Why This God? Why This Bible? Why This Jesus?

Shawn emphasizes that while the Bible is the most valuable material gift, it should be interpreted through the lens of spiritual guidance rather than being strictly text-driven, highlighting the subjective and Spirit-led approach to faith over a rigid adherence to scripture. He critiques the literal approach to biblical interpretation, noting that it often leads to doctrinal disagreements, and underscores the importance of understanding the Bible within the historical context of its original audience.

The teaching emphasizes that the Bible was historically inaccessible to many and that reliance on written scripture alone, known as Sola Scriptura, can lead to division rather than embodying the Spirit's intended message of love and unity. Instead, God has written His laws in our hearts, guiding believers through the Spirit rather than strictly through textual adherence, which can be seen as a return to the limitations of the old covenant.

The teaching emphasizes that while scriptures provide valuable insights, the Spirit is paramount, followed by the written word and human traditions, with organized religious demands being inconsequential. Our spiritual journey is defined by a pursuit of truth, faith, and selfless love, while avoiding distractions rooted in materialism, human philosophies, and institutional reliance, all within the context of addressing challenging questions about God and the Bible.

God, as an embodiment of ultimate goodness, does not arbitrarily intervene to stop evil or force goodness upon humanity, but instead works within and through the existing conditions of the fallen world to achieve His redemptive purposes. The Old Testament serves as a narrative illustrating humanity's fall and separation from God, using events and typologies to foreshadow the necessity of the Messiah, with actions such as commanding the eradication of unholiness among nations being understood as part of God's overarching plan to redeem and reconcile the world through His Son.

Understanding the necessity of Jesus centers on acknowledging God’s nature as holy, loving, and just, which necessitates a means for humanity to bridge the separation caused by sin. This bridge is Jesus, whose life, death, and resurrection provide a path to reconciliation with God, emphasizing the role of free will and divine love in the process of salvation.

In Shawn's teaching, God is portrayed as "Good" and not a tyrant, working through the existing circumstances of a fallen world to achieve redemption rather than forcefully intervening, emphasizing an eternal perspective rather than a limited human understanding. This concept is illustrated through biblical narratives, particularly with the Nation of Israel, which serves as types and pictures leading to the ultimate solution of redemption through Jesus, without exhibiting despotic power over creation.

To be in a relationship with God, humans must acknowledge their fallibility and the necessity of Jesus’ sacrifice, as outlined in the narrative that demonstrates God’s goodness, justice, and mercy through free will and redemption. The story explains how Jesus, living a sinless life, chose to die for humanity to cleanse them of sin and restore their connection with God, emphasizing the need for Jesus in overcoming inherent human shortcomings.