Shawn McCraney acknowledges past mistakes made during his program, seeking forgiveness for actions that misrepresented the love he aims to demonstrate, emphasizing the importance of respect and love in discussing differing faith beliefs, particularly with Latter-day Saints. He highlights the global reach of his show, "Heart of the Matter," thanks to Andreas from Norway's efforts to share it on YouTube, which has allowed the message of exploring the intersection of Mormonism and Biblical Christianity to spread widely, engaging audiences worldwide.
The concept of atonement, as first introduced by William Tyndale in the sixteenth century, combines "at" and "onement" to represent the dual aspects of Christ's sacrifice: remission of sin and reconciliation of humanity to God, which is foundational in Christian belief for achieving permanent salvation through Jesus. In Christianity, this reconciliation through Christ's obedient and vicarious suffering signifies that God's unconditional love and mercy align with His justice, leading to a mutual reconciliation where both sinners and God are brought together, with the atonement underscoring the consequence of God's love rather than being its cause.
Belief in Christ grants eternal life and righteousness through faith, as demonstrated in Romans 5, which emphasizes that Christ's sacrifice reconciles humanity to God and saves from wrath, not by works, but through faith in Him. This teaching contrasts with certain other beliefs that add human effort to the gift of salvation, illustrating that true Christian understanding centers on faith alone, paralleling the tale of villagers who receive the King's servant's aid solely by their trust, not by their deeds or worthiness.
LDS teachings emphasize that salvation is a combination of faith, works, and obedience to required ordinances, contrasting with the biblical Christian view where salvation is solely by grace through faith without additional works. The LDS view suggests that the atonement is like a disinfectant that only becomes accessible through proving one's repentance, whereas the biblical view holds that the atonement is instantaneously and eternally applied upon belief in Jesus Christ’s sacrifice.
Understanding atonement entails recognizing that righteousness is attributed to us through Christ's life, not our own actions, emphasizing the grace of God in salvation. This insight is crucial, particularly in dialogues between LDS and Christians, as it underlines that works are expressions of faith and gratitude rather than requirements for earning salvation.
In the Joseph Smith translation of John 1:1, the passage emphasizes that the gospel was preached through the Son, suggesting the close connection between the gospel, the Son, and God. This reinterpretation highlights the relational aspect between the Son and God, indicating that the Son is an extension of God's teaching and essence.
Heart of the Matter: Atonement and Reconciliation
LIVE! From the “Mecca of Mormonism” Salt Lake City, Utah – THIS . . . is Heart of the MatterTGNN’s original show where Shawn McCraney deconstructed religion and developed fulfilled theology. . . . “Where Mormonism Meets Biblical Christianity Face to Face.” Show 5 Atonement February 2nd, 2010
And I’m Shawn McCraneyFounder of TGNN and developer of the fulfilled perspective—calling people to faith outside of religion., your host. If you have family or friends who cannot get Heart through television, give them a call and tell them to go to WWW.HOTM.TV and they can watch through streaming video from anywhere in the world!
Hey . . . “I was a Born-Again Mormon.” We made the manuscript available online through a downloadable PDF. Go to www.hotm.tv and you can have the book in your hands within minutes. How’s your personal Bible knowledge, eh? Join us every week either in Logan or Salt Lake City and discover the treasures contained in the Word of God. UofU in Salt Lake and Utah State in Logan. Go to www.calvarycampus.com.
Seeking Forgiveness
I would like to take a minute and seek your forgiveness – especially if you are LDS. As a natural man, I am by nature and circumstance angry and aggressive. The LORD has worked immeasurably on me in this area – but I am still in this body of flesh. Last week, I said and allowed a few things to occur here on the program that were NOT of Him and His Spirit. First, when talking to a caller named Beth, I reacted to her and said she was a dummy. I know that Beth is not a dummy and that was mean, improper, and not in character with the LOVE I should exhibit toward anyone who calls in the program. When I meet with LDS people individually, I rarely stood to such stupidity – so I am sorry, Beth, and I ask your forgiveness, and the forgiveness of all in the audience I offended. I was wrong.
It was also negligent of me – since this is our ministry's production – to instruct our audience on proper Christian decorum. We don’t mind humor, laughter, or whatever when it is aimed toward a situation that is comical. But we never want our audience to mock a seeker's beliefs or statements of faith or inquiry that come from a searching or seeking mind. Last week, probably because of the size of the audience, this got out of control a bit and I am really sorry. Please forgive me. I want NOTHING more than to speak the truth in love. I often fail, but this is my heart – for God, for my family and friends, and for the LDS.
Last Saturday, I was blessed with the opportunity to be on one of Canada’s largest radio programs, the Drew Marshall Show. Drew has interviewed hundreds of influential people, and he was respectful of our ministry and mission. You can check his program out at: www.drewmarshall.ca.
