BLOCKBUSTER: The Boston Celtics have agreed to trade Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers for Paul George, two first-round picks and two second-round picks, sources tell ESPN.
BREAKING: The Los Angeles Lakers are acquiring Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz for unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 and first-round swaps in 2028 and 2030, sources tell ESPN. Kessler will sign a massive four-year, $130 million deal with the Lakers.
I hear all the time from Protestants that baptism is not required, pointing to the thief on the cross as the reason. However, I'm told that I'm not a Christian because I don't believe in the Trinity. Is there any indication that the thief on the cross believed in the Trinity?
Problem #3: Latter-day Saints don't believe in another Savior
Suppose you ask a member of the Church:
Who is the Son of God?
Who died for our sins?
Who rose from the dead?
Who is the only source of salvation?
The answer is Jesus Christ.
So the debate isn't really about whether Christ saves.
The debate is about doctrines surrounding Christ, authority, ordinances, the nature of God, and continuing revelation.
Those are important disagreements, but they're not the same thing as preaching a different Savior.
Can we see the Ark of the Covenant?
Can we see the stone tablets Moses brought down from Sinai?
Can we see the original manuscripts of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John?
Can we see the cross Jesus was crucified on?
Can we see the empty tomb?
Can we see the resurrected Christ?
Can we see the miracles He performed?
Can we see the Garden of Eden?
Can we see Noah's Ark?
Can we see the burning bush?
Can we see the rod of Aaron that budded?
Can we see the manna preserved from the wilderness?
Can we see the angel Gabriel?
Can we see the Mount of Transfiguration event?
Can we see Pentecost?
Yet Christians accept all of those things based on witness testimony and faith.
The irony is that the Book of Mormon actually has more direct witnesses than many biblical events. Eleven men publicly testified they saw or handled the plates, and several maintained that testimony even after leaving Joseph Smith and the Church.
The question isn't whether you can see the plates today. The question is whether the witnesses were telling the truth.
Ultimately, the definition of who is a Christian splits along these lines. I know which one I would rather follow.
To Creedal Christians: It requires conforming to the historical, orthodox definitions of God’s nature (the Trinity). If you misidentify the nature of God, you are viewed as being outside of standard Christian definitions.
To Relational/Restorationist Christians: It requires accepting Jesus Christ, making covenants with Him, and demonstrating a transformed heart through discipleship—regardless of whether you agree with the philosophical vocabulary adopted by church councils centuries after Christ.
It does seem that the LDS are being unfairly singled out here. If the essential criterion for Christianity is Trinitarian theology, why do the Jehovah’s Witnesses, Christian Scientists, Oneness Pentecostals, and even Quakers (in some instances) get a pass here?
@CocoaTrebles@_consistent_man The most simple explanation is usually the correct one. God wants to be knowable. The trinity creates an unknowable God. Nobody understands it.
@FiredUpCoug I highly recommend you look at the Green Mountain Grill, if for nothing else than to also get their pizza oven accessory. Smoked pizzas are a family favorite and they cook in about 3 min each. Everybody gets to choose their own toppings.
@Hero_OfThe_Day@NBA I'm not a fan of either team, which helps me be unbiased. I truly don't care who wins. I don't know about heavily favoring Spurs, it felt bad in both directions, maybe slightly more partial to the Spurs, but they are also the home team.