The Reformation as Renewal: Retrieving the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church

Reviewed by:

G. Connor Salter, Professional Writing alumnus from Taylor University, Upland, IN.

Title:

The Reformation as Renewal: Retrieving the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church

Author:

Matthew Barrett

Publisher:

Zondervan Academic

https://zondervanacademic.com/

Publication Date:

June 6, 2023

Format:

Hardcover

Length:

1,008 pages

OVERVIEW

No one expected the Protestant Reformation. But it took Christianity out of the dark ages and in a radical new direction. These are two things that we all think we know for sure. The problem is that neither are true. As Timothy George indicates in his afterword to this book, there were various smaller schisms and shifts leading up to Martin Luther hammering his notice on the Wittenburg church door. And while Luther’s certainly shocked people, he may not have been breaking new ground as much as taking church doctrine back to its roots.

Barrett describes the events that set the stage for the Reformation, including how much important theological work happened during the so-called dark ages. He argues that while Luther and his contemporaries were reacting against some Roman Catholic teachings, much of what he taught was a return to Thomas Aquinas’ ideas. The Reformation was not much a break as a return to the catholic church—“catholic” with a little c, meaning the historic faith described in the Apostles’ Creed.

Barrett’s ideas take up 883 pages if you discount the end matter (an afterword by Timothy George, the bibliography and the index). So, it’s anything but a light introduction to Reformation history. However, students willing to dive deep into his ideas will find it enriching. He particularly excels at giving the full background for readers who don’t know much about the medieval church and what the Reformation changed. For example, he ends with a chapter on the Counter-Reformation, the Roman Catholic Church’s move to reform some of its theology at the Council of Trent, and considers whether it reached the same goals that Luther and his colleagues were aiming for.

An insightful new look at church history that reminds Protestants of their heritage.

ASSESSMENT

Rating (1 to 5 stars):

5 stars

Suggested Audience:

Historians and students interested in the Protestant Reformation’s motivations, changes, and consequences.

Christian Impact:

Barrett pushes readers to remember that the Apostles’ Creed has a line about “one holy, catholic church” that means the historic faith, and catholicity is what Christians should strive for. Even historians who disagree with him about what the Reformation accomplished will appreciate this emphasis and how it reminds us to always seek to return to the faith’s key ideas. Always reforming (semper reformanda, as Jodocus van Lodenstein put it) to get back to the truth.

Note:

ECLA readers who enjoy this book may also enjoy the following:

https://eclalibraries.org/2021/07/18/christian-history-in-seven-sentences-a-small-introduction-to-a-vast-topic/

https://eclalibraries.org/2018/02/19/book-review-renegade-martin-luther-the-graphic-biography/

https://www.amazon.com/

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/