Can Catholics listen to Protestant sermons?

[timeandeternity]

I find that Protestant pastors can often have some great insight into our relationship with Christ, and enjoy hearing much of what they have to say. It occurred to me, though, that the Church might not want Catholics to do this sort of thing, in case some heretical views are thrown out there and we swallow them along with the good. I’m really not sure about this–does anyone know if the Church has said anything about Catholics listening to non-Catholic sermons?

 

[Genesius]

As long as you are grounded in your Catholic faith, I wouldn’t see where it would really matter. As long as you can distinguish the heresy. However, I’m not sure what the Church’s official teaching is on this.

I do know that even the few scriptural passages she defines for the faithful, she allows for lattitude of interpretation, as long as the interpretation doesn’t oppose the Catholic interpretation.

Example: Matt 16. The foundation of the Church. The common Protestant argument is that the “rock” upon which Christ builds His Church is not the person of Peter, but rather Peter’s confession. The Catholic interpretation (which is binding on the faithful) is of course that the “rock” is the person of Peter himself. However, in reality, both can be true. For it is because of Peter’s confession that the Father chose him (revealed who Jesus was through the Holy Spirit), and therefore Jesus chose him to be that “rock”. If you interpret it that way you are not accepting an interpretation contrary to Catholic teaching.

Since many Protestant sermons are based upon Protestant interpretations, I would question why one would want to listen to Protestant sermons in the first place when we have some of the best sermons here in the Catholic Church, and you know that you have much better odds of avoiding heresy.

However, having said that…and in a spirit of charity…having come from a Protestant background myself…I would agree with you that there are some wonderful sermons that Protestant pastors provide to their flocks.

Btw, just because someone is a gifted speaker and/or has a charismatic personality, does not necessarily mean that their sermons are free of heresy, or even good.

Many ex-Catholics have strayed and left the Catholic Church based on that, and because they are often ignorant of the teachings of their own faith. So, in summary I would say although there are some wonderful insights that some Protestants have to offer, unless you are grounded you are walking on shaky ground that could turn into an earthquake and uproot a large tree that could fall on your house or do worse damage and…okay, sorry, I digress…

 

[wwolverine]

Hi,

As being in an arabian country for thee last so many years where there is no Church, i would like to share with you my experiences as a Christian group which invited me into their fold for bible study and it has been so for the last almost 8 years. I am still the membeer there andd its a nice experience when we study the Holy Bible.

The leaders of the gruoup saw to it that no discussons outside the Bible would ever take plaace like asking us about our Catholicism, etc and it has stayed that way.

We sing and praise the Lord, and than have Bible study and end up with group lunch. Monthly once or twiice we used to have breaking of bread.

Most membes ae born again Christians and so are the leaders. I dont know how many Catholics are there in that group but my friends and myself were three Catholics.

God Bless.

 

[Izdaari]

I see no reason why Catholics can’t listen to Protestant pastors and vice versa. I know of some Catholic and Orthodox teachers who have terrific insights, and who I’d love to listen to, if I knew where to find them.

 

[Michael2799]

As long as you are grounded in your Catholic faith, I wouldn’t see where it would really matter. As long as you can distinguish the heresy. However, I’m not sure what the Church’s official teaching is on this.

I do know that even the few scriptural passages she defines for the faithful, she allows for lattitude of interpretation, as long as the interpretation doesn’t oppose the Catholic interpretation.

Example: Matt 16. The foundation of the Church. The common Protestant argument is that the “rock” upon which Christ builds His Church is not the person of Peter, but rather Peter’s confession. The Catholic interpretation (which is binding on the faithful) is of course that the “rock” is the person of Peter himself. However, in reality, both can be true. For it is because of Peter’s confession that the Father chose him (revealed who Jesus was through the Holy Spirit), and therefore Jesus chose him to be that “rock”. If you interpret it that way you are not accepting an interpretation contrary to Catholic teaching.

Since many Protestant sermons are based upon Protestant interpretations, I would question why one would want to listen to Protestant sermons in the first place when we have some of the best sermons here in the Catholic Church, and you know that you have much better odds of avoiding heresy.

