Full Circle

Shawn McCraney hosted an event featuring Dr. Don Preston and Pastor Jason Wallace to discuss differing views on the return of Jesus, emphasizing the value of discussion over debate within Christianity, as debates often prioritize skillful argumentation over truth. He expressed support for the preterist view and praised Dr. Preston's clear and honest presentation, contrasting it with Wallace's approach, and encouraged celebration of God's goodness, regardless of religious predictions.

During the debate between Preston and Wallace, the key takeaway was that while both men sincerely love Jesus and strive to understand His teachings, disagreements in interpretations of scripture, such as on topics like Preterism, ultimately have little bearing on one's salvation as long as faith in Jesus's life, sacrifice, and the love of God and others are at the core. The debate highlighted "Subjective Christianity," revealing that doctrinal differences should not divide believers, as evidenced by the divisiveness and lack of civility observed among the audience, which contrasts with Christian tenets of kindness and grace.

Emphasize love, unity, and humility in your Christian journey by recalling the Thessalonians' examples of faith, love, and hope as mentioned in the New Testament, and avoid divisive debates that focus on winning rather than seeking truth. Engage in constructive discussions, recognizing that increasing in brotherly love and being peaceable is more aligned with the spirit of Christ than participating in contentious arguments.

Shawn's teaching emphasizes the goal of achieving unity in faith among Christians by engaging in open dialogues and examining doctrines, specifically targeting the differences between Evangelical Christianity and Mormon beliefs. By critiquing both sides and encouraging authentic spiritual rebirth, the aim is to free individuals from man-made doctrines and guide them toward a deeper connection with faith, using resources like Charles R. Harrell's book, "This is My Doctrine."

Shawn's teaching highlights the development of Mormon theology by contrasting its Christian origins with its current state, which he suggests has diverged significantly from basic Christian teachings. He references Martin Luther's controversial views on sin and good works to illustrate differences between historical Christian beliefs and current perceptions, emphasizing the need for understanding and evaluating theological evolution.

Luther argues in "Bondage of the Will" that humans lack free will and are entirely subject to the influence of either God or Satan, implying a lack of accountability or personal responsibility for their actions. In contrast, biblical passages like Sirach 15:11-20, Deuteronomy 30:19-20, and Genesis 4:7 emphasize human free choice and responsibility, highlighting the notion that individuals are capable of making decisions that impact their moral and spiritual journeys.

Martin Luther's teachings emphasized the direct relationship between believers and their Savior, questioning the need for ecclesiastical authority and clerical hierarchy, while also controversially supporting harsh treatment of peasants and controversial views on polygamy and the reliability of various biblical texts. His stance during the Peasants' War demonstrated a drastic turn from encouraging rebellion against oppressive authorities to advocating for violent suppression, alongside expressing critical opinions on certain books of the Bible that he found lacking or objectionable.

Martin Luther's interpretations are often seen as contradictory to the scriptural authority he claimed to uphold, as he positioned himself to judge scripture and made alterations that counter biblical warnings against changing divine texts. Moreover, his anti-Semitic statements and teachings starkly contrast with the core teachings of Christianity, indicating that some Reformation ideas conflict with both scripture and rationality, suggesting followers may not fully understand the real Luther.

God created us in His image to draw us nearer to His heart, which is the source of all truth. Understanding our creation in His likeness helps us connect deeply with His ultimate truth.