The Great Divide: A Lutheran Evaluation of Reformed Theology

by Jordan B. Cooper

Since the sixteenth century, the Protestant tradition has been divided. The Reformed and Lutheran reformations, though both committed to the doctrine of the sinners justification by faith alone, split over Zwingli and Luther's disagreement over the nature of the Lord's Supper. Since that time, the Reformed and Lutheran traditions have developed their own theological convictions, and continue to disagree with one another. It is incumbent upon students of the reformation, in the Lutheran and Reformed traditions, to come to an understanding of what these differences are, and why they matter. In The Great Divide: A Lutheran Evaluation of Reformed Theology, Jordan Cooper examines these differences from a Lutheran perspective. While seeking to help both sides come to a more nuanced understanding of one another, and writing in an irenic tone, Cooper contends that these differences do still matter. Throughout the work, Cooper engages with Reformed writers, both contemporary and old, and demonstrates that the Lutheran tradition is more consistent with the teachings of Scripture than the Reformed. ""This book delivers what it promises without getting distracted, overwhelmed, or muted with qualifications. Cooper speaks with clarity and conviction and makes plain the real differences that exist between the Reformed and the Lutheran branches of Reformation faith. The book can be read profitably by anyone committed to biblical fidelity and doctrinal integrity, but especially by those convinced that the differences between Wittenberg and Geneva are trivial and inconsequential, or cause for dismissive condemnations."" --Joel Biermann, Professor of Systematic Theology, Concordia Seminary Jordan Cooper is pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Watseka, IL and host of the Just and Sinner podcast. He is the author of Christification: A Lutheran Approach to Theosis (2014).

Genres: Theology

230 pages, Paperback

First published August 27, 2015

About the author

Dr. Jordan B Cooper is an ordained Lutheran pastor, an adjunct professor of Systematic Theology, and a Ministry Fellow with Christian Union at Cornell University. He has authored several books, as well as theological articles in a variety of publications. He hosts the Just and Sinner Podcast, and is a frequent guest on many other podcasts. He lives in Ithaca, NY with his wife Lisa and their two boys: Jacen, and Ben.

Reviews

[Patience · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cooper's book is probably the most thorough and accessible interaction with Reformed theology from a Lutheran perspective that I have found. In that way, I found it incredibly helpful and impressive. However, there were a couple of things I found frustrating as a Reformed reader with a genuine openness (even desire) to be persuaded.

First, Cooper occasionally draws distinctions between Lutherans and Reformed that either are not there or that I simply failed to see/grasp as a reader. This was particularly true in his explanation of the differences between Reformed and Lutheran preaching. Cooper seems to say that the emphasis on ensuring the gospel is presented every time the Word is preached is uniquely Lutheran. My experience in three different reformed baptist churches has been the same centrality of the gospel in every sermon, although I acknowledge that my experience may not be universal. I would have appreciated a more precise explanation of the distinction being made. I may be missing something unique about Lutheran preaching that a Lutheran reader may immediately see in Cooper's argument, but he does make it clear that Reformed readers who are curious about Lutheranism are his primary target audience.

I also felt that his representation of the Reformed position was a little unfair at times. This was re-emphasized every time he insisted on using the term "Puritanical" instead of "Puritan" to refer to Puritan theology or practice. There's no excuse for snark when you're trying to persuade readers who genuinely want to know your position. As someone whose theological understanding has been deeply shaped by Puritan writers, I dropped a star just for "Puritanical" because it was unnecessarily distracting and frequently got on my nerves while trying to work through these topics. I also found his characterization of reformed preaching as merely an "extended Bible study" to be a bit unfair and dismissive toward people with a high view of expository preaching.

Snarky word choice aside, I will acknowledge that Cooper undertook no small task in trying to respond to "the" Reformed position when some of the topics he is interacting with contain a spectrum of Reformed positions depending on one's denomination and background. And I will say, I am genuinely impressed with how well he interacted with multiple Reformed positions at various points. Overall, with the points of frustration aside, I would recommend this book.

[Maya Joelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a better treatment than Wittenberg vs. Geneva: clearer, more thorough, and much deeper (which I appreciated as someone who is familiar with the basic doctrines of both traditions; I don't need someone to tell me "Lutherans and Calvinists disagree on Christology" but rather want someone to explain to me exactly *why*). Discussion was backed not only by Scripture but also by citations of theologians both ancient and modern. My mind wasn't changed by any of the book (though I was curious about some of Cooper's thoughts on sanctification); however, I do think it failed to answer the biggest questions I have. Perhaps I'd benefit from a conversation more than a book. My personal interest in the Reformed tradition has to do with very specific doctrines and theologians who aren't covered in depth in an overview like this.

[Stan McCullars, Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent comparison of Reformed and Lutheran theology

Jordan Cooper, a Lutheran pastor, does an excellent job of comparing and contrasting Reformed and Lutheran theology. He fairly represented Reformed theology which is the tradition I've been a part of for nearly 30 years. In his description of Lutheran theology he referenced Luther, the Formula of Concord, and theologians both modern and from the time of the Reformation. The book was well written and well documented. If you're interested in what the Reformed or Lutheran teach, this would be an excellent introduction.

[K B · Rating 5 out of 5]

if there were 6 stars to evaluate this book, I would give it 6! This is the best I have read in evaluating the differences between Lutheranism and Calvinism. I would wish that all Calvin's followers might read it with an open mind.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm in a group with a lot of Reformed/Calvinist people and when I discovered this book, it seemed like a good idea to read it to gain a greater understanding of what the Reformed teach as opposed to what the Lutheran church teaches.

