One Week Before the Election

The Intersection of Religion and Politics

“LIVE FROM THE MECCA OF MORMONISM”

• SALT LAKE CITY UTAH –

This is Heart of the Matter, where Mormonism Meets Biblical Christianity, face to face. Show 44 The US Presidential Election October 30th, 2012

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.

There are nine more programs (including tonight) before the end of 2012. We plan to continue our examination of the Book of Mormonion beginning next week and to finish it up by December's end. However, with only one week to go before the US Presidential elections and the fact that Christians all over America have endorsed an active Latter-day Saint, we think it is important to address the matter biblically and apart from the heated opinions of the fervent masses.

Departing from Tradition

One of the reasons that I left Mormonism was because I was not able to reconcile their man-made opinions and doctrines with a serious study of the Word of God. Mormon culture, a by-product of human reasoning, dominated almost all I was taught to think, say, and do when I was an active member of the religion. I was able to find a true spiritual foundation when I read the Word of God and knew from God through His word what the rules of engagement are for living life – as opposed to the rules of Men and their culture. Looking out at American Evangelical Christianity today, I find myself (once again!) surrounded by man-centered thinking and culture… especially when it comes to our current political situation.

Last week as we traveled to Nampa Idaho to wrapped up the final stop on our “National” Summer Speaking Tour I received a phone call. The tour has been a long, relentless (and sometimes thankless) excursion of presenting irrefutable biblical truths to blinded believers who have come to equate Christianity with…

• Republicanism,
• the mythical mandate that all Christians must participate in a the vote,
• disrespectfully condemning any political leader who differs with them on how to govern (Especially our Nations current commander and chief) while somehow forgetting that it was God who put the man in power over this nation four years ago.

Along the tour I was called a “dreamer,” a “fanatic,” a “plant for Obama,” a “radical,” “ignorant” and a “liberal”… all because I unapologetically maintain that true Christianity – the Gospel, the Good News, what the New Testament says – stands completely independent – even wholly indifferent… to the political machinations of Man.

Tensions Between Faith and Politics

The phone call I received was from a faithful viewer (and financial partner) who was contacting us to cancel her monthly support. She said I was using too much of our television time talking about politics – and that I need to leave “it alone.” I am certain that if my views agreed with hers the call would have never come, so leaving politics alone was not heart’s desire – it was to get me to leave her unbiblical views alone that drove her to call.

Here is one of the problems with mixing Christianity with politics – it divides brothers and sisters – which would not happen if believers left them out of the Christian walk. After speaking to the church in Nampa, another woman forwarded us an email that her husband had sent out to all of his internet contacts after hearing me speak. It said (in part),

“We listened to a man last night that the Lord brought out of Mormonism. Thank the Lord for that miracle. He was a teacher and well versed in the LDS foundation, “however he didn't have a clue on the elections.”

I'm asking that every Christian will wake up and face the enemy with courage and use their weapons with skill.

If you vote for anyone except Romney, you're throwing your vote to Obama, who has demonstrated his disdain for America. A “write in” or a “no vote” amounts to a vote for Obama. All awake watchmen on the wall should vote Republican.“

Other emails, also delivered in Jesus name, have been frankly just terrifying. Listen to the fear mongering included in this rant from a woman in Sandy Utah:

Shawn,

We live in dangerous and troubling times. This election will be the most important one in our lives. Are we willing to continue with the status quo and be lead down the path to the total destruction of America?

Obama’s biggest item on his agenda…

Evaluating Political and Religious Perspectives

is to bring the downfall of the US and force all of us to live under Sharia Law. Do you know what that would mean? Obama could care less about our Constitution and would like to amend it, ridding us of our freedom of speech and religion for he would force us all to become Muslims! (I’ve gotta stop on this statement. How can anyone force a believer to be anything but a believer? How is the President going to force me to face Mecca and pray? This is religious hyperbole run amok! She goes on) Is this what you want for our country? At least Mitt will uphold the Constitution and do his best to bring the US back to greatness.

