No More Hacking, Part 4

Introduction

Live from Salt Lake City, Utah, this is Heart of the Matter where we do all we can to worship God in Spirit and in Truth. I’m Shawn McCraney, your host.

Sharing Christian Faith with Children

Some of you are aware that I have fathered three daughters and that I now have two grandsons. Every now and again we get an email from a parent asking advice on how to approach their children on matters relative to being Christian, once being Mormon, reading the Bible, praying, etc.

So, as long as we are inclined we are going to gather up my eighty-one years of parenting (I consider parenting an individual experience rather than a collective since each child is very unique and what works with one does not work with others so that is how I arrived at that number – by adding the ages of my daughters) and tonight I want to simply share this with young Christian parents.

Nobody is born a Christian. Not even your adorable little geniuses. So don’t treat them as if they are. When we think about it we ought to treat other non-Christians exactly how we treat our unregenerated children – with love, and patience, and longsuffering and without condemnation – how can we condemn others who lack spiritual sensibilities? To treat our toddlers and children and unregenerate teens as if they are Christians we run the risk of producing a child who grows up calling him or herself a Christian when in fact they are no more Christian than a glass of beer.

The Role of Faith

This position is supported by scripture as we all are saved by grace through faith on Jesus and until then are merely creations of God, made in His image but fallen. It is ONLY by faith and the moving in of the Holy Spirit were individuals shift from being creations and creatures to Children and Sons and Daughters. We can’t ever forget this – even with our own offspring.

So what to do? I would raise my kids with this truth.

• I’d say things like, your Mom and I are Christians. Jesus is our King. And maybe someday you will want Him to be your King too? This would get them thinking about Jesus and would put me the parent in the position of having to represent to them that He is my king – which some parents don’t want so they avoid Him all together.

• Then, along the way I would teach them principles taken directly from the word in an exciting and engaging manner but never forced. I would kindly and gently let them share in my faith and worship and prayers but never make it mandatory. I would pray in front of them (especially for them) with a smile on my face and then in time, when the questions start coming, explain to them what I am doing – without forcing them to recite rote prayers. At some point I might ask them if they want to pray.

• Most importantly I would NEVER condemn or manipulate or scare them in the name of God. I would never use God to shame them or to get my way with them. God would always be the most loving being and Jesus would always be my Lord, King and Savior. Someday they may ask, “Why isn’t He mine.” And then you are in a place to lead them to receive Him.

Encouraging a Personal Relationship with God

And the whole time I would gently plant seeds in their heart, always allowing and inviting them to participate in my relationship with God. I would let them see me talking to God, let them see me reading His word, and let them hear me asking God to help my wife and children. And above all I would do all in my power to try and BE Jesus to them.

In the end, if I had kids I’d make joining the Jesus club super inviting but to always gently know that they are not a member of it . . . yet. Then I would patiently wait for the day when they ask how they can join the club.

And with that, how about another fine moment . . . from the Word!

Understanding God's Desires

Here in the studio church, we have a couple of scriptures blown up and placed on the walls. One is Proverbs 3:5-6, which says: “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” We think this passage is so significant that Mallory put it to music.

We have another passage that actually relates to these verses in Proverbs. It’s from Jeremiah and says: Jeremiah 9:23-24, which says “Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.”

Key Characteristics of the Lord's Desires

Of all the Old Testament passages, these two really lay out for us some key characteristics of who and what the Lord desires of those who are His. Trust Him. Don’t lean on your own understanding. Acknowledge Him in all things. HE WILL DIRECT YOUR PATH. Don’t glory in your wisdom. Don’t glory in your might. Don’t glory in your wealth. But glory in this: “That we understand and know Him.”

David said this to his son Solomon in 1st Chronicles 28:9: “And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.” And Jesus plainly said in John 17:3: “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”

Knowing God

How do we know Him? By studying his word, hearing His word, pondering His word by the Spirit… by the Spirit… by the Spirit. This approach will, from the heart, fulfill the word of Jesus in Matthew 7:7 where He said, and we also sing: “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”

Do you see the connection to all of this? How God works? What he desires and seeks from those who are His?

