Four Stances, Part 1

Shawn McCraney emphasizes the importance of financial support for his ministry while expressing a preference for donors to take initiative themselves rather than being contacted about expired cards, and highlights the efforts to develop the Transversional Apostolic Record (TVAR). He also critiques the organized church's shortcomings, particularly in engaging youth, by criticizing its focus on materialism, hypocrisy, and strict demands, and noting a trend of individuals leaving religious organizations for secular or atheistic beliefs.

Shawn discusses the shortcomings of organized religions like Orthodoxy, Protestantism, and Restorationism, emphasizing that traditional dogmas and systems often fail to address the spiritual needs of modern believers due to susceptibility to human manipulation and resistance to change. He advocates for a return to the original teachings found in the Apostolic Record, emphasizing liberation and truth over doctrine, and challenges the church to adapt to remain relevant to future generations.

Shawn examines three major paths within Christianity—Orthodoxy, Protestantism, and Restorationism—using reason, history, evidence, and biblical teachings to challenge their validity, with the goal of guiding his audience towards a more complete view of God's Kingdom based on the "finished work" of Jesus. While maintaining respect for individual beliefs, he critiques the traditional institutions and promotes a fourth approach that he argues is more aligned with scripture, steering clear of insipid practices and unjustified traditions.

Shawn challenges the concept of Apostolic Succession by arguing that there is no verifiable link between the original apostles and later church leaders, emphasizing that the apostles set specific criteria for succession that was not clearly followed after their deaths. He also points out that claims of historical church authority, both in Orthodoxy and Protestantism, rely on later figures who were not contemporaries of the apostles, thereby undermining the validity of continuous, unbroken church authority from the time of Jesus.

In this teaching, Shawn argues that apostolic succession in the church lacks biblical affirmation and critiques both Orthodox and Protestant traditions for failing to maintain legitimate authority derived from the original apostles. He suggests that the proliferation of denominational interpretations and the reliance on written texts over living apostolic guidance have led to divisions and a departure from the unity intended by the teachings of Jesus and his apostles.

Recognize the essential role of Apostles in guiding the physical church established by Jesus, which necessitates having legitimate apostolic authority to prevent corruption and uphold true doctrine and practice, as mere reliance on institutional claims of authority has led to profound failings across Orthodoxy, Catholicism, and Protestantism. The absence of genuine Apostolic leadership has resulted in various doctrinal abuses, materialism, and a lack of the Spirit's fruit, highlighting the crucial need for authentic apostolic governance in the Church of Jesus Christ.

The teachings by Shawn highlight that many startup religious movements lack genuine Apostolic governance, leading to cult-like mentalities. According to the Apostolic Record and supported by historical accounts, Jesus' return with judgment and reward marked the transition to a new age, characterized by God writing His laws on believers' hearts, with the physical church and traditional religious structures no longer required.

God's ultimate victory allows everyone the freedom to choose whether to recognize Him and His Son, as He writes His laws on their hearts and minds, making individual faith subjective and liberating. This perspective reveals the outdated nature of institutional church authorities and highlights the truth in its original context, which will be further explored in next week's discussion on sin and religious interpretations.