Is it ok to listen to Dr Taylor Marshall?

[gracepoole]

gracepoole:

Another fantastic example of a former protestant who is now a protestant-Catholic.

What do you mean by a Protestant Catholic?

I mean a former protestant who has converted to Catholicism but still brings his or her protestant background into his or her understanding of the Church.

 

[gracepoole]

So, now I am back to wondering if we have the right to judge another person as I see happening in this thread. Saying someone is a protestant-Catholic is judging the state of their soul. We can disagree with them sure

I’m not sure it’s actually judging to point out a reality, though I suppose it could be seen that way. One doesn’t need to be judging Fr. James Martin to point out that he often says things that seem to defy (or at least flirt with defying) Catholic teachings. Judgment could come into it, of course, but I don’t think everyone who points out this truth is judging. That would have to be determined by the individual making the statement. I’m not judging Marshall’s soul – I’m pointing out that because of his largely protestant background, he brings a protestant view to his understanding of Church teaching.

CA is good at basic catechesis, I agree. But CA Live has always been focused on converting protestants, so hiring former protestant apologists makes sense. I’d contend that there are now far greater worries than protestants to the faith, like secular humanists. And I don’t think CA is properly equipped to deal with this problem.

From what I have understood CA is as you say meant to convert protestants and then only to defend the faith, not to discuss the issues at hand.

If that’s true, CA Live needs to rethink the greatest threats to the Church. I don’t think it’s protestantism anymore… Discussing “the issues at hand” might have far greater positive impact.

 

[gracepoole]

They really should hire some converts from atheism, Judaism, Islam, and various Pagan religions.

I think they tried to get a traditional voice on there awhile back I can’t remember who but it was a guy that attended SSPX and then switched to FSSP.

I just remember listening to a podcast with this guy.
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I’d be very interested in hearing from someone like this!

 

[gracepoole]

The same that could be said of any number of apologist…

Jimmy Akin, Scott Hahn, Peter Kreeft, Tim Staples, and many more… All converts from Protestantism.
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True enough – and I think they all bring their former beliefs to bear when assessing Church teaching.

 

[MagdalenaRita]

I’m pointing out that because of his largely protestant background, he brings a protestant view to his understanding of Church teaching.

I think you could say his traditionalism is due to his Episcopalianism (very reverent services he says) but I believe he was not raised protestant or even Christian at all. He was an Episcopal priest for only about 5 - 6 years before coming into the Catholic church. If I remember right what caused him to look into Catholic TLM was an extraordinary minister giving communion one Sunday while wearing an Elmo t-shirt and he was bothered by the message that would send to his children.

If that’s true, CA Live needs to rethink the greatest threats to the Church. I don’t think it’s protestantism anymore… Discussing “the issues at hand” might have far greater positive impact.

I agree. I have heard other apologists who are no longer at CA make comments that they were limited in what they can say.

 

[MagdalenaRita]

Yes, the crisis is there. The elephant is in the room. It is not going to help for us to ignore it. If we don’t the secular news is going to run with it and then there we will be, standing around having ignored the crisis and perhaps being a part of the problem.

This is me. I don’t agree with everything but I do agree with quite a bit. I am one for working on the issues at hand and believe in the power of prayer and it order to address those issues and bring them to God in prayer, we need to know what they are.

 

[MagdalenaRita]

True enough – and I think they all bring their former beliefs to bear when assessing Church teaching.

I think that is true also. I suppose there are those who will refuse to accept Catholic teaching and hold on to their protestantism while in the Catholic church and then could be considered protestant-Catholic but otherwise we all come into the Church with our own baggage.

For me, I am a revert and I do have to check myself at times and look to see if what I am believing is something I learned as a protestant or is it Catholic. I guess if I held on to the protestant thought over the Catholic, one could call me protestant-Catholic. I think though as long as I accept Church teaching when learning it and grow in my faith, I would say I am NOT a protestant-Catholic, just a Catholic in learning.

 

[gracepoole]

This is me. I don’t agree with everything but I do agree with quite a bit. I am one for working on the issues at hand and believe in the power of prayer and it order to address those issues and bring them to God in prayer, we need to know what they are.

