Five Points of Calvinism Fellowship: Ficken Serious

Shawn McCraney discusses the importance of engaging with diverse viewpoints, even from those who have distanced themselves from religious beliefs, as a way to foster understanding and personal growth. He also emphasizes the misuse of New Testament epistles as modern proof texts, highlighting their original context and cautioning against weaponizing scripture in disagreements.

Shawn's teaching challenges Christians to reconsider the context of the New Testament, emphasizing that it was written for its original audience, not directly to modern readers, to reduce doctrinal infighting and focus on foundational Christian love. He critiques the concept of Sola Scriptura and Reformed Theology as divisive interpretations, suggesting they contribute to ongoing disputes and hinder a spiritual understanding of faith.

Shawn argues against the Calvinist interpretation of predestination by focusing on Ephesians 1, emphasizing that the term "us" in the passage refers exclusively to the Apostles or Jewish converts, not to current believers or the gentile believers in Ephesus. He criticizes the Calvinist view as promoting a misleading doctrine and suggests that understanding the context of these biblical passages reveals a clearer meaning that respects the concept of free will.

God chose and predestined the Apostles to be holy and blameless, and to receive redemption through Jesus Christ in a period known as the "oikonomia of the fullness of times," a master plan where God's chosen individuals, specifically the Apostles, would help establish a new divine order on Earth. This period marked the consummation of all previous ages, uniting all things in Christ, both heavenly and earthly, under one common denominator, representing the victory Christ already achieved.

Paul's message in Ephesians transitions from discussing the Apostles' predestination to addressing the Gentiles, highlighting that both groups are unified through faith and are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise as part of their spiritual inheritance. Shawn reflects on his personal experiences, noting that his tendency to provoke anger in traditional settings likely stems from questioning established norms, particularly within Christianity, leading him to explore fundamental questions about the faith.

Christianity can be understood through four interrelated relationships, beginning with the belief that God loved the world by sending His Son, which believers are to accept in faith, allowing God to be Lord of their lives. However, defining Christianity in terms of believers’ relationships with others often leads to disagreements, particularly regarding the nature of Christian love and its expression, with varying opinions on whether it involves confronting behavior or respecting individuals' autonomy.

Christianity is commonly understood through three primary perspectives: God's love for the world as demonstrated through Jesus, the individual's faith and allegiance in response to this gift, and the call to love others; however, there is a fourth viewpoint where disagreements arise amongst believers about how individual Christians should be defined by others. Some Christians believe personal identity within the faith should align with specific theological principles and doctrines, but disagreement over this results in conflict and animosity, revealing that Christianity encompasses more than just theology and doctrines.

Christianity should be understood as an art form rather than being strictly theological, scientific, or philosophical, as it involves fearlessly pursuing truth, maintaining personal integrity, and a relentless commitment to one's faith in Christ, akin to an artist's dedication to their craft. This perspective encourages Christians to creatively express their faith and love, challenge established norms, and remain open to diverse viewpoints, much like how Jesus upheld his mission with unwavering conviction amidst opposition.

Christianity can be seen as an art form, encouraging individual, sincere, and subjective expression of faith, which contrasts with the collective, objective approaches often demanded by society. Like true artists, Christians who follow this path may face hostility, but they must continue to speak the truth clearly and lovingly, knowing that those who hate them first hated Christ.