Heart of the Matter

Live from the Mecca of Mormonism, Salt Lake City, Utah. THIS is Heart of the Matter where we “walk toward His love,” and are “learning together how to live together in the age of fulfillment.” And I’m your host Shawn McCraney.

A Kingdom Not of This World

Show 24B Live Follow-up to Satan June 2nd, 2020. Had a conversation with my daughter the other day in the face of the riots over the killing of George in Minnesota. She wanted to know my response, my solution, my approach to this as apparently people in her peer group are sort of insisting that if you “are silent you are part of the problem.” I reminded her that when Jesus was before Pilate and Pilate asked him if he was a King, he said that he was and for this reason he came into the world. And Pilate said something else and Jesus, admitting that he was indeed a king added: My KINGDOM is not of this world. If it was, then MY servants would fight.

This topic is so near and dear to my heart that I even wrote a short little book about the subject. So look – Christians have made this world their Kingdom in more ways than I can count. Additionally, people online demanding participation in their cause are part of this world's Kingdom too. But Children of God belong to another Kingdom that IS NOT . . . IS NOT of this world. Our King made this plain not only in what he said to Pilate BUT in the way he loved and lived!

The Roman Government was oppressive and treated the Jews poorly in some really horrific ways – Jesus didn’t address it. Abortions and homosexuality and rioting and tumults were all around him – he never tried to fix social issues – didn’t even really ever address them. His purpose was not to condemn the world but to save it, to show love. There are issues that occur on this globe that are utterly horrific – the murder of George, the murder of an Ogden police officer who was going to a home last week to help a woman – kids molested by religious leaders, women sexually abused by men in power, corruption in politics, starving people in the third world – the place is AND ALWAYS HAS BEEN A MESS.

His kingdom, and therefore our KINGDOM . . . is NOT of this world. And if it was then we, his servants, would fight. Show me a Christian fighting, resisting, using Jesus politically for their party or position, show me a Christian protesting injustice and I will show you a Christian who is misguided AS A CHRISTIAN in what the call is AS A CHRISTIAN. This is NOT to say that Christian people cannot get involved in earth-kingdom affairs.

Worldly Affairs and the Christian Faith

But it does mean that Christians should never use Jesus' name in those affairs. Let me tell you why. When you do, you alienate those who do not think, believe, or live like you. And the purpose and cause of Jesus is muddied, lost, trampled under foot. It is mingled with the world and mixed with politics, and the Good News becomes Good only to people who think like you do.

Take the sad and sorry death of George. Take those Christians out there who for whatever reason side with the cop. This position offends all who side with George. And those Christians who side with George offend those who side with the policeman. Don’t do it. Your Kingdom is NOT of this world. Your Kingdom is one of peace, the spirit, forgiveness, love, patience, kindness, and joy. The Kingdoms of this world do NOT respond to His Kingdom. They operate on a completely different system. It is up to believers to live by the heavenly system irrespective of the way the earthly Kingdom works.

Wherever there is suffering, in any fashion, those who follow him mourn. They mourn in their heart for George and his life and suffering in death. We pray for his family. But we also mourn for the actions of the police officer, how mislead he allowed himself to get, and pray for his wife and family and for his coming to see the truth. We mourn for the reactions of those who are burning buildings, and pray for them to have peace. We mourn for the opinions of those online siding with the police officers and justifying this killer's actions. We pray for our leaders, we teach our children and grandchildren to be kind and gentle and patient.

Christian Perspectives on Pacifism

with all involved. That is what Christians, sons and daughters of God do. The reason we approach life on earth this way is because it is the ONLY lasting viable solution to this world’s problems. The only. Not the Law. Not police. Not protesting.

Him and His love.

Jesus and Pacifism

Going a little bit out of order, let me read a fitting message from Bobby who asks:

Was Jesus a pacifist? If so was fighting against government tyranny wrong? Is defending your family wrong? I asked because there are Christians who say he is a pacifist.

