Dialectical Ontology

Shawn McCraney discusses an upcoming project related to the Synoptic Gospels, emphasizing the transformative journey of understanding the nature of God through a "Timeline of God among Men," drawing on Heraclitus's philosophy of perpetual change. He contrasts this with the static Trinitarian view attributed to Parmenides, advocating for a shift from seeking certainty to embracing an evolving comprehension of spiritual truths.

Shawn emphasizes the idea that understanding the nature of God should not be confined to a singular, unchanging perspective but rather seen as a dynamic process involving evolving revelations, influenced by various philosophical frameworks like Hegel's dialectic approach that combines thesis, antithesis, and synthesis. By examining biblical texts and historical interpretations, he proposes that God's nature has been revealed differently across time - from an Old Testament understanding to a New Testament context where God is recognized as "The Father" following the arrival of Jesus, suggesting a continuous development in spiritual comprehension rather than rigid adherence to one doctrine.

God's nature and form may evolve throughout human history, as seen in the transition to a Trinitarian concept beginning with the incarnation of Jesus, the Son, who was God entering time and space to directly engage with humanity. This transformation continued with the Holy Spirit, an expression of both the Father and the Son, promised by Jesus to remain with the world after His resurrection, adding a third element to the understanding of God's presence.

Shawn teaches that after Jesus' resurrection, He was given ultimate authority over heaven and earth, symbolized by sitting at the right hand of God, and He will reign until all enemies, including death, are defeated, at which point He will deliver the kingdom to God the Father. This progression from Jesus as the Comforter to the culmination of His reign reflects the dynamic nature of God's relationship with humanity and His unfolding plan, rather than a static divine model.

Shawn teaches that through Jesus' resurrection and victory over all principalities, He returned to being in subjection to God, indicating that God is "all in all" by manifesting through different expressions such as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit across various ages. This view encapsulates God as a dynamic entity, described by the Greek term "Phainien," suggesting that God reveals Himself differently over time as required by the era, thus conveying a fluid understanding of God's nature beyond monotheism, trinitarianism, or modalism.

Shawn discusses the theological complexity of Jesus' identity and pre-existence, emphasizing that God creates through the "Logos," expressed as His Son, Jesus of Nazareth, and explores the intricacies surrounding the concept of the Trinity and passages that reference Jesus as both God and the Son. This teaching encourages a continued pursuit of understanding faith, highlighting the significance of scripture and open dialogue in reconciling interpretations of biblical text and beliefs about Jesus' nature, creation, and divine relationship.

Shawn presents an exploration of the complexities surrounding religious beliefs, particularly emphasizing the relational understanding between God and Jesus as expressed in the Bible and addressing common Christian theological concepts such as the Trinity. The teaching criticizes the reduction of faith to mere ritual, advocating for a living, dynamic faith that prioritizes compassion and understanding over rigid doctrine, while engaging with varying perspectives on the nature of God and Jesus.

God, through Christ, has reconciled to the world, and it is each person's choice to be reconciled to Him. When individuals embrace divine truth written on their hearts, it reflects in their behavior, emotions, and personal growth.