Church

Shawn McCraney, in "Heart of the Matter," emphasizes that the true church consists of individuals united in belief, not defined by physical structures or religious institutions. He refutes the notion that all religions are equally true, arguing that contradictory teachings cannot all be valid, and instead embraces a perspective that individual believers form the genuine church.

Shawn distinguishes Mormonism's focus on a singular, institutional "True Church" defined by authority and affiliation from biblical Christianity's emphasis on a personal relationship with God, where the church is the collective body of believers regardless of institutional ties. He critiques Mormonism for its conformity and reliance on hierarchical obedience, contrasting it with a more flexible and individual connection to God that allows diverse expressions of faith.

The teaching emphasizes that within Mormonism, the LDS Church and its leaders are central to every aspect of the faith, asserting that salvation, exaltation, and safety are inextricably linked to strict adherence to its doctrines, priesthood, and temple practices. The teachings of LDS leaders, like Harold B. Lee and Bruce R. McConkie, underscore the importance of following the church's authority and its unique claim as the sole true church, with eternal consequences attached to membership and obedience to its laws.

In the New Testament, the term "ecclesia" is used to refer to various forms of gatherings, including the universal church of all redeemed believers, small groups of Christians, and specific congregations in cities like Corinth and Jerusalem. The visible church includes those who publicly profess the true religion, along with their children, while the invisible church consists of all true believers across time, unified as one spiritual body embodying the essence of Christ's kingdom.

Shawn's teaching critiques the LDS and Catholic claims of exclusive authority for the true church, suggesting that these assertions are based on selective interpretations and man-made ideologies, rather than the essence of Jesus' teachings. He argues that Jesus' establishment on earth was a redemptive message available to all believers, regardless of specific organizational allegiance, emphasizing unity in Christ as reflected in the Bible.