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Heart of the Matter Ministry Updates

This is Heart of the Matter, where Mormonism meets Biblical Christianity, face to face. Show 32 362 Five Point Calvinism Part II, October 8th, 2013. And I’m your host Shawn McCraney. We praise the True and Living God for allowing us to participate in this ministry. May He be with you (and us) tonight.

What’s happening in the ministry? First of all, by going to HOTM.TV you can access eight "New informational spots" where we cover the most frequently asked questions. Second, we have received a number of requests for our books to go to the Kindle format (thanks Vic), and we have a ministry supporter (Jamie C) who is taking this project underwing. Third, due to the work of Aaron T out in Arizona, all HOTM’s are presently being translated into Spanish. You can send your Spanish-speaking family and friends to: __________________ presently to view the work being done. Fourth, we have asked your help in reaching the owners of TV20 as a means to get HOTM back on local television here in Utah. Our tech master John has made a way for that to happen – just go to www.hotm.tv and you will see a link that will present you with a simple form. Fill it out and send it. We will print the letter you write to the owners and give it to them. Finally, we are making the temple DVD available to any and all who want a copy (thanks to the generous work of Larry and Phyllis G.) How? You can either come to the show and pick one up or when you order any product from our website, we’ll include one for your video library. Again, just go to www.hotm.tv.

Family Dynamics and LDS Engagement

On Saturday afternoon I was here in Salt Lake mowing the lawn (or shall I say, the weeds) and I received an unexpected text message from my younger (and very LDS) brother. Our relationship is so tenuous that I only hear from him (via text) on my birthday, a communication I cannot help but liken (in the religious world) to people who only go to church on Christmas. So anyway, receiving a text from him was out of the ordinary. What did it say? One line: “You ought to listen to the conference talk by Elder Uchtdorf.” I wrote back: “Why?” He replied, “I think you can relate to what he is saying.” Again, I asked: “Why? What is the subject?” He replied: “You.” It appears Uchtdorf talked about people who leave the church. I don’t listen to General Conferences (but I will read the talks later) but apparently Uchtdorf gave a powerful presentation on people who leave the Mormon church. Powerful, yes – but contextually sound – hardly. I would expect an a,a,a,a, apostle of the Lord to know his Bible at least and to use it honestly. But not the Dorf.

Reflections on LDS Apostle Addresses

I am going to cover his speech next week as I do not have access to a written copy yet, but here’s one quote from the man: “Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith.” Dieter Uchtdorf. Now, I’m a fairly smart guy – I understand a lot of things – but I had to really ponder on this one: Doubt your doubt before you doubt your faith? This was Aaaaapostle Uchdorf quoting a guy named Chase Crawford who is an actor best known for his stellar work in the television series Gossip Girl. Unfreaking believable.

In addition to Uchtdorf’s inspired remarks, here are a few other gems these supposedly inspired men of God shared: Speaking of forgiveness, Boyd (KKK) Packer said: “Just as chalk can be removed from a chalkboard with sincere repentance the effects of our transgression can be erased through the atonement of Jesus Christ.” Boyd KKK Packer. Is that how it works, Boyd? Sin CAN BE removed with sincere repentance? I’ll have you know that sin was completely wiped away once and for all by Christ and what you are preaching is religious bondage. We repent for failing to trust in this finished work, Boyd, we don’t repent for every failure because that is impossible.

Hand in hand with Boyd’s perspective on atonement, A,a,a,apostle Richard G Scott added in his own religious smutt to the mix, saying: “It is a fundamental truth that through the atonement of Jesus Christ we can be cleansed.” Richard G. Scott. Again, we can be cleansed? What kind of hope.

Questioning Apostleship in Mormon Doctrine

In Him are you morons offering people? I have long maintained that in Mormonism, Jesus is like a sin janitor. Make a mess, he’ll come out and clean it up but do it too much, or with the wrong motive (like rebellion) and He just might take His time – or not show up at all. This is not the biblical picture of Christ which is the mess has been cleaned up once and for all – we just have to look to Him in faith that this is a completed fact.

