Are Our Baptist Friends Becoming More Catholic?

[gurneyhalleck1]

In what way am I tunnel-visioned? It’s hard to tell what you’re talking about because you’re not specific. Are you talking about Catholic media or Mass? Nothing tunnel about it. If you made things clear, it would be easier to respond. And tunnel vision has nothing to do with addressing the wrong topic, right? Tunnel vision is a person going down one avenue without looking around them at the other topics. That is not what I did. So please get your insults straight.

Your post is a basic admition that Catholics can’t walk and chew gum. You’re saying that Catholicism is all about defending against misconceptions, putting them in a position where they don’t preach the Good News but rather are on defense in a fox hole against the lies and stereotypes leveled against them. You’re admitting that it’s all about apologetics and the life lessons, Gospel message, Christian lifestyle and walk with Christ are taking a back seat to apologetics and defense of the faith. The word “while” is deceptive in your last sentence in that both actions are NOT part of Catholic media. Open up Catholic Answers’ website and see if you can find any articles about how to love your neighbor? Or how about how to mend a broken friendship? Or what to do when a friend asks you about an abortion? Or how about how to come to grips with a child who says he’s gay, etc. etc. Or how about how to witness to fallen-away Christians. Or how about a simple sermon about anything? It’s all about what to say to people when they say ________ about the Catholic Church. Father Corapi, as much as I love him, is steeped in apologetics, but at least he throws in some lessons here and there. What you will find on EWTN and Catholic Answers is mostly how to respond to Baptists, why Mormonism is false, how to reply to people who say we worship Mary, yada yada yada. And on EWTN same thing…defense defense defense…Perhaps people might find the Catholic Church inviting and desirable not just through constant apologetics and proof-texting the Fathers? Maybe if they heard a powerful sermon and more evangelical spirit they’d get turned on to the faith, right?

I think the person with “tunnel vision” is the person who thinks Catholic Media should just address apologetics 24/7 without preaching the Good News.

You really show your tunnel vision, I was not talking about the readings at Mass.

More and more people are getting involved with learning about their church because of all of the misconceptions that are raised. Talking about and understanding the Catholic faith is only a small part of being a Catholic Christian.

It is not so much trying to prove we’re the true church, but defending the misconceptions. Besides that, learning about and understanding the Catholic Church is very interesting, while a person deepens their Christian faith.

 

[twopekinguys]

Gurney,

I do see where you’re coming from on your views of EWTN.

As a Catholic, I’m not real big on the way they do things. (sorry Mother A)

What I see as the difference is that the protestant programs you referred to earlier, are more of an “In your face”, kind of approach, where the EWTN approach is more varied and subtle.

I remember one of my many Chicago to Orlando drives, and listening to some of those radio preachers. Many were fire and brimstone types, quoting scripture all over the place.

I would also listen to EWTN or The Catholic Channel on Sirius, and would often times hear the same subject presented differently. The Catholic stations tended to talk about the subject using scripture, early church fathers, catechism, etc.

It just seemed to me that one side was saying “this is the way it is.”, while the other side was saying “this is the way it is, and why.”

I just think it is two different styles, but hey, that’s just my opinion.

 

[dmelosi]

In what way am I tunnel-visioned? It’s hard to tell what you’re talking about because you’re not specific. Are you talking about Catholic media or Mass? Nothing tunnel about it.

I am talking about your tunnel vision saying that Catholic apologists as a whole are worried mostly about defending the faith and not about being the best Christian they can.

If you made things clear, it would be easier to respond. And tunnel vision has nothing to do with addressing the wrong topic, right? Tunnel vision is a person going down one avenue without looking around them at the other topics. That is not what I did. So please get your insults straight.

You are trying to make the case that all Catholics do is try to defend the faith and not worship and live as Jesus taught us. That is your tunnel vision.

Your post is a basic admition that Catholics can’t walk and chew gum. You’re saying that Catholicism is all about defending against misconceptions, putting them in a position where they don’t preach the Good News but rather are on defense in a fox hole against the lies and stereotypes leveled against them. You’re admitting that it’s all about apologetics and the life lessons, Gospel message, Christian lifestyle and walk with Christ are taking a back seat to apologetics and defense of the faith. The word “while” is deceptive in your last sentence in that both actions are NOT part of Catholic media. Open up Catholic Answers’ website and see if you can find any articles about how to love your neighbor? Or how about how to mend a broken friendship? Or what to do when a friend asks you about an abortion? Or how about how to come to grips with a child who says he’s gay, etc. etc. Or how about how to witness to fallen-away Christians. Or how about a simple sermon about anything? It’s all about what to say to people when they say ________ about the Catholic Church. Father Corapi, as much as I love him, is steeped in apologetics, but at least he throws in some lessons here and there. What you will find on EWTN and Catholic Answers is mostly how to respond to Baptists, why Mormonism is false, how to reply to people who say we worship Mary, yada yada yada. And on EWTN same thing…defense defense defense…Perhaps people might find the Catholic Church inviting and desirable not just through constant apologetics and proof-texting the Fathers? Maybe if they heard a powerful sermon and more evangelical spirit they’d get turned on to the faith, right?

I think the person with “tunnel vision” is the person who thinks Catholic Media should just address apologetics 24/7 without preaching the Good News.

You sure seem to have a talent for making things up and then talking about them as if what you say is the truth. I said no such thing.