First (1st Chronicles 28:9): “know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind.” Then (John 17:3): “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” But how do we know thee and thy Son, God (Matthew 7:7): “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” Then once you have asked (Proverbs 3:5-6): “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” And remember along the way (Jeremiah 9:23-24) that “Neither the wise man, nor the mighty man, nor the rich man ought to glory in his wisdom, might or riches but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me. (And we start all over again) . . .

Examination of Power and Control in Institutional Religion

Examination of the powers that rule and reign over institutional religion and drive their ultimate desires which we sort of defined last week as The Deliberate Concentration of Power, Wealth, and Control in the hands of few exercised upon the many. This phrase is not original to me but comes from someone I introduced you to last week – Noam Chomsky.

Now, remember that Chomsky’s focus is on Big Government, Corporate Power and Major Media outlets but I strongly believe that his views and understanding of what drives them also drives the spirit and ways of institutional religion and the spirit therein. So what we are going to do is sort of high grade all the best ideas from Chomsky relative to his insights on Big Government, Corporate Power and Major Media outlets and then as we go try and talk about how these principles can be applied to institutional religion just as effectively.

Inequality and Its Effects on Democracy

So in the documentary, Requiem for the American Dream, Chomsky begins by pointing out that in America today inequality is unprecedented – and that the inequality is found mainly in the extreme wealth of a tiny percent of the population – which he says is 1/10th of 1%. I just recently read that 8 men hold over 50% of the world's wealth. This confirms Chomsky’s claim. The problem with this inequality is it has a corrosive effect on democracy – a word I believe is vitally important to this wonderful living faith.

Now, let me stop right here and explain that a democracy is a system of government where all eligible members participate – in government this is typically done through elected representatives. But we are discussing organized religion. And when it comes to “organized Christianity” men and some women have long tried (and succeeded in) stepping in and saying: “There is no democracy in the faith and the reason for this is there is a Church that belongs to Jesus Christ, and He has assigned specific men to govern it as His representatives and since He has elected them, the eligible members writ large cannot participate in governing too.”

At the end of the day the justifications used for this stance is “this is how God established it,” (just read the Bible) and “God is a God of order,” and then “ordinations” (which are all man-made and man-driven) and then the qualifiers for authority go on and on and on.

Biblical Justifications and Modern Interpretations

Now, admittedly, when we read the New Testament, we do find some of these justifications present – that in the early church God did call, elect and ordain certain men to govern the masses. And certainly God is a God of order, and the Apostles did ordain men to do certain things in the apostolic church. What cannot be admitted ANYMORE – at ALL – is that what they did remains as the means by which God governs over the world through His Son by the Spirit. We have absolutely zero ability to lay claim to this. It’s done, but in face of the facts there is absolutely no justification for it in light of history, scripture, and eschatology.

In fact, I am suggesting that the Bible supports that when men and women live by the Christian spirit (and the fruits thereof) that it is the spirit of true democracy which ought to govern the faith rather than through the former means used in the Church before 70 AD. We’ll talk more on this in the weeks to come. But let’s get back to Chomsky and the corrosive effects that inequality play on democracy in the Nation.

To him, “privileged and powerful sectors have never liked true democracy because democracy puts the power in the hands of the general population and (and this “and” is really important) and it takes it from them.” And having a boat-load of special interests – often personal special interests – the privileged and powerful sectors do not want to relinquish any control because in so doing their special (often personal) interests are placed in jeopardy.

Now, look at the big institutional churches (and those that mimic them). We have the ruling privileged class, the 1/10th of the 1%, all with a boat-load of special personal interests (like needing to be seen as superior in intellect, or in their relationship to God, or in having all the answers, or knowing how to spend sacred donations).

Religious Authority and Manipulation

or even in pretending to possess the correct political views. I mean these “interests” can flow all the way down to what the personal tastes of the pastors ruling over the masses. And they do it IN THE NAME OF GOD and the aim is to keep religious democracy at a minimum because people seeking God want to be pleasing to Him – and so they don’t rock the boat by challenging the powers that be. Again, for nearly two thousand years these religious men and women have taken the New Testament content and surreptitiously (and without any biblical permission) assigned its governing principles to themselves. This has served to insured AGAINST the many stepping in and questioning the few.