The answer is not so black and white was people would like to believe. If you are a believer who takes both the Old and New Testament in hand and believes that they should be followed, then the God in the Old Testament was certainly pro-war and had no issue shedding the blood of others.

Their thinking is that since Jesus is God, then no, he was certainly not a pacifist – and they add in that when he comes back he is coming back angry – so again, no, to them Jesus was no pacifist.

They also take the passage when Jesus says to his disciples:

Matthew 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

And then in

Luke 22:36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.

All of this supports the idea from some Christians that Jesus was not against defending oneself or others.

Of course, you have to ignore a number of things to embrace this view – like the setting and circumstances, the fact that when Jesus was on earth they he and his people were under the Law, and the fact that Jesus made it plain that when it came to His name and cause his disciples were to suffer, turn the cheek, go the extra mile, suffer injustice.

Differing Views on Jesus' Teachings

This leads us to the other view of Jesus – the one where he taught and lived what appeared to be pacifist principles. Those have to be meted out with context and circumstance too. And so on both sides of the fence we have Christians with their positions: The Amish, the Quakers, the Mennonites, the Anabaptists, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and Seventh-Day Adventists all taking the pacifist route and the hawkish warlike religions like Mormonism and most Evangelical Christians.

What all of them employ are rules and what few of them operate by is the Spirit. Rule makers and rule lovers want black and white solutions – this is okay, this is not. But those who live by the Spirit know that there is a time and place for everything as Solomon so eloquently described in his Ecclesiastes.

For example, if I was to be challenged with a gun-wielding criminal who was threatening my family or others, I would have no hesitation, if led by the Spirit, to take his life. However, if I was threatened with death over my faith, I would offer no resistance. Unless the Spirit otherwise directed.

This is what it means to live in this age of fulfillment folks – and the Spirit is in charge – the very spirit of Christ – and we do remember that Christ represented both pacifism AND warmongering depending on the situation.

Jesus' Stance on Political Engagement

What Jesus did NOT do, or promote however, was political engagement, joining military coups, or rioting in the streets. That is clear. This world, as we have said, has its own spirit and ways – it needs his spirit and his ways for any solution to take hold. I will not say that again tonight.

So, some reminders –

Talking to Mormons. This site is an excellent resource for all people interested in all things Mormon. Check it out.

Also on the Mormon menu is Exmormonfiles with Bishop Earl. Lots of great interviews by this former LDS bishop who came to know Jesus as he talks with others in the same boat. If you are or have ever been LDS, check out Exmormonfiles.

And finally, for those in Utah and Idaho, Check Out . . . CHECK my Church.org. Anyone who is attending church in Utah and Idaho ought to consider the content provided here as Sarah goes through and reviews churches using their own words to help you understand what they are all about.

I hope all of these ministries are accessed around the world, and believe that Talking to Mormons and Ex Mormon Files.

Correspondence and Comments on Christianity

Are, but I look forward to the day when Check my Church is worldwide, and people all over can read an unbiased review and assessment of the churches that they are attending.

Listener Feedback

Have received a few emails recently.

Hello brother Shawn, I heard on your channel that the Melchizedek priesthood was not transferable if I heard right. I am an apostle but not a Mormon. If you desire I would like to share my book called: ________ . You can find it on Amazon. Blessings Apostle John

Brother Shawn, I love your subjective views on Christianity. What are your views on what happens to people in the afterlife? Do believers in Jesus get to live with God in heaven for eternity? According to John 3:16 in the YLT Bible (and other English Bible translations like CLT, Weymouth, Rotherham, etc), it says age-abiding life (not eternal life). How do you interpret or discrete what happens to our spirit after we die?. Is it eternal consequences or just age abiding results? Please reply. Tom from Las Vegas

And finally from

Danny H. The first nails were made of wrought iron. Nails date back at least to Ancient Egypt — bronze nails found in Egypt have been dated 3400 BC. Zeitgeist, interesting but personally I don't see it as a spirit anymore than I see Gaia as a consciousness. Great stuff as always. 🙂 Danny H

Commentaries from the Community

So from last week's live show we had a couple comments including:

3 Itty Bitty Piggies Story Time It certainly is "funny" how we become like the version of God we believe in. Wouldn't that be the God which so many create in their own image?

