Scott Hahn

[kalt]

What do you think of Scott Hahn? I think that Catholics have adopted him as a kind of proof that Catholicism is the true church.

But what do members of his former denomination think? (I’m not sure what that denomination is.) Do you think that he was right to join the CC if that is what God wanted him to do? Do you think that he was wrong to join the CC, because the CC is not where the truth about Jesus is taught?

I ask, because I found a book that I think was signed by him. The book is 'Understanding Scriptures, A Complete Course on Bible Study". Are people viewing him as a Catholic celebrity?

Have you read this book?

Members of his former denomination, have you read any of Hahn’s books to see why he came to the CC? If you have, what do you think?

I think most Catholics think that those who leave the CC, leave because more because they’re disgruntled over something that happened to them while being a Catholic than because of something another Christian church, religion, or agnosticism/atheism has to offer. Do you feel the same way about Hahn? Do you think that he ran from something more than he ran to something?

 

[JudieK]

I absolutely LOVE Scott Hahn. I am a Catholic convert (14 years now!) and have waivered once or twice early on in my journey. Dr. Hahn’s books always bring me back, stronger and even more on fire for the faith than ever. Of course I loved his own conversion story, “Rome Sweet Home.” After that, I read almost everything he ever wrote! I really appreciate “Reasons to Believe” and “The Lamb’s Supper.” I also purchased the text you are referring to “Understanding the Scriptures.” I am currently using it in a Bible Study that a friend and I are doing.

To answer your question, YES, I do see him as a bit of a “superstar.” I have gone to conferences just to hear him speak and sign a book. But I feel this way because of how amazing he is theologically- how much insight he has to share. I truly believe God gave him extraordinary gifts at a time when the Church needed someone just like him to help Catholics (and aspiring Catholics) understand and appreciate their faith.

YES- I do believe it was right that he left his former Presbyterian church to become Catholic. When you find the truth, you are under a moral obligation to follow it. Believing as I do that the Catholic Church possesses the fullness of God’s revealed Truth, I would like to see EVERYONE come home to the Catholic Church!! I thank God for Scott Hahn and his family! They are wonderful witnesses for the Church.

 

[Saintlucy]

I absolutely LOVE Scott Hahn. I am a Catholic convert (14 years now!) and have waivered once or twice early on in my journey. Dr. Hahn’s books always bring me back, stronger and even more on fire for the faith than ever. Of course I loved his own conversion story, “Rome Sweet Home.” After that, I read almost everything he ever wrote! I really appreciate “Reasons to Believe” and “The Lamb’s Supper.” I also purchased the text you are referring to “Understanding the Scriptures.” I am currently using it in a Bible Study that a friend and I are doing.

To answer your question, YES, I do see him as a bit of a “superstar.” I have gone to conferences just to hear him speak and sign a book. But I feel this way because of how amazing he is theologically- how much insight he has to share. I truly believe God gave him extraordinary gifts at a time when the Church needed someone just like him to help Catholics (and aspiring Catholics) understand and appreciate their faith.

YES- I do believe it was right that he left his former Presbyterian church to become Catholic. When you find the truth, you are under a moral obligation to follow it. Believing as I do that the Catholic Church possesses the fullness of God’s revealed Truth, I would like to see EVERYONE come home to the Catholic Church!! I thank God for Scott Hahn and his family! They are wonderful witnesses for the Church.

I agree entirely. Dr. Hahn’s books have given me a deeper apprieciation of my faith. I have nearly all of the Ignatius Study Bible books he has edited and my favourite book is “Hail Holy Queen”.
I wish he would do some talks here in the UK.

 

[NHInsider]

What do you think of Scott Hahn? I think that Catholics have adopted him as a kind of proof that Catholicism is the true church.

But what do members of his former denomination think? (I’m not sure what that denomination is.) Do you think that he was right to join the CC if that is what God wanted him to do? Do you think that he was wrong to join the CC, because the CC is not where the truth about Jesus is taught?

Scott was an evangelical Presbyterian.

The following link is a rather old article that addresses the question you asked - be warned that it is on one of the most virulently anti-catholic websites you’ll come across:

bereanbeacon.org/articles/The_Lost_Soul_Scott_Hahn.pdf

I think most Catholics think that those who leave the CC, leave because more because they’re disgruntled over something that happened to them while being a Catholic than because of something another Christian church, religion, or agnosticism/atheism has to offer. Do you feel the same way about Hahn? Do you think that he ran from something more than he ran to something?

