Gods Many

Shawn McCraney critiques the LDS Church's approach to doctrine, emphasizing that the leadership rarely rescinds teachings and maintains a position that allows doctrines to be changed in practice without being officially revoked, thereby preserving their "integrity." This practice enables the Church to selectively utilize "non-authoritative spokespersons" to propagate various beliefs without officially labeling them as doctrine, which prevents criticism by dismissing controversial teachings as unofficial.

In Shawn's teaching, he critiques the practice within Mormonism of allowing unofficial spokespeople to share theological views that may later be renounced by the church leadership as mere opinions, highlighting how it can manipulate public perception while maintaining doctrinal control. He contrasts this with Biblical Christianity, emphasizing the belief in "creatio ex nihilo" or creation out of nothing, and cites numerous scriptures to assert the uniqueness of one God, opposing the LDS concept of an eternal regression of gods.

Joseph Smith challenged the traditional Christian belief that God is eternally unchanging by proposing that God was once a man who progressed to divine status, a concept that the modern LDS Church publicly downplays despite its deep roots in their teachings. Leaders like Gordon B. Hinckley and other church authorities have demonstrated ambiguity or avoidance in acknowledging these teachings in public forums, contrasting with internal church teachings and publications that affirm the belief in the potential progression from man to God.

The teaching explores the concept within LDS theology that humans have the potential to become gods, drawing on doctrines such as the eternal regression of gods and God once being a man, which provides a unique sense of human dignity. Critics highlight, however, biblical passages such as 1 Corinthians 8:5-6, John 10:34, and Revelation 1:6 to ground the distinction of humans being creations under one God, emphasizing humility and contrasting the LDS view with traditional Christianity.

Shawn discusses how Jesus challenges the Pharisees by using their own Jewish interpretative methods, particularly with John 10:34, to highlight that the term "Elohim" can refer to human judges rather than divine beings. Additionally, Revelation 1:6 underscores the concept of a royal priesthood shared among believers through Jesus, affirming Jesus' divinity rather than implying multiple gods like Jehovah God.