Please Shawn, from now on, keep your political ideas out of your programs. These are the important issues that affect all of us and you SHOULD be worried and you SHOULD vote. Please consider how important this is to your family and ours and all people in this country before it is too late.

As a SOLD out follower of Jesus Christ who only wants to do what this manual contextually directs, I have examined attitudes like these (and those I bear) in an effort to determine God’s will.

Analyzing Christianity and Politics

How can we tell? Are “opinions” or “what makes us feel good and right” enough (like the LDS would suggest) or do we approach the subject of Christianity and politics using what the manual conveys? Like everything we say and do on this program, we MUST use the manual – no matter who endorses who for our president elect and no matter how “urgent” everything appears. Now, I realize that my position is represented by a very small minority of believers around the country.

We know that all the “important players” in national evangelical Christianity – from Todd Friel to Billy Graham to Dr. Norman Geisler to Joel Osteen – are ardently saying something completely different than what I am going to say here tonight. But they are wrong. I can’t say this because I am a better Christian or person then they have been. I’m not. Nor have I been more effective in our ministerial efforts. But I say this because they are NOT using the New Testament to make their stance –they are pulling from their own reasoning – just like the LDS have always done – and have attached Jesus name to what they have decided. So, as with everything else we say on this program, DON’T believe ME – but instead measure what I have to say against the New Testament and prove me wrong. We’ve spent years pointing out the fallacious thinking of Mormons and you guys have licked it up. Here’s some of your own medicine. I am not a radical, nor a liberal, nor a dreamer. I am a Christian who follows what our manual says and I refuse to act on any other input.

Reflecting on Scriptural Conclusions

And so let’s begin with a word of prayer.

PRAYER PRAYER PRAYER

PRAYER PRAYER PRAYER

I want to talk about drawing conclusions right now. As believers, we are supposed to make conclusions based on the Word of God. We read what it has to say (always contextually) and then draw our conclusions out upon what we discover. For example, where the Word of God says: “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Colossians 3:2) We can make a conclusion on how to form our world view, where to place our focus and heart.

Again, where Romans 8:5 says: “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.” (Romans 8:5) We are, once again, able to conclude that there are things Christians are supposed to focus on, and things that God says we do not need to mind.

The first conclusion I hope to get you to admit here tonight is that because of Adam this world fell, and remains, in a darkened state of sin. If you don’t believe this, you will never agree with what I will say on the rest of the show. But if you do agree, stay with me. From the biblical perspective, all of us were born in sin, separated from the mind and will of God, alienated from Him and needing reconciliation . . . . . . spiritual rebirth. (beat)

Now, if we were to walk into

Modern Perspectives on Spirituality

Visit any major metropolis Starbucks in America today – Los Angeles, Chicago, New York – and ask almost any modern human being about the “state of Man,” nine times out of ten we would hear a philosophy that says: “We’re all good.” (beat) “Everyone is God’s child.” That, “All paths are acceptable, as long as a person is trying to . . . do good . . . to be good.” In many ways, this is the LDS perspective. And in the case of this year’s presidential election, this seems to be the opinion of our nation's Christian leaders too.

But if this is true, then we can just throw the Bible away. Because it says differently. We can throw Jesus away. He said differently. And we can toss His claims, teachings, and sacrifice . . . away . . . and just open up our arms and say, “it’s all good. We’re all good. All roads lead to heaven . . . as long as we are trying to do good and be good!”

Contrary Views in Christianity

Now I would suggest that this philosophy is an altogether natural one that thrives in the heart of fallen Man. From the hippies to the humanists, the atheists to proponents of eastern religion . . . from the university professors to the special interests groups all the way out to the growing ecumenical factions sprouting up everywhere, men and women (and even our children) are adopting a . . .

“One world,” “Everything is good,” “All roads lead to heaven,” “Don’t exclude or offend anyone,” “Let’s join hands and sing kumbiya . . .” . . . mindset.”

