Unveiling Mormonism

In this episode, Bryan, Bo and KD explore the differences between the Bible and the Book of Mormon, focusing on textual and historical evidence. They discuss how the Book of Mormon lacks archaeological evidence and contains anachronisms, while the Bible has extensive evidence supporting its accuracy and reliability. They emphasize that the Bible tells one unified story, written by multiple authors over 1500 years, yet remaining consistent. They also address the reliability of Bible translations, explaining that translations are accurate and reliable, and the Joseph Smith Translation cannot be considered a true translation. They conclude by highlighting the power and inspiration of the Bible as the Word of God.

Takeaways:

• Mormons believe the Bible is the word of God, but it is not infallible and has errors.
• The Bible is ranked below the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price in Mormon canon.
• Christians believe in the verbal plenary inspiration of the Bible, meaning that divine inspiration extends to the very words themselves and all parts of the Bible.
• The Book of Mormon lacks archaeological evidence and contains anachronisms, while the Bible has extensive evidence supporting its accuracy and reliability.
• The Bible tells one unified story, written by multiple authors over 1500 years, yet remaining consistent.
• Translations of the Bible are accurate and reliable, and the Joseph Smith Translation cannot be considered a true translation.
• The Bible is the Word of God and can be trusted.

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The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday.

Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.

Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.

Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.

Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at [email protected].

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In this conversation, Bryan, Bo and KD discuss the question of whether there is only one true church, specifically focusing on the Mormon Church. They explore the concept of a testimony in Mormonism and how it differs from the Christian understanding of a testimony. They also discuss the idea of the church as an organization, denomination, or building, and explain that the biblical definition of the church is the assembly of called out believers in Jesus. They conclude that while there may not be one true church in the sense of a specific institution or denomination, there is a capital C church that includes all true believers in Jesus throughout history.

Takeaways:

• Mormons believe that the Mormon Church is the one true church, and this belief is ingrained from a young age.
• The biblical definition of the church is the assembly of called out believers in Jesus, and it is not limited to a specific organization, denomination, or building.
• A testimony in Mormonism is a memorized statement that focuses on the prophet, the church, and sometimes the family, rather than on Jesus.
• While Mormonism as an institution is not part of the one true church, individuals within the Mormon church can still have a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.
• Core doctrines such as belief in the Bible, the Trinity, the deity of Jesus, salvation by faith, and life after death are important in determining if a church is part of the one true church.

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The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday.

Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.

Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.

Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.

Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at [email protected].

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Notes

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Almost every world religion offers a pathway to heaven through good works and personal efforts. Some even include a list of sacraments: Holy rituals by which a person can merit salvation. But Christianity is different. According to the Bible, there’s only one way to know if you’re good enough for God, and it has nothing to do with what you can do.

--

The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday.

Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.

Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.

Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.

Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at [email protected].

Donate Now

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Before we look at what the Bible says, let’s do a quick survey of a few popular world religions…

Hinduism: Hinduism does not have a singular concept of salvation but rather multiple paths (yogas) that lead to spiritual liberation (moksha) from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara). These paths include devotion (bhakti), knowledge (jnana), and selfless action (karma yoga), among others. Salvation is achieved when an individual realizes their true self (atman) as one with the ultimate reality (Brahman). (Liberation depends on YOU.)

Buddhism: Salvation in Buddhism is the cessation of suffering and the cycle of rebirth, achieved through the elimination of desire and ignorance. In Buddhism, the goal is to attain enlightenment (nirvana) by following the Noble Eightfold Path, which includes principles such as right understanding, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration. (Nirvana depends on YOU.)

Islam: In Islam, the plan of salvation involves belief in the oneness of God (Allah) and the prophethood of Muhammad. Muslims believe in living a righteous life according to the teachings of the Quran and the Hadith (sayings of Muhammad). Salvation is achieved through faith, repentance, and good deeds, with the ultimate reward being entry into paradise. Salvation in Islam is not guaranteed solely by faith or deeds but is ultimately dependent on the mercy and judgment of Allah. Muslims strive to live a life that is pleasing to Allah and to follow the teachings of Islam in the hope of attaining salvation in the afterlife. (Paradise depends on YOU.)

(Note: similarity with Mormonism. “Saved by grace after all we can do.”) - Don’t include this in sermon!

TRANS: So what does Christianity teach? To find that answer we need to look at one more world religion: Judaism. Jesus was Jewish. Christianity came out of Judaism. Understanding the link between those two religions, and specifically the key difference between them, will give us the insight we need to answer our question today. Let’s start with the words of Jesus from his famous Sermon on the Mount:

Matthew 5:17 (NLT) “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.”

