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The Real Heart of the Matter:
Where Biblical Christianity Meets the Bible!
By Dr Matt
Here are Dr Matt's Rebuttals to Shawn McCraney's Version of Biblical Christianity:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Rebuttal to Shawn McCraney's "Heart of the Matter," July 8, 2008
Shawn wrote an excellent letter to a gay woman who was complaining about Christian insensitivity to the plight of being gay. McCraney's response to this woman was right on. I will say more about the "gay" issue later. First, let me respond to the following issues:
1) The definition of being "Christian."
2) Good Christian & Bad Christians—both are still Christians?
3) Biblical Christianity's notion of the "Trinity."
Shawn declared that "Christianity is not defined by personal opinion," and then, ironically, proceeded to give his personal opinion about the meaning of being "Christian"—he called his opinion "fact" and "biblical." How do I know it was his personal opinion? Because he failed to quote the direct words of the Bible even once, as he made his personal points.
I'm big on letting Jesus speak for Himself.
It's quite curious when different groups—who claim to be following Jesus and claim to be representing Jesus—profess doctrine that does not square with the words of Jesus. What Shawn McCraney failed to do was let the Bible speak for itself, and more importantly, let Christ speak for Himself.
Shawn spent a fair amount of time explaining the difference between "fact" and "personal opinion" and illustrated the difference by citing an example from C.S. Lewis's book, "Mere Christianity." After laying the logical foundation for differentiating "facts" versus "opinions," it is highly ironic that Shawn then proceeded to spout his opinion of what being "Christian" means, and simply asserted "this is Biblical"—without ever quoting the Bible.
Here are the first flaw in Shawn McCraney's "opinion" of what it means to be "Christian."
Flaw #1. Because McCraney's focus was not solely upon the task of defining the meaning of being "Christian," Shawn gravitated to what he typically does: Take swipes at so-called "Mormonism." I say "so-called" because WHATEVER definition Shawn is bringing to the term, it doesn't represent what I believe . . . and I'm a "Mormon."
Who best to declare what Mormons believe . . . but a Mormon! In like manner, I'll let the Catholics represent their own religious perspectives; and I'll let the Evangelical Christians declare their own religious principles—instead of putting words in their mouths, as Shawn McCraney likes to do for the Mormons, as he spends much time defining "Mormonism" on his show.
REALITY CHECK. Surprise, surprise . . . I don't believe in "Mormonism" at all. Instead, I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and all the words of Christ as declared by His own mouth and by the mouth of His prophets since the world began until today.
No, I don't believe in Mormonism at all. The pure truths of God are not to be found within the "isms" created by men. So, Shawn can bash so-called "Mormonism" until he's blue in the face. I believe in Jesus Christ and the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as established by the word of God in the Bible.
Diverted by his personal agenda, Shawn made the erroneous assertion that the things that Mormons do today . . . are NOT what early "Christians" practiced, nor were they taught by Christ. Since Mormons believe in and practice the Law of Tithing, Shawn takes a swipe at the Biblical practice of Tithing, concluding:
1) "Christians did not have to pay tithing . . . to be pleasing to God."
Instead of arguing this point back and forth, using my words versus Shawn's words, let's just go straight to the Bible . . . and believe the Bible concerning this matter. Let the Bible have the final say on this matter:
After the death and resurrection of the Savior, the Apostles directed the affairs of the Church that Christ established. It is true that giving 10% of profit and/or possessions was NOT the law established by Christ and administered through His Apostles; instead, the law established for the New Testament Christians was a higher law than Tithing:
"And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common" (Acts 4: 32).
And when Ananias and his wife Sapphira failed to give all to the Church, as was required, they both fell dead.
"But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?. . . thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things" (Acts 5: 1-5).
And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? . . . Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost" (Acts 5: 7-10).
According to the Bible, "Christians" during New Testament times were expected to give all they possessed to the Church, and share all thing "in common." The Bible also makes clear that the Lord God will direct the affairs of His Church and His people, through His chosen prophets, according to His wisdom.