But in the end, this philosophy takes God’s singular, “straight is the gate and narrow is the way and few . . . be there that find it” solution . . . and says “It’s too demanding.” “Too limiting.” And worst of all . . . “it not loving enough. Not inclusive enough.” In the process, it also takes Jesus' teachings on Himself, and hell, and Christian suffering and makes them “figurative, untenable, and even archaic.” (LONG BEAT)

The Core Beliefs

So our first conclusion that every real Christian must admit is this world fell into a dark state of sin . . . and everyone on the spinning globe is condemned . . . until (and unless) they receive God Almighty’s singular solution to their fallen state . . . His Son. Do you agree with me so far? Good.

The second conclusion biblical Christians must admit is that there is only one solution to this world’s fallen and condemned state. It’s not a “combo-solution.” Not a “hybrid solution,” NOT a solution by and through politics, force, or legislation. The solution is NOT (and NEVER HAS been) social programs aimed at reducing “world suffering” we will “ALWAYS have the poor with us.”

The solution is NOT political action committees backed by the republican, democrat, libertarian, socialist, or communist parties. And while God gave us science to assist us in this fallen pit, science is not the solution the Bible offers. Listen – hard as it is for some Christians to believe or understand, the solution is NOT found in “good people” banding together to fight pornography, homosexuality, divorce, abortion, stem-cell research, or any other social sinfulness. These are the responses of religion – NOT Christianity.

Did you hear me? These are the responses of religious men and women who THINK they are doing God’s will to morally correct this place – but this is not Christianity. Why? Because in TRUE Christianity the solution has always and only been singular . . . Jesus Christ . . . the preaching, teaching, sharing, and exemplifying of Him . . . “the Bible tells us so.” It’s the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Blood of Jesus Christ. The Love of Jesus Christ.

As radical and liberal as it sounds, it is NOTHING more. If it was something more, then the Gospel would have included something more, and when Jesus was on earth He would have taught His disciples to do something more . . . and Jesus Himself would certainly have done something more – especially in the face of a horribly godless Roman government. And yet our King – God in the flesh (and those He trained) did NOTHING to try and move or improve the world through political means.

LISTEN – this fact alone ought to be enough to cause every true Christian to live lives of peaceful subservience to those put in power over them, no matter where they live. What I mean by this our brothers and sister living in

• Burma will submit to the despot Than

Christian Submission to Authority

Schwe; and . . . • true Christians in China will obey Hu Jintao; and humble . . . • Cuban Christians would be submissive to, that’s right, Fidel Castro, and listen . . . this means • American Christians would quietly submit and pray for our elected commander and chief, Barack Obama.

The apostle Paul clearly dictates the attitude believers are supposed to have toward those in power NO MATTER who they are!

Biblical Teaching in Romans

Romans 13:1-4

13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.”

Notice that Paul says nothing about getting involved in worldly affairs here. All he says is – “Followers of Christ, be subject to higher powers.”

But instead of adopting a subservient and humble position before governing powers, believers – especially American Evangelical Christians – have somehow come to piously justify using Jesus name to try and save and govern the nation. It has chosen to “fight” – politically and even in the streets – against world evil as a means to try and overcome it!

In the process, it has errantly and ignorantly exposed the simple, beautiful, “not of this world” faith of our Lord to the wiles and whims of politics – all in an effort to win this “unwinnable, unbiblical war against sin.”

Identity of Genuine Christians

Let’s examine the popular (and ever growing American Christian fanaticism) to fight the “sin and sinful” of the world politically and/or even in the streets in the NAME of our Lord. Where did American Christianity think it gained the right to openly condemn and attack our president? What kind of witness are we when we willfully choose to ignore Romans 13 and verbally assault the man God put in the oval office four years ago?

Perhaps the better questions are: “Who are we?” “What does it really mean to be a Christian?” and “When and how did “the Christian Church” come to mean something other than . . . Jesus Christ’s church?”