When Jesus talks about “the law and the prophets” he’s referring to Judaism. Here’s Judaism in a nutshell:

• God chose Abraham and made him some promises (Gen 12)
• God gave the 10 commandments to Moses - rules to live by in the land of promise they were about to enter.
• The people kept breaking the laws and failing to live right. 
• Judges 21:25 (NLT) In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.

In Mt 5 Jesus is basically saying: “There’s nothing wrong with the law; there’s something wrong with the people.” That’s why he said this: 

Matthew 5:20 (NLT) “But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!”

Jesus goes on in the sermon to list examples in every area of life:

• You’ve heard “don’t murder,” but I say anger = murder in your heart
• You’ve heard “don’t adulterate,” but I say lust = adultery in your heart
• You’ve heard “the punishment must match the crime,” but I say turn the other cheek
• You’ve heard “love your neighbor,” but I say “love your enemy”

Then Jesus finishes the section with this crazy statement: 

Matthew 5:48 (NLT) But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.

This leaves us in a pickle. God requires perfection, but people are far from it. The Apostle Paul explained this clearly in his letter to the Romans:

Romans 3:20 (NLT) For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.

This is crazy: Paul used to be a Pharisee! He was one of those guys from the Sermon on the Mount that Jesus was talking about. He was trying to get to God through his own works. Here’s how Paul himself explained it:

Philippians 3:5-6 (NLT) I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault.

This next verse I want to use the NIV, because it helps us to calculate what Paul is trying to say:

Philippians 3:7 (NIV) But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.

• (Pillar New Testament Commentary) The shift from plural gains to singular loss indicates that Paul is not giving different values to each of his assets, discounting them at different rates: some are marked down 50%; others down 90%. Because of Christ, Paul has counted up all of his assets and considered them to be one huge liability. After his conversion to Christ, Paul recalculates the value of all of the advantages of his family and his accomplishments, his social class and his moral achievements, and then he enters the new bottom line: they all add up to one overwhelming disadvantage, one huge loss.
• Paul was in the red… and then he met Christ
• Famous Mormon example of a dad buying bike for his kid? 

Here’s how Paul explained the math to the Ephesians: 

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NLT) God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

Think about the word “gift”. How much do you pay for it? Exactly nothing. Once you pay for it, it’s no longer a gift!

• Ex: Ross at the summer outreach event. Guy trying to pay for water bottle. 

Two things about a gift: 

• “None of us can boast about it.” - religious boasting
• We don’t have to wonder if we’ve done enough.
• Contrast with Islam: “Salvation in Islam is not guaranteed solely by faith or deeds…. Muslims strive to live a life that is pleasing to Allah and to follow the teachings of Islam in the hope of attaining salvation in the afterlife.”
• But they’ll never know for sure!!

Back to Romans for two more verses:

Romans 3:21-22 (NLT) But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law…. We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.

So the Bible’s answer to the question “How good is good enough for God?” reveals the difference between Christianity and every other religion.

• Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam are all “works-based”– It’s about what YOU can do to reach enlightenment, earn nirvanah, become righteous. 
• Christianity has a different message: YOU can’t do anything to save yourself. People have tried, and they’ve always failed!
• You’ll need the perfection of Jesus. You’ll only get that by faith.

Almost every world religion offers a pathway to heaven through good works and personal efforts. Some even include a list of sacraments: Holy rituals by which a person can merit salvation. But Christianity is different. According to the Bible, there’s only one way to know if you’re good enough for God, and it has nothing to do with what you can do.

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The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the “easy button” for making disciples – whether you’re looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday.

Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.

Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.

Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.

Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at [email protected].

Donate Now

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Before we look at what the Bible says, let’s do a quick survey of a few popular world religions…

Hinduism: Hinduism does not have a singular concept of salvation but rather multiple paths (yogas) that lead to spiritual liberation (moksha) from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara). These paths include devotion (bhakti), knowledge (jnana), and selfless action (karma yoga), among others. Salvation is achieved when an individual realizes their true self (atman) as one with the ultimate reality (Brahman). (Liberation depends on YOU.)

Buddhism: Salvation in Buddhism is the cessation of suffering and the cycle of rebirth, achieved through the elimination of desire and ignorance. In Buddhism, the goal is to attain enlightenment (nirvana) by following the Noble Eightfold Path, which includes principles such as right understanding, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration. (Nirvana depends on YOU.)

Islam: In Islam, the plan of salvation involves belief in the oneness of God (Allah) and the prophethood of Muhammad. Muslims believe in living a righteous life according to the teachings of the Quran and the Hadith (sayings of Muhammad). Salvation is achieved through faith, repentance, and good deeds, with the ultimate reward being entry into paradise. Salvation in Islam is not guaranteed solely by faith or deeds but is ultimately dependent on the mercy and judgment of Allah. Muslims strive to live a life that is pleasing to Allah and to follow the teachings of Islam in the hope of attaining salvation in the afterlife. (Paradise depends on YOU.)

