Modern Christian theology is grounded in the notion that we are sinful individuals who are going to be eternally punished to Hell for succumbing to the will of a being called Satan. It’s a notion that has driven fear and motivation for believers in the Christian message for centuries. But, what if these things have already been “fufilled”? Shawn McCraney understands the historical texts that substantiate the Bible, along with deep exegetical interpretation, to suggest that sin, hell and satan are now over, and that the life of a Christian looks very different for modern believers. In fact, he believes it has been for a long time. McCraney’s deeply critical position argues that these facets of Christianity, while they were present for people in Jesus’ time, were fulfilled when he actually did return for his “Second Coming” as promised… in 70 C.E. at the Siege of Jerusalem. In this article, we explore McCraney’s claim that sin, death, and hell were resolved through Jesus’ return and its implications for modern Christian belief.
McCraney’s View on Fulfilled Eschatology
To understand McCraney’s claim about sin, hell, and Satan, we first need to explore the concept of Fulfilled Eschatology. This perspective suggests that the prophecies about Jesus’ return and the final judgment, commonly anticipated in Christian tradition, were already fulfilled around 70 C.E. during the destruction of Jerusalem. According to McCraney, this event marked the end of the age of material religion, where people relied on external laws and institutions to connect with God.
In his book Revelations on Revelation, along with his 22-volume commentary collection, McCraney unpacks the secular and religious context that supports this position. McCraney argues that Jesus did away with these aspects that deeply affect individuals, according to Christian theology, by returning to rescue the nation of Israel and bringing about the fulfillment of the prophecies of his return. McCraney suggests that these concepts were not merely symbolic or future events, but actual occurrences that took place during this period in history, and that they are heavily supported by historical data. For McCraney, the traditional Christian understanding of sin, death, and hell, as burdens that affect humanity, is now outdated. These issues were dealt with, and believers are no longer under their influence.
The idea of Jesus’ return at the Siege of Jerusalem is not original to McCraney, but is identified by many thinkers and theologians in the camp of Preterist eschatology; McCraney, however, is distinct from these thinkers in his notions on Sin, Hell, and Satan in ways that identifiers of Jesus’ previous return are not.
Sin: Was It Really Resolved?
Sin is one of the central themes in Christianity. For most Christians, sin is something that separates humanity from God, and a belief in Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross is seen as the means by which this separation is overcome. McCraney, however, argues that the notion that humans are punished for this sin is completely irrelevant now. He argues that with the fulfillment of prophecy in 70 C.E., the concept of sin has been resolved once and for all, insisting with his listeners and readers that Jesus covered it all, past, present and future. Jesus’ return, as McCraney claims, dealt with the problem of sin in a way that changed the relationship between God and humanity forever.
According to McCraney, sin was a burden placed on the nation of Israel due to their disobedience, caused by Adam and Eve. But the return of Jesus, the “second Adam”, as prophesied heavily by individuals in his time, indicates that sin no longer holds power over individuals. In McCraney’s view, the idea that people are constantly burdened by sin and must seek forgiveness through rituals and repentance is no longer necessary. Jesus’ work on the cross, which he believes was completed with the fulfillment of prophecy, has already covered that sin, and that today we live in a spiritual economy of complete liberty. Individuals are free to believe and live by The Spirit of God, or to not, without punishment. It is no longer something that separates believers from God.
Hell: Has It Been Done Away With?
The concept of hell is another significant aspect of Christian theology. For many, hell represents the eternal punishment of the sinful. As expected, with the end of punishment for sin, also is the end of eternal hell. McCraney challenges this traditional view by suggesting that hell, as it is commonly understood, was a temporary “prison” in the “covered place”, called Sheol in scripture. This hell was, like sin, also resolved with Jesus’ return in 70 C.E. He argues that the new after-life is now situated as described in Revelation, as the “New Jerusalem” where there are four walls, with gates “open day and night”, and individuals are free to go in and out of these gates. This view aligns with McCraney’s broader understanding of Fulfilled Eschatology, where the final judgment and the existence of hell were completed in the past.
In his books and teachings, McCraney deeply unpacks his reasoning and description of how hell is no longer a place that awaits people in the future, but rather something that was dealt with at the time of Jesus’ return. The language used in the Bible to describe hell as a place of eternal torment is, according to McCraney, symbolic and refers to the destruction that befell Jerusalem. With this interpretation, he argues that the fear of eternal damnation is no longer a valid concern for modern Christians, as it has already been “cast away.”
Satan: What Role Does He Play Now?
Satan, often seen as the embodiment of evil and the antagonist in Christian doctrine, is another figure whose influence McCraney believes has been dealt with through Jesus’ return. McCraney asserts that Satan is not necessarily the demonic figure that we associate him with, but rather a title used for the relevant entity wielding darkness. McCraney suggests that Satan, as a figure, no longer has the same power to accuse and influence believers as he did in the past. Just as sin and hell were resolved in 70 C.E., Satan’s role was also fulfilled during that time.
In McCraney’s view, Satan’s influence was tied to the “age of material religion” as he describes it, which relied on external laws and institutions to maintain order. With Jesus’ return and the fulfillment of prophecy, Satan’s power to deceive and separate people from God was broken. Christians are now free from the traditional concept of Satan as an active force against them. Instead, McCraney emphasizes that the focus should be on the individual’s relationship with God, unburdened by the fear of Satan’s influence.
Implications for Modern Christian Belief
McCraney’s views deeply challenge many long-held beliefs within traditional Christianity. His assertion that sin, hell, and Satan have already been dealt with raises important questions for modern Christians. If these concepts have been fulfilled, as McCraney suggests, then the focus of Christianity shifts from fear and judgment to personal growth toward an individual connection with God.
For churches and religious institutions that rely on teachings about sin, hell, and Satan to maintain authority and control, McCraney’s ideas present a significant challenge. His rejection of institutionalized religion and emphasis on a personal, subjective relationship with God could lead to a fundamental shift in how Christianity is practiced.
While McCraney’s views are considered controversial by many, they encourage believers to reconsider their understanding of sin, hell, and Satan. His teachings invite Christians to focus on the completed work of Jesus and to embrace a faith that is no longer centered around fear and judgment, but rather personal transformation and freedom.
Conclusion
McCraney’s claim that sin, hell, and Satan were resolved through Jesus’ return in 70 C.E. presents a radical reinterpretation of Christian theology. According to McCraney, these concepts are no longer relevant to believers today because they were fulfilled in the past. His views challenge traditional Christian beliefs and open up new possibilities for how Christians can understand their faith. While controversial, McCraney’s teachings encourage believers to move beyond fear and judgment and to focus on the personal, transformative power of Jesus’ completed work.
Author: Christian J Botella
Christian J. Botella is a seasoned writer with over 5 years of experience crafting compelling articles across various genres. From insightful analyses to creative storytelling, Christian's versatile approach engages readers and brings ideas to life. Passionate about exploring diverse topics, he aims to inform, inspire, and connect through the power of words.