I think most Catholics who leave are either disgruntled about something that happened to them, or they are caught by proselytizers who quote Scripture at them and the Catholics aren’t well-catechized enough to recognize the distortions. Either way they leave the Catholic Church thinking it is bad - running away, as you put it. But in my experience (including my own) many Evangelicals who are already well-versed in Scripture and know little or nothing about Church History are blown away when they read the works of Justin Martyr, Ireneus, Ignatius and Clement, or modern apologists like Alan Schreck and Mark Shea, and come to the conclusion that the faith they have known and loved is fully realized and expressed in the Catholic Church - so it is in fact not about repudiating the former denomination but outgrowing it.

 

[OneTrueCathApos]

What do you think of Scott Hahn? I think that Catholics have adopted him as a kind of proof that Catholicism is the true church.

But what do members of his former denomination think? (I’m not sure what that denomination is.) Do you think that he was right to join the CC if that is what God wanted him to do? Do you think that he was wrong to join the CC, because the CC is not where the truth about Jesus is taught?

I ask, because I found a book that I think was signed by him. The book is 'Understanding Scriptures, A Complete Course on Bible Study". Are people viewing him as a Catholic celebrity?

Have you read this book?

Members of his former denomination, have you read any of Hahn’s books to see why he came to the CC? If you have, what do you think?

I think most Catholics think that those who leave the CC, leave because more because they’re disgruntled over something that happened to them while being a Catholic than because of something another Christian church, religion, or agnosticism/atheism has to offer. Do you feel the same way about Hahn? Do you think that he ran from something more than he ran to something?

How can Catholics “adopt” him? He voluntary came to the true church after researching it. Buy his CD and listen to his conversion. The Catholic church IS the truth taught by Christ and Scott Hahn realized this.
Dr. Hahn is a genius. An exceptionally popular speaker and teacher, he has delivered numerous talks nationally and internationally on a wide variety of topics related to Scripture and the Catholic faith. Hundreds of these talks have been produced on audio and videotapes.
He is currently a professor of theology and Scripture at Franciscan University of Steubenvillle.
Not to mention he received his BA with a triple-major in theology, Philosophy and Economics, as well as his Master of Divinity and his PH.D in biblical theology.

He entered the CC at Easter Vigil in 1986.

Furthermore, if a Catholic has left the church, he probably did so by some ridiculous reason, like they were asking for money, they don’t like the shaking of hands, the priest scandal, etc…I’ve heard it all. They were not much Catholic to begin with. Just an excuse not to attend church. People do not realize you are there to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as well as to receive the Eucharist, which is first and foremost, everything else is secondary.

 

[O.S.Luke]

Scott Hahn is a good apologist and excellent speaker. I’ve met him once and found him engaging and faithful. I didn’t agree with everything he said, but that’s my problem I am sure.

OTCA, I sure wish you would respect Dr. Hahn and cite your source when you post something. From his website (scotthahn.com/docview/view.phtml?doc=schedule/vbio.phtml&rdoc=Hahn%20Speaking%20Event%20I):

Dr. Scott Hahn was born in 1957, has been married to Kimberly since 1979, and has six children. An exceptionally popular speaker and teacher, Dr. Hahn has delivered numerous talks nationally and internationally on a wide variety of topics talks related to Scripture and the Catholic faith. Hundreds of these talks have been produced on audio and videotapes by St. Joseph Communications. His talks have been effective in helping thousands of Protestants and fallen away Catholics to (re)embrace the Catholic faith.

He is currently a Professor of Theology and Scripture at Franciscan University of Steubenville

, where he has taught since 1990, and is the founder and director of the Saint Paul Center for Biblical Theology. In 2005, he was appointed as the Pope Benedict XVI Chair of Biblical Theology and Liturgical Proclamation at St. Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, Pennsylvania.

Reasons to Believe: How to Understand, Explain, and Defend the Catholic Faith (Doubleday: New York, 2007) and Ordinary Work, Extraordinary Grace (Doubleday: New York, 2006) are the titles of his newest books. He is also the author of Understanding the Scriptures (Midwest Theological Forum: Chicago, 2005), Letter and Spirit (Doubleday: New York, 2005), Swear to God (Doubleday: New York, 2004), Scripture Matters (Emmaus Road: Steubenville, 2003), Lord Have Mercy (Doubleday: New York, 2003), Understanding Our Father (Emmaus Road: Steubenville, OH, 2002); First Comes Love (Doubleday: New York, 2002); Hail Holy Queen (Doubleday: New York, 2001), The Lamb’s Supper (Doubleday: New York, 1999); A Father Who Keeps His Promises (Servant Publications: Ann Arbor, MI 1998), co-author (along with his wife, Kimberly) of Rome Sweet Home: Our Journey to Catholicism (Ignatius Press: San Francisco, 1993), and co-editor of Catholic for a Reason I, II, III and IV (Emmaus Road: Steubenville, OH 1998). Dr. Hahn has also written numerous articles in lay and academic publications.

