Heart of the Matter: Show 50 Defending the Bible – Part II

December 2nd, 2008

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! And I’m your host Shawn McCraneyFounder of TGNN and developer of the fulfilled perspective—calling people to faith outside of religion..

Streaming Video & Ministry Websites

Remember, our ministry has three websites for your benefit:

• www.bornagainmormon.com: Which gives the history of the ministry, offers the book, and lays forth what we mean by a “born-again Mormon.”

• www.HOTM.com: Is the place where you can watch all the past shows and streaming video of our show live.

• www.calvarycampus.com: Is where you can go to learn about our weekly Bible studies which occur here in Utah at three major college campuses.

By the way, you can download or listen to the audio of our verse by verseTGNN’s Bible teaching series—book-by-book, through the lens of fulfillment and spiritual liberty. teachings at www.calvarycampus.com for free.

Annual Christmas Open House

Alright, this Friday night – RIGHT HERE AT OUR STUDIOS – we’re having our annual Christmas open house. Join us for food, fun, and the chance to let us thank you face to face for your viewership. That’s this Friday, December 5th, from 7-9 pm here at 314 South Redwood Road in Salt Lake City.

We've had a whole lot of people request information about the video clip we showed a few weeks back called "Religion or Jesus?" We actually purchased the right to use the clip from ignite.com. You can also watch the clip at www.hotm.tv show number _____ and at www.youtube.com.

Jay wrote and brought some interesting LDS Chutspa material to our attention. For instance, he wants to know why the LDS church excommunicated Chad Hardy for his returned missionary calendar but seems to thoroughly support Stephanie Meyer authoring books about blood-sucking romance. I want to know why LDS people flock to see such movies as Twilight but refused to see The Passion. Someone LDS please – call and explain this to me.

Jay also pointed out that there is a ban on tattoos at BYU but their best basketball player a few years back was allowed to play with them even though the school airbrushed his tattoos out of game programs and the yearbook. IMAGE. IMAGE. IMAGE.

Speaking of image control, in response to our Word of Wisdom shows a few weeks back, “Mark” called in and gave us an interesting reference from Volume 7 of History of The Church. In answer to people who said Joseph Smith obeyed the Word of Wisdom he reminded us that Volume 7 of LDS Church History it reports that “Joseph AND Emma passed around the bowl of wine” to others. I don’t make this stuff up.

Marriott Hotels and Mormonism

Speaking of wine, our researcher “Rich” took the time to take a close look at the Marriott Hotels website and found the following phrases Marriott uses to get people to stay at his hotels: “Minutes from wineries!”, “Adjacent to Casinos!”, “on-site Casino!”, “Mini-bars”. For their Aruba property, the hotelier advertises an “adult indulgences” package. Can someone find out if Marriott hotels willingly provide their guests with gay porn as well? Oh . . . why does this even matter?

Faithful viewer “AAA” out of Northern California – and a faithful Latter-day Saint as well – wrote to remind me that Bill Marriott is currently a member of the LDS Quorum of the Seventy and part of an area presidency. Now this office the LDS call Seventy is supposedly taken from the Bible and is in reference to the Lord appointing seventy men other than the apostles to go out and share the gospel with others. They went out two by two.

Claiming to be the restored church, Mormonism claims to have a group of men called “the seventy” (though there are a number of quorums of the seventy in Mormonism) who help complete the LDS hierarchy of power – or what might be referred to by the LDS as “the brethren.” While Jesus called simple, hardworking men to service, do you think He would call a man known to supply the world with porn, alcohol, and festivals for the LGBT? You can’t make this stuff up!

Finally, Mary – among others – wrote to say that Baptism of the Dead is no big deal because it’s a bogus practice so why worry about it. She suggests that in so doing we are merely lending credence to the action – giving attention to something that just doesn’t deserve it.

I also received an email from Dina who sent this letter to the SL Trib. In part, she wrote: “I have grave concerns that my LDS son will perform this ordinance (of baptism for the dead) for my deceased son.”

The Ministry and Financial Support

Consider it a mockery of my deceased son’s memory. As a biblical Christian, the Mormon “gift” of proxy baptism offends me as much as them handing me a lucky rabbit’s foot.” In the end, all of these issues and stories merely evidence the existence of LDS Chutspah – the brash, unapologetic imposition of their will and ways upon others.

Our Ministry and How to Support Us

Once a year we take a minute of your time and make a public announcement about our ministry. Usually, we do this in December – so here goes. Our ministry is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt corporation. This means people who donate money or goods to us are able to deduct their contributions from their personal taxes. We use financial contributions to pay for our ministerial expenses. Because we are a television ministry, people are often under the impression that we are financially secure. Many people think I am independently wealthy or that we receive support from around the world. Not so. And it has never been so.

