Loving Jesus, Hating “Religion”–Yet Another Take

Okay I listened to this video maybe 4-5 times now and each time I have become more convinced of one thing–the young man in the video is closer to “right than wrong.” I know that is not the popular view going around the Catholic side of the blogosphere at the moment, but I think we need to listen a bit more carefully and we may be surprised to find how much we actually agree with his perceptions.

He first of all definitely believes in a personal faith in Christ, through the blood of Christ on the Cross, and in following the Church (at least as he understands it) and, most importantly, that repentance from all known sin is a condition to salvation. As Catholics we would agree.

Also if you listen to the whole poem you will also find he does believe strongly in good works and does not deny the need for them in any way. In that he is not that far from Catholicism either. Instead of ripping on him, let us pray for his understanding to grow, his continual conversion (as well as for all of us) and at least rejoice that he loves God enough to stand against the culture of sin and impurity all around him. He is taking a stand that is not exactly popular. View it with that in mind, even if you have already watched it before, and see what you think.

I would as well add that I do not think his aim is particularly at Catholics or any certain “brand” of Christianity, but perhaps liturgical “religion” in general. Many Lutherans, Presbyterians, and others would fit his mold of “religious but not truly Christian” and to be honest he has a point. We very candidly can far too easily become the Pharisees of our generation if we are not careful. Although I happen to believe strongly in the Catholic Church and all of her teachings, I would rather deal with a solid committed Protestant who actually loves Jesus than a supposedly good Catholic who views Mass as “fire insurance” and attends regularly but sleeps through it weekly. And too many fit that bill unfortunately.

Also although we as Roman Catholics teach “baptismal regeneration,” we must keep in mind that the Sacrament of baptism is only efficacious if we also follow Christ on a personal level, which means taking up his Cross daily, and to those who truly try to follow Him, should they die before they understand the need or necessity for baptism, the Church clearly makes provision for the “baptism of desire” in such cases.

As was just today pointed out to me the reverse is true also, in that a person might be baptized on their deathbed and not consciously give up their sins, or die as a baptized Christian before the age of reason, but I am talking in this post primarily here about the “norm” not those exceptions in either direction. But I digress…

The Sacraments themselves do not “save” automatically–although many in our circles seem to think that they do. They are meant to be accompanied by repentance and faith. That is what “renewing our baptismal vows” is all about, and we are invited to do so (once we reach the age of accountability) in order to allow the graces of baptism to be nurtured and take root in our lives. Each of the Sacraments then, starting with baptism and onward, therefore are again the normal vehicles of salvation but not the only ones God can use and He is not limited to using them at all. It is still Jesus and only He who does the saving.

And yes, if we understand our need for the Sacramental path to holiness but still reject it, then we are in spiritual danger of course, since that would be a matter of grave sin and not showing a love or committment to Jesus on our parts.

But ultimately it is Jesus who does save us and who even keeps us in a “state of grace,” and as the Sacred Scriptures tell us, it is always a cooperative effort–He loving us and we loving Him back. Living faith by its very nature includes works of righteousness. I think the biggest issue is to be sure not to oversimplify it as that can lead people to think its just one quick “trip to the altar” and we are all “fixed up”…but I do not think that is what he is saying here at all, although that message could get muddled if not listened to carefully. Then again going to Mass and hearing a poor homily could do the same thing.

You be the judge, but that is my take at least for now.

Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus – The Smackdown (patheos.com)
Love Never Fails – The Intimate Nature of the Sacraments (PrayTheMass.org)

6 thoughts on “Loving Jesus, Hating “Religion”–Yet Another Take”

