It would be fun to sing in the Philharmonia. I wouldn’t imagine the auditions would be easy, though.

Concerning the post about Catholics you meet in Hyde Park being confused about Christian faith, I would imagine that many people who told you they were Anglicans would be equally confused.

While I agree with you David that many people who call themselves Anglican are confused about [the] Christian faith, this does not mean that Roman Catholics confusion is inspite of what the RCC teaches, it is because of it.

I say this because if you have a Roman Catholic is very faithful to what Rome teaches and holds to be true, then whilst the RC may not be confused about what they believe- what they actually believe is far removed from Biblical Christianity.

Joshua, I still think that many people who call themselves Anglicans would also be confused because of what they were taught. I’m not referring to evangelical Anglicans, who actually attend church, but. ... Well, only on a few things ...

I agree - my point is that Anglican churches that are teaching doctrine that is abberant to the faith that handed down once for all are Anglican churches that are inconsistent with what the Anglican church is based on. However when the RCC teaches what is the official line of the Magisterium and Trentine theology it is being consisent with itself - that is the problem. If the RCC taught the Bible and the true Gospel, it would cease to be a Roman Catholic Church and Roman Catholics who believe the true Gospel would no longer be Roman Catholic. And furthermore if RC’s did believe the true Gospel, then according to Rome, they would be confused!

What I am trying to get at is that I think you are wrong in stating that the RCC is a Christian church. Whether Anglicans are confused or not makes no difference. The RCC and its gospel is not the true gospel, thus it cannot be Christian unless the term Christian is defined in a non Biblical and non-theological way.

Hi Stephen,

I am really excited that our city is host to such a public proclamation of the Gospel. I pray that many Sydneysiders and visitors will experience the reality of God’s amazing grace as a result of this event.

Hi Melinda,

In what sense is it a public proclamation of the gospel?

One Roman Catholic’s view of WYD, in the SMH today…

Show pony for religion not the way to go

So World Youth Day has a budget of $100 million ("Youth event too big a cross for racing industry to bear”, July 2). How many Third World countries could have their debt relieved with that sort of money? I guess it is a choice between religion in action or religion on show.

As a Catholic I know which type of religion I would prefer.

Kerry Gonzales, Oatlands

But surely money paid to the Sydney Philharmonia could not be regarded as a waste!

Hi Melinda,

I pray that many Sydneysiders and visitors will experience the reality of God’s amazing grace as a result of this event.

How would you define ‘grace’?

I know I have already said this, but I really think Peter Jensen’s talk is worth listening to

In it, he makes clear what disagreements we should have with Roman Catholicism, and he does so in a way that shows clearly that he is not motivated by hatred or bigotry.

I think mostly it’s a good thing.
I have some difficulties with RC doctrine
and I have huge difficulties with big events as a means for anything other than an awareness raising exercise.
But since it may well raise awareness about Jesus both by people power (talking to or having contact sith people involved) and by discussions as per this forum, then perhaps all up it will be a good thing. Just as long as there aren’t too many folks getting negative to the point where the many curious observers aren’t left thinking that the whole “church thing” is a rather sad joke full of people with opinions and not much love.
The discussion here seems to be fairly moderate. There are views I find difficult but while they aren’t drifting close to the Ian Paisley model then all is probably OK.
Mind you, some comments will offend. So we should be careful how we greet people who feel affronted.
Then the observer can see Christians talking to one another in love, even when they are in disagreement.

Ben Stevenson - 03 July 2007 11:22 AM

I know I have already said this, but I really think Peter Jensen’s talk is worth listening to

http://your.sydneyanglicans.net/indepth/mp3_library/why_i_am_a_protestant_christian/

In it, he makes clear what disagreements we should have with Roman Catholicism, and he does so in a way that shows clearly that he is not motivated by hatred or bigotry.

Hi Ben,
Hopefully people will eventually get the message that the SydAng senior overseer’s talk related to this area is very much worth listening to.
8-)
Terry

Terry Gallagher - 03 July 2007 03:43 PM

Ben Stevenson - 03 July 2007 11:22 AM

I know I have already said this, but I really think Peter Jensen’s talk is worth listening to

http://your.sydneyanglicans.net/indepth/mp3_library/why_i_am_a_protestant_christian/

In it, he makes clear what disagreements we should have with Roman Catholicism, and he does so in a way that shows clearly that he is not motivated by hatred or bigotry.

Hi Ben,
Hopefully people will eventually get the message that the SydAng senior overseer’s talk related to this area is very much worth listening to.
8-)
Terry

If it’s the same talk I heard in 1984ish then it is well worth paying attention to.

Steve, if you’re still around, could you explain a little more about what WYD is about? I’m just curious, and never really understood.. young people, check, catholicism, check, *lots* of young catholics in one place, check… but beyond that I’m just not really sure what’s about?? Thanks!

It seems to me that WYD will give us some great opportunities and some serious challenges.

Opportunities:

We can ask our Catholic friends who participate what they believe.  We can share with them what we believe and highlight justification by faith alone and the supreme authority of the Bible. 

We can educate our congregations on the differences between Roman teaching and that of the Bible, maybe by using the excellent doctrine and Reformation Church History PTC courses offered by Moore College.

Challenges:
We will be tempted to hide the fact we differ from our Roman Catholic Friends on key issues like: How one is justified and the place of Scripture in determining what we believe. 

We will be tempted to participate in the sense of what the Bible would call ‘fellowship’ with those organising WYD.  That is, we will treat them as fellow believers who hold to the same truths and so act as partners with them.  In my view, to do this is to ignore the Bible’s clear teaching that we cannot compromise a gospel truth as central as the means by which we are saved/justified in the name of ‘unity’. 

An Idea We need to organise well for WYD; we need to work with other evangelical, Protestant churches to see how we might in a creative and positive way use this huge occasion to promote the gospel of grace.  We don’t want to be seen as spoilers and sectarian anti Roman Catholics; but we do want to be seen to be speaking the truth in love.  What about a forum to brainstorm ideas?

Gordon Cheng - 03 July 2007 04:09 PM

Terry Gallagher - 03 July 2007 03:43 PM

Ben Stevenson - 03 July 2007 11:22 AM

I know I have already said this, but I really think Peter Jensen’s talk is worth listening to

http://your.sydneyanglicans.net/indepth/mp3_library/why_i_am_a_protestant_christian/

In it, he makes clear what disagreements we should have with Roman Catholicism, and he does so in a way that shows clearly that he is not motivated by hatred or bigotry.

Hi Ben,
Hopefully people will eventually get the message that the SydAng senior overseer’s talk related to this area is very much worth listening to.
8-)
Terry

If it’s the same talk I heard in 1984ish then it is well worth paying attention to.

Gordon,
It is the 2007 production but I would imagine the storyline is very similar to the 1984 version.
Perhaps your senior overseer has justifiably used some energy-efficient recycling.
8-)
Terry