Comments on: My Letter to Bill O'Reilly Regarding the Desecration of the Sacrament http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevinwax/2007/10/16/my-letter-to-bill-oreilly-regarding-the-desecration-of-the-sacrament/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=my-letter-to-bill-oreilly-regarding-the-desecration-of-the-sacrament Kingdom People - Living on Earth as Citizens of Heaven Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:45:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Anne http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevinwax/2007/10/16/my-letter-to-bill-oreilly-regarding-the-desecration-of-the-sacrament/#comment-1178 Anne Tue, 16 Sep 2008 13:08:21 +0000 http://trevinwax.wordpress.com/2007/10/16/my-letter-to-bill-oreilly-regarding-the-desecration-of-the-sacrament/#comment-1178 maybe Protest by Catholics generally seems to increase the profit share and notoriety/fame of the perpetrators - While doing very little to qualitatively help the Faithful. Whatsoever things are good . . . Focus on evil. Evil grows. Focus on Good. Maybe Good will grow. Spend your limited time and resources being a positive influence. So How do we defeat evil? Confrontation, Prayer, Action? Keeping to our own world? Shining a light Or cursing the darkness? All of these. The Good News is that ultimately the fight is God's not our own. The Bible directs us to First focus on the Faithful who are lost. Then on those who clearly refuse or reject Christianity. Expend your energy on those who *want* to believe. Outrage doesn't heal anyone. Maybe it shames some people into behaving better. (O'Reilly's strength.)And MLK immediately jumps to the front of my mind. Ahimsa. But that presupposes an underlying consciousness and concern for the humanity of other Americans Which unfortunately can't always be relied upon. Still there is something to be said for banding together and letting it be known that respect isnt just for other people. It's for the One True God. And that the Devil doesn't get free reign just because we're concerned with being polite. maybe

Protest by Catholics generally seems to increase the profit share and notoriety/fame of the perpetrators – While doing very little to qualitatively help the Faithful.

Whatsoever things are good . . .
Focus on evil. Evil grows. Focus on Good. Maybe Good will grow. Spend your limited time and resources being a positive influence.

So How do we defeat evil? Confrontation, Prayer, Action? Keeping to our own world? Shining a light Or cursing the darkness? All of these. The Good News is that ultimately the fight is God’s not our own.

The Bible directs us to First focus on the Faithful who are lost. Then on those who clearly refuse or reject Christianity. Expend your energy on those who *want* to believe. Outrage doesn’t heal anyone. Maybe it shames some people into behaving better. (O’Reilly’s strength.)And MLK immediately jumps to the front of my mind. Ahimsa.

But that presupposes an underlying consciousness and concern for the humanity of other Americans Which unfortunately can’t always be relied upon.

Still there is something to be said for banding together and letting it be known that respect isnt just for other people. It’s for the One True God. And that the Devil doesn’t get free reign just because we’re concerned with being polite.

]]> By: STARR PENDERGRAFT http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevinwax/2007/10/16/my-letter-to-bill-oreilly-regarding-the-desecration-of-the-sacrament/#comment-1177 STARR PENDERGRAFT Sat, 30 Aug 2008 06:09:52 +0000 http://trevinwax.wordpress.com/2007/10/16/my-letter-to-bill-oreilly-regarding-the-desecration-of-the-sacrament/#comment-1177 I will take a very strong stand for my Lord & Savior, who threw the tables over in the church. We cannot stand by, and let our ministries be invaded by those who have no honor, respect, dignity, or love for our Lord. It gets too far out of hand, if we do not intercede immediately, and openly. Thanx I will take a very strong stand for my Lord & Savior, who threw the tables over in the church. We cannot stand by, and let our ministries be invaded by those who have no honor, respect, dignity, or love for our Lord. It gets too far out of hand, if we do not intercede immediately, and openly. Thanx