You know, when I read the schtuff these self-appointed a,a,a,a,apostles say I get taken back by the inanity of their perspective. Holland really struck a nerve with me this time. I mean, just listen to the idiocy of apostle Jeffrey Holland’s remark:

“Imperfect people are all God has ever had to work with. (Listen to this insight) That must be terribly frustrating to Him, but he deals with it.”

Sounds like a little projection on your part, Holland. I mean do you really think God is terribly frustrated, but . . . well, he deals with it. God is love, Holland. He more than perfectly fills the description of love in 1st Corinthians 13. And a self-proclaimed apostle of Jesus Christ actually makes a pathetic conjecture like this? It’s truly appalling.

Words from LDS Leaders

The A,a,a,apostle Ballard, making sure the LDS continue to slave, said: “It is impossible to fail when you do your best when you are on the Lord’s errand.” – M. Russell Ballard. How about it’s impossible to fail when you are on the Lord’s errant at all? Why do you have to add, “when you do your best when you are on the Lord’s errand?” Because you are MAN-ipulator, spurring men and women on to serve your religion in God’s name. Shame on you.

And with that, how about a moment from the real Word (rather than the words of Man):

GRAPHIC OF ALL THE REMARKS IN “QUOTATIONS” FROM THE LDS LEADERS

GRAPHIC

GRAPHIC

GRAPHIC

GRAPHIC

GRAPHIC

Run “From the Word” Here

Understanding Apostolic Roles

In light of this past LDS General Conference where men who claim to be apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ stand before millions and spout spiritually sophomoric rhetoric, what does the Word of God have to say about Apostles?

The word simply means “one sent.” It could be a man or woman sent on a mission trip, it could mean an angel sent from heaven, it could mean twelve men called by Jesus to witness His resurrection and then to be sent forth into the world. But the way these LDS men use the title is they claim to be a continuation of the special witnesses called by Christ – it is a lie. How can I say this? Because Jesus is the fulfillment of all things to them that believe. His twelve served a very special purpose, were trained by Him, witnessed Him resurrect, did miracles in His name and power, then gave their very lives for His cause – suffering . . . with most of them ultimately being martyred.

These phony yocals here in Utah are hailed by millions and are rewarded with wealth and luxury when scripture plainly tells us that it is Jesus who is

“. . . the apostle and High Priest of our profession.” Hebrews 3:1

Paul, speaking of the twelve alive during Jesus' time plainly says:

“For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.” 1st Corinthians 4:9

False Apostles

In fact, the word takes the time to describe for us that there would be false apostles that would pop up, saying:

“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” II Corinthians 11:13-15

In fact, to take this whole concept a little further, and before we get into our first part on Calvinism as it relates to the Mormon/Christian debate, let me share a true story with you – from my life.

RUN “From the Word” here

GRAPHIC of HEBREWS 3:1

GRAPHIC of 1st Corinthians 4:9

GRAPHIC of II Corinthians 11:13-15

It’s the story of two men – both now dead – both of whom have had a profound impact on my make-up, my world-view, and how I have learned to

The Influence of Two Smiths

Interestingly enough both of them bore the last name Smith, which I find meaningful as a “Smith” is occupationally someone who forges metal, pounding it out into shapes that when tempered are fixed . . . unless they are reheated, made malleable, and are reshaped . . . regenerated, as it were.

I was introduced to the first Smith as an infant and toddler – Joseph Smith. He forged in my heart and head ideas like God was once a man, that Jesus is my elder brother, and that I came from a pre-existent state where I did good – so good that I was born into an LDS home while my colored cousins of different lands were, well inferior in that place. This Smith taught me that I must receive ordinances that he restored to the earth, ordinances lost because what Jesus established failed and fell into total apostasy. He taught me that I could not trust the Bible completely, but that I could trust His books, his revelations, his ideas on spiritual things.

