Friday, April 27, 2007
Why I Changed My Mind on a Mormon in the White House
Okay, let me make clear. I still do not think that Mormonism is within the traditional Christian family (defined by agreement with the Nicean formulation). It is not a cult, but, as best as I can discern from reading scholarly articles by Mormon scholars and those who study their theology, it is closer to the Gnostic theologies of the 2nd through 4th centuries, with uniquely American elements. That doesn’t make it sick and wrong, but as a theologian committed to the advancement of the Gospel of Jesus and His Kingdom and the unique reality of the Incarnation of Jesus and his death and resurrection, I still cannot see it, as a whole theological tradition, as the path to true fellowship with the Triune God.
Of course, I have met Mormons who I think would qualify as Christians. I do not want to argue whether one’s membership with any faith family automatically excludes them from salvation. Wait, this is going to far a field. One of these days I will be writing a larger discussion of salvation and community.
Actually, the real focus of this post is why I am repenting of my previous post (found here: http://www.rovingtheologian.com/index.php/weblog/more/mitt_romney_the_dilemma_of_a_mormon_president/
I only through the first two chapters of Hugh’s new book:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/159698502X/ref=nosim/townhallcom
But these are not what made me renounce my previous post. It was a three fold element that made me change. First, it was Hugh’s posting yesterday on the Mainstream Media’s relatively rabid anti-Mormonism, and how quickly and easily even my position becomes anti-religious. http://hughhewitt.townhall.com/g/b1b80c82-69eb-42ef-8e8a-03fcd2a5dde7
The second element is theological. Yes, if Mitt Romney becomes president there will be more people interested in investigation the Church of Later Day Saints. Recently some folks that Tanya and I had become friends with several years ago after returning to Colorado were baptized at a local stake house nearby. Now this couple were never Christians in the way we traditionally think about it. They were searching, and they desperately wanted community. Let me be clear – we in the Church could learn a thing or two about community from the Mormons. We do association, which is not bad, but we are called to live in community – and the Mormons do a good job with it. Now, am I happy about my friends joining the LDS? Well, no, but I am one of those people who think of coming to a relationship with Jesus Christ as a journey, and I do not believe that this is the final stop for my friends. And I will continue, when meeting with them, to talk about the truth of Jesus Christ as the unique Son of God and the Saviour of the world.
If people follow my friends lead and investigate the LDS after Romney becomes president it is a sign that we have not done our job in the traditional Christian Church of explaining the Gospel. I believe that faith comes from the Holy Spirit, and ultimately we must trust that the Spirit will lead people into all truth about Jesus. Likewise, if people become interested in issues of faith because of Mitt, well, then we must be ready to help explain our faith to them. So, in hindsight I was viewing the issue of faith from a far too passive perspective. For this I repent. If President Romney gets people interested in his faith, it simply means that people are interested in faith and it is our responsibility, not the Presidents – be he Bush, Lieberman, or Romney – to advance the truth of Jesus Christ.
The third and final reason for my change of feelings about Mitt Romney – competency. As I have studied Mitt over the past months, it has become clear that he is a profoundly sharp and competent man. While I like President Bush a great deal personally, he has destroyed one of the great strengths of the conservative movement – competency. He has been one of the most incompetent presidents that I can recall – maybe on the order of Grant or Hays. He has tried to do some good things, but his lack of both competency and communication skills to bring them about.
Governor Romney has shown the ability to get things done and to make his case – in business, in the Olympics, and as the leader of one of the worst run states in the union – Massachusetts. President Mitt would not suffer from the hang-ups that have affected this current presidency.
So…am I announcing my support for Mitt Romney? Not yet. Truthfully I am placing my hopes on a run by Fred Thompson, who is a great communicator and has the core conservative spirit – not just small government but also reformist of the monster that is the U.S. government. And, it helps for me that he has not dreamed of being President since he was 10, like some folks (Hillary). But I could be happy with either Thompson or Romney (or Newt, but lets be honest…he cannot win). So, count me convinced even before I get to chapter 3 of the new book, A Mormon in the White House?
