Summary
Shawn McCraney reflects on his attendance at the "Protect the Children" protest led by LDS member Sam Young, emphasizing the importance of genuine Christian service over public demonstrations or "group think," and critiquing the LDS Church's doctrines for their potential harm despite outward protests. He highlights an example of true Christian service through his ministry partner Derrick Webster's selfless acts and suggests that real change in the LDS Church will only occur when its doctrines are fundamentally challenged and dismantled.
Shawn uses his encounter with an LDS couple attempting to convert his friend Wade, who has Down syndrome, to express his protective and passionate reaction against religious manipulation and to illustrate his understanding of God as "jealous" when dark influences attempt to prey on the innocent. He transitions into a teaching about the spiritual journey of Christians, which involves moving upwards towards a relationship with God through the Spirit, while the flesh descends towards the Cross, symbolizing death to flesh and continued ascension of the Spirit to God.
Alathea Ministry, focusing on truth, teaches the concept of Total Reconciliation, proposing that through Jesus Christ’s birth, life, death, and resurrection, all individuals will ultimately be reconciled with God, contrasting with Restored Theology and Arminianism. The ministry differentiates between general reconciliation and dwelling in the Holy of Holies, emphasizing the variance in spiritual proximity to God’s Kingdom, which depends on the degree of truth-seeking and acceptance in this life.
The teachings of Shawn emphasize that being true followers of Christ involves enduring suffering and persecution for His name, paralleling Christ's journey from His beginnings in the temple to His crucifixion outside the city gates. This suffering involves sacrificing personal will for God's will, embodying selfless love, and holding a steadfast commitment to truth, all of which lead believers to become joint-heirs with Christ in the Kingdom of God.
The essence of Shawn's teaching emphasizes the importance of pursuing Truth with unwavering love and dedication, acknowledging that genuine seekers will face persecution, often from those entrenched in religious traditions, yet must choose truth over societal acceptance or personal gain. This pursuit is intertwined with unconditional love, as true followers emulate Christ by embodying love through action and enduring suffering, aiming for spiritual communion with God.
A Simple Reflection on LDS Practices
Hey this is Heart of the MatterTGNN’s original show where Shawn McCraney deconstructed religion and developed fulfilled theology., I’m Shawn McCraneyFounder of TGNN and developer of the fulfilled perspective—calling people to faith outside of religion. and our show tonight is called, A Simple Truth, and I dedicate it to my brother, Aaron M. Let kick it off with prayer.
Show 23 – A Simple Truth
April 3rd 2018
Personal Experiences and Observations
God is working in me in some unique ways I feel and one of them is He is drawing some of my mind back to all things LDS. LDS member Sam Young led a protest last Saturday under his Protect the Children campaign. I attended and actually did some Marching. The highlight of the whole thing was when the stories and signatures were handed over to a representative of the church before several hundred people at church Headquarters and the representative asked a couple of times that the “people” NOT touch the building. Huh? What was fantastically comical was someone – and it sounded like John Dehlin – shouted, “Don’t touch yourselves, and don’t touch the building!” Which I thought was hilarious.
Following the March, our partner in ministry Derrick Webster and his son Blake selflessly and without fanfare provided 700 sandwiches, cookies, chips, and water to those who attended the after-event. Here’s a picture. (SHOW PICTURE) I want to point out, though he won’t necessarily appreciate it, that THIS is Christian service from a man and his family who could support more appreciative causes. He doesn’t do things to feel appreciated; if he did, he would have left this ministry a long time ago. He does them to serve the community – especially the poor, the less fortunate, and religious groups – churches, functions, concerts. He quietly set it all up. Then he quietly packed up the remainder and left – not sounding a trumpet, not letting his left hand know what his right hand doeth, and I mention this to try and illustrate for you what genuine Christian service looks like. Thank you Derrick and the whole Webster family.
Reflections on Public Protests
In terms of the march, I have to express my honest thoughts. We live in an age of public protests – I’m really not much for them, even though people might consider what I do a public protest. But I am talking about rally’s, marches and this or that uprising. I am in large part against them because of the emotionally charged nature of them, and the fact that group think does not always produce the “best thoughts.” With these things undergirding public protests, it is REALLY REALLY easy to slip into religious mode.