The Lord has declared higher laws as His followers could obey them. And when His people were especially stiff-necked and hard-hearted, He gave them a lower law to live—as in the case of the children of Israel and Moses.
The principle is this "milk before meat" . . . and not requiring the people of God to "run faster than ye are able."
Tithing is the law that the Lord has given for the saints of His Church. And when they are ready and willing to receive the higher law of sharing all thing "in common," that will be the law that all "Christians" will live—as the Lord, Jesus Christ declares it.
2) Good Christians or Bad Christians—both are still Christians?
This assertion actually came out of Shawn McCraney's mouth. Can you believe it? On this point, Shawn is 100% wrong! Why so? Because Jesus gave an explicit definition of what it means to be a follower of His teachings. Christ said: "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed."
Based upon the words of Christ, this means, those who may profess to be "Christian" but are not "continuing" in the words of Christ . . . are NOT Christ's "disciples indeed."
Now let's look more closely at what Christ meant by "my word." Let's start with a passage that forms the foundation of Christian belief:
"And God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son,
that whoso believeth in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life."
Continuing in the "word" of Christ begins with "belief in the Son of God, Jesus Christ." Now here's a key passage that is explicit and direct, where Christ defined the meaning of "believing in Christ."
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also" (John 14: 12)
As to the definition of being "Christian," should we let Christ Himself define that standard? In matters of Christianity, isn't it wise to let Jesus speak for Himself?
So as we examine the Life of our Savior and obverse the "works" that Christ did, therefore, those people who walk in His same footsteps, become the disciples and followers of Christ. The term "Christian" is the applicable title for the people who actually FOLLOW; this, according to the direct teachings of Christ—pushing aside all other paraphrasing and statements of personal opinions.
Shawn completely sticks his foot in his mouth by concluding, "Christianity is not defined by goodness or badness." Evidently, Shawn is following the dogma of his personal perspective, rather that hearing the words of Christ.
Believing in Christ is a good thing, and Christ taught that the true believers would do the works that he did. So, in fact, Christ directly taught that "being good" is at the center of "being Christian."
Did Shawn also forget the poignant parable of the sheep and the goats, from the 25th Chapter of Matthew? "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these, ye have done it unto me?" Further, James taught that "pure religion" was to "visit the homeless, the naked, and the widows." And Paul taught that though "I speak with the tongue of angels, and have not charity, I am nothing"—part of that "nothingness" is . . . NOT being a Christian.
Thus, a people can "call" themselves Christians, but unless they align to the basic teachings of Jesus, the title doesn't really apply . . . according to Christ's given criteria.
Shawn provides his own opinion and criteria by saying that the better conception is thus: Good Christians and Bad Christians, but Christians none the less? I'll go with the words and teaching of Christ, and his apostles, and leave Shawn McCraney to his personal opinions.
So members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) claim to be Christians, but Evangelical Christians say that they are not. Who is right?
Answer: It's not up to the Mormons or the Evangelical Christians (or any other brand of Christian) to decide the answer to this question; instead, it is up to God. Let God speak for Himself.
It's simply NOT the prerogative of Evangelical Christians to make this judgment, or to establish "their" definition of the word, "Christian." It is perfectly superior to let God judge who He considers His Followers—who is Christian! It is far superior to let God establish the definition and standards of Christianity.
3) A Christian worshipped one God, a Christian would never be polytheistic
Let's look to the Bible to clarify the teachings of the Bible, instead of just accepting Shawn's personal opinion on the matter. Let's quote the Bible directly, and let's listen to the words of Christ as they speak directly to the definition of Christianity.
The Apostle Paul begins virtually all his epistles the same way—he speaks of two Gods consistently in his writings: "Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ."
