Pope Youth Rally

Comments

[Shawn K]

just wanted to say why are we as followers of Christ(that includes anyone who has accepted Christ as Savior and Lord;including catholics & Protestants) arguing over this kind of thing...the cross is level ground yo! We need to Come Together as a unified church(Body of Christ)not denomination...i'm tired of arguing over this kind of stuff...it's no wonder the waters are so muddied...we are busy throwing mud at one another...paul says do not think of yourselves more highly than you ought and speak the truth in love and loving one another...thank you Third Day for showing unity. In Christ, Shawn K

[Mary]

Dear Dan,

It’s easy to think that the Catholic Church is all about rules and authority, especially for those who belong to a church that teaches primarily through sermon and song. The Catholic Church, however, sees the doctrines as a tool to protect and pass down the faith they received from Jesus Christ.

You may disagree with the method or even the content of our faith but know one thing for sure, the Catholic Church teaches us to love and follow JESUS Christ. Our faith and salvation is in Him.

"FATHER,... this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent."[Jn 17:3] "God our Savior desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."[I Tim 2:3-4] "There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" [Acts 4:12] — than the name of JESUS. [The first words of the Catechism]

"Dear friends, truth is not an imposition. Nor is it simply a set of rules. It is a discovery of the One who never fails us; the One whom we can always trust. In seeking truth we come to live by belief because ultimately truth is a person: Jesus Christ." Pope Benedict

"Anyone who wishes to give love must also receive love as a gift. Certainly, as the Lord tells us, one can become a source from which rivers of living water flow (cf. Jn 7:37-38). Yet to become such a source, one must constantly drink anew from the original source, which is Jesus Christ, from whose pierced heart flows the love of God (cf. Jn 19:34)". (Deus Caritas Est,God is Love, para 7)

“It is Jesus in fact that you seek when you dream of happiness, he is waiting for you when nothing else you find satisfies you; he is the beauty to which you are so attracted; ~ John Paul II ~

In love of Christ Jesus,
Mary

[Raquel]

Hey Dan,

I TOTALLY agree with you!! I am soo deeply disappointed too!!

[Dan Scott]

Hey
Gotta say I'm very VERY disappointed with Third Day for having anything to do with Catholicism. Christianity and Catholicism do not gel, nor will they ever, because ALL that matters is JESUS. And as far as knowing what Catholicism teaches, I have read the Catholic Catechism twice, more than most Catholics, and it gives all the power to its leaders. No other religion is as misleading and deceiving as Catholicism and the Pope has misled many from the truth and straight into Hell.
This borders on the Wire mistake...

Deeply disappointed,

Dan
Ontario, Canada

[Raquel]

Hey Third Day,

I just wanted to say that I am SOO disappointed in you guys! I'm sorry if I sound harsh, but I'm rebuking you as a sister-in-Christ. I grew up listening to you guys and have almost all your CDs...and I just wanted to say that I can't believe that you guys did this!!
Through Him, in Love,
~Raquel

[Raquel]

Hey Third Day,

I just wanted to say that I am SOO disappointed in you guys! I'm sorry if I sound harsh, but I'm rebuking you as a sister-in-Christ. I grew up listening to you guys and have almost all your CDs...and I just wanted to say that I can't believe that you guys did this!!
Through Him, in Love,
~Raquel

[Mary]

Anthony,

That would be fine IF the affirmation was on what Catholics REALLY believe and not what Catholics are ACCUSED of believing. This is what I am getting at.

There is an unjust prejudice against Catholics that is passed from one person to another. For example one person above claims the Pope teaches a false gospel but has that person ever read even one thing by Pope Benedict?
For starters some of you could at least read what Pope Benedict said at the youth rally where Third Day played and see if what he said was false:

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/speeches/2008/april/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20080419_st-joseph-seminary_en.html

Sadly, many well meaning Christians have been taught to mis-trust and mis-judge Catholics.

I thank Third Day for being sensible. They were asked to play music for young people who were waiting to the head of the Catholic Church - someone the young people there loved. Third Day respectfully said “Ok – great – that sounds like fun” and they did it. Does that mean they give their stamp of approval on every Catholic doctrine – NO. Of course it doesn’t. And it shouldn’t. Most of their fans do not agree among themselves on many Christian doctrines.

The love they sing for Jesus is what we have in common. That brings us to the core
of all our beliefs. If Jesus is not the center of our life, what are we doing?

For that I say “THANK YOU THIRD DAY FOR INCLUDING US”

[Anthony]

Third day makes money off of singing about their beliefs. I want to know why Third will not publicly affirm or deny believing in Catholic doctrine. It is very unfair to the fans to have all of this confusion.

