Is Bigger Better?, Part 2

Shawn McCraney emphasizes the importance of streaming their verse-by-verse Bible teachings from the Gospel of John and the Book of Hebrews to support believers who cannot attend traditional church services, especially those with limited mobility or in confinement. Additionally, McCraney criticizes the pursuit of wealth in contrast to serving God, highlighting biblical passages that warn against prioritizing money over faith and the spiritual responsibilities of Christian leaders.

Shawn's teaching emphasizes the significant pitfalls for religious leaders, highlighted by what he calls the "three G's" — Girls, Glory, and Gold, which can lead them astray from true spiritual leadership. Using historical examples, particularly Joseph Smith, Shawn illustrates how these temptations corrupt leaders into justifying unethical actions under the guise of religious authority, ultimately critiquing those who embrace such behaviors while cloaking them in the service of God.

Shawn highlights how the alliance between church and state historically led to the pursuit of power and material wealth, resulting in the corruption of Christianity. He urges for a return to the original Biblical principles, emphasizing courage, truth, and the separation of faith from governmental affairs, and criticizes the notion that enlarging church institutions aligns with God’s intentions.

Keywords: church-state relations, historical corruption, church institution, Biblical principles, faith separation, power and wealth, Christianity.

The Anabaptists were a group of men and women in 16th century Switzerland who courageously defied the church/state law by practicing believer's baptism, resulting in severe persecution and martyrdom for following their convictions for biblical truth. Despite facing death, leaders like Conrad Grebel, Felix Manz, and Michael Sattler remained steadfast, inspiring others to seek truth and igniting a spiritual movement that persisted through powerful revivals such as the Second Great Awakening in America.

American Evangelicalism experienced significant shifts over time, with early religious innovators like Alexander Campbell and Joseph Smith introducing new interpretations and movements, while the industrial and cultural advancements in the U.S. led many churches to adopt a corporate mentality, culminating in the rise of megachurches characterized by the "bigger is better" mindset. Dr. Scott Thumma's research highlights this transition, critiquing the commercialization of religious spaces and emphasizing that churches should focus on discipleship rather than emulating business models, as this approach contradicts the biblical narrative.

Shawn critiques the trend where certain church leaders equate growth and financial success with doing church right, often adopting business management strategies over biblical teachings, thus prioritizing personal ambitions and American ideals. He emphasizes the importance of adhering to a biblical model of church, as opposed to operating as a large-scale business enterprise, which is a topic he intends to explore further in upcoming discussions.

Pentecostalism emerged from a branch of fundamentalism, but while fundamentalists emphasize five core beliefs about Jesus, Pentecostals have extended their practices to include faith-healing, which many fundamentalists reject. Shawn encourages focusing discussions with Mormons on personal spiritual experiences rather than doctrinal debates, all while maintaining a broader perspective on the authenticity of faith practices and advocating for the potential truth within creationism versus traditional scientific views.

Shawn emphasizes the importance of trusting in the Bible's plain language over modern scientific interpretations when it comes to understanding creation, asserting that God's creation occurred in six days as taught in Exodus 20:11 and is supported by biblical genealogies from Adam to Jesus. He argues that belief in a young earth and creationism aligns with true science, urging Christians to maintain their faith in biblical teachings without compromising for science that often changes and is based on atheistic and materialistic principles.

Shawn emphasizes that true understanding of religious beliefs should come through personal spiritual revelation, instead of relying solely on institutional interpretations that can vary widely. He encourages humility in acknowledging the limits of our understanding and stresses the importance of being open to exploring different interpretations while maintaining faith in Christ as the foundation.

Shawn's teaching emphasizes balancing different preaching styles within Christianity, urging against setting rigid cultural standards and advocating for grace over judgment, acknowledging the diversity in worship and spiritual expressions. Additionally, he critiques perceived stereotypes and challenges in evangelicalism, suggesting that a wide array of church practices underscores a genuine faith-driven community impact.

Mormon church members may experience shunning for mistakes, yet there are many good-hearted individuals within the community, and while some health codes around substances like coffee and alcohol may seem extreme, avoiding harmful substances is considered a wise practice. When reaching out to Mormon missionaries, it’s important to understand their perspective and approach interactions with compassion and open-minded dialogue to encourage meaningful connections and support.