Letters Against
The Ministry
Mr. Oakland,
Dear Mr. Oakland,
I recently received a copy of your commentary on the definitive edition of the Passion of the Christ.
First of all let me say that I am a Youth Pastor in the Evangelical Covenant Church and I was raised Catholic, but became a Christian outside of the Catholic Church. That being said, I have no idea who you are other than your article that came across my desk.
As to the purpose of this letter. After reading your commentary, I found myself thoroughly disgusted with the content of your commentary. Your negative opinion of Roman Catholicism is very discouraging. In this age of ecumenical Christianity where most people realize that we all serve One Lord as One Church with many parts, your ignorance in regards to theological issues is hopefully an isolated incident.
The account of the Passion of the Christ is what it is: a movie depicting the final hours of Christ. Mel Gibson, himself upon the movie's release and in line with his well-publicized Catholicism claimed he used the Gospel and the traditions of the early Church, such as Veronica and the Stations of the Cross as sources for the film. In that way it is bound to have a Catholic flavor.
Since the word Catholic means
Universal, I see nothing wrong with that. A faithful Catholic is just as much a Christian as a faithful Protestant. Your commentary suggests to me that you have an unhealthy view of Catholicism. Who cares if the Passion depicts a more active role for Mary and focuses on her relationship with Jesus (or what it might indeed have been like). It is still an incredible tool for showing others the Gospel.
It is fruitless nitpickers like yourself that give the rest of us Kingdom living Christians a bad name. I suggest that if you live in such fear as to consider the Passion of the Christ as a harbinger of the terribly misquoted verses of scripture that you ended your article with, than I pray you receive the Peace of God and a greater understanding of Jesus Christ. I also strongly urge you to not take verses of scripture out of their original context and use them for your own good. That is far more dangerous to whatever flock the Lord has placed you over than any movie.
In closing I would like to say that I hope the next time somebody hands me a piece of commentary from you, that it will be worth my while to read it. As a Christian and a minister of the Gospel of Truth, I hope you will read your Bible more carefully and see the importance of the traditions of the early Church. They may not stand as strongly as the Word of God, but they are far more important than the worthless drivel you have put forth on the internet in the name of Christianity. Please for the sake of the Kingdom of God and the Gospel, THINK HARD BEFORE YOU SPEAK OR WRITE!! For you are bound to do more damage than good.
In regards to my strong words, I hope you will consider this a rebuke from one brother to another.
Sincerely,
A concerned Christian
James
Cavaziel is a Catholic, and I believe he's being guided by God to bring Christ
to the world. He has had spiritual experiences.
Why do you have a problem with Catholicism, as if that's a bad thing for people
to convert to it? The Eucharist (Holy Communion) was instigated by Jesus Christ
at the Last Supper with his disciples. "Do this in memory of Me..." It is
Biblical. Please don't forget the Holy Spirit either who is with us, and guides
us. The early Christians regularly received the Eucharist, ie the the changing
of bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ. Catholicism is a
continuation of Early Christianity. It has never changed. Christianity began
before the Bible was written also - something worth keeping in mind. Catholic
means 'universal' - originally the universal Christian Church. Latter churches
are 'breakaways'. There are more apparitions and saints within the Catholic
Church - what does that say? The Holy Spirit - will take what I tell Him and
give it to you. Your young men will have dreams, your old men will have visions
(going from memory here, that's why I haven't quoted) - but please check the
Bible for the correct words, but I'm sure you'd know them very literally. We
Catholics believe that the Holy Spirit guides us to interpret the Bible
correctly - not using certain scriptures to prove points, or take them out of
context, but to actually hear God's word being spoken. Prayer for discernment is
always needed (from the Bible also)!
The Catholic Church is the original church (the people who follow Christ) - not
a 'building'.
Saint Peter was the first Pope. As Christ said "You are the Rock upon which I
will build my Church!" and "The gates of Hell will not prevail against it!"
I became a
Christian while in graduate school for statistics in NJ. Calvary Chapel of
Philadelphia was my first church and Pastor Joe Focht continues to be one of my
favorite Bible teachers.
But I no longer hold Calvary Chapel in the same esteem that I once did. Chuck
Smith Jr is an excellent writer - there is no one else in the Calvary movement
that writes with as much intelligence, insight and giftedness. I devour
Christian writing - aside from my daily Bible reading I am constantly reading
books on Christian theology, from Lewis to Pink to Willard to McManus to McLaren
to Boyd. I read NT Wright, Greg Laurie, Angela Thomas, Yancey . . . I love
Christian writing. Smith Jr.'s book Epiphany is one of the best books ever
written on how to read the Bible.
Web posting like yours - that call into question the worship practices of others
that call Christ Lord are infuriating. Why worry so much about the authenticity
of the faith of others? Why not share the gospel, feed the hungry, heal the
sick, visit the imprisoned, care for the widow and orphan?
They will now know we are Christians by how much we belittle the faith
traditions of other brothers and sisters in Christ. Stop talking about faith in
Christ and live it!
Wendy Myers
Oakville, ON