He taught me that I needed to receive a priesthood, that I was to serve a mission that brought people into the church he formed in 1830, and that I would get an opportunity to have extra wives if I lived well and chose to have them after this life. This Smith convinced me that I had to repent constantly for external sin, that faith in Jesus was not enough to cover them, and that if I obeyed everything that he taught I could, after this life, not only have my wife and kids sealed to me, but I would go on to become a God. And while many of the things Joseph Smith claimed and established, all of them, when I was willing to take them into account, weighed me down. They put me in bondage to his institution, they burdened me with fear, rebellion, and guilt.

Meeting Jesus and Chuck Smith

After forty years of Joseph Smith, I came to meet Jesus, who changed my heart and let me know that even as a sinner, He had saved me. Shortly thereafter I came into close contact with another Smith – Chuck Smith – who died last week at the age of 86. Once the Holy Spirit had regenerated my heart, heating it up for reformation, this Smith, with blow after blow from the Word of God, helped reform my former man into a New Creature in Christ. That God is one. That He has always existed. That Jesus is God in the flesh, that He came from above but I came from below, and that the Bible could be trusted.

This Smith, when I was tempted to look at him always pointed me to God, always pointed me to trusting in God, always put Jesus ahead of everything else. Instead of feeding me ideas from his imagination, he selflessly fed me the Word. Instead of burden, he taught freedom in Christ. Instead of religion, he taught relationship directly with the Lord Himself. He taught me about grace, about salvation through grace by faith, and about love and that sometimes love is best manifested in truth delivered hard. He taught from the Bible, knew the Bible, and stood by the Bible without feeding his own ego, needs or desires. He proved that appearances meant nothing by letting thousands of barefoot hippies flow into the sanctuary of his church when the religionists around him looked down their noses.

Contrasting Legacies

Neither Smith was perfect – they were both just men. And both of them are now dead. But the difference between them is one taught his own vision and demanded compliance to it for salvation, and the other relentlessly taught, lifted, promoted . . . Jesus. Thank you, Pastor Chuck Smith, for your work for the King – your love for Him has helped free many people from the bondage instilled by that “other Smith.”

And with that, let’s have a word of prayer!

PRAYER PRAYER PRAYER

PRAYER PRAYER PRAYER

Last week we explained how Mormonism (or more to the point, Joseph Smith and his view of truth) was in some ways a direct response to Reformed Theology or Five Point Calvinism. We had a caller “TOM” who I dealt with abruptly NOT because his opinions differed with mine but because he had an agenda – and I knew it – so I cut him off. Listen, growing up as a middle child of six I was exposed to all sorts of music types and styles. From the Everly Brothers and Elvis to the Beatles,

Punk and Truth

Hendrix, Zeppelin, the Smith’s, and 311 – I’ve been exposed. But I resonated the day I got my first album – Never Mind the Bullocks, here’s the Sex Pistols, to punk. Why? Because after everything is said and done, punk (which includes a mentality far outside the music) is about honesty, transparency, and a brutal – even rude – search for truth.

Come and talk honestly and you have all my time, but feign anything and you can jump off a cliff. SO if you call, or write emails, or have something to say – make it from the heart and real or save your time and mine. So the caller last week, calling with an agenda, asked me point blank if I was a universalist – to which I said no after explaining what Universalism is.

Responding to Criticism

We received this email from Chris who said:

For you to simply say (to the caller last week) “God just created some people to damn them to hell for his own pleasure” as some kind of representation of Calvinism is just, well, sad.

