people over thousands of years.
4. I believe it is important to translate books correctly, and that there have been errors, omissions, and mistranslations of the book, but that generally speaking, it is God’s Word to man, through inspired prophets who completed the task of reducing God’s word to written form.
5. Regarding the literalness of the Bible, I generally take the Bible at face value. Where the text suggests it is allegorical or metaphorical, I take it as such “for example, I do not believe there was an actual physical dragon who chased an actual physical woman into the wilderness, as described in Revelation Chapter 12 – I believe that is symbolic language. Where the text does not suggest as much, I take it as literal, meaning the stories of Noah, Abraham, Moses, etc. However, it is also important to note, that I am not a mystic and I do not believe any text “speaks” without considering the intention of the writer.
6. In summary, I believe the Bible to be an indispensable written work for all sincere disciples of Jesus Christ. I am not a fan of Constantine or the councils that ratified or codified the existing text as “complete” but I do believe, in the context I’ve described, that the hand of God was instrumental in protecting and preserving the essence of the Book and as a central tenant of my faith believe it is a canonical text.
My Friend Next Writes: What makes Mormonism different from other evangelical Christian faiths? I understand this is likely a subject matter that would take more time then you have available and more space then is allocated for a single post on Facebook, but if you could at the very least give me some web links or recommendations for books to read, I would really appreciate it.
My Response: Yes, you are correct his is an important, and deep discussion. I will address it in two ways. First, regarding the request for links. I would start with http://www.lds.org and http://www.mormon.org. Second, as a convert to “Mormonism” and a study of Christian history myself (I studied early Christian history at the University of Denver – which certainly, by itself doesn’t make me an expert, just an above average interest student), a short compare/contrast list between my faith and “other evangelical Christian faiths” is as follows.
1. I believe in an active Priesthood directed by living Apostles and Prophets.
2. I believe that living Apostles and Prophets have authority to continue reducing God’s word to man, in the form of an open cannon of Scripture and therefore I believe that there are additional, complimentary texts to the Holy Bible, as part of the Cannon – namely, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price.
In my own judgment, I judge that all other significant differences boil down to these two.
While these differences are important, and the doctrine related to them is detrimental to the salvation of man, I will say that I believe the common ground that exists between Evangelical Christians and “Mormons” is more important and more detrimental. Among these shared common beliefs are:
1. I believe that Jesus of Nazareth, was the Christ, the only begotten Son of God, and is now a living, resurrected being. I believe he is one of three members of the Godhead or Holy Trinity.
2. I believe that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the most important message on Earth and that life’s most important questions and choices boil down to our individual quest for knowledge, truth and light.
In summary, I would simply conclude that religion is a cultural mixed bag, traditionally being filled so such a great extent with mysticism and oppression that all religious claims should rightly be viewed with careful discernment, and any who claim to speak for or by the power of God should not be given a pass on standards of truth, morality, or justice. I am not a mystic, and reject all forms of tyranny over the mind of man. My advice to all believers and unbelievers is to constantly “check your premise”, “keep thinking” and be always willing to admit that your mind has yet room to expand and your faith has yet roots to grow.
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