What's Wrong with Protestant Theology? Tradition vs. Biblical Emphasis

by Jon Mark Ruthven

What Does the Bible Say? vs. What the Bible Emphasizes! Grateful for the Reformation's break with errant beliefs and practices of the medieval church, What's Wrong with Protestant Theology? argues that Protestant theology nevertheless came up short. Influenced by its quarrels with the Catholic Church, it continued the long-standing practice of using scripture mainly to support previously-formulated answers to opponents. Protestant theology asked, primarily, "What does the Bible say about our theology?", while the better question is, "What message does the Bible clearly emphasize?" Asking this question relentlessly, What's Wrong with Protestant Theology? reveals the radical biblical message. It moves far beyond a Protestant "theology of preparation" to the call to fulfill the purpose of Jesus' mission throughout this present age of the Spirit. Traditionalists may accuse the author of proposing "another gospel"-but 'another' from whose that of traditional theology or of the Bible? What's Wrong with Protestant Theology? shows what the Bible emphasizes, helping you discover the answer.

Genres: Theology

314 pages, Paperback

First published February 15, 2013

Reviews

[Brad Kittle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would recommend this book to anyone. The author articulates thoughts and ideas I’ve had about the Bible and the lessons I’ve learned throughout the years but could not express. I’ve always wondered why I knew theology was so important, and yet I struggled with Theologians. Theology transcends the mere intellectualization of spiritual/biblical ideas. The greatest theology is to hear and do.

[Brandon H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! The adjective I'd use to describe it is a popular one from my youth -"Rad!" It's rad. And radical!! (I wish it wasn't radical. At least not in the provocative sense of the word. But I suppose because of the religious climate and culture many modern Protestants live in, it may be seen as provocative and even extreme.)

If you have ever wondered what was the point of salvation? What did Jesus die for? What are the riches that are our inheritance in Christ? Why is the New Covenant better than the Old? Or even, is this it? Is this all Christianity has to offer? Jon Mark Ruthven provides a more complete answer than a great majority of theologians and teachers, pastors and professors within the Traditional Protestant Church have. The point and purpose of our salvation are much more than having our sins atoned for at the cross so that we can just "be good" people who help the poor while we wait to enter heaven.

I thought he did a great job of backing up his answer from a great many sections within the Biblical canon, even in areas I hadn't seen before.

On a side note, many Traditional Protestants pride themselves on being "Biblically-based" and not caught up in religious beliefs that have no Biblical foundation like the oft-despised Roman Catholics. This book suggests otherwise. If they have ears to hear they may end up reconsidering what they believe salvation is truly about and how they live that out. At the very least, it may curtail their pious preening. But ultimately I hope it moves people to a closer relationship with Christ.

If you're a Christian who subscribes to the Continuationist view, this should be required reading. It will help ground your beliefs in scripture more thoroughly and substantially than many books that affirm Continuationism. At the same time, it will prod you to live out your beliefs in the same way the early church did. It was also an easier read than his previous book.

Those who are anti-NAR will probably take issue with a few things the author says but hopefully that won't stop them from considering what he has to say.