(Note: similarity with Mormonism. “Saved by grace after all we can do.”) - Don’t include this in sermon!

TRANS: So what does Christianity teach? To find that answer we need to look at one more world religion: Judaism. Jesus was Jewish. Christianity came out of Judaism. Understanding the link between those two religions, and specifically the key difference between them, will give us the insight we need to answer our question today. Let’s start with the words of Jesus from his famous Sermon on the Mount:

Matthew 5:17 (NLT) “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.”

When Jesus talks about “the law and the prophets” he’s referring to Judaism. Here’s Judaism in a nutshell:

1. God chose Abraham and made him some promises (Gen 12)
2. God gave the 10 commandments to Moses - rules to live by in the land of promise they were about to enter.
3. The people kept breaking the laws and failing to live right.
4. Judges 21:25 (NLT) In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.

In Mt 5 Jesus is basically saying: “There’s nothing wrong with the law; there’s something wrong with the people.” That’s why he said this:

Matthew 5:20 (NLT) “But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!”

Jesus goes on in the sermon to list examples in every area of life:

1. You’ve heard “don’t murder,” but I say anger = murder in your heart
2. You’ve heard “don’t adulterate,” but I say lust = adultery in your heart
3. You’ve heard “the punishment must match the crime,” but I say turn the other cheek
4. You’ve heard “love your neighbor,” but I say “love your enemy”

Then Jesus finishes the section with this crazy statement:

Matthew 5:48 (NLT) But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.

1. So, how good is good enough? Perfection. Anything less won’t work.

This leaves us in a pickle. God requires perfection, but people are far from it. The Apostle Paul explained this clearly in his letter to the Romans:

Romans 3:20 (NLT) For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.

This is crazy: Paul used to be a Pharisee! He was one of those guys from the Sermon on the Mount that Jesus was talking about. He was trying to get to God through his own works. Here’s how Paul himself explained it:

Philippians 3:5-6 (NLT) I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault.

This next verse I want to use the NIV, because it helps us to calculate what Paul is trying to say:

Philippians 3:7 (NIV) But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.

1. (Pillar New Testament Commentary) The shift from plural gains to singular loss indicates that Paul is not giving different values to each of his assets, discounting them at different rates: some are marked down 50%; others down 90%. Because of Christ, Paul has counted up all of his assets and considered them to be one huge liability. After his conversion to Christ, Paul recalculates the value of all of the advantages of his family and his accomplishments, his social class and his moral achievements, and then he enters the new bottom line: they all add up to one overwhelming disadvantage, one huge loss.
2. Paul was in the red… and then he met Christ
3. Famous Mormon example of a dad buying bike for his kid?

Here’s how Paul explained the math to the Ephesians:

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NLT) God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

Think about the word “gift”. How much do you pay for it? Exactly nothing. Once you pay for it, it’s no longer a gift!

1. Ex: Ross at the summer outreach event. Guy trying to pay for water bottle.

Two things about a gift:

1. “None of us can boast about it.” - religious boasting
2. We don’t have to wonder if we’ve done enough.
3. Contrast with Islam: “Salvation in Islam is not guaranteed solely by faith or deeds…. Muslims strive to live a life that is pleasing to Allah and to follow the teachings of Islam in the hope of attaining salvation in the afterlife.”
4. But they’ll never know for sure!!

Back to Romans for two more verses:

Romans 3:21-22 (NLT) But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law…. We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.

So the Bible’s answer to the question “How good is good enough for God?” reveals the difference between Christianity and every other religion.

1. Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam are all “works-based”– It’s about what YOU can do to reach enlightenment, earn nirvanah, become righteous.
2. Christianity has a different message: YOU can’t do anything to save yourself. People have tried, and they’ve always failed!
3. You’ll need the perfection of Jesus. You’ll only get that by faith.

KD shares her amazing story of how the God of the Bible got a hold of her heart. She talks about growing up in a Mormon household, the fear of her parents' potential divorce, and her deep desire to have an eternal family. She also discusses the pressure she felt to be a perfect wife and the impact of learning about polygamy in heaven. Her and Bo discuss the challenges of perfectionism and the burden of trying to earn their salvation within the Mormon Church. They discuss the impact of checklist mentality and the struggle to find grace within the confines of their faith. The loss of their daughter becomes a turning point in their spiritual journey, leading them to reevaluate their beliefs and seek a deeper understanding of Jesus.

