cabio

Gal 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach unto you any gospel other than that which we preached unto you, let him be anathema.

Does this verse support the Mormon claim that the early church became apostate by following a false gospel and for which Joseph Smith was sent?

GakuseiDon

Yes, it supports it, if the early church became apostate by following a false gospel and for which Joseph Smith was sent.

Chili

The early church was apostate since Jn.6:66 where they walked away from the first transubstantiation of bread and wine and Joseph Smith is just one of 20.000 apostate of apostates.

Toto

cabio: I think you still don't get the point of this forum. We don't assume that the Bible is true, and we don't use it to prove assertions about non-Biblical topics.

No, that verse does not support any claim made by the Mormons.

Doug Shaver

It depends on what you mean by "support."

It does not logically imply the truth of any Mormon teaching. However, if you assume the truth of Mormonism, then there is a plausible interpretation of this verse that is consistent with Mormonism.

cabio

Toto, where did I assume that the Bible is true? It is a textual question on whether a certain text can be used by a certain sect to support their belief.

My answer is that it does not support the Mormon belief system. In fact, I think if seen in context, it contradicts Mormonism. Therefore, I think if we look at the text, Mormons are incorrect.

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CMc

<off topic>

Toto

Why do you think that this question is of interest to this forum?

Apologists have an almost infinite capability to make any Bible verse support any particular belief, as you continue to demonstrate. But is there any intellectual substance to it?

.... You are here as a guest, and I am on the staff of this forum, responsible for keeping things on topic. May I suggest that you read what I say and take it to heart when I tell you that you do not understand the purpose of this forum?

cabio

The title of this forum is Biblical Criticism & History. The definition of Biblical Criticism is the study and investigation of biblical writings that seeks to make discerning and discriminating judgments about these writings. It asks when and where a particular text originated; how, why, by whom, for whom, and in what circumstances it was produced; what influences were at work in its production; what sources were used in its composition and the message it was intended to convey. Also, this forum, as the title states, is about Bible History. Mormons have used the Bible in the past history to support their beliefs.

I have both supported and stood against beliefs on this forum. Do not say I demonstrate any one thing. That is simply not true.

Is there any intellectual substance to it? I believe it does so, since most every topic I have posted and discussed on here has come to an agreement.

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cabio

<edit> I agree with those who say the Mormon view of this verse is incorrect.

While the Mormon view is that the entire early Christian church fell away, this is not what is recorded in this letter. This letter was by Paul, specifically to the church in Galatia. They were the focus of Paul, and not Christianity in its entirety.

In fact, these verses, 6-8, preach against Mormon doctrine. The "different gospel" that Paul is warning against is one in which added law to grace. He was preaching against the confusion of false teachers who claimed that circumcision was needed for salvation. Adding works to salvation by grace, such as being part of a specific group or church, i.e., the Mormon church, is a gospel unlike that which Paul preached.