I mean, when did humble, faithful, submissive believers – like the ones who were fed to the lions or burned in Nero’s gardens – when did we morph into politically motivated, fear-mongering zealots who speak in the name of a King who let men take His life?

Perhaps we ought to consider how the New Testament defines the identity of genuine Christians before we proceed.

(LIONS AND SHEEP)

There is a story told in Islamic circles of a lion pup that was one day separated from its mother and wound up in the midst of a herd of sheep. There it was raised to adulthood, in time believing that he too, was a sheep.

One day (when the lion cub had fully grown) his mother located him, and quickly realized that the lion suffered from a very extreme identity crisis. So she led her large cub to a pond and told him to look at his reflection in the still water. It was at this moment that the lion realized for the first time in its life that he was not a sheep at all, but a great king of the jungle, a full grown meat-eating lion.

Using this illustration, Muslims teach a simple principle to their adherents – “You are not sheep, but lions.” And true Muslims live according to this teaching which has sadly served to scare the hell out of those who claim to follow our meek and lowly Lord.

So in a fear-laden response, Christians have allowed themselves to believe and embrace the same identity (and all the attitudes that come with it)! Setting the New Testament teachings aside, believers have come to believe

That Christians must fight! That we must resist injustices! That we have rights! And that we ought to even reign!

The Christian Narrative

But this is certainly not the biblical message, is it? Quite the opposite.

In the Christian narrative, the story I just told would go something like this: A

The Lamb and The Shepherd

The lamb was lost in the jungle and was somehow raised up by a pride of meat-eating lions. In time, the lamb began to believe that he was a ferocious king of the jungle too. One day, a “good shepherd” found the now full-grown sheep and took him out from among the lions. Seeing that the sheep thought himself a giant meat eater, the Shepherd took the wooly animal to a calm pond. There, looking at his reflection in the living water, the shepherd exposed the sheep to his new true identity – and for the first time in his existence he was to see himself for what he truly was . . . not a great lion, but a harmless, humble sheep, one whose life was now forever altered by the true Shepherd.

Jesus' True Mission

When our “King” walked the earth, He went to great lengths to avoid using His person and power for political means – even when men tried to make Him the immediate solution to overcoming ugly social sinful evil. Instead, Jesus did what He came to do, teaching the fallen world that it needs Him spiritually . . . as a King to govern the human heart.

Certainly, our King fed the hungry masses (as we too are commanded to do in His name). And certainly, He was in great favor of helping and serving anyone in physical need – especially the widows and fatherless. But every time the world misinterpreted Jesus and His mission (and therefore sought to make Him an earthly king – as the many in the body have sought to make Him an earthly King today) He refused the election.

A Kingdom Not Of This World

Hear John 6:15:
“When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.”

Why? Why did the LORD depart from being made an earthly king? The answer is found in the dialogue He had with Pilate shortly before His death. Standing before Pilate, Jesus said plainly, “My kingdom . . . is not of this world.”

Ask yourselves something:
“If the Lord’s KINGDOM was not of this world, and His apostles Kingdom was not of this world, why is yours?”

“Why do you give time and attention to it? Why do you live in fear?” Throughout scripture there is a clear delineation made between the “Kingdom of God” and the “kingdoms of this fallen, material world.” And according to scripture, the two literally have nothing to do with each other in terms of how they are to operate.

Does the Lord or His apostles ever anywhere suggest that believers should be involved in fighting against the things of this present world? Is it our duty (as recipients of everlasting life) to make war with a world already gone bad; to fight against social ills, to battle corrupt governments, and to threaten “worldly institutions” and “ideologies of evil” with collective economic sanctions if they will not do what we want? I would strongly suggest that if you have answered “yes” to these questions you’ve made a serious error in understanding what it means to be a follower of Christ.