My basic understanding was close but I did learn a lot of nuance. I also learned that the Reformed are a lot of times further from Calvin than Calvin was from Luther. Like if they really followed Calvin, we'd be much closer to agreement.

I had some questions that needed answers on some of the Lutheran stuff and I was surprised at just how far some of the Reformed theology went.

The downside of this book is that he gets intellectual too often and uses Latin phrases that he doesn't explain! That was super frustrating. There is also no glossary for terms to reference.

[Daniel Lønborg · Rating 4 out of 5]

En meget brugbar bog til forståelse af luthersk teologi, reformert teologi og forskelle her imellem på flere centrale teologiske spørgsmål.
Ud over hjælp til forståelse er bogen propfyldt med grundig og fyldig argumentation for den lutherske position

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, this is a tremendous work and will serve as a resource to reference time and again. I struggled at times with the argumentation: more than one straw man was triumphantly knocked down and far too many either/ors were forced on the reader. Add to that the double standard of what at least seemed like an "If it supports my position, good and necessary consequence is acceptable; if it confronts my position, good and necessary consequence cannot be claimed and an explicit Scriptural reference is required." My biggest gripe is the constant appeal to the "plain reading" of the text. In too many discussions, "plain reading" merely means "the reading that I prefer," and is used as a shortcut to rhetorical success while not really adding anything to the debate. For the most part, the uses of "plain reading" in this text don't rise above that limitation.

However, if it sounds like I hated the book that is only because I wanted to get absolutely everything I didn't love out early. Because beyond my admittedly limited griefs listed above, Cooper has done a great service for interested readers. The early chapters were good (if ultimately unconvincing...), but the later chapters shine brightest. His chapters on the sacraments are super helpful and the chapters on justification and sanctification are tremendous, even if some parts were repetitive in light of earlier chapters (I believe there are multiple multiple-paragraph introductions to covenant theology which admittedly might make the individual chapters more self-contained but actually make it somewhat tedious when reading through from beginning to end).

Cooper has provided a greater view of Lutheran theology and practice to Reformed folks and an *overall* fair and accurate representation of Reformed theology to Lutheran folks. Not an easy feat, but it is greatly appreciated.

[Josh Traylor]

This is an excellent exposition of the differences between the Lutheran and Calvinist traditions. Cooper, as a good scholar does, took the time to fairly represent the Calvinistic views, and even asked living Calvinist scholars to ensure that he represented their views fairly, avoiding the strawman fallacy and providing a great steel-man. Nevertheless, Cooper convincingly shows why the Lutheran Reformation was the Conservative Reformation which retained the Patristic and Medieval witness, rather than making overcorrections as were done in Geneva, Westminster, and other Reformed epicenters in the 16th and 17th centuries.

If you find yourself like me, having become nauseated with Baptists and Presbyterians debating covenant theology, Calvinists and Arminians debating the nature of the relationship between predestination and free will, and want to explore an introduction to the too often neglected richness of the Evangelical-Catholic tradition as it stems back to the New Testament, and runs through the Patristics and Medievals into the Reformation, than this book would be highly with your time.

I also recommend this book especially to my Calvinist friends. Unfortunately, the Lutheran theological tradition, like many other theological traditions, is often represented by bad straw men arguments from people who are far from well-read in the tradition, and who have no business attempting to represent the beliefs of the Lutheran Book of Concord fairly. In stark contrast to that, Jordan B. Cooper is a Lutheran scholar and theologian who is well worth engaging with, and if he does not change your mind about Calvinism, then he will certainly help you develop a deep respect and appreciation for the Lutheran tradition, which you should be willing to cultivate.

[Jonathen Loxley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal, and consistently fair introduction to the major differences between the two Continental Magisterial Reformation churches. Dr. Cooper, having been a member of the Reformed church for many years, is able to speak in a way that Reformed and Reformed-leaning folks are able to understand, quoting and drawing from the large swath of influential Reformed thinkers (everyone from Bavinck to Hodge to Turretin is here) while also providing a large base of Scriptural argumentation that point instead for a Lutheran understanding of some of the hardest passages of Scripture (looking at you, Romans 9!). Whether you're Reformed, a Lutheran, or just a student of Reformation theology, I highly recommend this work.

[Samuel Moerbe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cooper argues compellingly and lucidly. I appreciate how he’s able to put his finger on both the doctrinal and temperamental differences between the Lutheran and Reformed Traditions. I appreciated the flow of exegetical, historical, dogmatic, and pastoral concern and application. I wish he interacted with a little more with the scholastic reformed tradition, especially because he interacts with the Scholastic Lutheran tradition on a high caliber. However, on the whole he does a good job of representing the confessional reformed tradition.

If you want a book that really highlights the differences of the Lutheran and Reformed traditions with clarity, this is the book.

[Maurice Guy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book overall. Great explanations, succinct, and definitely worth reading to understand the key differences between the Lutheran tradition and the Reformed. This book was also fair and scholarly. There was no "dunking" on Calvinism, but rather there were insightful explanations and clarifications on important issues.

[Jeremy Gardiner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful book on understanding the Lutheran view. Most helpful to me was the explanation of their view of the five points of Calvinism.

I don't agree with everything as I'm not Lutheran but it was informative and I do agree with aspects of Lutheran theology over against the Reformed.

[Micah Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well done, thorough, and honest argument for Lutheran theology over the theology of Calvinism. I highly recommend this book.

[Daniel Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Book

Pastor Jordon Cooper is the primary reason I left Reformed Theology for Lutheranism. This book, unlike any other I've read on the subject, lays out the distinctions between Reformed Theology and Lutheranism in a way that even the average layman like myself can understand.