He goes on (in what seems like an effort to pour on some guilt, saying):

“I’ve listened to every single episode you’ve ever put on the web. I’ve promoted you to all my friends and family, and I’ve grown a lot in my understanding of Mormonism from you. After all these years, I thought you were more thoughtful than this. This purposefully simplistic “description” of Calvinism is below you, man. You’re deeper than this. You’re better than this. This is a ridiculous one line summary of what Calvinism stands for my friend. I emailed you several months ago, kinda excited to hear that you were going to talk about the subject, because typically you’re pretty thorough and fair. I remember simply asking you for one thing – to accurately represent Calvinism in your presentation. Doesn’t matter to me one bit if you want to argue for the anti-Calvinist position – fine. But please do the subject matter the respect it deserves by accurately representing your opponent’s position.

Before we proceed I want to address some of Chris’s observations.

One of the things that has made our seven year assessment of Mormonism valuable is our ability to get to (da,da,da,da) “the Heart of the Matter.” There are things that can be boiled down to their lowest (no pun intended) common denominator and even though my pulling that punch on the caller last week was unfair relative to five point Calvinism, it is an absolutely viable, true assessment of one of the principle basics for the theory.

Heart of the Matter

1. If God has always existed everywhere.
2. If He is all powerful.
3. If He is all knowing, and if
4. Punishment after this life is eternal . . .then

. . . prior to doing anything – forming the earth or the heavens, forming the animals, forming Man – He knew – completely and fully, that some of His creations were going to go to hell and burn there eternally.

And He created them anyway. This means, Chris, He created them for hell. You can try and give reasons WHY this is, but in the end, no matter what discussions we have, the fact remains – this is what Calvinists believe is the case.

I would differ.

Then, if God, out of his own good will and purposes creates some He knows He will elect (again out of his own will and pleasure) to be saved and escape hell, He has created them for eternal life.

There is NO way around these points, Chris – no matter how much information you want me to go through, no matter how many papers I read, no matter how many justifications I offer for such activities, this is the sum.

So while the caller last week got me to reveal my hand before building a reasonable case (which may have been more appealing to you personally) we get to the heart of the matter here – if I am wrong, show me.

Now last week we talked about how growing up in an environment swirling with doctrinal disputes and debates on how Christianity was supposed to look, and Smith had to make some decisions in the face of parents who disagreed on religion, a culture that disagreed on

Historical Religious Factions and Their Influence

Religion and elements from personal opinions that did not resonate with many theological tenets proposed and espoused as truth from various Christian pulpits have shaped the landscape. Looking backward from 1830 when Smith established the LDS church, religious factions have dominated the Christian landscape almost from the minute the temple at Jerusalem fell. Of course, we understand the Catholic influence on organized Christianity, but moving out, we can see that many centuries before Smith took his first breath theological debates had been raging.

Early reformers, like John Hus (1395) and Martin Luther (1510), got in the face of Catholicism’s priestly control over the masses amidst the reformation, emphasizing “sola fide” (faith alone) and “sola scriptura,” which we might interpret as meaning anyone can read the Bible and not only come to saving faith but to learn all God would want them to know. But Luther, for whatever reason, could not entirely cut the cord with his Catholic parent, and so Lutheranism even today continues to maintain a number of vestiges of Catholicism proper. In any case, the ideas of sola fide and sola scriptura angered the Catholic superstructure (of popes, and priests, and bishops) because according to the “Protestants,” they weren’t really needed anymore. Imagine the thought! Men and women could get to God without the intervention of others! How novel! Early reformers (including Calvin) agreed with this stance.

Core Tenets of Biblical Christianity

Now, remember, last week we touched on the core points of faith requisite to being considered biblical Christians. We also noted that when these core points (we named five and ironically there may be more or less) are present, everything else is a non-event. So while the Catholics and the Protestants differ in a lot of areas (and admittedly there are a lot of divergences of opinions within Protestantism proper over the non-essentials too), all of these groups, if they are to be considered part of biblical Christianity, agree on the core issues, which we said were:

• That there is only one true and living God. (Monotheism)
• That Jesus is God incarnate.
• Accepting the biblical definition of the Gospel (or Good News) which says that “Jesus died for sin,” “He was buried,” “He overcame the grave on the third day,” and that he was “seen by many.”
• That humankind is saved by grace through faith on Him and His finished work.
• That there is no other way to receive a forgiveness of sin – He is the way, the Truth, and the Life.

