Wittenberg vs Geneva A Biblical Bout in 7 Rounds on the Doctrines that Divide Brian W Thomas 9781945500374 Books
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What are the differences between Lutherans and Calvinists, and do they really matter? In Wittenberg vs. Geneva, Brian Thomas provides a biblical defense of the key doctrines that have divided the Lutheran and Reformed traditions for nearly five centuries. It is especially written to help those who may have an interest in the Lutheran church, but are concerned that her stance on doctrines like predestination or the sacraments may not have biblical support. To get to the heart of the matter, Pastor Thomas focuses solely upon those crucial scriptural texts that have led Lutheran and Reformed scholars down different paths to disparate conclusions as he spars with popular Calvinist theologians from the past and the present.
Wittenberg vs Geneva A Biblical Bout in 7 Rounds on the Doctrines that Divide Brian W Thomas 9781945500374 Books
From time to time I get review copies of new books that I’ll write about. The most recent book I received was interesting to me on several fronts. The title of the book is Wittenberg vs Geneva: A Biblical Bout in Seven Rounds on the Doctrines that Divide by a Lutheran Pastor named Brian W. Thomas. As the title suggests, the book is designed to offer a comparison of the two great wings of the Protestant Reformation – with confessional Lutheranism on one side of the ring, and confessional Reformed churches on the other. This book is of interest to me, as I mentioned before, for several reasons. Partly because I am myself Reformed and am hoping to be a Reformed Pastor, but also because my wife grew up in the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod before becoming a Presbyterian several years ago. Needless to say, I was eager to dig into this book.Let me start, then, by highlighting the strengths of Thomas’s work. The book as a whole is relatively short and the chapters are manageable. Professional theologians are already able to compare Pieper to Bavinck, so Thomas wisely limits his audience to the layperson. Thomas also recognizes that both traditions represent a range of thought and so he wisely compares the confessional documents of each tradition rather that getting locked into interminable debates between individual personalities or theologians. Thomas self-consciously brings the discussion back to the Scriptures in a recognition that both sides hold the Bible as their final authority. These are all strengths, and I commend Thomas for his efforts.
Each chapter seeks to identify a topic or question that has been a source of debate between the two camps. Once the question is identified, Thomas offers a summary of the Lutheran and Reformed views as articulated by their church confessions and leading proponents. Then he highlights some key passages of Scripture and offers the reader his reasons for why he believes the Lutheran camp more faithfully explains the texts.
As a Reformed person, I often felt that Thomas did not fully grasped the Reformed view of the different topics that were presented. While it’s clear that Thomas did his best to get up to speed and do his homework, it’s equally clear that he was not fully aware of the intramural debates that exist within the Reformed camp that would anticipate and respond to some of his critiques (for example, on page 6 where he quibbles with the Reformed use of the phrase “common grace” he seems unaware that there are those within the Reformed camp who offer the very same concerns that he does on the topic. Or on pg. 15 when he suggests that the Reformed fail to stress the objective role of the Sacraments when a close study of Questions 65-82 of the Heidelberg Catechism would show otherwise).
On the one hand, this is an encouraging book – if only because it tries to bring the two great wings of the Reformation back into conversation with each other. On many substantial issues of doctrine and life both Lutherans and the Reformed stand together in contrast to both Rome and much of the broader evangelical world. Perhaps this work can help believers from both traditions to work harder to understand what the other believes.
On the other hand, however, I don’t think that Thomas displayed the knowledge of historical theology requisite to faithfully carry out his project. There are simply too many places where he displays his ignorance of the historical Reformed tradition. Perhaps another theologian can pick up where Thomas has left off to offer a more rigorous comparison between these two camps.
I would like to thank the good folks over at Cross Focused Reviews for providing me with a free review copy of this book. I was not obligated to provide a positive review.
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Wittenberg vs Geneva A Biblical Bout in 7 Rounds on the Doctrines that Divide Brian W Thomas 9781945500374 Books Reviews
Wittenberg vs Geneva A Biblical Bout in 7 Rounds on the Doctrines that DivideI have always considered Lutherans to be dear brothers and sisters in the faith. I was exposed to some of their theology in school. While their sacramentalism seemed excessive, I still appreciated Luther and his followers. I once pastored in a small town where the only other churches were Roman Catholic and Lutheran. My conversations with the Lutheran pastor were cordial, if not extensive. I’ve read some Lutherans (Veith, Forde, Giertz, and Senkbeil) and appreciated their writings. However, even after reading what they had to say, I’ve never been able to wholly adopt their views.
