“Surfer Angel”

Back in the 60s the Beach Boys recorded one of several songs that had to do with surfing. “Surfer Girl” broke into the Top Ten. The group is still around, performing their music, and doing pretty well (reportedly). If someone writes a song with the title, “Surfer Angel,” would they record it? That possibility is about the only one idea that was omitted from a February 24, 2015 article in the Wall Street Journal. Guido Schaffer has become quite a celebrity in Brazil since his death while surfing in 2009. He was training to be a priest and would have been “ordained” had he not died. He was dubbed the “Surfer Angel” by the local population (A1).

It is difficult to imagine how many more references to vain worship could be included in one article. Some have made pilgrimages to his tomb and claim to have been healed by his intercession. The Scriptures teach that live Christians can intercede for others; all who have died (except for Jesus, since He rose again) have no power to intercede for anyone. A monthly mass is held at Schaffer’s grave. The New Testament does not speak of a “mass,” period, let alone having one for a deceased individual. The Vatican is allowing “priests” to go through the preliminary stages of gathering evidence for the man to become a “saint” (a1). In the New Testament, all Christians are priests and saints.

A “reverend” in the area (Jesus forbade the use of such titles) said: “For him, surfing was a mystical experience, like prayer. He felt the presence of God in the sea” (A1). This is an ironic statement since he drowned while surfing the day before his best friend’s wedding (A10). Some believe that as a Surfer Saint, Schaffer might bring more people “to the church as a saint” than he would have as a priest. But those who are motivated by him will become Catholic, not a Christian.

One woman interviewed for the article said, “I pray to him all the time” (A19). Only God can hear and answer prayers; her time and requests are wasted. Some women said they prayed to have a child and became pregnant after praying to the Surfer Angel (A10). Ironically, Mr. Schaffer was using a borrowed surfboard the day of his death, inscribed with Matthew 7:14: “Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” About 2,000 people attended his funeral. Faithful surfers began a prayer group called Surfers with Mary. They say the rosary (also not mentioned in the New Testament) and then surf (A 10). If someone does write “Surfer Angel,” I hope the Beach Boys pass it up.

All Christians are called to be…

A chosen generation (1 Peter 2:9)
A holy priesthood (1 Peter 2:5)
A holy nation (1 Peter 2:9)
Saints (1 Cor. 1:2)
Brethren (Rom. 8:29)
Joint heirs with Christ (Rom. 8:16-17)