Definitions of "Christian" and "Son of God"

Sometimes critics will accuse Mormons of defining the Son of God or Christ or God as something different from what they believe, and therefore, "non-christian."  They'll even say, just because we call something "Christ" doesn't make it so, any more than calling a horse a duck, makes it so.

Let's dig into these definitions a bit more.

Here’s a definition of “Son of God,” from The Book of Mormon:

“. . . with power, the Lord Omnipotent who reigneth, who was, and is from all eternity to all eternity, shall come down from heaven among the children of men. . . And he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and his mother shall be called Mary. . . I am the God of Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world.”

All Christians I know agree with this basic description. It’s not a sandwich, mustard, or a duck ; – )

While we’re on the topic, here are definitions of “Christian” from the four most commonly used dictionaries, and a couple of Catholic sources. I’m comfortable with all of them, and believe they represent how most people would define “Christian.”

Popular Dictionaries:
Mirriam-Webster “one who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ.”

Dictionary.com “a person who believes in Jesus Christ; adherent of Christianity. a person who exemplifies in his or her life the teachings of Christ: He died like a true Christian.”

Oxford English Dictionary a. Of persons and communities: Believing, professing, or belonging to the religion of Christ. 3. Of persons and their qualities or actions: Showing character and conduct consistent with discipleship to Christ; marked by genuine piety; following the precepts and example of Christ; Christ-like.”

Macmillan “the religion based on the ideas of Jesus Christ. Its followers worship in a church.”

Catholic Sources:
Catholic Reference A person who is baptized. A professed Christian also believes in the essentials of the Christian faith, notably in the Apostles’ Creed.

1910 New Catholic Dictionary “Name by which believers in Christ were known soon after His Ascension; it occurs twice in Acts, 11 and 26, and in 1 Peter, 4. Also, the name of the religion which He founded, of its doctrines and precepts; of the life, habits of virtue, piety, spirit and character of His followers; of the Church which is rightly known by this name, as against sects which assume it (Christian Scientists, Christian Socialists); of the civilization which this religion developed in the world as distinguished from the civilizations of paganism, Islamism, Judaism. “