However, having said that…and in a spirit of charity…having come from a Protestant background myself…I would agree with you that there are some wonderful sermons that Protestant pastors provide to their flocks.

Btw, just because someone is a gifted speaker and/or has a charismatic personality, does not necessarily mean that their sermons are free of heresy, or even good.

Many ex-Catholics have strayed and left the Catholic Church based on that, and because they are often ignorant of the teachings of their own faith. So, in summary I would say although there are some wonderful insights that some Protestants have to offer, unless you are grounded you are walking on shaky ground that could turn into an earthquake and uproot a large tree that could fall on your house or do worse damage and…okay, sorry, I digress…

You will find massive amounts of heresy coming out of the mouths of both catholic priests and protestant ministers on any given Sunday. The bottom line is that the Lord Jesus Christ bore our sins upon the cross and offers salvation to all who repent and believe in his name.

 

[Barbkw]

I listen to Bott Radio, I think they are considered Evangelical. In the morning, they have hour after hour of talks about both the Old and New Testament. I really enjoy being able to listen to Scripture for hours during the morning.

Every once in a while, there will be anti-Catholic zingers you’ll have to put up with. They don’t have the fullest of knowledge about the Sacraments but they are very much in line with Catholic social teaching on the protection of marriage from the homosexual agenda and they are openly against abortion.

One show on Bott keeps a very current track on politics and how the government is infringing on our religious rights. They went berzerk over the Catholic teen who wasn’t allowed to wear his rosary to high school. (A lot of Catholics on the other hand were wondering why the teen was wearing the rosary). Odd twist there

Phyllis Schlafly has a program on Bott, I believe that she is Catholic. Fr. Frank Pavone’s Priests for Life announcements are there. Bott pastors often refer to the website LiteSite News.com

 

[CB_Catholic]

I think you have to be discerning as to whom you are listening to, and also be familiar with the teachings of the Church. We are adults, and are expected to use our judgement and discernment. I do not listen to preachers who seem to focus on what is popularly called the “prosperity gospel”, to those who are heavy into dispensationalism, those who denigrate other denominations or the Catholic Church, or those focusing so much on end-time prophecies that they lose sight of the Gospel message, or those that are overly judgmental. To me, this is a waste of time. Not edifying in the least.

But there are many fine preachers out there who have very good insights and are knowledgeable about Biblical topics, and I have heard many good things to help me to live as a Christian. One in particular in my area is a Presbyterian minister who has a radio spot on Sunday mornings that I listen to if I am driving to work. He applies Scripture to daily living, and I have found his sermons to be very helpful. He is a well-educated and intelligent person. If someone is preaching and there is a point of doctrine that I don’t agree with, I don’t necessarily tune him out if what he has to say otherwise is good, I just ignore where I think he is in error according to Catholic teaching.

This is not to say that everything a Catholic priest may preach is spot on either. I’ve heard some real doozies and wondered what Catechism they were looking at. So I think you have to take the responsibility upon yourself to learn the Catholic faith and then you will be able to judge properly and discern error with the help of the Holy Spirit. But I have learned many good things from the preaching of our Protestant brethern, esp. when it comes to living the Christian life.

 

[Genesius]

I’m not saying that all Catholic sermons are error-free either. I am simply saying that there are also a lot of good homilies in both Catholic and Protestant circles. And there are some wonderful Catholic programs on both radio and tv where a Catholic can be fed. Again…I said UNLESS one is grounded in their Catholic faith they should be cautious of seeking spiritual food elsewhere.

But, again, like others have mentioned, there are some wonderful insights into living the Christian life on both sides. I think ecumenical bible studies can be a constructive step toward unity. I have heard of Catholics heading up bible studies in Protestant communities as well.

 

[SteveVH]

I find that Protestant pastors can often have some great insight into our relationship with Christ, and enjoy hearing much of what they have to say. It occurred to me, though, that the Church might not want Catholics to do this sort of thing, in case some heretical views are thrown out there and we swallow them along with the good. I’m really not sure about this–does anyone know if the Church has said anything about Catholics listening to non-Catholic sermons?