Acknowledging Global Support
On the heels of this interview, one of our good friends, Pam and Mark, suggested that we might mention some of the “far-off places” from where we receive emails from fans. So while we thank everyone near and far for tuning in, here is a sampling of some of our most ardent fans from some more remote locations of the world.
Yngvy and Kejetyl from Norway Magnus, Eve, Klaus, and Guierramo from Sweden Christopher, Arthur, and Michael from Spain Peter, PJ, Carmen, Darren, Matthew, Chris, Clive, Pete, Louie, and Jessica from the UK. Paul and Robert from Scotland Derney and Abner from Brazil Carmen, Henning, Robert, and Kalle from Germany Derek from South Africa Stephan from “Europe” Tom from Japan Joseph from Russia Attila from Hungary Imtiaz, Ben, Christopher, Shayla, Fiona, Alice, Joanna, Brieanne, Jeremy, Leon-Arthur, Monica, Andre, Tyler from Canada Miguel from Belgium Raveen from Malaysia Josh from Taiwan Servanne and Peter from France Jenessa from Asia Tim in India Carey from New Zealand Nicolina from Finland Alan and Phillip from Australia
And many, many more who, if we missed, we are sorry but love and appreciate you and pray God’s leading in your lives. God is great, my friends.
Gratitude for Andreas
I think it is important to remember that ALL of these fans are the direct result of one man’s efforts – Andreas from Norway – who on his own dime and time has taken the time and trouble to post segments of Heart on Youtube. This has brought tens and tens of thousands of viewers to our website at www.hotm.tv. Because of his willingness, our fan base is spreading worldwide. God wants people to know truth, and He operates through us, in love, to reach them. Where he leads, follow. And thanks, my brother Andreas.
(beat)
So with that, let’s have a prayer.
PRAYER
If you have ever had a conversation of any length with a Latter-day Saint – especially the true believing LDS – it does not take long before you will hear them
Understanding Atonement
Use the word – often gravely – “Atonement.” In their testimony meetings it usually comes out like this:
“I want to bear my testimony. I know this church is true. I know Joseph Smith was a prophet and that we are guided by a living prophet today. I am grateful for the atonement which makes it possible for me to live with my heavenly Father again.”
The atonement. What is it? What does it mean? Where did it come from? Why is it here? Where is it going?
In Mormonism, the first use of the word Atonement can ironically enough be found in the Book of Mormon.
2nd Nephi 9:26 says:
“For the atonement satisfies the demands of his justice upon all those who . . .” (and it goes on to detail some doctrine).
I say ironically because the word atonement is an invented word! In the sixteenth century Bible scholar and translator William Tyndale recognized that there was not a direct English translation of the biblical Hebraic concept of deific satisfaction. So he took two word "at" and "onement" and put them together to reflect the dual aspect of Christ's sacrifice: the remission of sinMissing the mark of faith and love—no punishment, just lost growth or peace. and reconciliation of man to God.
Tyndale's concept overcome the limitations of the word "reconciliation" whilst incorporating aspects of propitiation and forgiveness. The LDS mock Christians for using the word Trinity while they more laughably believe a sixteen century man-made term was somehow translated from ancient Golden plates into their Book of Mormon. Whatever. The Word atonement is only found once in the King James version of the New Testament – in Romans 5:11 – and it was changed to “reconciliation” in later versions. But the word is frequently used in the Old Testament and was used to refer to when something “made satisfaction” for sin.
Old and New Testament References
In Exodus 32:30, Moses said, "You have committed a great sin. So now I will go up to the LORD; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin." Thus, when atonement was done in the Old Testament, an act was done which would bring temporary satisfaction for sin which would reconcile the sinful individual (or nation) to God. It was only by the shed blood of Jesus that permanent satisfaction can be had. For the Children of Israel, under the Law, the shed blood of animals made this temporary propitiation, and the peoples righteous living by faith, ordinances, works was requisite to show their love for God – and man. By the “atonement of Christ” Christians generally mean all the work He did which expiate sins once and forever. When speaking of Christ's saving work, the word "satisfaction" – which is a word theologians of the Reformation used – is preferable to the word "atonement" – for Christ satisfied all demands of God – ALL – in behalf of sinners.
To Christians, Christ's work consisted of suffering and (listen closely) and obedience!. . . . and because this work was vicarious, meaning it was not merely for our benefit but was in our very stead, He was our full and total substitute. Because our sin and guilt was fully expiated (or covered) by the punishment which our savior and King bore, God is rendered propitious, which simply means God’s unconditional love and mercy is now made consistent with the eternal demands of His justice.
