WWJD Or CTR?
September 26, 2006 Posted by Roger Overton
Last night I had a dream that involved Mormons. I’m sure
it’s further proof of my nerdiness, but we were talking about doctrine and
discussing each others’ faiths. For some reason, the Mormons kept emphasizing
“CTR”. Even when they were singing it came up over and over again.
What is “CTR”? It’s a popular Mormon acronym (in real life,
not just my dream) for Choose the Right. One way of looking at it is that “CTR”
is for Mormons as “WWJD” is for Christians. When faced with a difficult decision,
the popular evangelical line is to ask ourselves, what would Jesus do? For
Mormons, they are taught to choose to do the right thing.
I’ll be the first to admit to not always being a big fan of
“WWJD.” It’s kind of an odd question to ask in some situations seeing as I’m
not God and therefore lack the knowledge and power to make the best decisions.
But I have owned at least one of those bracelets in my days and I’ve decided
now to defend it.
Why? Because “WWJD” is better than “CTR.” What’s the
focus of “WWJD”? Jesus. What’s the focus of “CTR”? Whatever I can do. These
popular little acronyms symbolize a deeper issue that divides Christians from
Mormons. The Christian is drawn back to our great Lord and Savior so that we
can model ourselves after Him. The Mormon is drawn to look at his or her good
works. On its own, “CTR” is innocent enough. But within the Mormon worldview,
it is the summation of salvation by our their works. If they do enough of them,
then they pass God’s test for this life and go on to the highest of Mormon
glories.
I’ve lived enough to know that I can’t do enough good
works to come close to the perfection that God requires. Say what you will
about “WWJD,” at least the cheesy slogan draws me back to Jesus. You can have
this world and whatever good works you can accomplish in it, but give me Jesus.
Related posts:
- What is "Official" Mormon Doctrine? (Part 3)
- What is "Official" Mormon Doctrine? (Part 3)
- What is "Official" Mormon Doctrine? (Part 1)
- Jerald Tanner in Memoriam
- Gordon B. Hinckley Dies at Age 97
- Another Response from Richard Mouw
Posted in Main Page, Mormonism, Roger's Posts
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September 27th, 2006 at 12:34 am
Forgive me for disagreeing, but I honestly see no significant difference between these two slogans. Both ask their wearers to Choose the Right; WWJD is simply more specific (i.e., the Right is “that which Jesus would do in the same situation”). The emphasis is still on “me,” insisting that “I” do what Jesus would.
That's not to say either is necessarily bad in itself, but the slogans don't actually, as you say, “symbolize a deeper issue that divides Christians from Mormons.
The problem with WWJD is not epistemological, as you suggest. Even if I could know exactly what Jesus would do in any circumstance, I still cannot save myself by following his example. Both WWJD and CTR are statements of Law, not Gospel
A more appropriate slogan might be something like “What Has Jesus Done?” (WHJD). This would trigger reflection on Christ's saving death and resurrection rather than mere imitation of one who was really really good at Choosing the Right.
September 27th, 2006 at 1:46 am
Glad you finally found something to disagree with again
Are you suggesting we shouldn't model ourselves after Christ? When Lutherans ephasis the Law and Gospel distinction as you have, it sure sounds like we are free to sin because we are under grace. Simply because we're not saved by the Law, this does not make the Law irrelevant.
To put my point a bit differently- WWJD reflects the Christian call to discipleship and Christ-like living. The Christian asks the question because he or she is already saved and is called to live to God's glory. The Mormon is reminded to CTR in order to earn salvation. Granted, hardly anyone really puts this much thought into the slogan on their wrist- but I think in general the slogans reflect these deeper issues.
September 28th, 2006 at 1:05 am
When I say these slogans are statements of Law, I merely offer a description of what they do–namely, that they make moral demands on the individual who thoughtfully considers them. I in no way intend to imply that the Law is somehow irrelevant in light of God's Grace. Christians need to hear God's Law daily, and if a WWJD bracelet helps them do that, then I say go for it.
That having been said, let me restate my original point more clearly. The slogans WWJD and CTR do not, in themselves, highlight the gulf between Mormon and Christian soteriology. Most Mormons would have no problem asking themselves “What Would Jesus Do?” in a given situation, seeing as Jesus would inevitably “Choose the Right.” Likewise, Christians could just as easily wear CTR bracelets, which would remind us of the moral perfection God demands.
The difference is not in the slogan; it's in the theology. You even say yourself that “the Christian asks the question because he or she is already saved and is called to live to God's glory. The Mormon is reminded to CTR in order to earn salvation.” What you're describing is not the superiority of one stupid bracelet acronym over another, but the superiority of one's reasons for wearing the bracelet in the first place. The slogans themselves are essentially identical and can be freely interchanged without any effect on the respective soteriologies that undergird them.
September 28th, 2006 at 1:31 am
“The difference is not in the slogan; it's in the theology”
I think we essentially agree here. But it's the application of these theologies that brought about the particular slogans. Don't you at all find it interesting that the Christian slogan involves Christ and the Mormon one doesn't? Sure they're practically interchangeable, but they're only interchangeable if you rip them out of the theological context they came from. And when it comes to it, most Mormons I've talked with would be more concerned with what Joseph Smith would do than what Jesus would do.
September 28th, 2006 at 8:22 pm
Roger, unfortunately, most Christians would probably be more concerned with what their pastor says than what Jesus would do.
WWJD, while fine as a question to ask at the end of a Bible Study every now and then, doesn't capture intimacy with Jesus. It focuses on obedience which is important, but neglects vision for the christian life, satisfaction in jesus (see John Piper), and intimacy with our God.
September 28th, 2006 at 9:36 pm
Unfortunately too many pastors are more concerned with how Jesus makes people feel than what He taught and did.
I agree that the slogan is incredibly inadequate, I think I made that point in the post. However, it's also incredibly better than the Mormon mentality.
September 29th, 2006 at 12:08 am
And when it comes to it, most Mormons I've talked with would be more concerned with what Joseph Smith would do than what Jesus would do.
You mean those are two separate things?
September 30th, 2006 at 2:21 pm
I would rather ask and reflect upon what Jesus would do, or has done, in a particular situtation, than ask myself to subjectively judge what is the “right” thing to do.
I am a follower of Christ Jesus, and as such, I follow His lead, His words, His example – all while covered by His blood and atoning grace.
All I can say is, “Thank you, Jesus, my Lord!”
Tom
Doctrine Matters
October 2nd, 2006 at 11:46 am
“Both WWJD and CTR are statements of Law, not Gospel”
That's one reason these (explained here) may be better than WWJD bracelets. Almost anyone who's been to church camp or gone to Sunday School long enough has probably made one. They have the added benefit of getting a lot more questions from people than a “WWJD” bracelet, too.
March 14th, 2008 at 9:45 am
The 'right' thing to do IS the thing Jesus would do. How is it possible to contrast 'what Jesus would do' with 'the right thing to do'? They are one and the same.
There is no difference whatsoever between judging 'what Jesus would do' and judging 'what is the right thing to do'. They are the same subjective judgement made by the same follower of Christ.