The Case For Traditional Protestantism

This is a timely piece of writing that argues passionately and persuasively for a serious reconsideration of the great scriptural principles that undergirded the Protestant Reformation of the sixteenth century. Far from being outdated and irrelevant to the church today, Terry Johnson shows that these very principles are the essence of biblical Christianity. Sadly, the term 'Protestantism' has been rendered virtually redundant by years of misuse and abuse. it is seen as being antiquated and irrelevant in this present age of open-mindedness and political correctness. But Terry Johnson demonstrates that there is a powerful strong case to be made for the church to rediscover what this 'unpopular' and 'unfashionable' term really stands for. Using the great 'Reformation watchwords', he focuses our attention on Scripture, Christ, faith, grace and the glory of God in all aspects of daily life. Here is a well-written book, attractively presented and full of rich Bible teaching interspersed with thrilling illustrations from church history.

Does it matter whether traditional Protestants survive? Yes, because they are a distinct and necessary voice in American religion. Here that case is made, along with an honest assessment of what went wrong. We are witnessing the death of churches relying on agreement based on race, class, and tradition or the newer divisions of left or right religion and politics. Now is the time to reclaim the church based on the grace and community of Christ. For this to happen, we need to heed Martin Luther’s claim that the only treasure of the church is Jesus Christ, as well as Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream of an America where all people may gather together in peace.

On the 500th anniversary of Luther’s theses, a landmark history of the revolutionary faith that shaped the modern world. "Ryrie writes that his aim 'is to persuade you that we cannot understand the modern age without understanding the dynamic history of Protestant Christianity.' To which I reply: Mission accomplished." –Jon Meacham, author of American Lion and Thomas Jefferson Five hundred years ago a stubborn German monk challenged the Pope with a radical vision of what Christianity could be. The revolution he set in motion toppled governments, upended social norms and transformed millions of people's understanding of their relationship with God. In this dazzling history, Alec Ryrie makes the case that we owe many of the rights and freedoms we have cause to take for granted--from free speech to limited government--to our Protestant roots. Fired up by their faith, Protestants have embarked on courageous journeys into the unknown like many rebels and refugees who made their way to our shores. Protestants created America and defined its special brand of entrepreneurial diligence. Some turned to their bibles to justify bold acts of political opposition, others to spurn orthodoxies and insight on their God-given rights. Above all Protestants have fought for their beliefs, establishing a tradition of principled opposition and civil disobedience that is as alive today as it was 500 years ago. In this engrossing and magisterial work, Alec Ryrie makes the case that whether or not you are yourself a Protestant, you live in a world shaped by Protestants.

What is God's attitude towards those who hear the Gospel? Does God desire the salvation of all? In this careful and scholarly work, John Murray (1898 - 1975), formerly Professor of Systematic Theology at Westminster Seminary, surveys the biblical evidence. He shows how the offer of Christ in the gospel demonstrates an ardent desire in the heart of God that all who hear should possess Christ and enjoy the salvation that is in him.

In Biblical Doctrines Warfield reveals his mastery of such doctrines as the Trinity, the Person and Work of Christ, Redemption, and Faith. He covers the ground from the first essay on Predestination to the final one, on the Millennium, with the apparent ease of the master craftsman.

Endorsements: "Liturgical Presbyterians? No, this is not an oxymoron. D. G. Hart has written a lively polemic against the well-intentioned dumbing-down of worship by advocates of church growth. This book is going to make some people very mad, and it will make others very glad. Those who have thrown away the theological substance of the great Reformed tradition of Christian worship ought to be mad. Hart shames them. And yet, for those whose privilege it is to praise and serve God in a church that enjoys the Reformed way of worship in all its depth, glory, and joy, this book is a great summons to faithfulness in our time." --WILLIAM H. WILLIMON, Duke Divinity School "Beginning to realize just how much they have been shaped by non-Reformed influences, conservative Presbyterian and Reformed churches are now being forced to decide between a generic 'low-church' Protestantism, a 'high church' tradition, or, oddly enough, a more traditional Reformed and Presbyterian approach. D. G. Hart believes that Reformed theology provides resources not only for understanding that we are saved, but also for how we worship and mature in the Christian faith. There's a lot of wisdom here, and whether one agrees or disagrees with Hart, his well-considered arguments cannot be responsibly ignored by adherents of Reformed Christianity." --MICHAEL HORTON, Editor in Chief, Modern Reformation "Unabashedly writing to inform, rouse, and serve his fellow Presbyterians, D. G. Hart has nonetheless produced a book that is properly and profoundly ecumenical. Christians from all communions who take seriously the identity and nature of the church will learn from Hart's analysis of the complex arrangement under God of cult and culture, form and content, church and state, praise and proclamation, cross and crown. Hart reminds us that the chronicles of the people of God always offer encouragement to strengthen feeble arms, weak knees, and lazy minds." --KEN MYERS, host and producer of the Mars Hill Audio Journal "Hart's book combines world-class scholarship with keen social and ecclesiastical awareness and should be read and reread by those who want to transmit the piety and ethos of the Reformed tradition to the next generation." --TERRY L. JOHNSON, Independent Presbyterian Church, Savannah, Georgia

THIS BOOK WILL HELP YOU• to discover how Protestantism developed and spread from Europe to America• to appreciate the wide range of interpretations of Protestantism, and the core beliefs and practices shared by the principal Protestant Churches• to understand the special history of the Church of England• to gain a perspective on the evangelical movements of the twenty-first centuryACCESS THE WORLD’S RELIGIONSSimple Guides: Religion is a series of concise, accessible introductions to the world’s major religions. Written by experts in the field, they offer an engaging and sympathetic description of the key concepts, beliefs and practices of different faiths.Ideal for spiritual seekers and travellers alike, Simple Guides aims to open the doors of perception. Together the books provide a reliable compass to the world’s great spiritual traditions, and a point of reference for further exploration and discovery. By offering essential insights into the core values, customs and beliefs of differentsocieties, they also enable visitors to be aware of the cultural sensibilities of their hosts, and to behave in a way that fosters mutual respect and understanding.

Does it matter whether traditional Protestants survive? Yes, because they are a distinct and necessary voice in American religion. Here that case is made, along with an honest assessment of what went wrong. We are witnessing the death of churches relying on agreement based on race, class, and tradition or the newer divisions of left or right religion and politics. Now is the time to reclaim the church based on the grace and community of Christ. For this to happen, we need to heed Martin Luther's claim that the only treasure of the church is Jesus Christ, as well as Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream of an America where all people may gather together in peace.