DOCTRINAL TRENDS IN EARLY CHRISTIANITY AND THE STRENGTH OF THE MORMON POSITION 1

Abstract

Christianity as a whole is a historical religion. That is, its truth claims are based on the historical reality of certain events, such as the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In addition, each Christian denomination is bound to a particular view or range of views of Christian history that tie into its reason for existence. These views range from direct continuity with the New Testament Church among Catholics and Orthodox, to some measure of apostasy and reformation back to New Testament Chris- tianity among Protestants. Latter-day Saints believe there was a total apostasy from New Testament Chris- tianity, and a complete restoration of primitive Chris- tianity was necessary, although we believe elements of the true faith from all past dispensations have been included, as well as things which have been "kept hid from before the foundation of the world." 2 To some de- gree, these propositions can be tested. My intent here is to outline a brief historical argument for the proposition that the Latter-day Saints represent, in the main, a restoration of primitive Christianity. I am going to do that by showing that in some of the most important areas of theology, early trends in Christian doctrine point from something very like LDS doctrine and toward the doctrines of later Christianity. Finally, I will examine how different Christian traditions try to deal with these facts, and show that the meaning we attach to early Christian doctrinal development follows quite naturally, while other interpretations are usually very forced.