Literally? Really? What Color Was Jesus? Q&A

Shawn McCraney explores how to live a Christian life in what he refers to as the Age of Fulfillment, focusing on revisiting traditional beliefs through both personal and communal growth over years of reflection and discussion. With input from viewers and personal experiences, McCraney challenges established roles within Christianity, particularly the title of 'pastor,' advocating for a closer alignment with scriptural interpretations that reflect Christ's completed work.

Shawn's teaching argues that the modern title of "pastor" leads to a false sense of authority and dependency, where church members blindly follow pastors without personal exploration of faith, resulting in idolatry and ego inflation within church leadership. He emphasizes the importance of personal responsibility and direct relationship with Christ, suggesting that the title can create spiritual laziness and inauthenticity among both pastors and congregants, as they may rely too heavily on assigned religious roles rather than personal convictions and growth.

To foster a more inclusive and equitable practice of Christianity, Shawn suggests rejecting traditional hierarchical church titles like "Pastor", "Reverend", and "Bishop" and instead embracing the belief that all believers have equal potential to teach, preach, and minister. This approach encourages embracing change and dismantling outdated customs, promoting unity and unconditional love among believers, which can lead to a transformative and progressive religious experience in the modern age.

Everyone is invited into the Kingdom of God and Christ, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, political affiliation, beliefs, or background, challenging any discriminatory views within Christianity. The teachings of Mormonism, as highlighted in their scriptures, have historically contributed to racism by equating whiteness with worthiness and beauty, demonstrating a need for ongoing societal reflection on these entrenched beliefs.

The teachings of Mormonism historically included references implying that individuals with dark skin were cursed due to the transgressions of their ancestors, but could become "white and delightsome" through spiritual alignment, as related in the Book of Mormon and the Book of Moses. Joseph Smith and subsequent LDS leaders used these scriptures as a foundation to perpetuate the belief that skin color was an indicator of righteousness, leading to a history of racial prejudice within the church.

Mormonism and broader Christianity are critiqued for perpetuating racism and manipulating the image of Jesus to fit certain socio-political agendas, with leaders historically supporting segregation and racist doctrines. Advocating for a return to a more authentic and spiritually grounded depiction of Christ, it questions the widespread acceptance of racially and culturally altered representations, suggesting that the truth surpasses physical attributes and man-made ideologies.

Shawn emphasizes the importance of rejecting cultural and racial misrepresentations of Jesus to foster a more inclusive and accurate understanding of faith, urging believers to embrace images and depictions of Jesus that reflect his Jewish heritage. His critique extends to literal interpretations of scripture that can lead to division, advocating instead for an understanding that considers context and promotes unity in faith.