Calvinism and Arminianism

Reformed theology (also known as Calvinism or Five Point Calvinism) brings beliefs to the discussion that are not essential to salvation (in my opinion), but their presence certainly affects the way people view God, life, and other things relative to the Christian walk. John Calvin was a French theologian who broke from the Catholic church in 1530. Due to persecution, he fled to Switzerland and began to publish and reform the church in Geneva. Because of his writing, including letters, sermons, books, and treatises, his system and views on theology are clearly understood as being heavily influenced by Augustine.

Now Augustine goes way, way back to the third and fourth centuries and due to his views on grace and salvation many Protestants, especially Calvinists, consider him to be one of the early theological fathers of the Protestant Reformation. Here’s the deal. Calvin died in 1564, but as noted, he left behind an awful lot of work that firmly established his views.

A man rose up named Jacobus Arminius who did not appreciate the teachings and insights of Calvin. Those who agreed with him became known as “Remonstrants,” which basically means a “strong protest.” So what we had was protestant followers of Arminius protesting against the teachings of Calvin. One year after Arminius died (in 1610), a theological statement that is known as the Remonstrance was drawn up and forty-five ministers signed the thing. This was the beginning of what is called Dutch Arminianism.

We’ll, a group of very worried men got together and a trial (of sorts) was held in 1618 to test Arminianism’s claims. What they used to test his claims were the claims of Calvin. This trial was held in a Dutch city called Dordrecht, and today the results are known as the Canons of Dort (which were formally titled The Decision of the Synod of Dort on the Five Main Points of Doctrine in Dispute in the Netherlands). Today, the results of this trial (again called the Canons of Dort) serve as part of the doctrinal foundation for Reformed churches (Calvinist churches) all over the world. When the followers of Arminius set forth the articles of their faith…

Synod of Dort and Its Impact on Christianity

In 1610, after his death, they presented five of them. These were in opposition to Calvinism. The trial deemed Calvinism the victor, and the Canons established are the judgment of the Synod against the Remonstrance. What many people do not realize is that at the Synod or Council of Dort, only thirteen Arminian representatives were present, and they were not allowed to vote.

As a result, Calvin’s system became a major part of orthodox Christianity’s statement of faith and eventually was incorporated in 1646 into the very significant Church of England document known as the Westminster Confession of Faith.

Arminianism and Calvinism Explained

In the end, Arminianism suggested these five points:

1. freedom of the will,
2. conditional election,
3. universal atonement,
4. resistible grace,
5. falling from grace

And Calvinism was summarized later as saying that man is

• Totally depraved
• Conditionally elected by God
• The Jesus atonement was not universal
• That His grace extended is not resistible
• And that the Saint chosen will persevere.

Next week, we will begin to break them down while showing that Joseph Smith and Arminius had much more in common than Smith and Calvin – which, in my opinion, explains why Mormonism is so attractive to people the world over.

Personal Reflections

In closing, I read an email last week from a homosexual man named Greg Rattey from the UK. He wrote me back and said he wished I would have included the final email I sent to him when he informed me that he was a confirmed believer in Jesus Christ. I also admitted fault in lacking empathy in my life.

We’ll here it is, Greg:

Greg,

I praise our loving God for your faith in Him and consider you a spirit brother as well as a brother from the clay. Thank you for taking the time to write and I take no umbrage from your communication. May our King watch over you and your every step. And yes, certainly, I have been guilty of lacking sympathy and/or empathy for what it is like to be gay. A lack of empathy has been for me a sinful failure at times. Forgive me and my callousness (which may be what you have discerned). Carry on, my friend!

Shawn