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

Can you give me a wealth of examples of shows that talk about being the “best Christian” one can be? Most of them are Church-related issues all the time and not just living the faith. Could a non-Catholic turn on the channel and learn something about how to live the faith WITHOUT being a Catholic and following a catechism and institutions, just loving and following Christ in a Biblical setting? This is not tunnel vision. It’s based on observation. Call it a priori if you wish, that’s fine. Catholic media is mostly apologetics and getting you to buy into the institutions, the Church, and scant few examples of Biblical exegegis, Bible study, daily faith living, etc. If you want to believe the contrary, you’re welcome to.

I am talking about your tunnel vision saying that Catholic apologists as a whole are worried mostly about defending the faith and not about being the best Christian they can.

**HILARIOUS. Now who is “making things up!!?” LOL!! When did I say that all Catholics do is apologetics? I don’t recall making the generalization about all Catholics but rather Catholic media by and large, right? Did I say that you by name or Father O’Malley downtown or the Pope don’t care about living the faith or teaching it? Look who’s “making things up” now? hmmmm. I did say that Catholic media is largely devoted to apologetics, institutionalized relationships to God and very little life lessons. That is what I said. **
You are trying to make the case that all Catholics do is try to defend the faith and not worship and live as Jesus taught us. That is your tunnel vision.

Well I’m glad you think I’m talented but I’ve observed that you like to stretch a person’s statements like the Fantasic Four pretty far as well. In an earlier post you said, “all our apologetics specifically talk about the Bible.” That stretched so far I heard a snnnnnap!
You sure seem to have a talent for making things up and then talking about them as if what you say is the truth. I said no such thing.

 

[dmelosi]

Can you give me a wealth of examples of shows that talk about being the “best Christian” one can be? Most of them are Church-related issues all the time and not just living the faith. Could a non-Catholic turn on the channel and learn something about how to live the faith WITHOUT being a Catholic and following a catechism and institutions, just loving and following Christ in a Biblical setting? This is not tunnel vision. It’s based on observation. Call it a priori if you wish, that’s fine. Catholic media is mostly apologetics and getting you to buy into the institutions, the Church, and scant few examples of Biblical exegegis, Bible study, daily faith living, etc. If you want to believe the contrary, you’re welcome to.

I am not sure why you are so bitter, but you keep changing and twisting things.

Well I’m glad you think I’m talented but I’ve observed that you like to stretch a person’s statements like the Fantasic Four pretty far as well. In an earlier post you said, “all our apologetics specifically talk about the Bible.” That stretched so far I heard a snnnnnap!

As I said in this earlier post, and there is no mistaking it, I said “our”, meaning the ones locally.

You say the Catholic media is mostly apologetic in many of your posts and in others you make reference to Catholics in general.

Please clear this up for me. Do you think most Catholics, all Catholics or all Catholic media are more interested in apologetics?

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

Seeing as how I have re-explained it before, I guess I could do it again…here goes:

Catholic MEDIA is largely apologetics-oriented with very very very little emphasis on how to love Christ, live the Christian walk, have life lessons on how to forgive, get through a divorce, change your life, be a better person, reach out to enemies, etc. etc.

The Catholic PEOPLE, the LAITY, the parishoners, are not the people to whom I’m addressing. They are the people who are being starved for a good sermon, life lesson, or exposition of the Gospels because all they hear from the Catholic media is defense of insitutions, history of the church, the church says this/the church says that.

At a parish level, it depends on where you are. Some priests are dynamic and strong speakers, a great many are dull as a tax seminar at midnight and give little food for thought.

Speaking from experience, the parishes I’ve been to throughout this valley in California and beyond have largely had sermons that are banal, bland, and patronizing at best. Most are just filler until the Eucharistic sacrifice. The Church needs to do more to bring Christ to the people not just in the sacraments but in the WORD and knowledge of Scriptures. That, is just my opinion from a priori standpoints. God Bless, D.

I am not sure why you are so bitter, but you keep changing and twisting things.

As I said in this earlier post, and there is no mistaking it, I said “our”, meaning the ones locally.

You say the Catholic media is mostly apologetic in many of your posts and in others you make reference to Catholics in general.

Please clear this up for me. Do you think most Catholics, all Catholics or all Catholic media are more interested in apologetics?

 

[Nine_Two]

I felt the same way! When I was growing up I thought that all Protestants were Bible experts! I thought they all knew the Scriptures through and through and only we Catholics were un-learned in the Bible. As I got older, boy did I find out that stereotype was wrong!

I grew up thinking the same thing, then I read it.

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

This might sound like a dumb question but here goes: what bible translation do the Orthodox prefer to read/study? There are so many published versions with different language translations. Catholics tend to like New American and Douay Rheims (sp?) and a few others. What about the Orthodox? I never thought about it before?

I grew up thinking the same thing, then I read it.

 

[Nine_Two]

This might sound like a dumb question but here goes: what bible translation do the Orthodox prefer to read/study? There are so many published versions with different language translations. Catholics tend to like New American and Douay Rheims (sp?) and a few others. What about the Orthodox? I never thought about it before?

I don’t think the Orthodox really have a favorite. RSV is the standard for use in Church, and at least in the OCA the NRSV is officially banned. The Orthodox Study Bible, which as of now is the only bible officially marketed toward Orthodox uses NKJV for the NT and a varient of the NKJV (edited to conform with the tradition of the LXX) for the OT (which it calls the St. Athanasius Academy Septuagent, or SAAS, and states that when quoting from it people should use that designation.)

The version I read from was NIV, just because that is the version I happened to have, although I have since developed issues with the translation, it does its job well enough.

There is a wholly unique translation coming out soon, called the Eastern Orthodox Bible, which will probably gain a significant following. Catholic Editions are also often used by Orthodox people, simply because they have most of the additional books.