Takeaways

• Growing up in a Mormon household can come with unique challenges and pressures, such as the fear of divorce and the emphasis on eternal families.
• Learning about polygamy in heaven can be unsettling, especially for those who have witnessed infidelity or unhealthy relationships.
• The pressure to be a perfect spouse and maintain a worthy image can lead to controlling behaviors and mental distress.
• Discovering the true God of the Bible can bring relief and freedom from the burdens and expectations of Mormonism. The pressure to be perfect and earn salvation can create a heavy burden and lead to feelings of inadequacy.
• Navigating the tension between grace and checklist mentality can be challenging, especially within the Mormon faith.
• Finding a Christian church and embracing the true meaning of grace can bring relief and a deeper understanding of God's love.

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The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday.

Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.

Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.

Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.

Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at [email protected].

Donate Now

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We’ve been on a long journey through the gospel of Mark.  We started this in January of 2023.  Throughout Mark’s gospel, he has been building a case that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God.  He opened his gospel with this declaration and has spent the last 16 chapters stacking up the evidence. Today we're looking at this question: What would it take to convince you that Jesus is the Son of God?

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The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the “easy button” for making disciples – whether you’re looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday.

Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.

Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.

Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.

Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at [email protected].

Donate Now

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We’ve seen testimonies:

• Mark 1:11 And a voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.”
• Mark 1:24 (NLT) “Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”
• Mark 8:29 (NLT) Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Peter replied, “You are the Messiah.”

We’ve seen teachings: 

• Mark 2:17 (NLT) “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”
• Mark 7:15 (NLT) “It’s not what goes into your body that defiles you; you are defiled by what comes from your heart.”
• Mark 10:15 (NLT) “I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.”

We’ve seen his miracles: 

• Physical miracles
• cleansing the leper
• giving sight to the blind
• Healing the lame
• Resuscitating Lazarus
• Nature miracles:
• Feeding the multitudes… twice! 
• Walking on water  
• Calming the storm
• Even a spiritual miracle:
• casting out evil spirits 

TRANS: But there’s one miracle that stands out above them all. It’s the final and most important piece of evidence to point us to the true identity of Jesus. Today we’re looking at the incredible resurrection of Jesus.

The resurrection is the climax of Mark’s gospel. Without the resurrection, there is no good news. Jesus’s death would simply be the most tragic case of injustice in history, with not an ounce of goodness to it. It was the resurrection that changed the minds of his disciples. It was an encounter with the risen Christ that changed them from cowardly, sniveling men who deserted him and were always arguing about who would be the greatest… to brave, faith-filled men who unashamedly proclaimed Mark 1:1 – that Jesus is the Son of God. 

NOTE: As we dig into Mark 16, we’re going to go through verse 8.  If you’re reading in your Bible, you’ll likely have a footnote that says the “earliest manuscripts stop at verse 8.”  I want to talk about that for just a moment. I want to share with you why this strengthens my confidence in the accuracy, historicity, and authority of God’s Word.  I’m going to give you some reasons why we’re choosing to stop at verse 8 today and why many Bibles still include verse 9-20. 

• Earliest manuscripts we have don’t contain 9-20
• Overwhelming majority of early manuscripts do contain it. 
• Early church fathers quoted from verses after verse 8
• Elements of verses 9-20 are found in other gospels and nothing in it contradicts scripture. 
• (honesty/transparency) - we can trust the Bible

Mark 16:1-4 Saturday evening, when the Sabbath ended, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome went out and purchased burial spices so they could anoint Jesus’ body. 2 Very early on Sunday morning, just at sunrise, they went to the tomb. 3 On the way they were asking each other, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” 4 But as they arrived, they looked up and saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled aside.

They purchased burial spices. They had no expectation of an empty tomb. They expected to find a dead body. This anointing was not an attempt to preserve the body. Jews didn’t practice embalming. It was an act of love and devotion. They bought the spices at the first opportunity and made their way to the tomb at the first safe opportunity (as soon as it was daylight).  They didn’t put off showing their devotion to Jesus.  The touching of a dead body would have made them ceremonially unclean, another sacrifice they were willing to make for Jesus.  What are we willing to sacrifice for him? 

It’s powerful testimony that all of the gospels record women being the first to hear/see the good news of the resurrection.  If you were making the story up, you’d never have women be the first to confess the resurrection.  Their testimony wasn’t admissible in court. (honesty/transparency)

• (Pillar New Testament Commentary) "This is the general rule: any evidence that a woman is not eligible to bring, [usurers, dice-players, pigeon-flyers, traffickers Sabbath year produce, and slaves] are not eligible to bring" (m. Ros HaSh. 1:8). Further: "Sooner let the words of the Law be burned than delivered to women" (b. Sot. 19a); "Happy is he whose children are male, but alas for him whose children are female" (b. Qid. 82b). Especially indicative is the morning prayer of Jewish men, who blessed God for not making them heathens, slaves, or women!
• (Pillar New Testament Commentary) Some two centuries after the Gospels were written, the pagan Celsus could still needle Origen on "the gossip of women about the empty tomb" (Origen, Contra Celsum 2, 55).
• 1 Corinthians 1:27-29 (NLT) Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.

