For God So Loved the World – Atonement

Shawn McCraney, on Heart of the Matter, emphasizes the importance of exploring diverse Christian beliefs by inviting guests who may not adhere to traditional orthodoxy, encouraging seekers to discern meaningful insights over time. He also discusses a transformational understanding of New Testament teachings, highlighting the shift after the Jewish age's end in 70 AD, where God's law is written on believers' hearts, fostering a personal and internal relationship with God.

The New Covenant, as highlighted by Shawn, is a transformative shift from physical traditions to an internalized spiritual understanding, where God's teachings are inscribed on our hearts and minds, making formal religious structures obsolete and emphasizing the permanence of spiritual truths that cannot be shaken. This change, solidified by the events of 70 AD, marks the end of the old religious order and the emergence of a stable, unshakeable kingdom in which individuals access divine knowledge directly, without reliance on external institutions or intermediaries.

Shawn's teaching emphasizes that God's unshakeable kingdom is characterized by faith and love, rather than relying on human institutions, symbols, or mandates. He reflects on the afterlife, suggesting that people's spiritual resurrection and proximity to God after death may correspond to their earthly relationship with God and Jesus, highlighting eternal life as deeply knowing and reflecting them.

The teaching compares the concept of atonement in Mormonism and Christianity, highlighting William Tyndale's creation of the term to describe the dual aspects of Christ's sacrifice involving the remission of sin and reconciliation of humanity to God. In Christianity, atonement is equated with the complete satisfaction of God's demands through Christ’s vicarious suffering and obedience, offering permanent expiation of sin, whereas in Mormonism and older biblical contexts, it aligned more with temporary reconciliation through ritual sacrifices.

The reconciliation of sinners to God occurs through the works of Christ—His obedience, righteousness, suffering, and death—which is a consequence of God's love, not its cause, thereby granting forgiveness and righteousness through faith alone. This teaching contrasts with LDS views that emphasize individual efforts for salvation, highlighting that true peace and salvation come solely through Jesus' perfect life and sacrifice.

Shawn emphasizes the importance of respecting and lovingly engaging with those of different faiths, like the LDS community, without using confrontational methods, as it helps build trust and encourages a positive relationship that might lead to fruitful dialogues. He highlights a local pastor's approach in Star Valley, Wyoming, to maintain respectful interactions with the LDS community during a temple opening, suggesting that aggressive tactics might harm long-term relationship-building efforts.

Explore the diverse perspectives in a multi-faith discussion by featuring guests like Dr. James White from Alpha and Omega Ministries, Zachary Bauer from New to Torah, Paul Nison from Torah Life Ministries, and Thomas Smith, a former Mormon turned Catholic. Even through virtual video chats or statements, sharing their insights would enrich understanding of faith and belief, drawing on themes from sources such as Ephesians 6:23 for peace and love through faith.

Shawn's teaching discusses a planned mission trip to the opening of the LDS temple in Afton, Wyoming, where he intends to engage with the Mormon community, despite local pastors' opposition fearing it could harm interfaith relationships. He believes this event presents a significant opportunity to reach a large audience with his message and invites others to support the mission financially or spiritually, emphasizing the importance of partnerships in spreading the truth.

Shawn's teaching emphasizes the importance of understanding the New Testament scripture, specifically Hebrews 10:26, as a warning against willful sin after knowing the truth, suggesting that deliberate sin leads to severe consequences and is a rejection of Christ's sacrifice. He also addresses questions about the nature of God, encouraging a reevaluation of traditional beliefs about the Godhead, indicating that while individuals may struggle to reconcile new understandings with long-held doctrines, true spiritual growth involves continually seeking knowledge and understanding beyond traditional teachings.

Shawn teaches that humans are not pre-existent spirit beings but begin existence at conception, where God imparts unique spirits into mortal bodies, suggesting our journey is to develop characteristics that we lack. He proposes a view of the Godhead as consisting of a Father, Son, and a female Holy Ghost, arguing for a familial divine setup to make sense of earthly experiences and spiritual progression, and suggesting comfort in a mother and father in heaven.

Understanding Christ and God deepens one's relationship with them, allowing those with greater knowledge and faith to engage more profoundly in their presence, akin to dwelling in the "Bosom of the Father." Those with less familiarity may perceive their connection with divinity as genuine and heavenly, yet do not experience the same depth as those who have cultivated a close bond through faith and love.