]]> By: SnakesDon'tTalk http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevinwax/2007/10/16/my-letter-to-bill-oreilly-regarding-the-desecration-of-the-sacrament/#comment-1176 SnakesDon'tTalk Sun, 24 Aug 2008 21:53:34 +0000 http://trevinwax.wordpress.com/2007/10/16/my-letter-to-bill-oreilly-regarding-the-desecration-of-the-sacrament/#comment-1176 History shows that early Christianity spread throughout the world under persecution from the Roman Empire and the Caesars. “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church…” claimed Tertullian in the third century. History shows that early Islam spread quite differently, by wielding the sword and forcing conversions. Oh brother. Someone is ignoring quite a bit of history. Christianity. Spread via crusades, inquisitions, witch burnings, torture and killing of Jews for supposed host desecrations, genital mutilation of infant boys, just to highlight a few abuses of power. Please. Christianity has quite a bit of blood on its hands. Read the bible. Even within it's pages is a hell of alot of genocide in the name of getting the Jews to the holy land. God himself in the old testament was the worst abuser for his namesake. Didn't He afterall, flood the entire planet? Wasn't it Jesus himself who said, I come not in peace but bearing a sword? For the author to pretend that Christians are being persecuted is laughable. When federal funds are directed to faith based groups with accountability required, when churches are taxed like everyone else for their real estate and contributing to the tax base of their communities, then maybe, maybe faith groups can whine about persecution. Oh wait. You should be held to the same accountability standards as other non-profits not whining for special treatment. Whining for special treatment. This is the faith-based legacy and true history. History shows that early Christianity spread throughout the world under persecution from the Roman Empire and the Caesars. “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church…” claimed Tertullian in the third century. History shows that early Islam spread quite differently, by wielding the sword and forcing conversions.

Oh brother. Someone is ignoring quite a bit of history. Christianity. Spread via crusades, inquisitions, witch burnings, torture and killing of Jews for supposed host desecrations, genital mutilation of infant boys, just to highlight a few abuses of power. Please. Christianity has quite a bit of blood on its hands. Read the bible. Even within it’s pages is a hell of alot of genocide in the name of getting the Jews to the holy land. God himself in the old testament was the worst abuser for his namesake. Didn’t He afterall, flood the entire planet? Wasn’t it Jesus himself who said, I come not in peace but bearing a sword? For the author to pretend that Christians are being persecuted is laughable.

When federal funds are directed to faith based groups with accountability required, when churches are taxed like everyone else for their real estate and contributing to the tax base of their communities, then maybe, maybe faith groups can whine about persecution. Oh wait. You should be held to the same accountability standards as other non-profits not whining for special treatment. Whining for special treatment. This is the faith-based legacy and true history.

]]> By: Saddleback Forum Video & Transcript: Obama / McCain with Rick Warren « Kingdom People http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevinwax/2007/10/16/my-letter-to-bill-oreilly-regarding-the-desecration-of-the-sacrament/#comment-1175 Saddleback Forum Video & Transcript: Obama / McCain with Rick Warren « Kingdom People Sun, 24 Aug 2008 11:43:33 +0000 http://trevinwax.wordpress.com/2007/10/16/my-letter-to-bill-oreilly-regarding-the-desecration-of-the-sacrament/#comment-1175 [...] Lashes Out at Pro-Lifers Why We Are Pro-Life Social Security Crisis’ Dark Side: Abortion Letter to Bill O’Reilly Regarding the Desecration of the Sacrament Death of a [...] [...] Lashes Out at Pro-Lifers Why We Are Pro-Life Social Security Crisis’ Dark Side: Abortion Letter to Bill O’Reilly Regarding the Desecration of the Sacrament Death of a [...]