Who will roll the stone away? We know from Matthew’s gospel that there was an earthquake and the angel is the one who rolled the stone away and then sat on it. We also know from Matthew’s gospel that the Roman guards who had been assigned to guard the tomb shook with fear and passed out at the sight of the angel. 

Mark 16:5-7 When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a white robe sitting on the right side. The women were shocked, 6 but the angel said, “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth,[b] who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body. 7 Now go and tell his disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died.”

He is risen. Resurrection vs. resuscitation.  Jesus is the first to be resurrected.  There were resuscitations in the Bible prior to Jesus - Elijah raised the son of the widow from Zarephath back from the dead, Elisha raised the Shunammite’s son, Jairus’ daughter, Lazareth - but all these would die again.  Jesus didn’t resuscitate, he resurrected.  He came back to life never to die again.  Jesus was the first to do this.  This had never before been seen in history.  

Look The angel challenged the women to see for themselves that the body was not there - “Look, this is where they laid his body.”  God is always willing to prove himself to anyone who’s willing to seek. But he won’t force you to go looking. You’re listening today; are you willing to really look into Jesus? 

Including Peter. The women are specifically told to communicate the news to Peter.  Had he withdrawn because of his shame at denying Jesus three times?  Had the other disciples ostracized him because he had failed in the moment after being so adamant that he would die with Jesus? He was supposed to be the rock, but had crumbled like a cookie. The last interaction Peter had with Jesus was looking into his eyes after he had denied him three times.  How miserable these past days have been.  He probably no longer considered himself a disciple because of his denial.  He was too ashamed to be counted among his followers.  This is why the personal invitation is so important. Jesus extends that same personal invitation to you today. 

You will see him in Galilee. The women are commanded to go and tell the Good News that Jesus is risen. The women went to the tomb looking for closure; they got anything but closure! Now they would be on mission again with Jesus, meeting him in Galilee - the place where he first called his disciples. The place that represented the whole world, not just the Jews!

Mark 16:8 the women fled from the tomb, trembling and bewildered, and they said nothing to anyone because they were too frightened.

What a way to end Mark’s gospel! Five admissions of the women’s weakness:

• Fled
• Trembling
• Bewildered
• Speechless
• Frightened 

Not surprising. After all, we’ve learned throughout this gospel two simple truths over and over: people are broken; Jesus can fix us.

So the women fled, broken but convinced. How could they not be? They just heard that Jesus performed his ultimate miracle: he was raised from the dead. Their lives would never be the same.

Back to the question for today: 

Q: What would it take to convince you that Jesus is the Son of God? 

Mark’s gospel lays out all the proof we need. The testimonies. The teachings. The miracles. And now this: the resurrection.

What we think about Jesus and how we respond to that is the most important thing about us.  It is what determines where we spend eternity.

 In this episode, Bryan and Bo discuss the concept of priesthood in Mormonism. They explore the Mormon belief in the restoration of the church and the priesthood through Joseph Smith. They discuss the biblical perspective on priesthood, emphasizing Jesus as the ultimate high priest and mediator. They explore the idea of a royal priesthood, and the role of leadership and authority in the church. They highlight the toxicity of priesthood authority in Mormonism and contrast it with the biblical concept of authority. The conversation also dives into the two orders of the priesthood, the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods, and the significance of Jesus as the ultimate high priest.

Takeaways:

• The Mormon belief in the restoration of the priesthood through Joseph Smith is a central aspect of their faith.
• The biblical perspective on priesthood emphasizes Jesus as the ultimate high priest and mediator between God and humanity.
• New Testament Christianity did not have priests or temples, as Jesus fulfilled the sacrificial system and became the final mediator.
• Leadership and authority exist in the church, but Mormonism takes the concept of authority to a toxic level, elevating it to a priesthood authority that only certain individuals possess.
• The Aaronic priesthood originated with Aaron, the brother of Moses, and the Levites. The Melchizedek priesthood is a more obscure reference in Genesis, but the book of Hebrews explains that Jesus is the ultimate high priest in the order of Melchizedek.
• The worthiness aspect of priesthood in Mormonism can lead to guilt, shame, and public humiliation for those who are deemed unworthy. However, the Bible teaches that salvation is not based on good works or priesthood authority, but on God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

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The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday.

Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.

Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.