MyMagicman21 Also I see your point on the spirit of christ n on this video love it nice insight

Jon Bystrom Any thoughts on the Satanic secret combinations, Shawn? Would love to see you interview Defending Utah folks. Debates on dancing angels on pins is fun, but SO ESOTERIC, it is not very relevant. These are the last days before the New World Order introduces their dry-steely dans up our keesters. C'mon! Don't ignore the pink elephant in the chapel. rockfordfraud.wordpress.com

MyMagicman21 Thanks so much for your answer Shawn reasoned I asked because I was looking in Amos chapter 3 n saw the passage were the lord said is there evil n I have not done it I love your brother in christ I love all you who disagree with me n shawn I'm the heart of the body of christ ty talk with you later keep getting butt in jesus name

M H Maybe ought to grab some 2 to 3 min clips out of these like yall used to do with the old hotm shows… Id think sharing one of those on fb or something… ppl out there on fb might watch for a couple minutes… then drawn into checking out the full hr long show. Just an idea. I see multiple 2 to 3 min clips in these myself.

Reflections on Satan

And then from last night's show on Satan:

Charley Wrote

1st John:(?) 8-10
1st John 2:8 Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. 9 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. 10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.

3 Itty Bitty Piggies Story Time Satan plays into the evolutions of religions too. Very interesting how Judaism adopted it and then Christianity and Islam developed it and hyped it much more.

Jeff Hubler Also, what about the millennial kingdom? The man of lawlessness who sits

Karen Cross The idea of a "satan" having authority that could challenge the omniscience of God was not one Judaism was comfortable with which makes sense as Satan doesn't become part of theology until the Jewish sect the Hasids who lived just before Christ. This split the Jewish group into a Sons of God vs the Sons of Darkness. Enemies are turned into satan and not just people with whom to disagree but they are evil. I like your darkness vs light idea as it's not a dualistic authority. Be in a room with no windows and turn the lights off. If it's light outside and you open the door, does the darkness rush out and overtake the light? No it doesn't. Darkness only survives if there is no light. The Old Testament at best is a mess, at worst it has

Faith, Revelation, and Interpretation

Several gods I can't believe in. The bat dung craziness of the O.T. actually increases my belief in Jesus. P. S. I've been heavily studying the O.T. and putting it up against documented history. It's not doing very well, but do you know what does hold up? That Revelations had to be penned in the 60's CE. Thanks for all you do.

K Sladerock
Is the thousand year rain in Revelation the time period between Christ's death on the cross and the destruction of the temple in 70 AD? What was the time period of Satan being let loose in Revelation?

Stephanie Smith
Jesus had and has the victory!!!

Kenneth Branscum
You have to remember Mormon (Satan) could be Moroni???

Dean Medcalf
Your timing could not be better with this video as someone asked me about this subject only last week.

Universalism and Judgment

Victor Richardson
So, are you Universalist? Today, no one is accused under the Law of Moses but all judgment has been given to Christ who acts according as He has seen the Father act. Not in Christ, you're judged already.

James Rafael
Speaking of the truth, why doesn’t the Bible give us Jesus’ answer to Pilate when he asks Jesus “what is truth?” in John 18:38? If he did respond to him, what do you think his response would have been? And would it matter that if I ask anyone else the same question, they’ll each have a different opinion on what his response was?

Coming Soon on HOTM

Jeff Hubler
Question, seven yr. tribulation and such. What about our age. A mark n such.

Listen – We are coming out with some new compilations of work for all who are interested. Along the way, go to YouTube and pick a book of the New Testament where we work through it verse by verse. Most of them are there.

And above all things:

Stay Dead

We’ll see you next week here on HOTM!