I think this speaks to the intelligence and thoughtfulness of you both. I do worry about those who might not be so discerning.

 

[sunandstars]

He is very good, and I credit him with saving my faith.
I wish he had a cheaper membership at his New St Thomas Institute, I’d love to join. $30 a month is a little too much for me.

I have nothing but respect for him. He gave up everything to become Catholic. He loves God and he loves the Church.
More power to him.

 

[Polak]

He is very good, and I credit him with saving my faith.
I wish he had a cheaper membership at his New St Thomas Institute, I’d love to join. $30 a month is a little too much for me.

$30 per month? That is a lot. Not that I have ever considered becoming a member, but he must not have too many of them, if he wants that much.

He gave up everything to become Catholic.

You’ll have to enlighten me on that one. How exactly did he give up everything to become Catholic?

 

[nearlycatholic]

I hope so! I love the guy. Pope is still the Pope and every one of us should be praying for him. Taylor has a great deal of insight and love and reverence for the Mass. I like him.

 

[JimmyDFG]

$30 per month? That is a lot. Not that I have ever considered becoming a member, but he must not have too many of them, if he wants that much.

The courses are not accredited

 

[sunandstars]

He was an Episcopal “priest”, when he realized the Catholic Church had the Truth.
He gave up his career, choosing not to become a married Catholic priest, because he didn’t think he could give his family and the Church both what they needed.

So to be Catholic he gave up his whole career, a career he had studied for, dreamed about and worked so hard for.

In order to make a living he’s written books, done podcasts, and of course, his online school. He’s actually been able to reach more people with the Gospel than he would have as an Episcopal “priest”. Gods plan, I’d say…

I have nothing but admiration for him, and for his wife as well.
She married a priest, and got something different.

 

[Polak]

choosing not to become a married Catholic priest.

Well he wouldn’t be able to be a married Catholic priest

Anyway I’m glad he brought you to the Catholic faith, but I wouldn’t say he gave up everything to be become a Catholic. He still has his family and he has it pretty good. I think he brings up and makes some interesting points, but also has a lot of unproven theories that can mess with people’s minds. I think also, perhaps because he used to be a non Catholic priest, he also looks down at others sometimes, such as Catholic lay people who disagree with him or might question some of what he says.

 

[MagdalenaRita]

$30 per month? That is a lot. Not that I have ever considered becoming a member, but he must not have too many of them, if he wants that much

That is actually a very good price for the lessons. To earn certificates in theology it is a little higher. If you don’t have the money, $30 a month would be high, of course. I was a member for a while but could not do it on a continual basis. It is really a very good learning site, with tests, exams, worksheets, the whole works. There is sometimes a waiting list to join, so I expect he does get quite a few people.

 

[Polak]

@JimmyDFG says the courses are not accredited, so what good is it having one, if it isn’t a recognised qualification?

 

[Elias]

I like him. I don’t see why not.

 

[ez3714]

The persons you mentioned all ministered within the Catholic Church, in ministries fully part of the Catholic Church, under the Magisterium. Church Militant, 1p5, etc operate outside the Catholic Church.

And Mother Angelica?

 

[commenter]

commenter:

The persons you mentioned all ministered within the Catholic Church, in ministries fully part of the Catholic Church, under the Magisterium. Church Militant, 1p5, etc operate outside the Catholic Church.

And Mother Angelica?

Her ministries were under the approval of the Church.

 

[MagdalenaRita]

Church Militant, 1p5, etc operate outside the Catholic Church

IMHO I think rather than say they are outside the Catholic church, it is more accurate to say that they are lay ministries or lay apostolates. A person can have a Catholic ministry or apostolate and not need to seek approval of the Church and still be in the Church.

I would suspect @commenter you are not referring to whether they themselves are in or outside the Catholic church. That would more than likely be making a judgement on their soul.

Her ministries were under the approval of the Church

She did have her own set of problems though and at times challenged the hierarchy. That is part of the reason for the change of the habit she wore and her funeral Mass ad orientem.