Our ministry is highly controversial. Where we greatly offend Mormonism, we have also been attacked by the general Christian community. Nevertheless, we have resisted the temptation to use our show to request for financial support as we firmly believe “where God guides, God provides.” Many people inquire about how they can give financial support. If you are led and/or inclined by Him to support our ministry financially, there are a number of avenues you can take: You can send your donation directly to us at:

Alathea Ministries, Inc.
314 South Redwood Road
Suite 200
Salt Lake City, Utah 84104

You can also go online to www.bornagainmormon.com or www.hotm.tv and offer support through the secure and private PAYPAL system. Finally, we are also in a position to receive unwanted vehicles, stocks, bonds, and/or real property. Just email us with what the Lord has placed on your heart and we’ll give you instructions on how to proceed. Please hear us clearly: We welcome any and all financial support and thank you for it – but we also greatly appreciate all of your non-financial support so many of you have given to this ministry over the years. Your prayers, volunteerism, taking the time to email us with important information, and your sharing our ministry with others have kept us alive. We praise God bless for you and all you have done and continue to do for Alathea Ministries.

Introducing Our Ministry to Your Church

Finally, I would like to take this time and personally ask for your proactive support in one very specific area. Ready? If you watch and enjoy our programs AND you attend a Christian Church on a regular basis, please take the time to introduce our ministry to your Pastor and/or board as a means to have us make a visit to your respective congregation to speak. Our “church tours” go a long way in introducing people to true doctrinal Mormonism and to share our method of bringing these people to the Lord. Your bridging the gap between our ministry and your respective church is a win/win proposition for all involved. So please, we are in fact asking that you take a minute and speak with your pastor about our coming out to see you wherever you may be located! Just have him email us at shawn@alatheaministries.com.

And with this, let’s have a word of prayer.

PRAYER PRAYER PRAYER

PRAYER PRAYER PRAYER PRAYER

The Defense of the Bible

Tonight is Part II of the Defense of the Bible. Last week we spoke about the Old Testament. How it was revered, used, and considered the Word of God by Jews and Jesus Himself. We spoke briefly about which books were considered canon, and how the Jews, Jesus, and the early Church rejected the books known as the Apocrypha, which were written during the 400 years of silence known as the intertestamentary period, which is sandwiched right between the Old and New Testaments. We also mention how Catholicism retains these apocryphal books in their Bibles.

So Jesus – the Messiah – is born in the meridian of time. The complete Old Testament points, pictures, and alludes to Him, His life, His mission, His deathSeparation from God—now overcome. Physical death remains, but it no longer separates us from life with God., and Messiah-ship. At the beginning of His ministry, Jesus called twelve apostles. He then proceeded to teach and instruct them on who He is, what truth is, and what they are to do once He is gone from the earth. He tutors these twelve as firsthand witnesses of His ministry. As His life is closing in toward the cross, He tells the disciples in John 15:

(John 15:3) “Now you are clean through the Word which I have spoken."

Apostolic Teachings and the Formation of the New Testament

As His first hand witnesses to His life and actions, they also heard His word first hand, and, as Jesus Himself said, were cleansed by it – meaning they had all the false traditions and teachings of the religious rulers of the day removed from their minds – they had a renewing of their minds by His Word.

Prior to ascending into heaven Jesus told the disciples to wait at Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit to come – which would now be able to because Jesus was leaving earth.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

Luke wrote in Acts chapter 1:1

Acts 1:1 Truly, O Theophilus, I made the first report (which was the Gospel of Luke) as to all things that Jesus began both to do and teach until the day He was taken up, having given directions to the apostles whom He chose . . . commanding them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to await the promise of the Father which you heard from Me. For John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

The Holy Spirit would then help these true apostles – these genuine first hand witnesses – teach, lead, guide, and plant the Church of Jesus Christ here on the earth, so effectively, that even the gates of hell would not prevail against it. Part of the Holy Spirit’s mission was to direct the writings produced by these first hand witnesses.

Paul claimed that his teachings were from the inspiration of God (1st Cor 4:16, 14:37, 1st Thess. 2:13)

John claimed the same for the Book of RevelationA symbolic prophecy fulfilled in 70 A.D.—not a prediction of future global events. (Rev 1:2)

Paul said that his writings were intended to be read in the Churches (Col 4:16, 1st Tehess 5:27, 2nd Thess 2:15) just like scripture was read by the Jews. Peter said that He wrote that the things written might remain “after his departure” (2nd Peter 1:15, 3:1-2)

Paul quoted the phrase that “the servant is worthy of his hire” in 1st Tim 5:18. This phrase is not found anywhere in scripture except in Matthew and Luke, which is evidence that these gospel writings were available then and considered scripture – quotable – as of the same authority as the writings of the Law and the Prophets.