Ask yourself –
“Are American Christians today known more for what we stand against than what we stand for?” An honest answer provides us with some indication of how far we have strayed from the purpose and point of genuine Christianity by and through embracing a “culture of supposed Christianity” that has been heaped upon us by a fearful, faithless, cowardly group of politically minded-men and women who think Jesus is a republican.

What were the words of Christ’s great commission? Do you remember? Sure you do! Remember when He said “Go forth and be ye right-winged politically-active gay-fightin, whore-hatin, boarder protectin zealots?”
“Yeah, go ye forth into the world and picket abortion clinics in my name? Yea, blow them to smithereens if ye must! Yea, go ye forth and fight against anyone who differs with you!”
“Yea, fight those who take away your rights, yea, do it in my name for this is the Good News! Yea, make the sinful world hate you so much they will never want to have anything to do with you or what you believe!”

(verse 2)
“Yeah, be ye smug!” “Yeah, live by fear!” “Yeah, justify your opinions, and protect your own interests, and attack your appointed leaders in my name!”

Or did He say,

Matthew 28:19-20

The Teachings and Commands of Jesus

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

And when Jesus said, “teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded,” what did He mean? Just what did our Lord command real Christians to do? He told us first believe on Him, to follow Him (and what He did), to share and teach of Him (with those who are still in sin), and to love in His name. And then He told us to expect to suffer as a result.

I think this is the main point believers today are cracking over . . . they have become very afraid of . . . suffering. And so they have gone so far as to endorse a man who rejects the Jesus described in the Bible! To save them!

The Concept of Christian Rights

Every single day, almost without fail, our ministry receives an email from some well-meaning believer “whining about” and/or telling us to “fearfully fight against” the collective loss of our rights in the world. Christian rights? It's one of the most oxymoronic phrases I’ve ever heard! These email missives complain about “the Ten Commandments being taken down from municipal and federal buildings” or the fact that creationism is being replaced with Darwinism in the libraries and labs of our public schools.

Turn to almost any Christian radio station in America today – even this television station – and you are sure to hear some host frothing on and on about standing up for “our rights” – our “right” to wear crosses, our “right” to public prayer, our “right” to protest, our “right” to free speech on public grounds. “Christianity Today” (bleech) is involved in everything from protecting our sacred borders to making sure we get a representative in office who will, darn it, protect our rights. Our bloody, modern day Evangelical, politically motivated, “not-in-the New Testament ANYWHERE” Christian rights.

Biblical Perspective on Suffering

How does the Bible describe the “rights” of a follower of Christ? Well, it says we have the right to SUFFER. And we have the right to ill treatment. We have the right to be hated. Remember the words of the Lord: “Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.” Paul tells us in 1st Corinthians that believers ought to allow themselves to be defrauded. And where the world says . . . litigate, sue, make demands, and seek retribution . . . our King taught quite the opposite, saying: “If any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.” And . . . “ . . . resist not evil: (resist not evil!) but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.” “To do good to those who despitefully use us!”

People ask me: “Well what are you gonna do if they take your freedom away to preach, Shawn?” Ah, let’s see . . . hmmm . . . preach anyway? “What if you can’t wear your pretty little crosses?” Ahhhhhhhh . . . wear them anyway? “What if they take away your program? Do you want them to take away your program?” “We’ll go underground. We’ll go to jail. We’ll refuse the mark, we’ll suffer for His sake?” See, the early church did it. They willingly suffered for Him. Horribly. But not this American Evangelical monster. No–siree-Bob . . . it's afraid of suffering.

So it has sold its soul to elect a social savior who they HOPE will save them and the rights to which they errantly believe they’re entitled.

Real Christians know the facts . . . listen to 1st John 5:4, “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” Christians have never overcome the world by might, or elections, or money, or power, or our flesh . . . (for we know) “the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds” (2nd Corinthians 10:4).

So standing before Pilate, Jesus was asked: “Are you a King?” He replied: “My kingdom is not

The Kingdom of Jesus

“His kingdom is not of this world,” and the proof of this was that if His kingdom was of this world, “then His servants would fight.” Pilate then repeats the question, asking the Lord again, “Art thou a king then?” Jesus answered, “Thou sayest that I am a king (which means, “Yes, I am”). (Then He says!) To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the Truth. Every one that is of the Truth heareth my voice.”