]]> By: Brian http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevinwax/2007/10/16/my-letter-to-bill-oreilly-regarding-the-desecration-of-the-sacrament/#comment-1174 Brian Tue, 19 Aug 2008 19:13:56 +0000 http://trevinwax.wordpress.com/2007/10/16/my-letter-to-bill-oreilly-regarding-the-desecration-of-the-sacrament/#comment-1174 Wow, thank you Trevin. This is my first time to the blog, but I am struck by your very insightful and grace-filled words. Also, thank you Frank for your explanation. I was also struck by the comment you mentioned, but, not being a Catholic, could not have adequately responded. I really appreciate your explanation, because it helps me understand the Catholic traditions better. Wow, thank you Trevin. This is my first time to the blog, but I am struck by your very insightful and grace-filled words.

Also, thank you Frank for your explanation. I was also struck by the comment you mentioned, but, not being a Catholic, could not have adequately responded. I really appreciate your explanation, because it helps me understand the Catholic traditions better.

]]> By: Frank http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevinwax/2007/10/16/my-letter-to-bill-oreilly-regarding-the-desecration-of-the-sacrament/#comment-1173 Frank Tue, 19 Aug 2008 00:19:29 +0000 http://trevinwax.wordpress.com/2007/10/16/my-letter-to-bill-oreilly-regarding-the-desecration-of-the-sacrament/#comment-1173 As a member of the RCC, I take offense at the desecration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass by anyone, as well as taking offense of any desecration of any Christian religious service. But I was intrigued by one comment which referenced a belief by some Protestant brothers that the Mass is idolatrous?! I thought that idolatry was the worship of idols. I hope that our Protestant brothers and sisters do not regard the worship of God. Jesus, and the Holy Spirit as idols. I,m hoping that the reference is the ignorant belief that members of the RCC worship saints, angels, and other holy people. If that is the belief, than it is 100% wrong. Members of the RCC honor these holy people and pray to them for intercession with God, since Catholics believe that they hold a special place with God. I am hoping that is the intercession that has some people confused. think of it as a child going to a parent to talk with the other parent for them. It is not necessary to do so, but children do it anyway. By praying to a saint is not thinking of them as gods, but rather as the parent the child does to. Members of the RCC are not required to ask for intercession, but some do so, if that is their wish. We know that God listens to all his children with love and compassion and takes care of his children. The saints are just one way to approach God, as is praying directlhy to him. The Mass is a reenactment of the Last Supper. It is a ceremony of the time when Jesus told his followers to take his love to the world. The RCC celebrates this a one of the steps which led to the salvation of mankind. I'd like to reccomend to my Protestant brothers and sisters to attend a Mass. See how deeply spiritual it is and how it is a time of prayer, celebration, hearing the Gospel and praying over the words and lessons of Jesus. The Mass is quite different from what you may experience at your worship services, but, as you will see, it is not idolatrous, but a beautiful ceremony. God Bless you all As a member of the RCC, I take offense at the desecration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass by anyone, as well as taking offense of any desecration of any Christian religious service.

But I was intrigued by one comment which referenced a belief by some Protestant brothers that the Mass is idolatrous?! I thought that idolatry was the worship of idols. I hope that our Protestant brothers and sisters do not regard the worship of God. Jesus, and the Holy Spirit as idols. I,m hoping that the reference is the ignorant belief that members of the RCC worship saints, angels, and other holy people. If that is the belief, than it is 100% wrong. Members of the RCC honor these holy people and pray to them for intercession with God, since Catholics believe that they hold a special place with God. I am hoping that is the intercession that has some people confused. think of it as a child going to a parent to talk with the other parent for them. It is not necessary to do so, but children do it anyway. By praying to a saint is not thinking of them as gods, but rather as the parent the child does to. Members of the RCC are not required to ask for intercession, but some do so, if that is their wish. We know that God listens to all his children with love and compassion and takes care of his children. The saints are just one way to approach God, as is praying directlhy to him.

The Mass is a reenactment of the Last Supper. It is a ceremony of the time when Jesus told his followers to take his love to the world. The RCC celebrates this a one of the steps which led to the salvation of mankind.