Now, down the road we are going to get to the tools, methods and means they use to keep the many in line – all of which can be REFUTED by a contextual understanding of the Word. But for now lets continue forward with the “Chomp Chomp” leading the way. All the way back in 1776 Adam Smith said something really insightful. He said: “In England the principle architects of policy are the people who own society – merchants and manufacturers and they make sure their own interests are well cared for no matter how grievous the impact is on others.” Chomsky notes that today it is not the merchants and the manufacturers but multi-national conglomerates and financial institutions, who are what Adam Smith called “the masters of Mankind.”

Masters of Mankind in Religion

Now, when it comes to organized religion and brick and mortars who are the masters of Mankind. If its Jesus, great – let Jesus by the Spirit lead. But if its men they will be doing the leading and THAT is where we confront the fail. Again, our interests are about “the masters of Mankind” in institutional brick and mortar religion who “make sure that their own interests are well cared for no matter how grievous the impact is on others.” Think I’m taking things too far? Look at the history of the Catholic Church. At the Mormon Institution. Look closely at ANY religious institution of any size (and even some that are without any size) and you will almost always find – historically and in present day – masters of mankind – (the few) – making sure their own interests are well cared for no matter how grievous the impact is on others.”

And when I say, “no matter how grievous the impact is on others,” I am not only talking about financial impact where widows, and struggling families are burdened with tithes and offerings, but I am also talking about the impact of time demands, allegiance demands, worthiness demands, demands of cultural conformity and worst of all the eternal impact of NOT feeding the flock the Word but instead filling people with cotton-candy – to keep them coming back. I’m talking about the grievous impact of promoting errant traditions, the grievous impact of preaching a God who is incomprehensible in person, motives and ability, of preaching a God who creates people for hell, a God who hates fags, but adores conservatives, and on and on and on. They do this – they are able to get away with doing it week in and week out – because they have granted themselves authority where there is none, because they apply the New Testament form of governance to themselves (when they have no right to do it), and because they use fear and guilt (and other heinous religious manipulations) to keep the masses inline, without a voice, or what Chomsky describes as “spectators rather than participants.”

Business Models Over Christian Principles

In the end they do it because they are businesses, not Christians, and they operate on corrupt business models, not on liberating principles of God by the Spirit. So back to Chomsky – a gadfly to big business. According to him the goal in big business and government (and of major media) is to reduce democracy – reduce “the system of government where all eligible members participate,” and he goes all the way back to the formation of the country to explain that the power was put in the hands of the Senate who, in that day, were NOT elected but were “of means” and “had a sympathy for property owners and their rights.” Enter James Madison, who at the constitutional convention said that the point of it was: “to protect the rights of the opulent minority from the impoverished majority.” Madison added that if the constitution was set up with “true

Preventing Democracy in Faith

“Democracy,” the poor would vote to overtake the rich so – listen – the constitution must be set up to “PREVENT democracy.” Now, again, we are taking these principles and illustrating how they are alive and well within the faith AND BEING SO, allow, permit, encourage – around every corner – the protection of the few from the sway of the many in the NAME of God.

Years ago, prompted by the problems I saw in the local churches here in Utah, I procured a website (still own it) called Checkmychurch. I think it is a very needed resource and if I had the time and money, I would launch it yesterday. The approach would be to send unbiased reporters into the churches of each community, each state, each nation, and have them do an unbiased observational investigation relative to doctrine and practice – not to criticize the findings, but to just report on them. And I’m not just talking about denominational or mission statement stuff but worship analysis, the collection of money, demands, emphasis, eschatology, and a whole assortment of other topics. The pastor and staff would be interviewed, and an attempt at real transparency on all things would be done. I mean we have watch-dog groups that do this with almost all professions on earth – medical, insurance and construction companies – and everything else in between – why not with the churches? I mean I’d love to get in and shine a light on some of these places! Imagine a website where regular Joe who loves the Lord could go, type in The Church of the Amazing Glory of God and actually read a rundown – maybe watch a video of their worship and some exit interviews – of the place before stepping inside? Anyway, it’s obvious that Checkmychurch would terrify many brick and mortars – and even some small non-denoms. Why? Because the 1/10th of the 1% would fear an uprising from the rabble, and the potential LOSS of control, power, and wealth.

Focus of the Church

Next week we’ll continue forth with some more principles Chomsky introduces to us on how “the few manipulate the many as a means to control affairs – and we will in turn try and show how they have application in the Christian Church today.

