About This Video
Shawn discusses the challenges he faced for his beliefs, acknowledging his past as a sinner and expressing how his conversion to Christianity brought him new life, focusing his ministry on helping those who feel unable to meet religious standards. He contrasts the views of Latter-day Saints and Christians on Jesus, noting LDS emphasis on the "possibilities" offered by Jesus' sacrifice, while suggesting something crucial is missing in these interpretations.
Christian teachings emphasize Jesus as having completed the work necessary for salvation, presenting Him not only as a guide for new possibilities but as an active presence transforming lives daily, being recognized as God incarnate. For salvation, the belief that Jesus was God in the flesh and the necessity of being born-again are highlighted as crucial, with Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (the Shema) underscoring the foundational belief in the oneness of God, which is integral to both Christianity and Judaism.
The teaching emphasizes the Shema as a core statement of monotheism, highlighting its importance in Judaism, Islam, and Christianity to affirm the belief in one God, which Jesus reiterated by identifying Himself as God, not a lesser or distinct being. By quoting various scriptures, it asserts that understanding Jesus as God Himself, rather than a separate or lesser entity, is crucial for authentic Christian faith and spiritual rebirth through Him.
The Experience of Sharing Faith
Welcome to Heart of the MatterTGNN’s original show where Shawn McCraney deconstructed religion and developed fulfilled theology., a live call-in show. You can reach us at 801 973-tv20 (8820) or via email at Heart@tv20.tv. The show is rebroadcast every Tuesday morning at 11:00 am. We are blessed to offer streaming video of all our shows at www.bornagainmormon.com. Let's begin with a prayer.
Before I came to do this show here in Utah, I knew I was going to face some heat. I have been personally attacked for my views. My family has been treated differently due to my perspectives. I knew I would expose myself to well-founded reprisals for the man I was before committing myself to the LORD.
Because the show is growing, the attacks upon me have increased. Accusations are flying – most of them are true. I’ve never painted myself as anything but a sinner to this audience. I was a sinner any way you looked at it.
Finding Salvation
I want you to know that it was my sinfulness that led me to the Lord. He gave me new life. He led me to the point where I now stand. My work and ministry have never been to those who consider themselves the elect of the LDS Church. It has always been to the sinners incapable of measuring up. I’ve been where you are, and I’ve been saved from it by Jesus Christ. I want the same for you.
Now, let’s get on with the show…
This past week, I attended some LDS sacrament meetings on Easter Sunday. I listened intently to some very nice talks. With the exception of a few Doctrine and Covenant quotes and testimonies of Joseph Smith, I doubt many a Christian would have taken exception to the content of any of the talks I heard. They covered the essentials. But a Christian would have been able to tell that something was definitely off, missing, or unfinished.
Subtle Differences in Speaking About Jesus
There are some very subtle but interesting differences that exist when Latter-day Saints and Christians speak about Jesus. The LDS tend to speak of Him in terms of the “possibilities” he offers –
“I’m so thankful for the Savior and His atoning sacrifice that gives each of us the opportunity to return and live with our Heavenly Father again.”
OR
“I am so grateful for my elder brother Jesus Christ who set the perfect example, making it possible for…
The Perfect Tense and Jesus
Rarely are things said about Jesus applied to the LDS life in the perfect tense, or as a completed action. It’s always:
- “His atoning sacrifice allows me . . .”
- “His perfect example makes it possible . . .”
- “His obedience gives me the opportunity . . .”
Instead of a Savior who simply provides opportunities, Christians typically speak of the Lord Jesus as having accomplished all the work for them already. As Him literally being the day in and day out sovereign Lord of their lives.
- “He took me from sinMissing the mark of faith and love—no punishment, just lost growth or peace. and gave me new life.”
- “He saved me from an eternity in hell. I praise His name!”
- “He opened my eyes and made me see.”
- “He healed me, loves me, and guides my everyday.”
- “I worship Him in spirit and in truth.”
- “I adore Him and need Him in all that I do.”
- “He is the way, the truth, and the life.”
- “He is the First and the Last.”
- “He is The Great I Am.”
- “He is God incarnate.”
I remain unsure, when it comes to salvation, whether odd or misguided beliefs in Jesus will affect it. I’m unsure that if a person who believes that Jesus is a “created being” that such a belief will put the uninformed in jeopardy of God’s wrath or not. But what I do know is Jesus said, “You MUST be born-again.” And if you’re not, you will NOT see the kingdom of heaven. Period.
Beliefs on Being Born-Again
Over the past 9 or so years, I started to weigh all this stuff out. I had to ask myself this question:
“When it comes to Jesus, what beliefs will lead a person to being born-again and what beliefs will lead away from it?”
One belief that fortifies spiritual regeneration is the biblical teaching that Jesus was God in the flesh.
The Shema
The Babylonian Talmud stretches out to approximately 1500 pages. Most scholars of Hebrew agree that the central passage of all those verses is Deuteronomy 6:4-5 – The Great Shema. It is the watchword of the Jewish faith. It is one of the most foundational texts of both Jesus and Judaism. The text from the Law of Moses contains only six words: Shema yisrael adonai eloheynu adonai echad.
(My Hebrew teacher would be so proud)
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One.”
The Shema literally means, “Hear!” (SING) “Hear oh, Israel. The Lord our God is One Lord.” The Shema is so important that the first line of the Mishnah asks: “From what time in the evening may the Shema be recited?” The Shema was recited by priests in the temple. It is said that from birth this phrase is whispered in a Jewish child’s ear by its parents and on the deathbed, the Shema is repeated. From childhood to deathSeparation from God—now overcome. Physical death remains, but it no longer separates us from life with God., the Jews have the
The Oneness of God
Shema on their lips. Why? Because it declares the oneness of God. When Jesus was asked about the most important commandment, he quoted the Shema, (and extended it by including Leviticus 19:18). The Shema is not a prayer but a statement of faith and it was offered in response to the polytheistic nations surrounding Israel.
Polytheism is any type of faith-based belief in more than one God.
DO YOU BELIEVE IN MORE THAN ONE GOD?
“Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is One.”
Foundational Belief
This is a foundational tenant of Judaism, Islam, and Christianity – That there is only One God. One. When God commanded Moses to go before Pharaoh, Moses asked what he should tell Pharaoh the name of God was.
Exodus 3:14 “Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, “I AM” hath sent me unto you.
Who is this I AM?
John 8:57 Then said the Jews unto (Jesus), Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I Am.
Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Jesus was not “a God.” He was not a “trainee God” who needed to come to earth and gain a body. He was not the literal offspring of a Father God who has a body with armpits, a scrotum, and a set of lungs.
Nor was He part of an eternal regression of God’s.
“And the Word was GOD.”
And in verse 14: “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.”
“Hear O Israel, The Lord our God, the Lord is One.”
Isaiah 7:14 . . . and shall call his name Immanuel. (God with us.)
John 10:30 I and my Father are one.
John 14:8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. 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? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me.
“Hear, O Latter-day Saints, the Lord our God, the Lord is One.”
Scriptural Evidence
Let’s go to the phones/emails
CLOSE
BEFORE WE CLOSE TONIGHT
I’D LIKE TO SHARE ONE MORE SCRIPTURAL EXAMPLE WITH YOU.
Mark 10:18 And Jesus said to him, Why do you call Me good? No one is good except one, God.
(Explain)
In my opinion, all the claims of being a Christian are mute if a person does not realize that Jesus was, is, and forever will be, God. And all attempts at being reborn through faith on Him are at best hindered so long as Jesus as thought of as an elder brother, a creation of God, or as a being that is in training to rule over His own universes some day.
