The End of Protestantism
Pursuing Unity in a Fragmented Church
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- $4.900
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- $4.900
Descripción editorial
The Failure of Denominationalism and the Future of Christian Unity
One of the unforeseen results of the Reformation was the shattering fragmentation of the church. Protestant tribalism was and continues to be a major hindrance to any solution to Christian division and its cultural effects. In this book, influential thinker Peter Leithart critiques American denominationalism in the context of global and historic Christianity, calls for an end to Protestant tribalism, and presents a vision for the future church that transcends post-Reformation divisions.
Leithart offers pastors and churches a practical agenda, backed by theological arguments, for pursuing local unity now. Unity in the church will not be a matter of drawing all churches into a single, existing denomination, says Leithart. Returning to Catholicism or Orthodoxy is not the solution. But it is possible to move toward church unity without giving up our convictions about truth. This critique and defense of Protestantism urges readers to preserve and celebrate the central truths recovered in the Reformation while working to heal the wounds of the body of Christ.
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Leithart (Gratitude), president of the Theopolis Institute and adjunct senior fellow at New St. Andrews College, writes of a utopian future when church denominations are no more and Christians are united in truth the way God planned from the beginning before sin got in the way. Christ is the way to reconciliation for the church, which has been fragmented throughout its history, he asserts. Unity of the original church gave way to Protestant alternatives and now, in Leithart's eyes, the church seems to be moving back toward unity. Leithart argues that if the entire church embraces the scriptures, theological differences can be eliminated and denominations, which grow around economic and social divisions such as race, won't be needed. This perfect church of the future, toward which Leithart passionately hopes Christians are moving, looks something like what they already have: it will hold services in a building with stained glass, offer communion at every service, and show a united face of love and concern to its community. Its pastors (Leithart isn't clear whether women will be among them) will counsel and correct the congregation's members according to biblical standards and preach the Bible, including conservative stands on abortion and sexual behavior. This interesting thought-exercise will be perfect for readers considering their place within the ecosystem of modern Christianity.