Peter even defines Paul’s letters as “scripture” in 2nd Peter 3:15-16.

Again – like we asked last week – why did Jesus go to the trouble of calling His special witnesses, training them, cleansing them through His Word, and have them write by the power and influence of the Holy Spirit – only to have the validity of their words called into question by Mormonism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Scientologists, Christian Scientists, and critics of Christianity?

We’re going to talk next week about how the New Testament books were gathered, chosen and compiled, but while the Old Testament books came forth from a very small geographical area, the New Testament books were composed from all over the place –

Geographic and Cultural Diversity

Palestine, Asia Minor, Greece, and Rome – all places of New Testament composition – were very far apart from each other. This plays directly into how long it took for them to be gathered, used, and collectively recognized as authentic, holy writ. Now the earliest “New Testaments” varied in their content because only certain books were available to certain peoples in certain places.

So where one location like Palestine might possess a copy of Matthew, James, and Hebrews, churches in another place like Crete, might have only had Romans or Titus. There were no trains, planes, or automobiles – no delivery companies, no faxes of emails to get the individual letters and inspirations around.

Some people are somehow under the false impression that God operates like a thoroughly nasty and tight efficiency expert – you know, totally lacking in human passion, art, and flexibility – but instead focusing on perfect production every time. Isn’t this way the New Testament came forward wonderful evidence of the way God truly works?

Faithfully, patiently, persistently, over great spans of time, through many different peoples from many varied and far-off places – all writing under the influence of the Holy Spirit and all coming together in one cohesive whole in the end.

Well, as a result of the time and distances, the books that actually belonged in the New Testament were gathered over time, sorted and sifted out from among many others – some of great value, others quite fraudulent.

Apostolic Origin

One of the first considerations of which books should be included in the New Testament was: Does it have apostolic origin?

The Historical Recognition of Apostolic Writings

Determination was not quick nor easy to do – but ultimately it was accomplished. We do know from the letters of early Christian believers that there were however many writings considered to be of Apostolic origin, of being trustworthy, and of being inspired.

Clement of Rome in AD 95 either refers to or quotes from Matthew, Luke, Romans, Corinthians I and II, Hebrews, I Timothy, and I Peter. About 110 AD, Polycarp, quotes Philippeans, nine of Paul’s epistles, and from I Peter. Ignatius, Papias, The Shepherd of Hermas, The Epistle of Barnabus all verify the apostolic writings as extant and authoritative.

A guy named Tatian, around 160 AD wrote a book called, Diatesseron, which actually served as a harmony of the four gospels, showing that four – and only four – were recognized among the Churches. Justin Martyr called the four gospels the memoirs of the apostles and said they were read in conjunction by the churches with the Prophets.

Early Church Perspectives

It is interesting that these early believers refer frequently to the various “churches” – all of which had different names and all of which certainly shared unique approaches to life and living. Hmmmmmm? Even the heretics like Marcion and Basilides verify the same Apostolic writings we have in our New Testaments today.

Irenaeus, who was a pupil of Polycarp, one of the earliest believers, called these NT writing scripture. Interestingly enough, the New Testaments writings were known as “The Gospel and the Apostles” while the Old Testament was still called “The Law and the Prophets.”

Then along comes Origen. Now most of these early church fathers – not having apostolic experience or authority – made some egregious assumptions in their thoughts and writings – I think because they did not have access to God’s written Word of the Gospel. Origen is among these types.

Origen's Influence

But Origen of Alexandria (circa 185 AD to 254 AD) was a Christian scholar of extensive travel and learning. And he essentially spent his life to the study of scripture. In his personal writings (like his journals) two-thirds of the New Testament is reproduced as direct quotes. He readily accepted in his life 27 books of our present-day New Testament as authoritative apostolically, but was unsure about the authorship of Hebrews and even expressed doubts about James, Second Peter, and II and III John.

Admittedly, and for a time, there was some variation among the churches and scholars about what writings were accepted in the New Testament and what writings were not. This was due simply to the fact that because communication was so slow over the expanse over the Roman empire in addition to over 300 years of incessant persecution, there was never one single chance for all the churches and leaders and scholars to come together and make a fair and reasonable study of what was authoritative or of Apostolic origin.

Next week, we are going to discuss when a break from the persecution and scripture burnings ceased – opening a door for God’s Word to be gloriously proven valid.

Let’s open up our phone lines: (801) 973-TV20 (801) 973-8820. Please listen to your phones and don’t watch or listen to the television. Please, LDS and first-time callers, please turn your TV’s down and have your question (or compliments) ready.

CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE FRIDAY 7-9pm