Who Gets to Say?

Shawn teaches that the New Testament Church was founded on Apostolic leadership with Christ as the cornerstone, emphasizing spiritual over institutional faith, and critiques selective scripture interpretation, advocating for Spirit-guided modern application.
Published: December 5, 2017
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Episode Description:

Shawn teaches that the New Testament Church was founded on Apostolic leadership with Christ as the cornerstone, where churches were established geographically and functioned with deacons and elders appointed by believers under Apostolic guidance. He emphasizes that without Apostolic leadership, the church splintered into denominations, raising questions about continuing traditional practices if Christ has already reclaimed His church, advocating for a spiritual rather than institutional faith approach.

A critical examination of New Testament teachings raises questions about the relevance and application of apostolic instructions today, such as the role of church elders, marriage advice from Corinthians, healing practices, and women's silence in church. This discussion emphasizes the challenge of interpreting religious texts over time, contrasting historical contexts with modern-day practices, and the lack of contemporary apostolic leadership to guide believers in navigating these issues.

Shawn emphasizes the inconsistency in how churches teach wealth and personal appearance, highlighting the disparity between spiritual teachings and actual practices among affluent communities and regarding women's adornment, suggesting that true spiritual connection operates beyond material concerns. He also critiques the selective interpretation of scriptures, particularly relating to self-defense and temptation, arguing that adherence to Christ's teachings is a personal choice that reflects one's faith maturity.

Shawn's teaching discusses the application of biblical teachings in contemporary times, particularly focusing on generosity, marriage, financial management, prioritization of spiritual values, and material renunciation. He emphasizes that while certain scriptural instructions were context-specific, modern interpretation should be guided by the Spirit, allowing individuals to determine how these teachings resonate with their current experiences and responsibilities.

The teaching by Shawn emphasizes that guidance in spiritual and moral decisions should come directly from the Spirit and be based on love rather than strictly adhering to historical scriptural directives or human interventions. Shawn critiques institutional religious practices, arguing that contemporary faith is about embodying Christian values individually, rather than conforming to formalized church rituals and interpretations.

Shawn emphasizes the importance of analyzing and responding to inquiries from his audience, planning to address a specific query regarding personal representation in the upcoming show. He invites listeners to engage through phone calls and emails, highlighting the show's interactive nature and commitment to audience connection.