[Mary]

Here are two links that I think are helping to show that Catholics LOVE and READ the BIBLE:

1) This first link will bring you to a calendar that lists the Scripture read in every Catholic
Church every day of the week (not just on Wed and Sunday) The first reading is from the Old Testament, the psalm is obviously taken from the psalms, the second reading is from the epistles, and the Gospel is obviously from one of the four gosples. All the readings have a common theme to show the unity and truth of God's Holy Word.

http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/

The second is a nice article that answers many questions about the Church and the Bible.

http://www.davidmacd.com/catholic/bible_catholics.htm

Thank you.

[Mary]

Dear Luke;

Read John 20:23

Dear Reg;

There's two sides to every story.

Dear Yulanka;

Without the Catholic Church you would not have a bible.

Dear Third Day;
I wish you would add your comments. At least ask your fans to be respectful. Why did you agree to play for the Pope? it sounded to me like you had respect for Catholics but when people start insulting us on your blog you say nothing.

[luke bolger]

does not impede her mission to preach the Gospel, baptize, to feed the hungry, ****forgive sins,****

PURE BLASPHEMY

Shame about Thrid Day jumping on the current "Christian" media bandwagon...

[luke bolger]

I ama seventh day adventist and see the papacy as the Anti-Christ. The pope wears a fish mitar with pompus words written on it... Please consider daniel chapter 7 and discover the real Anti (instead of) Christ.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3153786410845017122&hl=en

[Reg Schofield]

This is deeply bothersome to me for 2 reasons . The first is the Pope does not preach the gospel of Christ and secondly, it makes me angry that Third Day seem to slipping in thier convictions . The Catholic Church believes in another gospel . They have not changed at all since Martin Luther challenged them and the Pope posting his 95 theses which started the full reclaiming of the gospel lost by Catholic dogma. If you think I'm foolish check out some of the writings of RC Sproul,James R White,John Piper ,Albert Mohler , well the list could go on and on. The reformation is far from over and more than ever the doctrines of grace need to be upheld.

[Yulanka]

Hi!
I think that God´s church should be united, just as the apostles were in the past, but under a RIGHT teaching, one that respects the Bible, not one that does whatever seems nice to do. I have catholic friends, that love Jesus, and are newborn, but just because they love Jesus, doesnt mean what they are doing isnt wrong. We should show them with the bible what we stand for and how they can make things right.
Im just going to write what the bible says:

Exodus 20 NIV
3 "You shall have no other gods before me.
4 "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not BOW DOWN to them or WORSHIP them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand {generations} of those who love me and keep my commandments.

And I know that there are some catholics that understand this fact, but at least in my country (Dominican Republic) people praise more to the virgin mary and raise her more than Jesus, and that´s something awfull, this teaching is making a lot of people sin...

Jhon 14:6 NIV
6Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

And really.. where have you seen in the Bible that dead people can pray for you??

1 Peter 2:2 AB
2 Like newborn babies you should crave (thirst for, earnestly desire) the pure (unadulterated) spiritual milk, that by it you may be nurtured and grow unto [completed] salvation,

[bob]

i used to love your music but so dissapointed you played at the pope concert. God will not be happy and i dont know what you expect to gain from this apart from selling more albums to the catholic community. may all true Christians stand up for Christ on this matter and boycott and protest against the attending of third day at such a sinful concert

[Nancy]

I grew up in the Catholic church, and am now a Mo Synod Lutheran. I have close friends who are members of all different denominations, including catholic. I think the important thing to remember is that if you don't take your FAITH seriously, it doesn't matter what church you sit in on sunday mornings. It's more about relationship than religion. That said, I'm Lutherna for a reason--but fellowship with non-luntherans has enriched my life in ways I never would have imagined.

I'm a huge fan of Third Day, because through their music they are building bridges among the christian famliy I love that my kids and I can all rock out to christian music.

Thank you Third Day for listening to God and doing His bidding--we are blessed through your music everyday.

[Mary]

Lizette, Amen! And Thank you.
Ben -

Don't worry - you didn't sound like someone throwing mud. You sound like a man of faith who believes in Jesus. I appreciate that and thank God for my brothers and sisters in Christ.

Now, to answer part of your question: If Christ is the only mediator why are there pastors, or the Bible, or friends to pray with, or the Holy Spirit? Catholic are not so different than other Christians in that regard. All these people/things help us to know and follow Christ. Mary does this in the best way because she loved Christ so much. Her example is exemplary as she always always points to Jesus as she did at the wedding of Cana, "Do whatever he tells you."

Regarding the sins of Catholics, we're not so different there either. All Christian communities have sinners - just look at the 12 apostles. Even Christ's hand-picked followers had serious problems. Catholics do not deny or hide this. We apologize, learn, and keep trying to be holy... and sadly we even sin again at times.