Had a conversation with a guy – young guy in a fast food joint – the other day and he asked me: So if the churches all surrendered their material status (I corrected him and said, not surrender, just deconstruct all of it down to a reasonable material footprint – you know, lower overhead, less demands, a reasonable operating budget and refusal to institutionalize) – what, he asked, should they focus upon. Instead of giving him my view I said, “Well let’s look to the word – let’s look to the life and Jesus and His apostles. What did they do? How did they operate? What is the focus for them?” He sat staring at me so I said, “the way I see it if all the major brick and mortars deconstructed and had a pile of liquidated funds at their disposal they could keep a large percent available for the immediate assistance of their congregates, utilize a portion to help widows and orphans, and then use the vast majority of the funds as a means to reach the world with the Good News. That seems to be what Jesus and the Apostles were about – spreading the Good News. But doesn’t that require money in our day and age?” he replied. “To some extent, but where God guides God will provide. Listen,“ I said, “Warren Buffet is worth about 75 Billion dollars. He still lives in the same house valued at about 275,000.00 that he originally bought for 30 grand. I then used J. Paul Getty as another example and said if he could be frugal and run a multinational conglomerate (when he was alive) from one office in NYC then American Evangelical Churches can do the same – because they, at least and in Jesus name – ARE SUPPOSED to do the same! Thought I’d share that interaction wit choo.

Leaving the Mormon Church

Hi! I had been communicating with your other pastor Danny (?? I'm really not good with names) about leaving the Mormon church. A little back story, I have been a Christian my entire life with the exception of a brief detour to Buddhism in…

Personal Journeys of Faith and Transformation

I have always had a strong testimony in my faith in the Lord and I read my scriptures daily and questioned them often but it never shook my faith. So fast forward my husband was working for a company run by an LDS man. My husband has a touchy past with Christianity (was raised primitive southern Baptist) and the welcoming of the LDS people was enough to get him to want to get us baptized and we did. And we followed along like the sheeple. I think I have more susceptibility to be brainwashed because of my abusive past and my raging PTSD.

With that being said, my husband and children were turned off by the doctrine (My oldest, Darlene, kept telling her primary teacher God couldn't be a person because people are not perfect. That was a mess) and stopped wanting to attend and I kept attending every Sunday for 3 hours, activities etc and then I went through the temple…and wanted to run away screaming. I did research and found out that they believed in things I did not sign up for and was never told about in the three years I was a member. I felt and feel deceived and lied to.

Seeking Spiritual Fulfillment

I found your show and channel on YouTube and I prayed the sinners prayer after one of your episodes. I think it was the one where you challenged the LDS church to alter calls I still feel spiritually empty. I cry because I get frustrated because I'm seeing the truth, I've read through the bible many times, did many studies in my life and its like I have never picked up the word in my life. I can't imagine how people of 40 years get their brain clean much less 3 years after leaving. I am terrified of leaving the house on Sunday to go to a family lunch. I can't enjoy sweet tea even though four years ago I was drinking it by the gallon. I still have that feeling like I'm dirty and doing something bad. And its JUST TEA!! I'm still lost.

I do have your book which was graciously sent to me, "Where Mormonism Meets Christianity Face to Face" and I've got my new journaling study bible that I'm reading along with it. It's helping. I'm not trying to be one of those crazy people that email or call you but I am really still lost and you and your ministry seem very safe and trustworthy to bear my soul to, so to speak. If you have any insight or just really anything you can tell me that would be great. I'm still looking for a church to go to. I live in Gustine, CA and its really just all Catholics or Pentecostals so bible based, non denominational churches are in rare order. Again, thank you so much in advance.

-Angela Hood

We live for Christ every day because He lives for us.

Shawn & all at Alathea Ministries! Hi. Just a quick email to say "Thank YOU!!!" I wanted Shawn to know I was that "mobile home Mormon" and very poor when I was single. I am very glad that my husband & I have come to a saving relationship with Jesus. Hooray!!! Hip, hip, hooray!!!! I guess I can't be happy or grateful enough to have rediscovered my relationship with Jesus. I was raised as a LCMS Lutheran. And life was good. At 16 years, I was "saved" and lead into a relationship with The Lord by watching a Billy Graham program. But, I was bamboozled and deceived into joining the Mormon Organization at 19 years old. My life became Hades on earth after joining the "MORG" or is that "morgue" (?) LOL! Anyway, my story of that horrible adventure is too long to share here. However, I am free now and I am enjoying my expanding relationship with The Lord.