Invoking "isms" is such a waste of time. All "isms" are creations of mortal minds. To import "isms" into the Truths of God . . . is to taint the Truths of God: So, instead of raising the categories of Monotheism and Polytheism, let's accept and acknowledge that the Bible teaches of three Gods: God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. Any way you slice it, . . . that's three Gods.
Now, the Bible also speaks of the Father and the Son being "one" and that there is only "one" God. But before we start hyperventilating about the meaning of "one," . . . let's allow our heart rates to lower, take a big breath, . . . and let the meaning of "one" be established by the Bible; for all attempts to import personal interpretations is expressly prohibited—a true principle taught by the Apostle Peter (1 Peter 2: 20).
The Bible speaks of a man "cleaving" to his wife, and becoming "one flesh." Does this mean that Two partners in marriage, dissolve into one substance . . . simply because the word "one" is used? Of course not! In this instance, the term "one flesh" is a descriptive metaphor that refers to at least two aspects of being married:
* One Flesh suggests the intimate sexual bonding between spouses, and
* One Flesh indicates the spiritual unity and oneness
that a committed couple share through Christ.
Two "2" individuals bonded together in marriage do not need to dissolve into one substance, in order for the description of "one" or "one flesh" to be applicable—and the same is true of the three "3" divine individuals that comprise One Godhead.
Finally, put all conjecture and logical machination of what "one God" might mean, and let the Son of God speak for Himself: Let our Lord define the meaning of the word "one" as used to describe the Father, Christ the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
Christ can speak for Himself and it behooved all who claim to be His Followers . . . to let Him establish His own doctrine; and we "the followers" can listen and obey. On that note, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only religious organization on the earth to proclaim that the Lord Jesus Christ actively leads the Church that bears His Name, through prophets and apostles that the Savior Himself has personally chosen.
"Mormons" do not believe in Mormonism,
they believe in Jesus Christ.
Shawn take your pot-shots at Mormonism all you want: Mormonism is NOT what I believe in, . . . and I am a "Mormon." Better said, I am a Latter-day Saint. "Saint" is the term the Bible gives to designate the followers of God—"Saint" being the name that the Lord Himself has chosen to call His faithful followers in the latter days.
Again, I don't believe in "Mormonism"—especially Shawn McCraney's distorted description of it; instead, I believe in the words of Christ—all of them. I believe in the words that the Son of God spoke during His mortal ministry, and I believe all His words given through every prophet in throughout the history of the World, from Adam to Moses, and Isaiah to Malachi, to Peter and Paul the Apostles. Further, Christ continues to speak through the prophets that He has personally chosen in these latter days.
The unique witness of Latter-day Saints is this: the Heavens are not closed, God continues to speak through the prophets He had chosen. And just as Christ did during His mortal ministry, the prophets of these latter days have been given the same authority bestowed upon Peter: "Whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven."
So as Shawn invests his time in bashing Mormonism, he can do this until he is blue in the face; and curiously, he isn't even addressing my beliefs—the beliefs of an actual Mormon.
Again, "isms" are the creation of mortal men . . . and "Mormonism" is an "ism." Therefore, by definition, "Mormonism" is a term that points to the often ridiculous interpretations of anti-Mormon antagonists.
Any Mormon who believes in "Mormonism" instead of the "words of Christ"—doesn't even understand his/her own religion. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only institution on the face of the earth that claims to directed "in the moment" . . . "right now" by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.
Latter-day Satins declare that Jesus the Christ directs the affairs of His Church, just as He has done in all other generations and dispensations, through His chosen prophets.
The Trinity: A Non-Biblical Notion. Finally, Biblical Christianity worships a "Trinity" conception of God. The basis of this conception turns upon the meaning of one word . . . the word "one." But what does "one" mean?
The meaning is given by the Son of God Himself. Christ gave the answer when He prayed to His Father in Gethsemane. The explanation of the Biblical meaning of "oneness" is given in the second installment of Dr Matt's Rebuttal to Shawn McCraney—a rebuttal to McCraney's version of Biblical Christianity.
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