Scott received his Bachelor of Arts degree with a triple-major in Theology, Philosophy and Economics from Grove City College, Pennsylvania, in 1979, his Masters of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in 1982, and his Ph.D. in Biblical Theology from Marquette University in 1995. Scott has ten years of youth and pastoral ministry experience in Protestant congregations (in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Massachusetts, Kansas and Virginia) and is a former Professor of Theology at Chesapeake Theological Seminary. He was ordained in 1982 at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Fairfax, Virginia. He entered the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil, 1986.
Wow! Some of that looks a lot like YOUR post, OTCA! What a coincidence!!!

You should note, OTCA, that Dr. Hahn’s M.Div is from Gordon-Conwell Theological… a Protestant seminary. Did you forget to plagiarize that fact, too, in your post?

It is dishonest to pass off someone’s writing as your own - and to deny St. Joseph’s Communications a plug it deserves in spreading the word about the Catholic faith! Surely that’s in the forum rules here somewhere.

There OTCA - I pointed out a problem with your post AND uplifted the Catholic Church. So it’s not about me being anti-Catholic - it’s about you being dishonest with your posts.

O+

 

[Peter_J]

Getting back to kalt’s questions …

What do you think of Scott Hahn? I think that Catholics have adopted him as a kind of proof that Catholicism is the true church.

Clark Carlton’s book The Truth: What Every Roman Catholic Should Know about the Orthodox Church has an epilogue called “A Note for Evangelicals Considering Rome” which is basically a response to Scott Hahn’s statements about Orthodoxy. It (but not the entire book) can be found online. Somewhat interesting.

Scott was an evangelical Presbyterian.

The following link is a rather old article that addresses the question you asked - be warned that it is on one of the most virulently anti-catholic websites you’ll come across:

I haven’t actually read the article yet, but the title “The Lost Soul of Scott Hahn” gives me an idea what the tone will be like.

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

Getting back to kalt’s questions …

Clark Carlton’s book The Truth: What Every Roman Catholic Should Know about the Orthodox Church has an epilogue called “A Note for Evangelicals Considering Rome” which is basically a response to Scott Hahn’s statements about Orthodoxy. It (but not the entire book) can be found online. Somewhat interesting.

I haven’t actually read the article yet, but the title “The Lost Soul of Scott Hahn” gives me an idea what the tone will be like.

Peter, thanks for the link up top to the Orthodox critique of Hahn. I had read that a long time ago and couldn’t remember where I found it! I’m fascinated with the Orthodox perspective about ecclesiology and especially their view of Roman Catholicism. I’m reading “The Primacy of Peter” by John Meyendorff for the hundredth time. Great Orthodox take on Peter if you ever get the chance to read it. Thanks again

Scott

 

[Peter_J]

Peter, thanks for the link up top to the Orthodox critique of Hahn. I had read that a long time ago and couldn’t remember where I found it! I’m fascinated with the Orthodox perspective about ecclesiology and especially their view of Roman Catholicism. I’m reading “The Primacy of Peter” by John Meyendorff for the hundredth time. Great Orthodox take on Peter if you ever get the chance to read it. Thanks again

Scott

Thanks. I’ve never read Meyendorff, but I’ve heard good things about him. (It’s possible that I’ve read an online article by him at some point. Can’t recall.)

 

[dianaiad]

What do you think of Scott Hahn? I think that Catholics have adopted him as a kind of proof that Catholicism is the true church.

But what do members of his former denomination think? (I’m not sure what that denomination is.) Do you think that he was right to join the CC if that is what God wanted him to do? Do you think that he was wrong to join the CC, because the CC is not where the truth about Jesus is taught?

I ask, because I found a book that I think was signed by him. The book is 'Understanding Scriptures, A Complete Course on Bible Study". Are people viewing him as a Catholic celebrity?

Have you read this book?

