Quotation from Scripture is to be the theme of the largest conference ever to be held in the city of Toronto. From July 23 to July 28, 2002, 500,000 young people from all over the globe, ages 16-30, are expected to arrive in Toronto. These visitors are to join the nearly two million local residents of Ontario to celebrate the 17th annual World Youth Day conference in honor of the Roman Catholic faith.
Initiated in 1984 by Pope John Paul II, the World Youth Day has served to gather millions of young people from around the world, encouraging them to return to, and recommit to, the powerful roots and culture of Catholicism. The program of the conference will include important “Catechesis sessions” for the youth focusing on basic Catholic concepts such as the sacraments of the holy eucharist, and penance. Other activities will include community service projects, various entertainment events, pilgrimages, an overnight vigil, and papal mass. The conference will conclude on July 28, with a papal mass presided over by Pope John Paul II at the Downs view Lands in Toronto, with an expected attendance of more than one million.
The purpose of this initiative by the Catholic Church is partly evident in the theme for the week, noted above,
which is designed to reach out to the youth of the world and encourage them to be “the light of the world” and “the salt of the earth” through embracing Catholic doctrine and culture. This powerful and universal appeal is apparent in the “message of the Holy Father to the youth of the world” on the occasion of the 15th World Youth Day, which was held in Rome:
“Dear young people… learn to lift your hearts in an attitude of contemplation. Stop and look with wonder at the infant Mary brought into the world… the infant is God himself who has come among us… Young people of every continent… continue to listen to His Word, draw strength from the sacraments, especially the eucharist and penance. May most holy Mary teach you, dear young people, how to discern the will of the heavenly Father in your life.” (From the Vatican, June 29, 1999, solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul)
Do these events have any impact on the Christadelphian community? What is our response to this global conference on the Catholic faith in Toronto next summer?
As a community, we believe the Bible to be the inerrant, inspired word of God, and so stand on it as the foundation authority to our life — both in conviction and conduct. We claim to be “the ecclesia of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (I Tim. 3:15). Since this is true, our responsibility to those who do not hold the truth should be obvious. Clearly, one of our Father’s characteristics is that He is “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (II Peter 3:9). If we desire to manifest the character of our Father on this matter, we will find ourselves compelled to preach the truth of His message, and shine as the “lights” in this dark world, “rightly dividing the word of truth.”
This summer, over one million people will be gathered in Toronto to honor a religion that is in opposition to God. Will they be able to hear the real voice of truth? Unless we take on our responsibility to magnify God’s word and God’s name this summer, the participants will not be given that opportunity. Can we ignore the imperative to allow the truth to cast down “arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God” in light of what is planned for this summer? (II Cor. 10:5) Clearly our call is to “do the work of an evangelist” (II Tim. 4:5). This summer the Christadelphians will have an opportunity to make a clear stand for the truth, and, “by sound doctrine, both exhort and convict those who contradict” (Titus 1:9).
The Catholic system is deeply rooted in the fundamental error of the immortality of the soul. On this false proposition rests an entire framework of scriptural doctrines — from eternal hell-fire punishment, to patron saints and the assumption of Mary. Along with these teachings is the foundation doctrine of the trinity, the rituals of exorcism, and claims of infallibility. Believers in these doctrines, in particular the youth, are in a state of darkness and “without hope in the world.” Let us bring light and hope to them in the spirit of Christ.
The nature of this global crusade should challenge us to take an example from those like the apostle Paul who stood to defend the truth of the gospel, spreading and preserving the “sound doctrine” of scripture. Plans have been underway for over a year in southern Ontario for our community to do our part in spreading the truth in Toronto in the summer of 2002. The campaign being organized has the purpose of bringing truth to those who will hear, that they might know and live the true gospel and have hope of eternal life. God willing, we hope to have a preparatory week of study and canvassing for this effort, which is to be held in Shel burne, Ontario, from July 22 to 28, 2002. Then, on July 27, all who are able are needed to help canvass specifically to the participants of World Youth Day in Toronto during their pilgrimage to the Downs view Lands. All who can are invited and encouraged to attend the preparatory week and/or the preaching effort on July 27. Lots of help is needed in planning and canvassing if we are to witness this summer. There is need for the help of both young and old.
How will the people hear if they have no preacher? It may be that many of our efforts this summer are rejected, but we must sow the seed. If we do, God’s word will have gone out, and it will accomplish the purpose for which He sent it (Isa. 55). Let us be bold for God’s truth, like the apostle Paul who “argued,” “reasoned,” “persuaded,” “testified,” “expounded,” and “alleged” the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. He pressed the truth because the people needed to know. It was a matter of life and death.
The sponsorship of the World Youth Day in Toronto offers an opportunity to let our light shine in the spirit of Christ. Let all who are able and willing answer these claims and shine as the true “light of the world.” Proverbs says, “The lips of the wise disperse knowledge” (15:7). We have been given the “light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (II Cor. 4:6). May the Lord bless and aid us in dispersing that knowledge this summer for “if the Lord wills, we shall live and do this” (James 4:15).
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One