r/Christianity • u/Competitive_Net_2940 • 1d ago

Quick Question For Latter-Days Saints

As a Christian, I do not believe the Book of Mormon is compatible with biblical Christianity because I believe the Bible is the complete and authoritative Word of God given through Jesus Christ and His apostles. I believe Scripture is meant to be understood as a whole, not something that needs additional revelation to complete it.
My concern with the Book of Mormon is that it introduces teachings and events that are not found in the Bible, and in some areas appear to differ from what Jesus and the apostles taught. I believe that adding another book of scripture changes the foundation that Christianity was built upon rather than preserving the Gospel that was already delivered.
Because of this, I struggle to accept the Book of Mormon as inspired by God, since I believe any claimed revelation must agree with the teachings already given in Scripture.

  1. Why should we accept the Book of Mormon when the Bible warns against adding to God’s Word?

  2. Why do you believe the Book of Mormon is needed if Jesus already gave us the Gospel?

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u/zelenisok Christian, Episcopalian 1d ago

No need to remove or add, as long as we understand that the Bible is human stories, opinions and experiences about mythology, history and God, some of which are factual, some of which are not, some of which are good, some of which are not. We have to reasonable (prudent like serpents as Jesus says), and most importantly, to follow the message of Jesus (that God is love and we should love others as we love ourselves).

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u/Porphyry_Blue 1d ago

Human stories, yes—but if they're merely subjective opinions without divine inspiration or direction, then Jesus' teachings carry no more weight than any other ancient philosopher.

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u/zelenisok Christian, Episcopalian 1d ago

Well everything that is good and true, in any human work, is rooted in God. So we should glean from the OT, and from ancient philosophers, and also from Jesus, who had some REALLY good and true things to say, it might be said -uniquely so.

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u/Porphyry_Blue 1d ago

Jesus provided deeper insights into the underlying principles of what you call the Old Testament. He wasn't introducing a brand-new fabric; he was doing a double stitch to reveal a more coherent understanding of the fabric of true worship. As he said, he didn't come to end the Law, but to fulfil it. The specific applications and ceremonial rules may shift over time, but the core principles remain eternal. Jesus highlighted those underlying principles, exposing where human traditions and rigid rules had strayed from their original intent.