Willful Ignorance to the Beat of Love

2 Tim 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

In the most recent edition of the Birmingham Christian Family magazine, in the music review section, there is a glowing review of a new CD by Joe Ceravolo (Living to the Beat of Love). The writer, Ashley Cox, gives her full endorsement of the project represented by the following quotes from the article:

• The Song “I Believe” leaves listeners little room for doubt as he sings…
• His message rings true that even though all people are sinners, God is loving and forgiving.
• The message in his worship music is clear.
• Living to the Beat of Love not only reminds Christians of why they believe what they do, but it is also a powerful witnessing tool to share with others about Christ…

I noticed that Joe was Catholic so I wanted to investigate this “powerful witnessing tool” a little further. The first song that jumps off the track listing is “Please Pray, Maria.” I listened to a 2-minute sample of the song which is a litany of supplications to Mary asking her to pray. That should have been enough for Ms. Cox to pass on reviewing the project for a "Christian" magazine.

There was also this little gem to help remind Christians “why they believe what they do” in the song “Holy Spirit”: “With this bread and blood of life, fill us all with Christ’s own life.”

Since Ms. Cox was left with “little doubt” about Joe’s message and was reminded of what Christians believe, I wanted to know if Joe was just as certain, so I wrote to him. I asked him if he knew he was going to heaven in light of the fact that such a thought is considered a sin in Catholicism. This was his response (I use my middle name “Francis” when I write to Catholics; it makes them feel more comfortable):

Hi, Francis, I think you misunderstood the lyrics of 'This I Believe'. I at no time said that I know I am going to heaven... although I'm planning on it.Thanks for listening, Joe


Apparently Joe hasn’t read Ashley’s review. Either that or Ashley believes that praying to Mary, thanking the Holy Spirit for the mass, denying the finished work of Christ and being unsure of our eternal destiny are the core messages of Christianity.

Ashley says she has “little doubt” as to what Joe believes. I concur; I have little doubt as well. But I would never say that the message Joe brings is anything remotely like a “powerful witnessing tool.” Well not for the message of eternal life that I believe anyway. This is a textbook example of “having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof.”

Joe says he loves Christ, believes Christ, honors Christ, knows Christ and worships Christ. He’s just not so sure that Christ can save him without his help. I know what Joe doesn’t believe; he doesn’t believe that Christ’s sacrifice is sufficient for him. Sure God is "loving and forgiving" just not that loving and forgiving.

Perhaps Ashley and the Birmingham Christian Family should provide Joe with a “powerful witnessing tool” I like to call “the gospel.”

1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

The Birmingham Christian Family magazine has been an "inclusive" magazine for some time. In a recent edition they actually featured Catholic apologist and priest Mitchell Pacwa (of all people). Mitch is famous for his debates with Evangelicals (and the topic is not “How can we agree on the gospel even more?”).

BCF magazine and Ashley Cox would rather overlook the eternal fate of their readers rather than risk offending someone. Sadly, this is the norm in Christian media today. How many souls are we “comforting” into perdition? How much blood will God require at our hands? I guess I just don't "love" people the way BCF and Ashley Cox do.

Her next article? "Ignoring the Gospel to the Beat of Love."