I was standing there in the park with a young man who witnessed this and a fervent woman came up and said, “do you want sign? They are right over there? I said, “no thank you,” and she replied, “why not?” And I just smiled and shook my head no. And then she boldly asked, “Well, what are you doing here, then?” I said, “I, I guess I don’t know? Maybe I should leave?” And she sort of stepped back, then walked away. That’s the mindset of “group think” – if you are NOT as zealous as me, get out! And the more people that get behind the cause, the more fervently come the demands because the more power people think is presented.
The bottom line reality is Sam, while I appreciate the challenge, is hacking at the limbs rather than striking the root of the problem. He proudly calls the LDS Church “His Church,” and defends its doctrines and most of its practices, all the while IGNORING the fact that what the Bishops are doing is in harmony with “His Churches” doctrines. He may rid the LDS church of these interviews but the onus of the doctrine WILL find another way to hurt, alienate, ostracize, and malign tender souls. And doctrines change when enough people walk and stop paying tithes. There’s the bottom line to it all. So . . . to all you marchers out there, don’t kid yourselves. You’re not gonna really make a difference in the lives of people until Mormonism dissolves its diabolical doctrines of salvation.
A Contrast in Appearances
This last weekend was the LDS General Conference. I work at an Einstein’s bagels near temple square in the morning and watched the procession of folks coming in before going to the conference. Lots of outward pretention – which was fun. Here’s one look I really enjoyed (SHOW PICTURE). So, this is just a look into LDS Fashions during General Conference. Fashion is always so fun! Isn’t it? I contrast this with the simple modest approach of women and girls who are humble before their God – something I appreciate this.
LDS Influence and Personal Relationships
While our little friend here is modest in sense of not showing any flesh, the presentation is proud, almost romantically drive, and a winner of this years LDS Fashion Show.
Finally, I have a little friend that works at Einstein’s a couple days a week. His name is Wade and we call each other Irish brothers. Wade has Down’s Syndrome. One of the funniest things I have ever captured on my phone was Wade agreeing to try a shot of Apple Cider Vinegar.
Here it is.
SHOW VIDEO OF WADE
I wanted to show this to you of Wade to illustrate our tight relationship and how much I LOVE this guy.
We’ll, on Saturday an LDS couple, while waiting on their food, got ahold of Wade and did the LDS gig with him. “What’s your Name?” Wade? That’s a nice name? And where do you go to church Wade? Are you LDS?”
“No, I’m not,” he replied matter of factly.
“Do you go to church Wade?”
I have long stepped back from focusing on Mormonism. I have allowed it and its forces and ways upon people to sort of leave me. But in the face of Wade being confronted by these people, I got inflamed! I mean, so hotly jealous.
Not for Wade to come to CAMPUS, but for these religious groomers to leave him alone.
God's Jealousy
It was here I understand when God says that he is a jealous God and how He must “feel” when forces of dark bondage come in and seek to prey upon the unsuspecting. The woman said, “Have you ever been to the Mormon church.” And I got up from my chair. The husband saw me and my face and glare and grabbed his wife by the arm and took her to the table to wait.
My flesh wanted to rip them apart verbally, but when they stepped down I was calmed enough to put Wade in a headlock and say, “My little Catholic friend, are you okay?” Oblivious to the wolves he said something like, “Of course, big brother, of course.” And that ended that.
Something is working in me again. Something that is heating up my heart against Mormonism, the institution. Let’s see where God takes us.
The Ascent and Descent
In the meanwhile, let me go to the Board to illustrate something to prepare us for our message, A Simple Truth.
GOD
SPIRIT
FLESH
When we are exposed to and receive God by Christ through the Spirit, it's like we are automatically set on a trajectory – if we are willing. That trajectory is aimed at bringing us and keeping us in relationship to God.
The interesting thing about this illustration is nobody knows their destination – the ultimate landing spot UNTIL they begin to descend. In other words, as long as we are on an ascent, our destination cannot be determined with any real accuracy but once we begin to “go down” in this case, in our flesh, our final destination can be determined.