Members of his former denomination, have you read any of Hahn’s books to see why he came to the CC? If you have, what do you think?

I think most Catholics think that those who leave the CC, leave because more because they’re disgruntled over something that happened to them while being a Catholic than because of something another Christian church, religion, or agnosticism/atheism has to offer. Do you feel the same way about Hahn? Do you think that he ran from something more than he ran to something?

Don’t know Hahn. Haven’t read his book. Don’t know anything about the man.

I am going to say this, though: there seem to be three sorts of people who change religions:

those who leave and then look,
Those who look and then leave,
Those who find–and find that didn’t really have anything TO leave.

Of those who leave first and then look for a new faith, the reasons for leaving are almost always personal, not theological: someone has hurt their feelings, or treated them badly; they have physically moved and the new place doesn’t have the right ‘feel’; they have done something so against the rules of their faith that they were either kicked out or feel so guilty (and resentful, perhaps) that they kick themselves out. When they find another faith to join, these folks tend to be bitter and attack their former faith; blaming it for something it was not responsible for.

Of those who ‘look then leave,’ we have people who, while they are active members of their first faith, look around at other faiths to learn more, or someone convinces them that their first faith isn’t what they always thought it was; there is this new faith that offers more, IS more, of what they need. These folks are far less likely to go all Ed Decker (OK, “Jack Chick” ) on their first faith, but some do.

Then there are those who simply live their lives–and get blindsided by something in a new faith that they didn’t even know they were missing. When they go forward, they do so because they didn’t have much of anything invested in their first faith (if they HAD a ‘first faith’) other than social networking, culture, or family tradition. THESE folks very seldom go after their first faith; they are too busy learning about this new one, that is filling a void they didn’t even know was there.

I don’t know which of these categories Kahn falls in, but if his books are all about his new found Catholic faith rather than condemnations of his former faith, it’s a safe bet that he is either a "look then leave,’ or a “those who find” sort of person. That would make him someone who is ‘running to,’ not ‘running from.’

I know, long winded answer to a short question…I do that.

 

[FCEGM]

Do you think that he ran from something more than he ran to something?

He ran (reluctantly at first) towards the truth. It was his wife’s discovery of the truth of the Church’s teaching on contraception (while a still a Protestant) that began his journey toward the Church.

 

[Peter_J]

I don’t know which of these categories Kahn falls in, but if his books are all about his new found Catholic faith rather than condemnations of his former faith, it’s a safe bet that he is either a "look then leave,’ or a “those who find” sort of person. That would make him someone who is ‘running to,’ not ‘running from.’

I’d say he’s the sort that doesn’t have a lot of wrath.

 

[O.S.Luke]

I’d say he’s the sort that doesn’t have a lot of wrath.

I finally got that - the Wrath of Kahn!!!

That was a good one, Peter!

 

[StrawberryJam]

I read something online from him, about how bad he felt about ripping up his grandmother’s Rosary.
I think he had catholic family, and I don’t know the extent of his interaction with catholic faith through family members. I do think that family interaction plays a major role.

 

[Monica4316]

I really like Scott Hahn, I think his books are awesome and they helped in my own conversion

 

[dianaiad]

I finally got that - the Wrath of Kahn!!!

That was a good one, Peter!

I am so embarrassed. I have totally lost my geek medals over not getting that one.

 

[Gottle_of_Geer]

What do you think of Scott Hahn? I think that Catholics have adopted him as a kind of proof that Catholicism is the true church.

That would be very foolish, but all too human ​

But what do members of his former denomination think? (I’m not sure what that denomination is.) Do you think that he was right to join the CC if that is what God wanted him to do? Do you think that he was wrong to join the CC, because the CC is not where the truth about Jesus is taught?

I ask, because I found a book that I think was signed by him. The book is 'Understanding Scriptures, A Complete Course on Bible Study". Are people viewing him as a Catholic celebrity?

It certainly seems that a good number do - The celebrity culture is something to avoid like the plague.​

Have you read this book?

Members of his former denomination, have you read any of Hahn’s books to see why he came to the CC? If you have, what do you think?

I think most Catholics think that those who leave the CC, leave because more because they’re disgruntled over something that happened to them while being a Catholic than because of something another Christian church, religion, or agnosticism/atheism has to offer. Do you feel the same way about Hahn? Do you think that he ran from something more than he ran to something?

