Faith without religion.
Psalm 18 and the INCREDIBLY Personal Nature of Faith: A Reflection on Subjective Christianity
In his latest teaching, Shawn McCraney delves into Psalm 18, exploring its profound prophetic significance and its role in demonstrating the subjective nature of faith. He begins by emphasizing that understanding scripture, particularly passages like this psalm, is inherently personal and shaped by individual knowledge, experience, and the Spirit’s guidance. While some scholars see only parts of Psalm 18 as messianic, others believe the entire passage points to Christ. Shawn argues that this variance in interpretation underscores the subjectivity of faith itself—what one sees in scripture is often influenced by personal insights, upbringing, and how much the Spirit chooses to reveal.
Psalm 18, nearly identical to 2nd Samuel 22, serves as both a historical reflection on David’s deliverance and a prophetic depiction of Christ’s mission. Shawn highlights the layered meanings within the text, demonstrating how some verses clearly refer to David’s own experiences, while others, particularly those referencing righteousness and purity, seem exclusively applicable to Christ. He encourages listeners to consider how their own perspectives shape their understanding of the text and how God uses subjective insights to guide each believer uniquely.
Shawn also addresses the contrast between objective religious tradition and subjective faith. Institutional religion, he explains, offers fixed interpretations and certainty, creating unity among adherents but often bypassing personal engagement with scripture. In contrast, subjective faith requires individuals to wrestle with scripture, filtering their understanding through personal experiences and the Spirit’s guidance. While this approach can be isolating and uncertain, Shawn asserts that it fosters a deeper and more authentic relationship with God.
To illustrate this concept, Shawn shares a deeply personal experience that reaffirmed his own spiritual journey. He describes how, after decades of seeking confirmation that his unique nature and artistic inclinations were accepted by God, he received an unexpected personal revelation. Reflecting on Psalm 18 and his daughter’s musical interpretation of it, he felt a profound connection between his own struggles, David’s experiences, and Christ’s mission. This moment of clarity led him to conclude that God had made him as he is, with all his eccentricities, and that he need not fear or doubt his place in God’s plan.
Ultimately, Shawn’s teaching on Psalm 18 is a powerful exploration of how faith is meant to be lived—personally, deeply, and in direct relationship with God. He encourages believers to embrace the subjective nature of their faith, recognizing that each person’s journey is unique and that God works with individuals according to their own understanding, experiences, and revelations.