Incarnation and Mormonism
I met with my mormom friend this morning. He is amazingly open and loving and while firm in his beliefs, not dogmatic with me. He shared with me that Jesus is the first begotten and that in his birth he was given characteristics of God the Father that were not given to the rest of us. He is the first among brothers, but not really equal.
It was an interesting conversation where I delicately shared that it seems important to me for the atonement that Jesus wasn't "just like us." He shared that Jesus is in fact not just like us, but more like God than we are.
I noted with him that while I think Jesus is in fact God and that Satan is in fact a fallen angel, that the Bible often sets them up as somewhat equal advesaries. The mormon view is that they were both sons of God, as are we, though Jesus was the only Begotten, yet Satan was the Son of the morning, third in line behind Jesus.
As we talked, we both noted that it is unfortunate that we have both have had to put in place a system that makes sense of what is not exactly clear. It doesn't lessen my belief but it is a reminder that it is a system that we have filled out. I would argue mine is correct due to some "interventions," "experiences of Jesus." He actually shared some experiences of his own with me.
It was a good conversation. I long for more conversations like that one -- filled with love and conversation, encouragement and sharpening, an honest seeking of God on both of our parts.
posted by Brian at 11:59 AM
2 Comments:
Brian,
Our best friends of many years are a couple who are devoted members of the Unitarian Universalist Church. We've had many similar conversations.
Always challenging. Always with a tinge of sadness.
I think it's great that you guys can meet and converse with those who believe "differently." I think too many people view them as "the enemy", and they're not.
I was talking with a friend this morning and he was explaining to me his thoughts on Christianity being like a journey up a mountain.
One thing that struck me... he said people often think those of different faiths are trying to climb the 'same mountain in a different way' or something like that. When it's more a case of - they're climbing a different mountain entirely. But the kicker is... just because they're climbing a different mountain, does that mean we can't learn something from one another about climbing?
Granted, I want everyone climbing the right mountain. But maybe in helping one another with our "climbing technique" if-you-will, we can also help one another discover something more. Sounds like what you guys are doing. Thanks for sharing.
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