So, when we deal with apostasy we're not dealing with something where suddenly the lights went out, all spiritual light and life went out of the human family in about 100 A.D. and didn't show back up until somewhere around 1820.
Just what I've been saying all along. The undeniable existence of heresies doesn't prove any total apostasy.
"Does the Bible contain the fulness of the Gospel? You better believe it does."
I'll quote him on that. But I don't agree with him that LDS can see (and access) some mysteries in it that nobody else can. Christianity is not and has never been a mystery religion, except for the Gnostic heresies. The authority to grant eternal life is held by Christ alone, forever (John 17:2; Col. 2:10; Jude 1:25), and all "ordinances" or sacraments are symbols of Him and shadows of what He did - and a symbol doesn't need authority, only understanding, which once again comes from Jesus (1 John 5:20) - of whom the First apostles and the Spirit are witness to. A shadow depends on a reality, or it is simply an illusion;
Christ is the mystery of God (Col. 2:2). (A mystery is the cognitive difference between knowledge and understanding). Scripture says any other authority will be
destroyed (1 Cor. 15:24), and any response except love and faith shows no understanding at all (1 Cor 13; Col. 2:2; Phil.1:6; James 3:13).
I think it is very presumptious to say then, as he does to Christians outside the LDS church: "we offer more to them ... so that you may come to a fuller understanding of what the Lord has in store for you."
He continues, saying that Jesus knew his church "was going to go down the drain". He says, "Paul knew it in Second Thessalonians, the Savior knew it". But he doesn't allow for Paul's words in 2 Thess. 2:
...from the beginning God chose you [the church] to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.
God saves by the work of the Spirit (who was given by Christ, not the Twelve) and the truth (which was presented in his gospel, which we have in the Bible). He says, as the antidote to the "son of perdition" and false teachings, to
hold on to the teachings - not the
authority. Can you see that? "whether by word of mouth or by letter". Is the gospel which brings the message of salvation, and allows us to share in the very glory of Christ himself, bestowed by earthly authority, or by heavenly authority? Who gave John the authority to baptize? People, or God?
Compare Paul's words of encouragement above, with this:
"So what is apostasy? It is first and foremost loss of authority. Yes, with it certain things go, especially those things that were probably too sacred to be written down--perhaps like temple ceremonies."
The contrast is almost tangible. We are to obey the
gospel (2 Thess. 1:8) - passed on by word of mouth or by letter - and the authority by which it was given is God himself, not the men who received it.
If there were more people like Roger Keller in the LDS church, that would be great (although it's strange that he should think Allah and Jesus are the same person). But I see that at least one Mormon was aware that this isn't the idea of tolerance their church had given historically:
"Does your understanding of the word apostasy compare with Joseph Smith's testimony of The Great Apostasy by James Talmage and The Truth Restored by Gordon B. Hinckley?"
I think so. I don't know why it wouldn't.
"Seems as though your view is in conflict with most teachings about the apostasy."
I don't think so.
"Is the LDS Church changing on this or is it just a few people...the opinion of a few people?"
No, I just think that we have been through a time where because of our historical setting we have seen ourselves in conflict with others rather than seeing ourselves as co-participants in God's eternal plan. I think there's a growing understanding of our role and place in God's total plan. We have looked only with blinders on and that's why I love teaching world religions because I think it expands views.
Thanks for the link, Marlin. I think it will do considerable good if people take it seriously.