I know very little about him, & have never read him. I do know some Reformed have a low opinion of him, because of his reception into the CC.​

 

[Gottle_of_Geer]

How can Catholics “adopt” him? He voluntary came to the true church after researching it. Buy his CD and listen to his conversion. The Catholic church IS the truth taught by Christ and Scott Hahn realized this.
Dr. Hahn is a genius. An exceptionally popular speaker and teacher, he has delivered numerous talks nationally and internationally on a wide variety of topics related to Scripture and the Catholic faith. Hundreds of these talks have been produced on audio and videotapes.
He is currently a professor of theology and Scripture at Franciscan University of Steubenvillle.
Not to mention he received his BA with a triple-major in theology, Philosophy and Economics, as well as his Master of Divinity and his PH.D in biblical theology.

He entered the CC at Easter Vigil in 1986.

Furthermore, if a Catholic has left the church, he probably did so by some ridiculous reason, like they were asking for money, they don’t like the shaking of hands, the priest scandal, etc…I’ve heard it all. They were not much Catholic to begin with. Just an excuse not to attend church.

I believe this is called “pastoral care” LOL. “Blackening the deviationist” is a game played in the USSR too. One expects better of so-called Christians.​

People do not realize you are there to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as well as to receive the Eucharist, which is first and foremost, everything else is secondary.

I notice that there is no love lost for former Catholics/Protestants:​

• FCs: always insincere, never have a good reason to leave, at best ignorant of Catholicism while Catholic, could not have been real Catholics in the first place
• FPs: always insincere, never have a good reason to leave, at best ignorant of Protestantism while Protestant, could not have been real Protestants in the first place
• Converts to Catholicism: absolutely wonderful in every way (from Catholic POV)
• Converts to Protestantism: absolutely wonderful in every way (from Protestant POV)

No wonder there are atheists, when this is how the adherents of the “religion of love” behave.

 

[Robert_in_SD]

I heard his conversion story and have heard a couple of his CDs. He is a very engaging speaker, well educated and thoughtful about his decision to “come home to Rome.” In his conversion story he is genuinely grateful to Young Life and the persons who first introduced him to the gospel message that they knew. He seems to have gone reluctantly at first… having learned all that he could about protestant chrstianity and finding it to be lacking.

He has some very interesting speculations about the passover meal at the last supper, and about Revelation and the mass - nothing contrary to the faith but certainly speculative in nature and very thought-provoking. I enjoy his work, and he seems like a genuine and sincere person. I know he is the target of a lot of criticism by those who oppose the Catholic Church.

Peace,
Robert

 

[Gabriel_of_12]

Since the first century the Catholic church has always attracted great minds and individuals with great religious convictions especially those who truly sought after Truth at any cost. I am always amazed that many of the worlds greatest thinkers happen to be Catholic. Many of the great anti-Catholics who converted to Catholicsm became well known evangelists beginning with Saul of Tarsus who became St. Paul. St. Augustine comes to mind.

On the other side of the coin from the OP, many of the Catholics who left the Catholic Church later became well known heretics and anti-christs.

I put Dr. Scott Hahn in the catergory of one who loves God combined with his religious convictions to live in “TRUTH” to not settle for nothing less, found what he was looking for that finally put his soul at rest in the Roman Catholic Church. But not at a small price. This pearl that Dr. Scott Hahn found in the field, sacrificed all that he worked for including his reputation and dignity to come home to Jesus in his new founded Catholic Church.

What intrigued me about Dr. Scott Hahn, was that each time God revealed himself to him from scripture in a new Catholic way, Dr.Scott Hahn thought he had stumbled into something new to reveal to the Catholic Church and to the World, then when he used his talents to research the biblical revelation, he became dumbfounded because some Catholic Saint or the Catechism had already taught it hundreds of years earlier.

Dr. Scott Hahn did not find something new, Dr. Scott Hahn is revealing a 2000 year old Catholic church to a new age who became laxed and to those who are in opposition to the 2000 year old Catholic Teachings.

God has called many great men and women like Scott Hahn in every age throughout the centuries to reveal his Word through his Catholic Church, when her members begin to turn away from the Catholic Church by every new wind of doctrine that passes by each age.

Welcome home Scott Hahn, may you continue to be a blessing to us and those like you who would be willing to sacrifice all for “Truth”. His test and trials are not over to say the least, for when much is given much is expected. Let us keep Dr. Scott Hahn in our prayers and his wonderful family and others like him who are following in his footsteps who are being a blessing to all the faithful in Jesus Christ.

Peace be with you