From these words we realize even more about the Lord and our duty in following Him. Jesus certainly is a King; “ . . . to this end” He says, “He was born.” And then He explains what His birth, and His mission and ministry were all about, saying, “for this cause I came into the world that I should bear witness unto the truth.” Is not this the sole Christian duty as well – to “bear witness of the truth” – which is Christ and Christ Jesus alone? It is.

Whatever the results of this coming presidential election, whether it be President Obama or Mitt Romney, I, for one, am wholly ambivalent to the outcome – because neither is my King. I will submit and pray for either of them and their well-being, but I AM A CHRISTIAN . . . and my kingdom, NOR MY KING is of this world.

Contemporary Christian Discussion

In response to this speech, which I’ve abridged due to time constraints, many modern Evangelical have resisted it on a number of points. When we come back from this message, I tell you what they are, and take your calls.

Common Evangelical Objections

Before we close up tonight, I want to address a few common responses we have heard to our position as we’ve presented it over the years.

1. The first point many evangelicals bring up is about abortion. They say “Christians must fight against abortion.” I know American Evangelicals believe that it’s their Christian duty to fight against abortion, but the question remains how? What are the weapons of Christian warfare? The best weapon is sharing Jesus. We also have prayer, fasting, and the like. Scripture is plain that we do not war against flesh and blood, that our weapons of warfare are spiritual, not physical. But even more to the point – Jesus PAID for all the sins of the world, and we know the world is just going to get more and more corrupt, WHY do Christians believe they must try and stop sin instead of sharing the Lord as the only solution to it?

Additionally, I would point out that in relying on an LDS representative to stand with Christians on abortion, Mormons are NOT anti-abortion in the Christian sense. This was pointed out to me by our good friend Pam who worked here in Utah for the Pregnancy Resource Center. Mormons believe abortion is perfectly acceptable in cases of rape, incest, or when the life of the mother is threatened. This is certainly not the biblical stance that all life is sacred and taking the life of any unborn child is murder – even if created by an act of violence.

2. Others have suggested that the Bible is clear that believers must be pro-Israel. Agreed. In total. But that refers to a believer's individual ideology toward Israel; that our prayers and hearts reach out to our brothers; and that they have our spiritual support. If you think it means nationally I’ve got news for you – someday this very country will turn on Israel (like the rest of them will) and there is no stopping that.

Evaluating Voting Choices in Christianity

When it comes to Christians voting for a Mormon, they often justify their decisions by saying things like, "It’s the lesser of two evils?"

When has it been okay for any Christian to support any kind of evil? It’s like saying believers must choose between Mussolini and Stalin. There’s no lesser of two evils in Christianity – there’s Jesus and there’s nothing else.

Finally, let me remind every viewer tonight, and anyone who watches this tape in the future: To vote for a Mormon is to vote for Mormonism.

The Worldly Message Sent by a Vote

Can you IMAGINE the message the Body in America could have sent the world about Mormonism (and politics in general) if we would have shown the world a collective refusal to support ANY candidate! Can you imagine the message that Billy Graham, and Todd Friel, and Norman Geisler, and all the other American Christian leaders and pastors could have sent to the world had they stood up and led the flock to refuse both candidates and to just trust in Jesus?

Instead, they have sold us out – they’ve sold out Christian truth, and instead of standing for the true and living God, they have rationalized their collective support for a person who does NOT believe nor support the eternal tenets of our faith.

Future Consequences

No matter what happens, we will pay for this support you have given to a man whose religion worships at the altar of an altogether different God. Mark my words. And when the day comes that your congregants are getting swept up into the cult called the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by their Romney-like missionaries, remember . . . you were warned.

We’ll see you next week, here on “Heart of the Matter.”