About This Video
Shawn McCraney emphasizes the importance of spiritual rebirth through Jesus Christ, arguing that a clear understanding and consistent teaching about Jesus leads to genuine spiritual transformation, which many religious denominations, including some Christian ones, fail to achieve. His critique of Mormonism centers on its lack of emphasis on the biblical view of spiritual rebirth, highlighting differences in beliefs about human nature and the need for salvation through faith in Jesus as presented in the Bible.
Christian teachings emphasize that spiritual rebirth is an immediate transformation through faith in Jesus Christ, providing immediate justification and new life, contrasting with Mormonism's view of processional rebirth involving personal achievements and adherence to church rituals and laws. Jesus, as the singular source of salvation, offers freedom and fulfillment to believers, whereas LDS teachings focus on progression and obedience within the church structure.
Shawn emphasizes the centrality of Jesus Christ, describing Him through various biblical metaphors such as the Light of the World, the Good Shepherd, the Resurrection and the Life, and the Alpha and Omega, and encourages believers to learn of Him, follow Him, and worship Him wholeheartedly. He prays for a revival where Christ is at the heart of the lives of LDS church members and calls for His blessings to be upon everyone.
Born-Again: The Focus of Spiritual Rebirth
Second Show
March 14th 2006
“Born-Again . . . Again”
Welcome
Welcome to Heart of the MatterTGNN’s original show where Shawn McCraney deconstructed religion and developed fulfilled theology.. I’m Shawn McCraneyFounder of TGNN and developer of the fulfilled perspective—calling people to faith outside of religion.. This is a call-in show. Start taking calls in about 15 minutes. The number is __________________. Email your questions at TV20@TV20.TV. Can we start with a word of prayer?
Last Week
I asked if you have been born-again through faith in Jesus Christ? Made the statement that I don’t care where you attend Church; that the focus of this show is helping LDS experience Jesus through spiritual rebirth first, and letting God lead them in their religious life thereafter.
There is an amazing correlation between the number of people who experience rebirth in a religion and the clarity and quantity of the religion's teachings about Jesus Christ. Non-Christian religions – Hindus, Buddhist, Islam – may produce born-again believers in spite of themselves, while some so-called Christian denominations often fail to lead their congregates to spiritual regeneration because they do not teach and preach Jesus as the only means of salvation.
I propose: “The clearer the picture of Jesus, and the more frequently and deeply it is presented, the greater the genuine harvest of souls, and the stronger the faith of the believers.”
Straight Shooting
Since our first show, I’ve received a number of emails from Latter-day Saints who claim that Mormonism emphasizes spiritual rebirth through Jesus Christ. We had a caller last week state that the Book of Mormon quantitatively speaks of spiritual rebirth more than the New Testament and that this is evidence that both the Book of Mormon and the LDS Church are focused on teaching rebirth. This is just not so.
I’d like to say something here that is personally very important for me to let you know: I do not pull punches nor do I appreciate religious spin. If something is apparent, I’ll admit it. If it is genuine, I’ll support it. If it is wrong, I’ll renounce it. And if it is my opinion, I’ll make this clear. Artifice in religious communications is a waste of time. Proof texts are worthless if real application is missing. I am not in the pocket of any church or religious organization. I say what I want to say based on what I believe is right and true from the Bible. I call things as I see them both in Mormonism and Christianity. I will not compromise on matters of fact. And though I may not always be right, I will always try and shoot straight based on what I know and what I have experienced. So please don’t call to “spin” on this show. Please be honest and real. Please don’t use exceptions to make general rules. Please speak in terms of reality rather than theory.
Latter-day Saints and Spiritual Rebirth
Having said this, let me say this loud and clear: Mormonism does not – does not – emphasize the regenerative relationship with the Lord as taught in the Bible. I love the Mormon people. I love their zest for life and order and conduct. I love their moral stance and youth programs. Did I say that Mormons cannot be born-again? No. My own story is evidence that they can. But Mormonism does not emphasize spiritual regeneration through the Lord Jesus Christ. Let me give you three reasons why.
