Jesus Christ, Part 6

The New Testament, according to Shawn McCraney, is a set of guidelines given by the Apostles to early believers based on their specific historical context and should not be seen as a manual for modern church operations. Instead of focusing on structured church roles, McCraney emphasizes that true Christian practice hinges on agape love, which Paul describes as a "more excellent way" beyond the roles of apostles, prophets, and teachers as presented in 1 Corinthians 13.

Shawn teaches that while roles like apostles, prophets, and teachers are significant, the ultimate goal is to reach a level of faith unity where these roles are unnecessary due to love's dominance in the community. By emphasizing love as described in 1 Corinthians 13, believers can transcend the formal structures and truly embody the teachings of Christ, aligning with the prophecy that God's laws will be written in the hearts of individuals, making external instructions redundant.

Shawn's teaching emphasizes that true Christian maturity is achieved through love rather than adherence to external religious doctrine and authority figures, arguing that love embodies qualities such as kindness, patience, and perseverance, ultimately transcending traditional roles like apostles and pastors. Additionally, Shawn highlights the difference in perspective between traditional Christianity and LDS regarding Jesus as the "firstborn," where the LDS view sees Jesus as the first born spirit among all spirits, positioning Him as our "Elder Brother," a belief distinct from mainstream Christian views of Jesus' uniqueness.

The primary distinction between LDS teachings and biblical Christianity regarding Jesus centers on His origins, with LDS beliefs positing a spiritual pre-existence where all spirits, including Jesus, were children of God before earthly life, whereas biblical Christianity argues the physical precedes the spiritual as per scripture. This foundational difference influences how individuals relate to Jesus, with Christians viewing Him as divinely unique and worthy of worship, while LDS might perceive a sibling-like connection, potentially impacting the depth of their devotion.

Emphasizing open dialogue, Shawn encourages biblical Christians and Mormons to set aside detailed theological disagreements and focus on a shared understanding of Jesus' statement, "I am from above, you are from beneath." The goal is aligning on the core biblical premise of Jesus’ origin and nature while respecting diverse paths in religious practices and beliefs.

The teaching by Shawn highlights the journey of individuals grappling with identity, personal faith, and the impact of religious institutions on personal lives, as exemplified by stories of growing up in strict religious environments and the struggle for acceptance and understanding. It further touches upon the theological concept of Jesus’ resurrection being seen as representing a broader theme of regeneration, which is mirrored in the collective resurrection of believers, drawing parallels between individual experiences and broader spiritual truths.

Shawn's teaching emphasizes that believers are united with Christ's death and resurrection, suggesting that being 'born again' is a spiritual rebirth aligned with God's promises. Salvation, regeneration, atonement, and resurrection are interconnected aspects of this spiritual journey, with a pivotal historical reference to the return of the priest from the holy of holies in 70 AD.

Teaching emphasizes that Christianity, much like art, can be seen both as an objective science with clear rights and wrongs and as a subjective, individualistic expression, urging believers to appreciate both traditional and modern interpretations within the faith. The comparison to art highlights a tension between established norms and personal expression, suggesting that embracing diverse perspectives in Christianity could enrich understanding and acceptance.

Loving Christ in diverse personal ways may lead to greater appreciation of Him and the resolution of differences among believers. Embracing individual expressions of faith encourages unity and a deeper collective understanding of Christ.