However, it is important to remember that there is a difference between individual sinners and the Church as a whole. Despite the sins of men, the Holy Spirit protects the Church and her mission. The sins of Catholics - even some Popes - does not impede her mission to preach the Gospel, baptize, to feed the hungry, forgive sins, break the bread, etc. Just as Judas' suicide did not prevent Christ from fulfilling his mission. The goodness of God is objective, dependable, and sure. It is not changed by evil. This is proof, I believe, of Christ's love for us. If his truth depended on the moral charactor of the messagenger we'd all be doomed by now.

I'd like to recommend
a good, reliable source of Catholic teaching from a Catholic perspective, I would recommend: http://www.catholicapologetics.org/

This exchange has been nice, Thank you. Lets pray for one another.

In Christ, Mary

[Lizette Benito]

Hi all... don't want to get involved in a debate. Just want to say I'm a catholic living in South Africa and I LOVE JESUS, have a personal relationship with my Lord and Saviour and fellowship with many like-minded catholics. Also, Third Day you rock!! Please come to Cape Town... God bless

[Ben]

Yikes...i guess that did sound like I was throwing dirt...However I do mean it in love. I am just trying to stand up for what I beleive in.

[Ben]

Mary, I don't mean to throw dirt or anything, but I have a few comments. If you believe that Christ is our only medidator, then why is there a pope or priests? I would also like to add that the prodestants had Bibles throughout the middle ages,but the Catholic church persecuted and burned the owners and their Bibles. So I hardly think that you can say that te Holy Spirit worked through the Catholic church to preserve the Bible. Further, it is not baptism that saves us, but it is an out ward demonstration of an inward transformation. It is only a sign and it is heretical to babtise someone before they are saved.

[Mary]

Hi Ben and Joan 1) I agree with you that many people who say they are Catholic do not have a relationship with Jesus. This saddens me too. Many people do not take their faith seriously, they are culturally Catholic, they go through the motions, they pick and choose what they want to believe or reject, and, because of this, their souls may be in danger. Part of the reason this happens is because the Catholic Church is so big. We reach people in every situation and they are at all different levels of faith, education, age, etc.
2) Something to think about: The Bible has been preserved and pass down through the ages through the Catholic Church. So, at least, be thankful to the Holy Spirit's action through the Church otherwise you would have no Bible - (and, ironically, nothing from which to condemn us.) The Catholic Church says something neat about our Protestant brothers and sisters. It is taught that If the Holy Spirit chooses to work through these faith communities, who are we to argue. The Holy Spirit does work through the Catholic Church so don't be too quick to judge. Read, pray, and be committed to learning more about us than some people you met on the street or by believing tired-out sterotypes. 3) Catholic believe that salvation comes from God the Father only through Christ.

For example the Catechism say:

"#161 Believing in Jesus Christ and in the One who sent him for our salvation is necessary for obtaining that salvation.

"Since "without faith it is impossible to please [God]" and to attain to the fellowship of his sons, therefore without faith no one has ever attained justification, nor will anyone obtain eternal life 'But he who endures to the end.'"]

4) Lastly,
Catholics believe that we are "Born again (or born-from-above) through baptism. We are baptised into Christ's death so we can live in the newness of his life(Romans 6)

Catechism #183 "Faith is necessary for salvation. The Lord himself affirms: 'He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned' (Mk 16:16)."

5) God bless you both - I can see that you love Jesus very much and desire truth. Thank you for your witness of faith.

[Ben]

Just a little more to say about this. Yesterday I spent the day in the city of Montreal, Canada doing street evangelism downtown with a group. Montreal contains alot of Catholics,and I encountered alot of them on the street. I was very saddened by how much the Catholic church had led them from the truth. None of the Catholics that I talked to were actually born again Christians going to Heaven. Thus, they are not part of the body of Christ. So supporting this is not actually unifying the body of Christ as some may say. It is actually weakening it by calling non-believers part of the body.

[Joan]

As a former devout Catholic I have to say I'm very dissapointed in your playing for the pope. Catholics have distorted the Bible in so many ways. We must stand for Christ and show them this is wrong. Ecumenism and compromise are NOT good things. Just look up online the pic of Pope John Paul II kissing the Koran. Our God is a jealous God and will not stand for this. Stop compromising and stand up for Christ.

[Stu]

God bless Third Day for all you do in building up the body of Christ, regardless of denomination. The Catholic church is VERY misunderstood by many...as evidenced by many of the above comments..and unfortunately perpetuated by many Catholics. Let us all pray to God that we will soon be united together in Jesus Christ. Amen!

[Ben]

Hey..I love your music,but I find it disapointing that you chose to play at this catholic rally. It is great that you are trying to unify the church, but the universal church consists of only those who have been truly born again.Only God knows the heart of a person, but according to the catholic doctrine, salvation is not achieved only through Christ alone. I am sorry,but this contradicts my Bible. John 14:6. The thousands of prodestant martyrs would not be impressed.