Bible-based Christians reject the Mormon belief in a premortal life because it is not found in traditional Christian teachings and contradicts key doctrines of the Bible. Here’s a breakdown of why:
- Biblical Silence on Premortal Existence: The Bible does not explicitly teach that human souls existed before birth. According to traditional Christian doctrine, God creates each soul at the time of conception or birth (this view is known as “creationalism”). Passages like Genesis 2:7, which describes God breathing life into Adam, emphasize the creation of human life at a specific point on earth, rather than preexistence. 1 Corinthians 15:46 clarified mankind’s origin on earth when it stated: “Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.” Jesus likewise rejected the idea that we existed prior to coming to earth when He provided a clear distinction between His premortal life (from above) and our origination occurring on earth (from below) at John 8:23: “Ye are from beneath; I am from above; ye are of this world; I am not of this world.”
- Hebrews 9:27: This verse states, “It is appointed for men to die once, and after that comes judgment.” Bible-based Christians believe that life begins at conception and the next significant event for the soul is physical death, followed by judgment. Premortal existence isn’t mentioned or suggested in this framework.
- Different Views on God’s Nature and Human Relationship: Mormons believe in a pre-earth life where human spirits lived with God as His literal children. Traditional Christianity, however, teaches that humans become children of God through faith in Jesus Christ (John 1:12) and adoption into God’s family (Romans 8:15), rather than through premortal existence.
- Lack of Biblical Support for Mormon Doctrine: The concept of a premortal life is taught in LDS scripture (such as in the Book of Abraham and Doctrine and Covenants), but not in the Bible. Bible-based Christians rely solely on the Bible as the inspired Word of God (sola scriptura) and do not accept LDS scriptures as authoritative.
In short, Bible-based Christians reject the Mormon belief in premortal life because it is not taught in Scripture and differs significantly from the Christian understanding of human creation and the nature of the soul.
HOW BIBLICAL CHRISTIANS RESPOND TO BIBLE VERSES REFERENCED BY MORMONS TO SUPPORT THEIR PREMORTAL LIFE DOCTRINE
Mormons often reference a few Bible verses to support their belief in premortal existence, but biblical Christians interpret these verses differently. Here’s how Bible-based Christians respond to some key verses commonly cited by Mormons:
1. Jeremiah 1:5 – “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you…”
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- Mormon Interpretation: Mormons see this as evidence of a premortal life, suggesting that God knew Jeremiah personally before his earthly birth.
- Biblical Christian Response: Bible-based Christians interpret this verse as expressing God’s foreknowledge and sovereignty. “Knew” refers to God’s intimate knowledge and plans for Jeremiah’s life, rather than implying Jeremiah’s existence before conception. God, being omniscient, knows all people before they are formed, in the sense of knowing His purpose and calling for them. It speaks to God’s plan for Jeremiah’s life, not a pre-earth existence.
2. John 9:1-3 – The Disciples ask Jesus, “Who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
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- Mormon Interpretation: Mormons might see this question as evidence that the disciples believed in a premortal life where the man could have sinned before birth.
- Biblical Christian Response: Bible-based Christians explain that this reflects a common Jewish belief at the time, not a teaching of Jesus. Jesus immediately dismisses the question, saying, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” This suggests that the idea of premortal sin was mistaken, and Jesus did not endorse it. Instead, He emphasizes the purpose of God’s work in the man’s life.
3. Ephesians 1:4 – “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world…”
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- Mormon Interpretation: Mormons interpret this as meaning individuals existed before creation and were chosen in a premortal state.
- Biblical Christian Response: Christians view this as teaching about God’s eternal plan and His foreknowledge, not about human preexistence. God’s choice refers to His decision to elect or predestine believers in Christ before the foundation of the world. It’s about God’s sovereignty in salvation, not a reference to humans existing before creation.
4. Job 38:4,7 – “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?… when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?”
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- Mormon Interpretation: Mormons sometimes argue that “sons of God” refers to premortal spirits, celebrating the creation of the earth.
- Biblical Christian Response: Bible-based Christians typically interpret “sons of God” in this context as referring to angels, not human spirits. This passage emphasizes Job’s lack of knowledge about creation and God’s sovereignty over it. There is no indication in the passage that human spirits were present before the creation of the earth.
5. Ecclesiastes 12:7 – “The dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.”
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- Mormon Interpretation: Mormons may argue this shows that the spirit comes from God and therefore must have existed with Him before birth.
- Biblical Christian Response: Christians explain that this refers to the spirit returning to God at death, not that it existed with God before birth. This reflects the biblical understanding that life is a gift from God, but there is no teaching here on a preexistence of the soul.
Summary of Christian Response:
- Context and Foreknowledge: Bible-based Christians emphasize the importance of interpreting these verses within the context of God’s foreknowledge, eternal plan, and His sovereign purposes. These passages reflect God’s knowledge and choice rather than human preexistence.
- Angels vs. Human Spirits: When terms like “sons of God” are used, Christians often point out the distinction between angels and humans, as angels are sometimes referred to as “sons of God” in the Bible.
- God’s Plan vs. Human Existence: Verses that speak about being known “before” often refer to God’s plan and purpose for individuals, not to their literal preexistence.
In conclusion, biblical Christians respond by affirming that the Bible does not teach human preexistence, and they understand these verses as expressing God’s eternal knowledge, foreordained plans, and the spiritual realities of life and death, rather than evidence for a premortal life.
PREMORTAL LIFE – Is Mormon Pre-existence Taught in the Bible?