Truth does not exist exclusively within the Catholic Church and I have found many Protestants who convey a great message. The danger is that you may receive 98% truth and 2% error. It is the error that can destroy you regardless of the amount of truth in the mix. As long as one is very secure in the knowledge of their own faith I see no huge problems but we should always proceed cautiously, especially when something seems a little “off” in their comments. For example, the “sola fidei” and “sola scriptura” doctrines can be an underlying message that may be difficult to pick up on by uncatechized members of our faith.

 

[ignatius777]

I find that Protestant pastors can often have some great insight into our relationship with Christ, and enjoy hearing much of what they have to say. It occurred to me, though, that the Church might not want Catholics to do this sort of thing, in case some heretical views are thrown out there and we swallow them along with the good. I’m really not sure about this–does anyone know if the Church has said anything about Catholics listening to non-Catholic sermons?

As long as you are aware of the heretical stance they take on many important issues of faith listening to them is not different then listening to any other source of “information”. Judge it for what it is.

 

[JHow]

… I would question why one would want to listen to Protestant sermons in the first place when we have some of the best sermons here in the Catholic Church, and you know that you have much better odds of avoiding heresy.

Re: Catholic sermons, like the old punchline says: “Some is and some ain’t.”

Here in So. Cal. I don’t receive Catholic radio, but you can get the local “Christian” (protestant) station playing guys like R.C. Sproul “Renewing Your Mind” broadcast, which I will listen to while driving. He presents his reformed theology viewpoint, but will sometimes draw the distinctions from Catholicism from whatever point he is making. I’m not sure I would call what he does so much a “sermon” as a “lecture”, however. I don’t think it is part of a worship service, for instance. Anyhow, I think listening to these shows is equivalent to reading or listen to non-christians or protestants explain their views in a forum like this one.

 

[waxwing]

I find that Protestant pastors can often have some great insight into our relationship with Christ, and enjoy hearing much of what they have to say. It occurred to me, though, that the Church might not want Catholics to do this sort of thing, in case some heretical views are thrown out there and we swallow them along with the good. I’m really not sure about this–does anyone know if the Church has said anything about Catholics listening to non-Catholic sermons?

I personally don’t see a problem with this, funny thing is that there is a lot Protestant programs on TV but a lot of it is a variation between message and infomercial selling their latest book, prayer cloth etc and the message is convenient way of pointing to their latest product or their isn’t much selling but the message is all about self improvement. I find some of the most enriching sermons are from some of the mainline churches like Methodists and Presbyterians, rather than all the Non Denominationals. One of my wishes would more emphasis on our homilies and jumping on board the new media train to get the message available for more people. With that said I don’t know if their is an official stance on this issue though

 

[ProVobis]

I don’t listen to them anymore but I found Billy Graham and Dr. Schuller very inspiring. Also I listened to radio ministers such as Dr. Boice and Dr. Sproul most interesting as they actually knew/know and used/use Latin (and some Greek) to explain some of the gospels.

 

[The_Old_Medic]

There is absolutely no prohibition against listening to sermons (or any exhortation) by Protestant Ministers, Buddhist Priests, or by anyone else.

 

[agent_grey]

If Catholics couldn’t talk with Pagans we wouldn’t have the Christmas tradition.

We just can’t engage in their worship. And listening to someones beliefs is in no way shape or form an act of worship. There is much we can learn from every being. If we do not know where they have gone wrong we can not correct them.

 

[Genesius]

Re: Catholic sermons, like the old punchline says: “Some is and some ain’t.”

Here in So. Cal. I don’t receive Catholic radio, but you can get the local “Christian” (protestant) station playing guys like R.C. Sproul “Renewing Your Mind” broadcast, which I will listen to while driving. He presents his reformed theology viewpoint, but will sometimes draw the distinctions from Catholicism from whatever point he is making. I’m not sure I would call what he does so much a “sermon” as a “lecture”, however. I don’t think it is part of a worship service, for instance. Anyhow, I think listening to these shows is equivalent to reading or listen to non-christians or protestants explain their views in a forum like this one.

On EWTN there are some great homilies & teaching by the late Bishop Fulton Sheen, Fr. Corapi, Fr. Mitch Pacwa, and Mother Angelica to just name a few. I’ve heard nothing but good solid Catholic teaching from any of them. I believe Catholic Answers Live airs right out of San Diego there in Southern California.

