Is Mormonism Just Neoplatonism in Disguise? How Christianity Stands Apart

Mormonism often markets itself as the restoration of true Christianity, but when you dig a little deeper, it starts sounding more like a revival of ancient philosophy than the gospel Jesus actually preached. Let’s take a look at Neoplatonism—a philosophical system that began with Plotinus in the 3rd century—and how much of it overlaps with Mormon theology compared to biblical Christianity.

Neoplatonism teaches that everything flows from a single divine source called “The One.” It emphasizes the preexistence of souls and a spiritual journey back to divinity through knowledge, purification, and personal elevation. Sounds kind of familiar, right? That’s because Mormonism teaches that all human beings lived in a premortal state with God, that we are divine in origin, and that we can progress to godhood ourselves through obedience, ordinances, and personal righteousness.

Now, contrast that with Christianity. The Bible teaches something totally different. In Ephesians 2:8–9, it says, “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.” Christianity isn’t about working our way back up the divine ladder—it’s about a holy God coming down to us in love, offering salvation as a free gift through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. No rituals, no secret knowledge, no spiritual ladders to climb—just faith.

Mormonism has more in common with Neoplatonic spiritual progression than the simple gospel message found in the Bible. In fact, its doctrines of eternal progression, exaltation, and multiple degrees of glory mirror the Neoplatonic idea that reality is a graded hierarchy. The idea that the soul ascends to higher states of being based on moral and spiritual development is textbook Neoplatonism. In contrast, Christianity teaches that all who put their trust in Christ are made co-heirs with Him, justified once for all (Romans 5:1), and sealed with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13–14).

Even the LDS redefinition of resurrection fits the Neoplatonic mold more than the biblical one. Where Christianity affirms a future bodily resurrection like that of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:42–44), Mormonism teaches of resurrected beings with eternal flesh and bones who continue their spiritual progression and even have the potential to create worlds. This isn’t just extra-biblical; it’s fundamentally unbiblical.

Here’s the bottom line: Christianity is not Neoplatonism, and the gospel isn’t about climbing our way back to God—it’s about receiving grace. Mormonism might sound Christian on the surface, but peel back the layers, and it reflects more of an ancient philosophical system than the life-giving truth of Scripture. If you’re looking for salvation, don’t look to mystical progression or heavenly hierarchies. Look to the cross.

Sources:

Beckwith, Francis J., et al. The New Mormon Challenge: Responding to the Latest Defenses of a Fast-Growing Movement. Zondervan, 2002.

Kelly, J. N. D. Early Christian Doctrines. HarperOne, 1978.

Plotinus. The Enneads. Translated by Stephen MacKenna, Penguin Classics, 1991.

Roberts, Alexander, et al., editors. The Ante-Nicene Fathers. Vol. 1, Hendrickson Publishers, 1994.

Smith, Joseph. The Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Deseret Book Company, 1976.

The Holy Bible, New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers, 2015.

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