The Role of Christ's Work
By virtue of CHRIST’S work, obedience, righteousness, suffering, and deathSeparation from God—now overcome. Physical death remains, but it no longer separates us from life with God., our alienation from God ceases and reconciliation is brought about for good. And this reconciliation is mutual, meaning it is not only that of sinners toward God but it is also and pre-eminently that of God toward sinners! It must also be constantly kept in mind that the atonement or reconciliation or satisfaction is not the cause of God’s love toward guilty men and women but it is the consequence of His love toward us.
Remember,
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
Christians know from the Bible that because Jesus came, lived perfectly, lovingly, obediently, fulfilling the Law and the Prophets, and then suffered and died, full and complete forgiveness for all sin past, present, and future is had through grace by faith . . . and faith alone.
We joyfully read:
Roman 5:1 ¶ Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Eternal Life and Righteousness
“Whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” Additionally, the Bible is clear that we are not only cleared and cleaned of all sin by our faith, we are also made righteous through His eternal reconciliation. Listen carefully to what Romans 5 lays out for us, starting with verse six.
Romans 5:6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
Contrasting Views on Atonement
Because they take Jesus' life, suffering, and death, and twist it up, then give it only partial significance and import – the rest is up to YOU. And this not only amounts to another gospel, it amounts to a burden and a lack of peace. Let me give an example before I back it up with some support.
To Christians, Jesus' atonement could, in a very limited manner, be seen in the following illustration: We are all of us living in a village that is ruled by a benevolent and caring King. This beautiful king has provided a special servant to the small village who takes care of every need the people of the village might encounter. He brings them milk, food, heals them by the powers the King has invested him with, and makes all things right and good.
Everything the servant does is free to the people of the kingdom by virtue of the King's love and grace, but what enables the Servant to show up and serve is a villager’s belief – belief that the servant really will appear and that He will do as the King has promised. Nothing more. Now the villagers are broken up into two parties. One party believes that all they need to do is believe the King's promises and the servant will appear – and He does!
They experience it constantly in their lives. But the other group of villagers doesn’t think that believing the king is enough! So they send gifts to the King's Castle, and dress really nicely, and post pictures of the King outside their homes, thinking they must do something to earn the King's favor, which, they believe, causes Him to send the Servant to their homes. Interestingly, the servant comes to all the homes of the village. He comes to those who do nothing but believe and trust most abundantly.
These find themselves free to live and love others because of the unconditional love shown to them by the King – and not by their own efforts. The other villagers, because they do believe the Servant does, in fact, exist, also have Him appear – but they are burdened with the false notion that they must do all sorts of things to keep the King happy so that the servant will continue to show up on their behalf. This is the difference between the LDS idea of Atonement and the Christian knowledge of it. Christians believe in the servant wholly. They trust the King’s written promises that the servant is there for them NOT because they deserve it, but because He loves them and they trust His love and promises.
The LDS believe that the servant will only appear and do work for them IF they do their part, if they throw in their efforts, if they merit the King's love. Listen to what self-described LDS Apostle James E. Faust said about atonement as quoted in a 2001 Ensign article:
(QUOTE HERE)
Free Gift of Immortality
It is really important to know that to the LDS, what Jesus did with His life and through His death does two things: First, it gives all – everybody – the unconditional free gift, the unmerited gift, of physical immortality. To the Mormons, where Adam introduced physical death to the world, Jesus overcame it for everyone, and this part of the atonement amounts to all human beings being resurrected whether they believe in God or not. That is part A of the LDS interpretation of atonement. Resurrection. Often, when a Mormon says they believe that people are saved by grace, what they really mean is by God’s pure grace all people are saved.
LDS Atonement vs. Biblical Salvation
The LDS Atonement teaches that Jesus' death and resurrection provide everyone with the opportunity to become exalted, or in Christian terms, to live with God. This opportunity comes through our work, righteousness, obedience, and receiving all the required LDS ordinances. Self-described apostle Russell M. Nielson, in an Ensign article dated Feb 2003, highlighted this belief system.
The Bible, however, is emphatically clear that we are saved by our faith through grace alone, emphasizing that we cannot add anything to grace, otherwise, it ceases to be grace. If salvation is by grace, it cannot be by anything else. The LDS beliefs firmly deny these biblical teachings. Well-respected LDS apostle of old, James A Talmage, stated, "The sectarian dogma of justification by faith alone has exercised an influence for evil." This belief contributes to the notion that salvation is not solely through grace by faith but requires works, emphasizing that the works done by the believer tell God to apply “the atonement to their lives.”
Application of Atonement
A significant distinction between LDS beliefs and Bible-believing Christians is the application of the atonement of Jesus Christ. For Christians, once a person comes to saving faith, they are saved for past, present, and future—bestowing peace to follow God’s commands out of gratitude, love, and a desire to improve, nurtured by the unconditional presence of the Holy Spirit. In contrast, LDS teachings liken the atonement to a locked first aid kit, requiring the sinner to prove their repentance to access it. They must cleanse their wound before God or their Bishop gives the combination to unlock the atonement. This practice contrasts with Jesus's declaration of "it is finished," signifying that His work was complete and, by faith, the antiseptic is eternally applied.