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Todd shares his personal history with Mormonism and his journey of questioning and seeking to understand Jesus. He discusses the differences between the Mormon Jesus and the biblical Jesus, as well as the challenges he faced in leaving Mormonism. Todd emphasizes the importance of seeking truth and experiencing the transformation that comes from knowing the real Jesus. He offers advice for those still entangled in Mormonism and encourages them to take off their Mormon backpack and embrace the grace and truth found in biblical Christianity.

Takeaways:

• Questioning and seeking to understand Jesus is a natural part of the spiritual journey.
• There is a stark contrast between the Mormon Jesus and the Biblical Jesus.
• Leaving Mormonism can be challenging, but seeking truth and experiencing the transformation that comes from knowing the real Jesus is worth it.
• It is important to give grace to others and embrace the grace and truth found in biblical Christianity.

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The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday.

Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.

Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.

Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.

Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at [email protected].

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Jesus is the most controversial figure in human history. Everyone has an opinion about him, for better or worse. Today we look at the sham trial of Jesus, and all of the irony it contains. The trial of Jesus shows us how people in every generation can get Jesus wrong. Both the religious and irreligious can misjudge the Judge of all.

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The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the “easy button” for making disciples – whether you’re looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday.

Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.

Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.

Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.

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Q. How has the world misjudged Jesus?

• Famous atheists (irreligious) who did it:
• Bertrand Russell (Philosopher and Mathematician): "Historically, it is quite doubtful whether Christ ever existed at all, and if He did, we do not know anything about Him."
• Christopher Hitchens (Author and Journalist): "The teachings of Jesus are not the Sermon on the Mount, where he behaves in an exalted and wise manner. It's the idea of the prodigal son, where he says that if you're really, really sorry, if you're genuinely sorry, if you really ask for forgiveness, you can be forgiven. It's a horrible idea."
• Richard Dawkins (Biologist and Author): "The alternative to the God hypothesis is not the hypothesis that Jesus was God incarnate. It is the hypothesis that Jesus was a zealot, executed for sedition, whose followers perpetuated his cult by deifying him." 
• from Dawkins' book "The God Delusion," in which he argues against the existence of a personal god and criticizes religious beliefs, including those related to Jesus.
• The God Hypothesis: the idea that there exists a supernatural creator who is responsible for the universe and everything in it. Dawkins argues that this hypothesis is not supported by evidence and should be rejected.

Irony: Jesus is the Judge!

• John 5:22-23 (NLT) …the Father judges no one. Instead, he has given the Son absolute authority to judge, so that everyone will honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son is certainly not honoring the Father who sent him.

Today we’ll see Jesus on trial. Can you imagine it? The Judge of all, the Creator, in court being judged by his creations!? We’ll see that misjudging Jesus is nothing new. But when it happened 2000 years ago for the first time, it was not a group of atheists making such offensive statements. It was the religious elite themselves. Let’s get to the text…

Mark 14:53-54 (NLT) They took Jesus to the high priest’s home where the leading priests, the elders, and the teachers of religious law had gathered. Meanwhile, Peter followed him at a distance and went right into the high priest’s courtyard. There he sat with the guards, warming himself by the fire.

the leading priests, the elders, and the teachers of religious law

• This was the Sanhedrin, the “influencers” in Jesus’ day
• The Sanhedrin was a Jewish council that existed during the time of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. It was made up of 71 members and served as the highest religious and legal authority among the Jews in ancient Israel. The Sanhedrin was responsible for interpreting Jewish law, settling disputes, and making decisions on religious and legal matters. It played a significant role in the governance of the Jewish people and the preservation of Jewish traditions and customs.

Peter followed him at a distance 

• The disciples were supposed to be testifying FOR Jesus: Mark 13:9 (NLT) “When these things begin to happen, watch out! You will be handed over to the local councils and beaten in the synagogues. You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me.”
• But Peter is following at a distance. (Pillar New Testament Commentary) Peter has forsaken a discipleship of costly following (8:34) for one of safe observation.
• Peter had even more reason to hide on the fringe.  He had cut off the servant to the high priest’s ear.  Now, as they came to the home of the high priest, the risk of the servant reporting what Peter had done to him was real. Jesus’ healing of the servant’s ear was not only merciful to the servant, it was merciful to Peter as now there would be no evidence against him. 
• As much as we’re disappointed in Peter’s cowardice to deny Jesus, it took courage for him to even be here. We set ourselves up for failure when we follow him at a distance.  We need to be in close, intimate relationship with him to experience his power in our lives.  Are you following Jesus at a distance? Do people know you’re a follower?  Is there evidence in your life?  