I’d like to reccomend to my Protestant brothers and sisters to attend a Mass. See how deeply spiritual it is and how it is a time of prayer, celebration, hearing the Gospel and praying over the words and lessons of Jesus. The Mass is quite different from what you may experience at your worship services, but, as you will see, it is not idolatrous, but a beautiful ceremony.

God Bless you all

]]> By: Jake http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevinwax/2007/10/16/my-letter-to-bill-oreilly-regarding-the-desecration-of-the-sacrament/#comment-1163 Jake Sun, 28 Oct 2007 07:32:56 +0000 http://trevinwax.wordpress.com/2007/10/16/my-letter-to-bill-oreilly-regarding-the-desecration-of-the-sacrament/#comment-1163 Maybe it's because of Christianities brutality and oppression of gay people over the thousands of years since it was founded that caused these TWO people to do that. Christianity has been the engine of anti-gay hate around the world. Maybe it’s because of Christianities brutality and oppression of gay people over the thousands of years since it was founded that caused these TWO people to do that. Christianity has been the engine of anti-gay hate around the world.

]]> By: Blackhaw http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevinwax/2007/10/16/my-letter-to-bill-oreilly-regarding-the-desecration-of-the-sacrament/#comment-1172 Blackhaw Wed, 24 Oct 2007 16:11:34 +0000 http://trevinwax.wordpress.com/2007/10/16/my-letter-to-bill-oreilly-regarding-the-desecration-of-the-sacrament/#comment-1172 Interesting letter but I think the silence instead of outcry from Christians over this issue has more to do with apathy than a willingness to accept persecution. I think most Christians do not care enough to get involved in things like this unless it directly affects them or their church. Interesting letter but I think the silence instead of outcry from Christians over this issue has more to do with apathy than a willingness to accept persecution. I think most Christians do not care enough to get involved in things like this unless it directly affects them or their church.

]]> By: In the Blogosphere… « Kingdom People http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevinwax/2007/10/16/my-letter-to-bill-oreilly-regarding-the-desecration-of-the-sacrament/#comment-1171 In the Blogosphere… « Kingdom People Fri, 19 Oct 2007 12:52:16 +0000 http://trevinwax.wordpress.com/2007/10/16/my-letter-to-bill-oreilly-regarding-the-desecration-of-the-sacrament/#comment-1171 [...] Top Post this Week at Kingdom People: My Letter to Bill O’Reilly Regarding the Desecration of the Sacrament [...] [...] Top Post this Week at Kingdom People: My Letter to Bill O’Reilly Regarding the Desecration of the Sacrament [...]

]]> By: trevinwax http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevinwax/2007/10/16/my-letter-to-bill-oreilly-regarding-the-desecration-of-the-sacrament/#comment-1170 trevinwax Wed, 17 Oct 2007 13:38:27 +0000 http://trevinwax.wordpress.com/2007/10/16/my-letter-to-bill-oreilly-regarding-the-desecration-of-the-sacrament/#comment-1170 I wouldn't equate the acts of these homosexuals to the persecution of Christians by the Roman Empire. But it was definitely meant to be an insult. And while I don't feel "injured pride" at the event, I am called to turn the other cheek and to rejoice in the insult, for so the godly have always been treated. You are right that many in the homosexual community may feel persecuted by Christians, and that is a shame. Crimes against our neighbors, no matter their behavior, should not be tolerated... and when Christians act in this way, they are acting in a way that is false to the true Christian faith. I wouldn’t equate the acts of these homosexuals to the persecution of Christians by the Roman Empire. But it was definitely meant to be an insult. And while I don’t feel “injured pride” at the event, I am called to turn the other cheek and to rejoice in the insult, for so the godly have always been treated.

You are right that many in the homosexual community may feel persecuted by Christians, and that is a shame. Crimes against our neighbors, no matter their behavior, should not be tolerated… and when Christians act in this way, they are acting in a way that is false to the true Christian faith.

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