My friends, one of the greatest religious lies in the annals of false Christianity is the Third LDS Article of Faith: “We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.”
Biblical Justification by Faith
Romans 3:20-28 provides clarity on justification:
20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. 27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.
Let's open up the phone lines:
(801) 973-8820
(801) 973-TV20
We learn here that God demonstrated His love for us by having His Son die for us while we were sinners. The blood was not shed because we were righteous or would repent, but while we were sinful. That’s you and me. The blood was graciously given and shed because God so loved the world, not because anyone in the world deserved the blood to be shed. Got that? Then in verse nine, it reads (now listen closely):
Meaning, if we were reconciled to God through the death of Jesus—meaning we are cleaned from sin by His…
The LDS/Christian Dialogue on Atonement
Meaning, we are imputed with His righteousness earned by HIS life – and not our own. This is very, very, very important, my friends in the LDS / Christian dialogue about atonement. Why?
Concluding Thoughts
CONCLUSION
- Troy
12 apostles names are on the wall of the new city. Matthias replaced Judas. So it is not Paul's name as one of the twelve. Also, various verses explain there are other apostles besides the 12 apostles, so how do you resolve this contradiction in your beliefs?
- Harvey
Hello, I'm not sure who will read this, but it is intended to speak to Shawn. I am L.D.S but removing my name from the records today. I plan on a hand deliverly as so, no confusion should follow. I'm sure within minutes The active members in my (former) ward boundries will let it be known, I have apostated from their chruch. Though I'm sure they have called it pretty much all ready. I have been failing in my belief(LDS) for some time now. Until May of 2009. I was very active. Had a sealing to my wife and 3 of 4 of our children were sealed to us as well. As I did my work for my salvation, I have to admit I felt very pleased within myself. After all it is the Lord's work.(isn't it)? I had told my wife if I ever become one of the High Priest that walk around with my head help up because of all the good things I did, PLEASE just shoot me! Now not even my wife knows this. As I sat with the pistol in my hand, ready to leave this world for the next. A still small voice said to me, you see the truth why do you fear me? Some how I stumbled on to your show and started to watch at the protest of my still(at that time) active wife. Whom I saw praying each morning for my heart to soften. I sat down with her and we discussed my feelings about how I was lacking in my faith. This shocked my wife because, I'm all the time looking for ways to invite people to talk aboout Christ. She became inactive through the stigma, oh your husband isn't active there must be problems at home. No in fact she saw the struggle I was going through. I used your teachings to remind me of what I had known before. It is by The grace of God we are saved. And the works we do are of a glad heart, Not of one that has conditions and rewards. A good deed is truely a reward unto it's self. That shouldn't require any other reward. I mean not to a REAL CHRISTIAN. As this fact lifted the yoke from me. I watched your teachings on Brigham Young Felt the most darkest of feeling come over me. I asked my wife to watch them with me. The 3rd episode She(my wife) looked over at me and said they are LIARS. Why would they do that, Why indeed. I wonder Whom was assigned the Record # 000-0000-0666 was it Joseph the creator of the lie? Or was it Brigham the prepetuator? We had all of our children over for dinner a week ago, as we announced to our children, that we were removing ourself from the records of the Church. Our youngest daughter (22) said WOW! this is big. And I replyed to her this is freedom. all of them are removeing their records as well. I'd like to say please keep teaching the Bible Shawn. You'r a GOD send to all those who have been missled down a path to destruction. God Bless you & your Family, Love Ya Brother, Harvey
The Beliefs About Elohim
- The Man
Mormons believe that Elohim has a wife. My neighbor says Mormons believe her name is "Eloher". Together, Elohim and Eloher are known as Elothem. Is he pulling my leg, or is this true?
The Man
Outstanding information floating around out there, ey? And did you know that Elohim and Eloher infants are known as Elophants? And what do they say when they answer the heavenly phone? Elo? And what’s their favorite color? Elo? Favorite band? ELO
- Doug McAffee Jr.
Hello Shawn, My name is Doug Jr. I wanted to show some erroneous corrections made to the Bible by the Mormon Prophet Joseph Smith. He claimed
Joseph Smith's Translation of John 1
Context of the Translation
In the study of religious texts, Joseph Smith provided an inspired translation of the Bible, offering changes to some scriptures. Below is an example of his interpretation and modifications made to John chapter 1.
John Chapter 1:1
1 In the beginning was the gospel preached through the Son. And the gospel was the word, and the word was with the Son, and the Son was with God, and the Son was of God.