The Cross and Christian Destiny
And for the Christian, the minute the flesh begins to lose upward momentum and enters into its descent, the DESTINATION is always the Cross, the grave and deathSeparation from God—now overcome. Physical death remains, but it no longer separates us from life with God. – to the flesh – while the Spirit continues to ascend to God. This destination is part of what we are going to…
Alathea: Teaching Truth Ministries
As most of you know, the Name of this ministry – from the start – has been Alathea – which is a phonetic way of saying the Greek word, AL-LAY-THEA. I altered the spelling to make the Greek more manageable to the English speaking tongue but the word means the same thing – TRUTH. “TRUTH MINISTRIES.”
We have relentlessly pursued, sought to know, and teach the truth as far as it is possible. When something is not apparently and obviously true we do NOT teach it but will call it into question – no matter the price. This has been appreciated by some and greatly resented by most, as sacred cows and long-standing traditions have been questioned. We make no apology.
Total Reconciliation
I am going to now get to the Heart of the Matter here and it too is gonna sting some of you . . . but to others it will ring true – and that is who its for. From what I can tell, and as usual I could be wrong, but having spent years in the word, from what I can tell, it is by and through the birth, life, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, that God has reconciled the worlds inhabitants to Himself. We call this Total Reconciliation and it stands in conflict with the standards of Restored Theology and Arminianism.
In other words, instead of God electing most for eternal punishment by virtue of electing a few to eternal life (Calvinism), and instead of God “wanting” to redeem all but man would not allow Him too (Arminianism), we suggest that God will have His way in the end, and every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord – and in so doing will enter into His kingdom. But this idea, contextually speaking, what I am saying is akin to saying that someone moves to Israel but is not allowed to enter Jerusalem, the City of Peace. And then it is akin to saying that some actually become citizens of the New JerusalemThe spiritual reality of God's fulfilled presence with humanity—replacing Sheol after 70 A.D. but are never allowed in the Temple. And it is also akin to saying that some enter into the temple, but never into ever into the Holy of Holies.
Scriptural Explanation
In other words, there is a unfathomable difference in the future Kingdom of GodGod’s spiritual reign—fulfilled and present, not political or future. between those reconciled, the children of God, and those who are His Sons and Daughters or Joint-Heirs with Christ. I see this plainly outlined in scripture. The differences cannot be fully articulated, nor can they be deciphered into a perfect formula, but from what I can tell, what will make the difference between all human beings will be found in the resurrected body God chooses to give them as these bodied will only allow some to dwell only outside the city gates, and some within the city gates, and some around the temple courts and some actually in the Holy of Holies.
Now, while we LOVE, LOVE, LOVE people to come to saving faith in this life, and while we rejoice in those who have chosen to receive Him by the Holy Spirit here and now, this MINISTRY is dedicated to reaching and teaching and encouraging those who are seekers of TRUTH – AL-LAY-THEA – and who are sold out and want nothing more than to be granted the capacity to dwell with Him after this life as joint heirs. Anything and anyone outside of that are loved and embraced completely as citizens but this ministry will not touch them as they are typically not seekers (as evidenced by their indifference to what it takes to actually be one according to the description in scripture).
Since all will eventually confess Jesus as Lord, what are the key differences between those who will have the capacity to dwell in the Holy of Holies (which I use as an example and not literally) and those who can only abide outside the city gates?
Old Testament Boundaries
Now, before I speak to these key differences, I want to remind you of the importance of these divisions in both the Old and the New Testament. In the Old Testament, the boundaries of the COI’s camp would be established, with their tabernacle the template to work from in the establishment of boundaries, and everything that was unclean – diseased things, dead things, trash, human waste, and the like, was taken OUTSIDE the camp. People were put to death outside the camp. When Jesus came to earth, a concrete
The Journey of Suffering and Faith
Temple (Herod’s) was in place amidst the city gates of Jerusalem. He, like the trash and refuse and waste, was taken outside the city gates and put to death on a criminal’s cross – very emblematic – and hearkening back to the Old Covenant and then to the lives of every Christian to follow Him. We note that He started out in the temple as a 12-year-old boy, he grew in wisdom and stature, and when the time came, his first miracle was a celebration – a wedding, with Him providing Good wine to all.