Mark 14:55-59 (NLT) Inside, the leading priests and the entire high council were trying to find evidence against Jesus, so they could put him to death. But they couldn’t find any. Many false witnesses spoke against him, but they contradicted each other. Finally, some men stood up and gave this false testimony: “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this Temple made with human hands, and in three days I will build another, made without human hands.’” But even then they didn’t get their stories straight!

The Trial

• The religious leaders had constantly accused Jesus of breaking the law. The irony is that they broke the law in nearly every detail of their sham trial. Mark 14:55-59
• (Pillar New Testament Commentary) According to the Mishnah, 
• twenty-three members of the Sanhedrin were necessary to judge capital cases, with reasons for acquittal preceding reasons for conviction. 
• In capital cases, a verdict of guilty required a second sitting the following day. 
• Both sittings had to take place during daytime, and neither on the eve of Sabbath or a festival (m. Sanh. 4.1). 
• Witnesses were to be warned against rumor and hearsay (m. Sanh. 4.5). 
• A charge of blasphemy could not be sustained unless the accused cursed God's name itself, in which case the punishment prescribed was death by stoning, with the corpse then hung from a tree (m. Sanh. 7.5).
• Compare this to the dirt that is dug up on political leaders running for office.  It’s so easy to find foolish decisions, double talk, and even illegal activity for most, if not all, of our political leaders.

False accusation: ‘I will destroy this Temple made with human hands, and in three days I will build another, made without human hands.’”

• Jesus had said he would destroy “this temple”.  He didn’t say, ”this temple made with human hands”.  He was talking about his body. 
• Morgan on their accusation: “This is the most diabolical form of untruth, because it is an untruth in which there is an element of truth. We remember Tennyson’s words: ‘A lie that is all a lie, may be met and fought outright; But a lie that is partly the truth, is a harder matter to fight.’” 
• Have you ever been accused of something that wasn’t true?  Did you have anybody stick by your side and say, “That’s a lie!”  or “That’s inaccurate!” None of the disciples defend Jesus.  They’ve all abandoned him.  We know that Peter and another “unnamed” disciple enter the courtyard of the high priest, but there is no indication that either of them gave testimony to support Jesus, and at least in the case of Peter, completely denied they even knew him.  
• Prophecy to David fulfilled: 2 Samuel 7:12-14 (NLT) For when you die and are buried with your ancestors, I will raise up one of your descendants, your own offspring, and I will make his kingdom strong. He is the one who will build a house—a temple—for my name. And I will secure his royal throne forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son….
• (Pillar New Testament Commentary) According to 2 Sam 7:12-14, David's son would build a temple to God's name. This son receives God's promise, "'I will be his father, and he will be my son.'" The builder of God's house, in other words, will be God's Son. In a way truer than his accusers could have imagined, Jesus fulfills 2 Sam 7, for he will presently confess himself before the high priest as God's Son, and his resurrected body will replace the earthly temple.

But for all of their desire to catch Jesus in sin and find real claims against him…

But they couldn’t find any.

• The perfection of Jesus is essential to the gospel. Without perfection, his sacrifice isn’t enough. 
• The truth about Jesus is simple: he lived a perfect, sinless life.
• Hebrews 7:26-28 He is the kind of high priest we need because he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has been set apart from sinners and has been given the highest place of honor in heaven.

Mark 14:60-61 (NLT) Then the high priest stood up before the others and asked Jesus, “Well, aren’t you going to answer these charges? What do you have to say for yourself?” But Jesus was silent and made no reply. Then the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”

But Jesus was silent and made no reply.

• Jesus remaining silent is a fulfillment of Messianic prophecy.
• Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.
• Jesus could have mounted an impressive defense - all of the miracles he had performed, the many people he had healed, lives changed.  Even demons had testified to his deity and he could have forced them to do it again. Jesus knew what needed to happen.  He had settled it in his mind earlier this night in the garden when he prayed, “Not my will, but thy will be done.”  

“Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”

• (Pillar New Testament Commentary) In the original Gk. the wording is put in the form of a statement with a question implied ("'You are the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?'"). The "you" is emphatic, and "the Blessed One," a Jewish circumlocution for God's name, means none other than "God's Son." The effect is to put a full Christological confession into the mouth of the high priest! In vv. 56 and 59 Mark noted that false witnesses could not agree against Jesus; now, in the question of the high priest, his arch-prosecutor confesses his name! How ironic that in the Gospel of Mark the two most complete Christological confessions from humans occur in the mouths of those responsible for Jesus' death: the high priest in 14:61, and the centurion at the cross in 15:39!
• “It was a tacit confession that Christ had been proved innocent up till then. The high priest would not have needed to draw something out of the accused one if there had been sufficient material against him elsewhere. The trial had been a dead failure up to that point, and he knew it, and was red with rage. Now he attempts to bully the prisoner that he may extract some declaration from him which may save all further trouble of witnesses, and end the matter.” (Spurgeon)

Mark 14:62 (NLT) Jesus said, “I AM. And you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Jesus said, “I AM.” (someone finally makes the right judgment!)

