Is Mitt Romney A Christian?
Keith L. Brown is a convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and serves as the Ward Mission Leader in the Annapolis, Maryland Ward.
Mitt Romney, Mormon and Christian
Willard Mitt Romney was born on 12 March 1947. He is the son of George W. Romney (the former Governor of Michigan) and Lenore Romney (a former actress who gave up her career when she married George). Mitt was raised in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and later served as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (errantly referred to by many as the Mormon Church) in France. He has also served as Ward Bishop and later as Stake President in his area.
It appears that Mitt Romney is a very active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. However, the question that remains on many minds, especially with Mitt running as a Republican candidate for the office of President of the United States, and with the ever increasing interest and media coverage of the LDS faith, is whether or not he is a Christian.
Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, such as this author, could quite possibly rush in and answer that yes Mitt Romney is a Christian. After all, he is a faithful member of the Church that bears the name of the Savior Himself – the Lord Jesus Christ. But, does simply being a faithful member of a particular faith or denomination automatically qualify a person as being a Christian?
There are many good people in the world who are faithful members of their particular faith or denomination, but they are not all necessarily Christians. So, is this author then engaging in doublespeak? Am I saying that Mitt Romney is not a Christian. No, I am not. What I am suggesting is that before we declare any person a Christian or a non-Christian, perhaps we should take a look at the definition of the name “Christian” and what that name implies.
It is of interesting note that the designation of the early followers of Christ as Christians was initiated by the non-Christian population of Antioch, and originally it was probably a term of mocking or derision – “little Christs.” Eventually; however, followers of Christ used the name “Christian” to describe themselves as a name of honor, not of shame.
The Greek word for “Christian” is Christianos. The word literally means “follower of Christ.” The word “Christian” occurs three times in the Bible in the New Testament.
The first reference is found in Acts 11:26, “And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.”
The second reference is found in Acts 26:28, “Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” How many people in the world today could echo the words of King Agrippa and say that almost they are persuaded to become a Christian? What are some of the things that hinder them from making that decision? Is it possible that some of their hesitation is due to how they see those who profess to be ”Christians” behaving?
The third reference is found in 1 Peter 4:16, “Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.”
Prior to their adoption of the name, the Christians called themselves believers (“And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.” – Acts 5:14), brothers (“Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.” – Acts 6:3), saints (“Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:” – Acts 9:13). These names also continued to be used even after the adoption of the name “Christian.”
The most basic definition of the word “Christian” is anointed, although most people would also interpret it as meaning a follower of Jesus Christ, or a believer in Christianity. The name “Christ” comes from Khristos, which is the Greek translation of the Hebrew word for “Messiah“, which also means “anointed.”
Now let us return to the question, is Mitt Romney a Christian? I would have to answer that yes he is. My answer is not based on the fact that we are both members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, rather the life that Mitt has lived and continues to live is its own testimony of that fact. Mitt believes in the fundamental doctrines of Christianity. He is a follower of Jesus Christ as demonstrated by his willingness to fulfill the Great Commission by having served a full-time two year mission teaching and preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and by faithfully answering the call to serve in whatever area of the vineyard that the Lord has needed him to serve in without regard to his occupation or social status. In fact, Mitt will testify that it is indeed that faithfulness that has brought about the many blessings in his life. He also believes in God the eternal Father and in His Son Jesus Christ, and is also a follower of the doctrines that are taught in the Word of God.
Willard Mitt Romney – Republican candidate for the office of the President of the United States – A Latter-day Saint (errantly referred to by many as Mormon) – and yes, he is a Christian.
Additional Resources:
Mormons are Christian. Learn more at the official site of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (inadvertently called by friends of other faiths as the “Mormon Church”).
Mitt Romney Mormon and Christian.
Request a free copy of the Book of Mormon or Bible.