(Dad of 3;63989)
I've been debating Mormons online for a while now and am very familiar with them and what they believe. While they use the KJV, they don't put much stock in it, only cherry picking through it to support whatever point they're trying to make. I don't use the Bible much in these debates because they have a back door, their Eight Article of Faith: "We believe in the Bible insofar as it is translated correctly." They put Mormon texts far higher above it in terms of reliability. If I were to quote a Bible verse, they'd likely tell me that it was missing something "plain and precious" or simply wasn't translated correctly. Mormons also seem to place great value on the number of works they have at their disposal, but by the same token, the Catholic Church is more right because it uses 72 books instead of the standard 66. Nonsense, I know, but that's the standard they use.That all said, what I've noticed throughout the debate is that I'm more Bible-illiterate than I thought. This embarrasses me a bit because I know how to tear down Mormonism, but not how to build up Biblical Christianity.What I want to know is how do I approach Bible historicity and reliability and the different versions in relation to what is actually the Word of God? If one version says one thing and another states something else, how do I know what is correct? Those are things I have no idea how to address.Any sorry if I put this in the wrong catagory. Move it if need be. Thanks.
Hi "Dad of 3",What you're asking for is not going to come in a few days or even maybe a few years. I've been at it for 25 years and I'm still learning.Which is why the Apostle Paul wrote:Ephesians 6:12-13 "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places].Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."----What is "the armour of God"? Well that is the WORD of God. We need to KNOW the scriptures!1 Peter 3:15 "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and [be] ready always to [give] an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear."---------------Now with that said, debating the Mormons is not easy, therefore, you DO need to know and understand more than them. There are two books that may be able to help you...Mormons Answered Verse by Verseby John R. Farkas, David A. ReedAnswering Mormons' Questionsby Bill McKeeverThe best way to debate the Mormons is not to challenge them head on. They have their "playbooks" ready to go and are ready for just about anything.But ask pertinent questions. Get them to question what they themselves believe.Not everything the Mormons believe is wrong. The trick is to know and understand which is right and which is wrong. Agree with them when you see something right, but question the things they have wrong.And remember, you cannot pursuade anyone who doesn't want to be persuaded. And you cannot open a closed mind. If one believes strongly in their doctrine, not even a nuclear bomb can change their mind. Your objective is not to change them or their minds or to convert them, but to get them to question their own reasoning and belief.The Bible IS the WORD (logos) of God. The King James version, I believe, is the best because many men died, including William Tyndale, in order to translate this bible into English so the whole of the western world could read and understand the Word of God. So they have respect for this Bible, so use the KJV in your discussions.Hebrews 1:1-2 "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,Hath in these last days spoken unto us by [his] Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;"--------In other words, by our Lord, Jesus Christ, do we hear the Word of God today.And where do we find that? In the Bible.The Gospel of John, chapter 1, "In the beginning was the WORD, and the WORD was with God...........and the WORD became flesh and dwelt among us".There were actually 70 books in the original Canon. Of course, 70 makes sense, it's a sacred biblical number. 7x10 is number of "completion" in numerology.Ask them why they trust what MEN have written over what GOD has written?I hope that helps....Kim