Born Again?

0226306623.jpegAndrew Greeley and Michael Hout write in their book, The Truth About Conservative Christians (The University of Chicago Press, 2006):

To be “saved” or (to “find the Lord” or to “find Jesus” or to be “born again” is an experience essential to the Conservative Christian creed. It is also often essential in relationships between Conservative Christians and others. To ask another whether she or he has been “saved” is to establish where one is in religious geography. The ranks of the saved will be rescued early in the end times. Others are, sadly perhaps, in the ranks of those who are destined for damnation. According to some Conservative Christian views, those not saved will be vaporized on the day of the Rapture. For Catholics at any rate the question of “finding the Lord” or “being saved” is a jarring experience. The words do not fit the Catholic’s religious vocabulary. Unless one has had frequent contact with Conservative Christians it’s not quite clear what they are talking about. (p. 16).

What do you think it means to be “born again” in John 3?

8 comments

  1. Elder Dallin H. Oaks Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles lays out the LDS views on being “saved” and “born again” very nicely here.

    Here is an excerpt from that talk specifically concerning being “born again”:

    As we understand these scriptures, our answer to whether we have been born again is clearly “yes.” We were born again when we entered into a covenant relationship with our Savior by being born of water and of the Spirit and by taking upon us the name of Jesus Christ. We can renew that rebirth each Sabbath when we partake of the sacrament. Latter-day Saints affirm that those who have been born again in this way are spiritually begotten sons and daughters of Jesus Christ (see Mosiah 5:7; Mosiah 15:9–13; Mosiah 27:25). Nevertheless, in order to realize the intended blessings of this born-again status, we must still keep our covenants and endure to the end. In the meantime, through the grace of God, we have been born again as new creatures with new spiritual parentage and the prospects of a glorious inheritance.

  2. Scott, I would really like to explore all the nuances of being born again. Could I assume from you that “water” refers to water baptism? And what would be the LDS exegesis for this?

    And btw, I think that Greeley and Hout got it wrong when they said that some believe the wicked are vaporized at the Rapture. I have never heard that from anyone.

    It would be at Armageddon.

  3. Todd,

    Yes, “water” does refer to baptism. As you probably know, we believe in baptism by immersion which washes away the sins of the person being baptized. This ordinance is symbolic of many things including “starting over” or being “born again.” More literally, it is symbolic of being buried in the grave (in Mosiah 18 the phrase “buried in the water” is actually used) and being brought to life again. Again, I would refer to , who as an Apostle for the church explains our interpretations being “born again” and being “saved”.

    As for the rapture, it is my understanding that it is not an LDS concept or view. I am curious where this concept comes from. “Rapture” is not a word that appears in the scriptures. I know, not every word appears in the scriptures, I am simply curious where this idea of “rapture” comes from.

  5. In my limited exposure, water baptism does seem to be the LDS standard meaning for “water” in John 3:5. In upcoming days, I would like to share my interp on the difficult subject. I hope to cover every inch of chapter three. Tell me what you think. And I will probably feature any other quotes from LDS academia as I come across them on the topic. Thanks for the link.

    You are right my friend. Rapture comes from the Latin rapto.

  6. Scott

    No, we don’t believe in the rapture. It is a doctrine that has been around a while but has recently taken off quite successfully. The idea is that before things get really tough, just before Christ comes, Christ will take worthy “Christians” up to him out of harm;s way. I think you could see why that is a popular ideas. One will be taken and one will be left.

  7. Doug writes: Christ will take worthy “Christians” up to him out of harms way.

    Doug, I have never considered myself worthy. My worthiness would be only in Christ.

    But Scott, if you are interested in evangelical interpretation on the Rapture, I would encourage you to pick up the book, The Rapture: Pre-, Mid-, or Post-Tribulational? (Zondervan, 1984).

    Here is the contents:
    1. A History of the Development of the Rapture Positions – Richard R. Reiter
    2. The Case for the Pretribulation Rapture Position – Paul D. Feinberg
    (Responses: Douglas J. Moo, Gleason L. Archer)
    3. The Case for the Mid-Seventieth Week Rapture Position – Gleason L. Archer
    (Responses: Paul D. Feinberg, Douglas J. Moo)
    4. The Case for the Posttribulation Rapture Position – Douglas J. Moo
    (Responses: Gleason L. Archer, Paul D. Feinberg)

  8. Todd,

    I threw in the word “worthy” in an attempt to reflect the various opinions of all Protestantism. On reflection a better term may have been “appropriate ‘Christians'”

Leave a comment