Again, when there are all these resources available why would a Catholic seek spiritual food anywhere else? Sure, Billy Graham is a wonderful evangelist. If he were Catholic I would love to see him canonized. :getholy: Same is true of many other prolific Protestant speakers. But as others in this thread have indicated…listen long enough and you will run into some form of heresy or error, with no central teaching authority to check them. I know from personal experience. When I was ‘church shopping’ as a Protestant I could sit in one assembly for months hearing nothing but good generic Christian teaching. Then suddenly one Sunday a red flag of heresy would raise it’s ugly head. It’s very frustrating when you’ve wasted months being in a place you thought was great, all the while developing relationships only to leave and go through it all over again.

Of course, I realize we’re not talking about ‘church hopping’ here, but some of the same principles apply. All I’m saying is, caution, caution, caution.

 

[JHow]

… I believe Catholic Answers Live airs right out of San Diego there in Southern California…

Yes they do, but I live near mountains in Ventura county and my reception of AM signals is limited. Elsewhere on the CAF forums there was a discussion on Catholic radio and there is catholic programming out of Bakersfield as well, but those don’t make it here either.

I can get catholic radio via internet, but obviously not in my car.

 

[HAnne]

On EWTN there are some great homilies & teaching by the late Bishop Fulton Sheen, Fr. Corapi, Fr. Mitch Pacwa, and Mother Angelica to just name a few. I’ve heard nothing but good solid Catholic teaching from any of them. I believe Catholic Answers Live airs right out of San Diego there in Southern California.

Again, when there are all these resources available why would a Catholic seek spiritual food anywhere else? Sure, Billy Graham is a wonderful evangelist. If he were Catholic I would love to see him canonized. :getholy: Same is true of many other prolific Protestant speakers. But as others in this thread have indicated…listen long enough and you will run into some form of heresy or error, with no central teaching authority to check them. I know from personal experience. When I was ‘church shopping’ as a Protestant I could sit in one assembly for months hearing nothing but good generic Christian teaching. Then suddenly one Sunday a red flag of heresy would raise it’s ugly head. It’s very frustrating when you’ve wasted months being in a place you thought was great, all the while developing relationships only to leave and go through it all over again.

Of course, I realize we’re not talking about ‘church hopping’ here, but some of the same principles apply. All I’m saying is, caution, caution, caution.

So incredibly true. My last “church shopping” as a Protestant lasted 3 years. It was devastating to my very soul to have to drag myself and my son through that time. During that time I had a minister who preached a good sermon, but a Sunday School where my 4 year old was beat up and taught swear words; a VERY evangelical minister who spouted heresy like the Dancing Water at Bellagio; a minister so sincere he cried at Communion he was so moved, but couldn’t pick up the phone to call a potential new parishioner…the list goes on.

In coming home to the Catholic faith, my son and I have found EXACTLY what we were looking for all along. Solid Bible teaching, a GREAT kids program, a wonderful priest with good homilies and a heart the size of Texas, and last, but not least, a place where we are welcomed and loved for who we are, not who “they” want us to be.

Bottom line on Protestant sermons - there’s some great stuff out there…much of it I used to get me through that time in my life. KNOW your Bible and your CCC and you should be good to go…especially if you don’t have access to Catholic teaching in your area outside of Mass.

 

[Barbkw]

If Catholics couldn’t talk with Pagans we wouldn’t have the Christmas tradition.

You’ll reconsider pagan influence surrounding Dec 25th after viewing what a NASA program on planetary motion tells about the Epiphany.

amazon.com/Star-Bethlehem-Frederick-Larson/dp/B002RBHDFK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1289841882&sr=8-1

 

[Genesius]

Yes they do, but I live near mountains in Ventura county and my reception of AM signals is limited. Elsewhere on the CAF forums there was a discussion on Catholic radio and there is catholic programming out of Bakersfield as well, but those don’t make it here either.

I can get catholic radio via internet, but obviously not in my car.

I’m sorry to hear that. I know that in many places Catholic programming is sparse. Perhaps with continued prayer and support we can change that. I guess if Protestant programming is all you can get then at least it’s better than secular, as long as you can differentiate the wheat from the tares in the subject matter.