He grew popular, but in time, as His teachings got closer to the heart of God, people turned from Him. Even all the Apostles left Him, we read, and he wound up alone, stripped, and dying on a cross with the refuse and criminals. Okay, so, taking all of that in, scripture gives us a few key insights, not exhaustive, but key to those who will not reside outside the city gates, not those who will reside in the City or in the courts, but those who will have a place in the Holy of Holies with God and His Son.
Suffering with Christ
First, those who are true Sons and Daughters will suffer in His name and cause.
Key Biblical Passages on Suffering
Some key passages . . .
Matthew 10:38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
2nd Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
Acts 14:22 Luke writes: “Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulationA real historical event fulfilled in 70 A.D.—not a future apocalyptic crisis. More enter into the kingdom of God.”
Acts 5:41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
Romans 8:17 is KEY as Paul says, “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Philippians 1:29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
2nd Timothy 2:11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us.
In our day and age, where and how does the suffering generally take place? It takes place inwardly. It takes place in allowing God to reign over our lives instead of letting ourselves (and our own will and ways) have the controls. This suffering says, “I will die to my will (which is so very painful) and will do your – as evidenced by the life of Jesus Christ.”
This is the point where our trajectory changes and the destination of our flesh is determined – the cross. Paul typifies this dedication to suffering when he wrote to the Corinthians who had been taken advantage of in some sort of business or commercial deal, saying:
1st Corinthians 6:7 Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?
In other words, those who are in His WILL suffer all manner of injustice – in His name and in His cause – because He did the same. This suffering is relentless, minute to minute, and requires a real desire to please and love God ahead of ourselves. It is selfless, full of unconditional love, turning the other cheek, and pretty much just choosing to do the will of the Spirit over the will of our flesh.
Scripture is plain – we will be His joint-heirs IF . . . we suffer with Him by taking up our cross, whatever it may be – and die daily to our will as a means to live to His.
Love for the Truth
Part and parcel (or hand in hand) with suffering is to possess a LOVE for the truth – no matter what the price or cost. When we look to the life of Our Lord and King, He entered the world at a time of deep abiding religious traditions deeply rooted in the hearts of Man. His war was in part based on trying to show the people that their traditions were keeping them in bondage. As described, for His willingness to teach the truth (as the Truth) He…
The Pursuit of Truth and Love
Jesus’ experience on earth exemplifies a common reality for those who genuinely seek truth. His journey, filled with opposition culminating in His death, mirrors the challenges honest truth-seekers face. Remarkably, these challenges often come from those within religious traditions who believe they hold the truth.
The significance of loving the Truth is evident in the Word. Paul, in 2nd Thessalonians, describes those not truly in Christ:
2nd Thessalonians 2:10
And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
This love for the truth reflects a deep desire, “There is nothing I want more in my life than the Truth with a capital T." Convenience, appeal, and popularity of false truths do not matter. Those truly with Him possess a profound “LOVE of the truth.” When faced with a choice between “saving face or the truth,” “popularity or the truth,” “the praise of Men or the Truth,” they always choose the truth. To choose and pursue the Truth is to choose and pursue God.
Worship in Spirit and Truth
Regarding the Truth, Jesus was clear:
John 4:23
But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
The true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth. Thus, the relentless pursuit of Truth often involves suffering.
Love as Suffered Pursuit
Finally, there is the love – His love, shared with all unconditionally. This represents the language of heaven, the currency of the New Jerusalem, for God is LOVE. In their pursuit of truth, those who abide in love must possess His love, understanding that love is an action. They love along the way, even those who mistreat, malign, and ridicule them, embodying Christ’s mission to save and speak truth in LOVE.
The Apostle Peter captures this sentiment:
1st Peter 1:22
Seeing ye have purified your souls (SUFFERING) in obeying the truth (TRUTH) through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren (LOVE), see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently.
John the Beloved reiterates:
1st John 3:18
My little children, let us not love (agape loveSelfless love marked by patience, mercy, and humility—central to living in spiritual liberty.) in word, neither in tongue; but in deed (suffering – as true love is going to include suffering) and in truth (Al-lay-Thea).
Our journey into the Christian life aims toward God. We continually pursue truth and love while allowing the flesh to follow its destined path – death.
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