Theology on Tap?

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Has anyone heard of this program? My diocese is offering it. After I looked at the site, I am not sure about this program…

eriercd.org/theotap.htm
renewtot.org/
usccb.org/generationchrist/blaine.shtml
My diocese has a Theology on Tap program. I have never been but have heard that it is great. Here it seems to be aimed at the younger adults, who meet at a local resturant once a month to discuss theology and doctrines. An informal setting where the 21+ generation can gain some insight from guest speakers and one of the priests within the diocese. Oh… and share a meal and perhaps a beer together. God bless.
 
What are your concerns with it? I can’t speak for the Erie program, or really, any diocese other than Ottawa, but i don’t see anything inherently problematic with it. All depends on the speakers.
 
One problem I had with it is one of the speakers in one of the links is a Catholic who is married to a female Protestant minister. I’m not sure that is something I would want to be promoting to young single Catholics.

But then, maybe I’m just an old geezer.

Mary
 
I’ve been to a couple of ToTs in our diocese. It’s a wonderful way to learn about our faith in a social atmosphere, Tonight, in fact, Tim Staples (of Catholic Answers) will be speaking about the Eucharist at McGregor’s Pub & Grill in Mission Valley. Here is the info.
 
Has anyone heard of this program? My diocese is offering it. After I looked at the site, I am not sure about this program…

eriercd.org/theotap.htm
renewtot.org/
usccb.org/generationchrist/blaine.shtml
The origins of Theology on Tap are completely orthodox. And, I believe that anyone wanting to use the T.O.T. name/logo must pay a fee and meet certain criteria. But, I suppose the choice of speakers in any given city could make it more or less effective.

The only experience I have was in Houston-- and it was 100% orthodox with great speakers.
 
We’ve got several parishes in our area that offer “Theology on Tap”, one other group focuses specifically on the writings of the Holy Father. They call their meetings “Beer, Brats and Benedict

😛
 
I guess I am just concerned about the lack of orthodoxy in the programs my diocese is offering.

I understand that many couples are inter-faith, but I am not sure how I feel about a talk led by a man married to a Protestant minister. What can he provide about raising one’s children Catholic within a mixed marriage? I mean, his view interests me, but I know myself and I would probably just get angry.
And the talk on centering prayer worries me, since the Vatican has said “no”.

The other two talks are slightly interesting, but I cannot help but feel a bit disheartened at the prospect of more of my brothers and sisters being led astray.
 
I have been to a few (and also orginazed a few). It is a great way for Catholic young adults to get together in a casual setting (sometimes held in bar back rooms) or church basements. It is a good way to network, talk, meet new people, and discuss in-depth Church issues of our time.

The topic should be interesting but provocative discussion by everyone there is always encouraged.

The topics vary by diocese and time it is held.
 
I guess I am just concerned about the lack of orthodoxy in the programs my diocese is offering.
Actually, open discussions bring out more people. Most who come are of college or just past college age. People want to debate and understand all sides of the issue. If ToT was only restricted to “orthodox” discussions it would be more of a straight lecture series than small group discussion. Lecture series put people to sleep by the end and many would be turned off by a straight recitation of the rules and expectations to follow it to the letter.
 
I guess I am just concerned about the lack of orthodoxy in the programs my diocese is offering.

I understand that many couples are inter-faith, but I am not sure how I feel about a talk led by a man married to a Protestant minister. What can he provide about raising one’s children Catholic within a mixed marriage? I mean, his view interests me, but I know myself and I would probably just get angry.
And the talk on centering prayer worries me, since the Vatican has said “no”.

The other two talks are slightly interesting, but I cannot help but feel a bit disheartened at the prospect of more of my brothers and sisters being led astray.
Maybe it’s just me, but I’d think that the testimony of someone raising their kids Catholic when Mom is a Protestant minister could be much more powerful than when both parents are Catholic and just sort of “go with the flow.”
 
Actually, open discussions bring out more people. Most who come are of college or just past college age. People want to debate and understand all sides of the issue. If ToT was only restricted to “orthodox” discussions it would be more of a straight lecture series than small group discussion. Lecture series put people to sleep by the end and many would be turned off by a straight recitation of the rules and expectations to follow it to the letter.
“Orthodox” means “straight teaching” – in other words, we WANT each and every speaker, including those speaking at a bar with a group of young Catholics, to know, live, and speak only according to what the Catholic Church teaches. “Orthodox” doesn’t mean “lecturing” or “boring.”

The purpose of ToT should be to engender understanding of what the Catholic Church teaches – not to promote debate or so that people can “understand all sides of the issue.”
 
The program has brought about many good things, but I think its foundation is unsound and often dangerous in practice. Most of the people I knew through it have stopped going to Mass. Maybe my experience is unique, but I am not led to think so.
 
The origins of Theology on Tap are completely orthodox.
I don’t know that I would entirely agree with that, considering where it came out of in Chicago and the people who were involved. Indeed, in it’s earlier incarnations, I would say that it often took on a more liberal to touchy-feely bent.

That said, it has morphed with growth, time, and the Catholic culture of today. Like most things, the format is fine. It is a matter of who comes in to give talks, how it is run, the participants involved.

As some others have stated, it isn’t necessarily just to lecture about the faith straightforwardly. Though some parishes will run it that way. Often, however, it offers and opportunity for people to simply approach a conversation concerning the faith from wherever they are at in their life and journey. It is a door opener, then, an entree to something more… some growth in the Christian life via a relaxed, social setting among other young adults.
 
I don’t know that I would entirely agree with that, considering where it came out of in Chicago and the people who were involved. Indeed, in it’s earlier incarnations, I would say that it often took on a more liberal to touchy-feely bent.
Thanks for the info. Everything I researched on it seemed to point to orthodox teaching (i.e. no Sister Joan Chittister as guest speaker). But, I think it definitely depends on how it is deployed in each individual instance.

I agree with Patience that those speakers/topics are less than desirable. Perhaps she should voice her concerns to the diocese and/or attend the lectures and prepare an appropriate rebuttal to anything troubling that transpires.
 
I am going to my first ToT next month. I wish I had gone a few years ago but I am looking forward to it! ( We start going when we are 18 ) 😃
 
Thanks for the info. Everything I researched on it seemed to point to orthodox teaching (i.e. no Sister Joan Chittister as guest speaker). But, I think it definitely depends on how it is deployed in each individual instance.

I agree with Patience that those speakers/topics are less than desirable. Perhaps she should voice her concerns to the diocese and/or attend the lectures and prepare an appropriate rebuttal to anything troubling that transpires.
So, I should tote in a few encyclicals, the Catechism, and my Bible? 👍
 
Yep. And, since mixed marriage might be discussed-- canon law as well!

Got a wireless internet connection and a laptop??? :eek:
Ah- but I am in a mixed marriage. But in no un-certain terms did I tell my baptist-raised Agnostic husband that all of our children will be raised Catholic. He does rosaries with me and attends Mass 😃

And yes, I do have a lappy and wireless.
I just question how Catholic the children in this relationship are, being raised by a Catholic daddy and a Protestant Minister mama.

And then there is the letter from the Vatican regarding centering prayer and meditation, and the new age roots of it, how it should not be used, etc…
 
I just looked up Theology on Tap here in the New York City area to see what kind of speakers they have. I don’t know a lot of speakers in other parts of the country, but I know who I trust here in New York. I was very impressed - people like Father Benedict Groeschel and Father Stan Fortuna of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal and Father George Rutler of Our Saviour Church have spoken. With people like that, I don’t think you can go wrong.

Mary
 
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