• Jesus himself finally makes the right judgment about his identity. He’s not just the Messiah, he’s the Son of God.
• Pillar: The testimony that the Sanhedrin seeks against Jesus is in the end not provided by the false witnesses but by Jesus himself in the claim to be God's Son. 
• One of the common themes in Mark’s gospel up to this point has been Jesus’ attempt to veil that he is the Messiah.  Not only would his claim of being the Messiah escalate the tensions with the religious leaders, as we see it so clearly does here, people had so many misconceptions about what the Messiah was supposed to do.  Would they have listened to his teachings about who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven, forgiving their enemies, etc. if he had proclaimed directly, “I am the Messiah.”?  
• (Pillar New Testament Commentary) In order truly to understand the meaning of his person something has been missing. The missing element has been the necessity of his suffering. Only in the light of suffering can Jesus openly divulge his identity as God's Son. At the trial the veil is finally removed.
• The High Priest must have thought he hit the jackpot.  Failed accusation after failed accusation hadn’t produced evidence to be able to condemn Jesus.  Now, with one simple straightforward question, the High Priest has all he needs to accuse Jesus of blasphemy.  It wasn’t blasphemy of course, because Jesus is the Messiah.  He is the Son of Man.  
• This claim that Jesus would be seated in the place of power at God’s right hand also represented a place of judgment.  The religious leaders thought they were judging Jesus, but this statement speaks of the time when Jesus will be judging them at the right hand of the father. 

How the trial ends:

Mark 14:63-64 (NLT) Then the high priest tore his clothing to show his horror and said, “Why do we need other witnesses? You have all heard his blasphemy. What is your verdict?”

“Guilty!” they all cried. “He deserves to die!”

(Pillar New Testament Commentary) It was the claim to be God's Son (v. 62), not Messiah, that sealed Jesus' fate before the Sanhedrin. The charge of blasphemy is powerful, if indirect, proof of Jesus' claim to be the Son of God.

• Above all, it is the high priest, not Jesus, who blasphemes, because Jesus is God's Son. 

The section ends with mockery and abuse – both signs of judgment:

Mark 14:65 (NLT) Then some of them began to spit at him, and they blindfolded him and beat him with their fists. “Prophesy to us,” they jeered. And the guards slapped him as they took him away.

“Prophesy to us,” they jeered.

• (Pillar New Testament Commentary) Interestingly, the one specific mockery reported is the taunt for Jesus to "'Prophesy!'" Since the high priestly clan were Sadducees who denied the existence of angels and spirits (Acts 23:6), it is easy to imagine their desire to discredit anyone like Jesus who was believed to possess the spirit of prophecy.

And the guards slapped him

• We talked about how Jesus bore our shame a couple of weeks ago.  How shameful to be spit upon.  He took the brutal beating - the beating we deserved.  The torture he endured culminated on the cross, but it began before it. 

Mockery and abuse – both signs of judgment. Can you imagine it? The Judge of all, the Creator, in court being judged by his creations!?

Close:

Back to the question we started with:

Q. How has the world misjudged Jesus?

• There are countless ways to do it, whether you’re coming from a religious lens or an irreligious lens.
• Jesus is who he says he is: fully God, perfectly good, and savior of the world. This is what the Bible affirms, and he will judge those who deny it.
• John 5:22-23 (NLT) …the Father judges no one. Instead, he has given the Son absolute authority to judge, so that everyone will honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son is certainly not honoring the Father who sent him.
• Acts 10:42 (NLT) And he ordered us to preach everywhere and to testify that Jesus is the one appointed by God to be the judge of all—the living and the dead.

Paul, a former Mormon, shares his journey as a Jack Mormon and his eventual encounter with the Jesus of the Bible. He discusses his struggles with doubts, questions about Mormon teachings, and the challenges of being a non-believer in a devout Mormon family. Paul also explores the concept of sealing and eternal families in Mormonism and how it affected his own family dynamics. Ultimately, he shares how his encounter with Jesus transformed his life and brought him a deeper understanding of grace and love.

Takeaways:

• Questioning and seeking answers is a natural part of faith journeys.
• The concept of sealing and eternal families can be a source of confusion and conflict for Mormons.
• Encountering the Jesus of the Bible can bring a deeper understanding of grace and love.
• Leaving a religious community can be challenging, but finding a supportive community and focusing on the teachings of Jesus can bring transformation and peace.

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The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday.

Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.

Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.

Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.

Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at [email protected].

Donate Now

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Mentioned in this episode:

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