Gratitude and New Beginnings

I am so grateful that I became ill. I see The Lord's hand in my illness now. As a result of being ill I found the "Heart of The Matter" program online with my Roku device. And the rest is history. I look forward to watching your programs every week. I watch both "Heart of The Matter" and "C.A.M.P.U.S." I also look forward to finally being able to donate to your program. My husband's family is still in the "MORG" and we haven't told them we're out yet. My family did not join the "MORG." Thank The Good Lord for that miracle!

My husband has quite a wry sense of humor and says that when he composes his "Joseph Smith" song parody he will give you first "dibs." Right now my husband wants to "think" about what else he'd like to say to you. Just know we are grateful for you and your program for introducing us to the "real" gospel of Jesus Christ.

S

Out of Mormonism and Into the Body of Christ

Hi Shawn, You have been a great help in getting me out of Mormonism and into the body of Christ. I truly appreciate the work that God is doing through you. So this guy, Sam Richardson is taking clips from your videos and making his own videos. He basically points out your "inconsistencies". Here is an example https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRbM4Njk1v0&lc=z121fbxadkfvzf1xz04ccb3wbvbcdrarokk0k He even calls it Firing Shawn https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-l7Ks-Y4uk I don't know how you are going to respond to this. I have been actively debating him on the comments section. Just wanted to bring it to your attention. Thanks, Take care and God Bless you, your family, and the ministry. Sachin

A Journey from Cynicism to Faith

Funny story, when I was on the final outs of the LDS faith for good (I had been waffling for a while) and trying to figure out where I stood with Jesus, religion, etc my Mom (also a former Mormon) asked me if I had heard of "Shawn McCraney". I said no and she proceeded to tell me about your shows and your sermons on the nature of God, the crucifixion, salvation, Christianity vs Mormonism, the whole nine yards. The conversation was interesting. I listened to her but was cynical myself because I associated Christians as Jimmy Swaggart types who oversimplified God, didn't understand the triunity and His plan of salvation for men and were out for the money to be made. Later that night she emailed me one of your videos from Heart of the Matter. Before I started watching the cynic in me was prepared for the usual pop Christian pap that is plastered all over the TBN networks. I started watching, and watching, and watching more. I was spiritually BLOWN AWAY. You showed me what an actual Christian can be, what it actually means, and the simple yet overflowing beauty of it. The Holy Spirit moved with such power in me that I can say with assurety that after watching those videos that first day that I WAS BORN AGAIN. It was like a ton of spiritual bricks hit me square on the noggin. So from me to you, THANKS.

Thank you for taking the time to watch the video I sent you, and I am glad that it has, through the Holy Spirit, touched your spirit. NDEs are real experiences and they are utterly life changing. It's ironic that in this age of materialism and scientific reductionism that people are being brought back from the other side to share the message of hope in Christ and of God's Love to a spiritually starved world. As you have said before, God WILL have His victory.

A Message of Hope and Personal Reflection

i don't know if you are able to discern through the tv or computer that I am a cynic and do not give many things like this any attention. No time whatsoever. But this morning I decided to watch this – just the first three minutes to give it a chance. I did not personally like Ms. Neil. Just a personal thing. Her delivery is too cold and hard for me to personally enjoy. I tell you that because this fact lead me to watch more. Probably because I knew I wasn't being lured in by her charms. I did however appreciate her clinical and matter-of fact approach to the subject. And so I watched more – all of it, in fact. And am SO blessed to have done so. Thank you so very much my friend for forwarding this to me. It has affirmed things that I have long believed and have not been able to quantify in my mind. Really really really good. And I was humbled by my own cynical nature in the face of it. Again, many thanks.

Shawn

Hi Shawn, Say, If you haven't had a chance to read her book here is a video of Dr. Mary Neal's NDE. It truly is inspiring! She is a Christian and a very amazing person. She estimates that she was under the water at least 15 minutes! Have a listen. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DX473dF7ChY