Richard, I appreciate the thoughts on this guy. You’re right, there have been a lot of criticism flying around towards him, and I agree with you mostly about what you say above, but I do have some disagreement. I certainly agree that the message behind what he is saying is well intended and correct. He was Christians to not be hypocrites because that only hurts the Body of Christ and those the Church is trying to reach. He is, however, very misinformed/ignorant about many of the issues he discusses. I think if we were to ask what he defines “religion” we would disagree about the definition. You’re right, he probably does mean liturgical denominations like Catholics, Presbyterians, etc, but like many of the articles in response to the video have pointed out, that would not be the definition of religion. Obviously, if he is speaking about the Catholic Church, his criticism about building big churches and not feeding/helping the poor is completely off base. You know as well as I that the Catholic Church helps more poor and oppressed that any other organization in the world, but he either is ignorant of that fact or ignores it. In summary, I think the criticisms launched at this video have been spot-on, but, like yourself, I do not think they affirm the good in the video enough. Is that fair to say?
I also want to suggest something about your sacraments-being-efficacious comment above. I think you might be slightly off there, but I could be mistaken. I believe the sacraments are efficacious in the sense that as long as the matter and form are met, they give grace (special grace, obviously). They are more than just symbols; they give the grace they represent. For Baptism faith is required (either of the baptized or the parents), but as long as all of the correct elements are there, it is efficacious: it really does bring about a change in the believer even if they do not live out the Christian life afterwords. I think the Catechism communicates this. Tell me what you think. From CCC 1127 and 1128: “Celebrated worthily in faith, the sacraments confer the grace that they signify. They are efficacious because in them Christ himself is at work: it is he who baptizes, he who acts in his sacraments in order to communicate the grace that each sacrament signifies…This is the meaning of the Church’s affirmation that the sacraments act ex opere operato (literally: “by the very fact of the action’s being performed”), i.e., by virtue of the saving work of Christ, accomplished once for all. It follows that “the sacrament is not wrought by the righteousness of either the celebrant or the recipient, but by the power of God.” From the moment that a sacrament is celebrated in accordance with the intention of the Church, the power of Christ and his Spirit acts in and through it, independently of the personal holiness of the minister. Nevertheless, the fruits of the sacraments also depend on the disposition of the one who receives them.”
I think that last sentence is what you were getting at. Still, once the Sacrament is performed, grace is given. For example, when some 8th grader is confirmed (like I was) without truly understanding what was happening or afterwards trying to live out the Christian faith, I still received the gifts of the Holy Spirit (the Sacrament was efficacious), but it was still up to me to use them (the fruit depends on the disposition of the one who receives them).
As always I very much appreciate your commentary and contribution, and I respect you opinion. I just wanted to share this with you. Please tell me what you think. Peace.

catholicboyrichard on January 14, 2012 at 12:12 AM said:

DAVID I posted this same response on my FB page, and completely agree with you. Thanks for your insights, as well as your charity. God bless!

One of my brothers in Christ and the Church, David Demboski, pointed out to me that the Sacraments ARE efficacious at all times according to the Catechism, and he is of course correct. However if we are not properly disposed to them, they sort of are “frozen in place” and do not accomplish all they are meant to–NOT becasuse of them, but because of us. The distinction is important because the first statement implies that they do not have power in and of themselves. They do. I stand corrected (actually I am seated but you get the point!). Also the video’s use of the word “religion” bothered him because, again rightly pointing out, that TRUE religion does indeed give us the graces we need and that is the gift of the Church to us. It, ironicially, is the very vehicle that even this young man has received Christ as a result of–and that is true of all “Bible believing Christians.” Points VERY well taken, David. In response I would say that it depends how you define “religion” however. Muslims and Buddhism are commonly called “religions” in the more modern and broader definition of the word. So no, “religion” in that sense does not save. I think that was the point our young rap star was pointing out and on that I agree with him still. Conversely, James in the New Testament tells us what “true religion” is and there is a place for it in our lives as well. So I think both sides have something to say to one another. What I strongly object to is the amount of name-calling and sarcasm I have seen towards someone who at least seems to be attempting to live for God, and who had to know his video was going to uspet some people–yet he posted it anyway. And I still object to that. I respect his courage and his willingness to take the flack he is no doubt getting along with the accolades. I am not sure, at that age or stage in my life, if I would have had the gumption to face all of that personally. As I said already I think we should pray for him to have a greater understanding of what/who the Church actually is. does, and teaches, and go from there. And finally we need to remember that we are not enemies with opposite objectives here. We are brothers in Christ and as such both need to hear one another out. Thanks David Demboski. And thanks be to God for his ONE HOLY CATHOLIC AND APOSTOLIC CHURCH.