First, spiritual rebirth is logical only if original birth is tainted. The Bible makes very clear that because of Adam we are fallen and born in sinMissing the mark of faith and love—no punishment, just lost growth or peace.. This does not mean we are capable of sinning as infants, but our nature is undoubtedly sinful. (Romans 5:12) LDS doctrine teaches that we are born sinless and remain so until an age of accountability. The Bible teaches that we become a child of God through faith in Jesus. Until that time, we are merely a creation of God. Mormon doctrine teaches that we are all born children of a Heavenly Father and that by right we are all automatically His children. So while Joseph Smith may have included doctrine regarding being spiritually reborn into the text of the Book of Mormon, the overall theology message of Mormonism is antithetical to the fact that it needs to occur in the first place. Additionally, what leads most people to spiritual rebirth is the understanding that they CANNOT make it in life on their own.
From my observations most Christians really come to know the…
Exploring the Concept of Spiritual Rebirth
LORD as a direct result of failing as a human being. More often than not this failing involves recognizing themselves as sinful, as failures, as broken. In this state of brokenness, they are literally transformed by the grace and power of God when they call out to Him in desperation.
Conversely, LDS teachings avoid focusing on the sinful nature of its members but in contrast generally seeks to elevate men and women as a way to simply improve upon their own at-birth condition. In other words, the sinful failures that often lead Christians to fall broken before the Lord are often pushed back upon the Latter-day Saint as a simple matter of personal weakness and choice. Instead of turning to the Lord for a new operating system, they turn to the Church and/or themselves for power and resolve.
It is a sad day in heaven when people actually believe they have the strength and ability to overcome their sinful nature without a miraculous new heart from God. It’s sad, it’s unbiblical, and, according to Jesus, it will bar people from seeing the kingdom of heaven.
Mormonism's Approach to Spiritual Rebirth
Mormonism teaches that spiritual rebirth is processional. This occurs through the week by week taking of the sacrament, which is a one way rite of promise keeping. It is a process of progression, of getting better, of overcoming, and of growing personally and in all areas. And it is evidenced by personal accomplishments, achievements, and success. The problem with processional salvation is 1), there is never any lasting peace and, 2) what if a person misses a few meetings and then unexpectedly dies? Are they lost forever?
The Lord used the term “born-again” with Nicodemus instead of “really grow up progressively and successfully” for good reason. Birth and rebirth are single events. They do not take place over the life of an individual. They are immediate and result in new life. Biblical rebirth brings an immediate and tangible justification for every believer before God through the spilled blood of Jesus Christ. Rebirth begins through immediate justification, progressive sanctification, and ultimate perfection. It is the IMMEDIATE JUSTIFICATION Mormonism ignores. They decorate a beautiful cart, but lack the true and living horse (Jesus) to pull it. Mormonism needs to teach the Jesus experience of regeneration before they teach obedience, service, or standards.
Allegiance in Spiritual Rebirth
Finally, Mormonism teaches that true processional rebirth includes allegiance to the Church organization, to a living Prophet, to a Sabbath-day observance, and to obedience to certain laws, rites, and ordinances that only the LDS Church provides. But Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the Life. No man cometh unto the Father but by me.” His church is made up of regenerated believers – a BODY. He is our living prophet. We come unto Him and He gives us rest, not a day of the week. We are freed, yes, even dead to the Law, and out of gratitude and love follow Him, praise Him, and seek His will in our lives.
BEFORE WE GO TO THE PHONES, LET’S REMIND OURSELVES that . . .
Jesus WILL MAKE US FREE
John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
HE IS THE DOOR
John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
HE IS OUR ACCESS TO THE SPIRIT
Ephesians 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
HE IS THE LIVING WATER
John 4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give
Jesus as the Source of Spiritual Nourishment
John 6:51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
John 14:9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
Jesus as the Shepherd and Vine
John 10:14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
John 15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
1st Corinthians 10:4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
Revelation 1:17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:
Paul's Focus on Christ Alone
1st Corinthians 2:2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
Philippians 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.
The Bible tells us to:
“Learn of Him” (Matthew 11:29) “Let Christ be formed in us” (Galatians 4:19) “Come unto Him” “Draw nigh to Him” “Come after Him” “Look unto Him” “Follow Him” “Confess Him” “Seek Him” “Find Him” “Receive Him” “See Him” “Know Him” “Dwell in Him” “Witness of Him” “Live by Him” “Testify of Him” “Honour Him” “Love Him” and yes, my friends, to “Worship Him”
I pray for revival in this state, among the leaders of the LDS Church, the LDS families, the LDS teens, and the LDS children. I pray that Jesus will in fact be the center of their lives, that He will be praised, worshipped, and adored. I worship Jesus in spirit and in truth. And I pray His blessings upon each and every one of you, this day and forever.
All right! Let’s take some calls . . .
