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 sa...