I hang out on a Lutheran Facebook discussion page. I’ve been surprised at the vitriol aimed at the Reformed. The Reformed have been labeled as “heretics.” Since I’m more aligned with Reformed theology, I’ve wondered why my love for Lutherans hasn’t been reciprocated. In general I think it is safe to say that the Reformed appreciate Luther more than Lutherans appreciate Calvin. I suppose living in an evangelical world has lowered the bar for me as to what is and isn’t acceptable. About ten years ago there was a Lutheran who was attending the church I pastored. While attending our church, this Lutheran received a letter from her former Lutheran pastor severely criticizing her for attending the church I pastored. Since I focus on the gospel and hold to the ecumenical creeds and the five solas of the Reformation, I wondered why there was such antagonism directed toward my theology. When someone is looking for a church, and there aren’t any with a Reformed orientation in the neighborhood, I’ll direct people to a conservative Lutheran church.
With this background I’m always looking for more explanation as to what is going on. I just finished “Wittenberg VS Geneva,” subtitled, “A Biblical Bout in Seven Rounds on the Doctrines that Divide.” This slim volume (177 pages) was written by a Lutheran named Brian W Thomas. I very much appreciated the irenic tone. Thomas gently explored the differences between the two doctrinal camps. The issues discussed were the extent of the atonement, double predestination, the salvific nature of baptism, the presence of the Lord in the Supper, and perseverance of the saints.
I believe it is fair to say that Lutherans believe that the Reformed are wrong in these areas because the Reformed generally hold to the logic of their system rather than the truth of Scripture. While I’m not yet willing to become a Lutheran, Thomas does make good points. I felt the Lutheran arguments were stronger in some areas than others. I certainly appreciated the Lutheran passion to adhere to scripture even if there is a conflict with logic. The strongest issue in my view dealt with double predestination, while the weakest was the treatment of the Lord’s Supper. I’ll probably keep reading in an effort to understand what the Lutheran view holds.
Every view has strengths and weaknesses. For me, often a view seems stronger if its weaknesses aren’t as weak as the other view’s weaknesses. For now the Reformed view simply makes more sense.
From time to time I get review copies of new books that I’ll write about. The most recent book I received was interesting to me on several fronts. The title of the book is Wittenberg vs Geneva A Biblical Bout in Seven Rounds on the Doctrines that Divide by a Lutheran Pastor named Brian W. Thomas. As the title suggests, the book is designed to offer a comparison of the two great wings of the Protestant Reformation – with confessional Lutheranism on one side of the ring, and confessional Reformed churches on the other. This book is of interest to me, as I mentioned before, for several reasons. Partly because I am myself Reformed and am hoping to be a Reformed Pastor, but also because my wife grew up in the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod before becoming a Presbyterian several years ago. Needless to say, I was eager to dig into this book.
Let me start, then, by highlighting the strengths of Thomas’s work. The book as a whole is relatively short and the chapters are manageable. Professional theologians are already able to compare Pieper to Bavinck, so Thomas wisely limits his audience to the layperson. Thomas also recognizes that both traditions represent a range of thought and so he wisely compares the confessional documents of each tradition rather that getting locked into interminable debates between individual personalities or theologians. Thomas self-consciously brings the discussion back to the Scriptures in a recognition that both sides hold the Bible as their final authority. These are all strengths, and I commend Thomas for his efforts.
Each chapter seeks to identify a topic or question that has been a source of debate between the two camps. Once the question is identified, Thomas offers a summary of the Lutheran and Reformed views as articulated by their church confessions and leading proponents. Then he highlights some key passages of Scripture and offers the reader his reasons for why he believes the Lutheran camp more faithfully explains the texts.
As a Reformed person, I often felt that Thomas did not fully grasped the Reformed view of the different topics that were presented. While it’s clear that Thomas did his best to get up to speed and do his homework, it’s equally clear that he was not fully aware of the intramural debates that exist within the Reformed camp that would anticipate and respond to some of his critiques (for example, on page 6 where he quibbles with the Reformed use of the phrase “common grace” he seems unaware that there are those within the Reformed camp who offer the very same concerns that he does on the topic. Or on pg. 15 when he suggests that the Reformed fail to stress the objective role of the Sacraments when a close study of Questions 65-82 of the Heidelberg Catechism would show otherwise).
On the one hand, this is an encouraging book – if only because it tries to bring the two great wings of the Reformation back into conversation with each other. On many substantial issues of doctrine and life both Lutherans and the Reformed stand together in contrast to both Rome and much of the broader evangelical world. Perhaps this work can help believers from both traditions to work harder to understand what the other believes.
On the other hand, however, I don’t think that Thomas displayed the knowledge of historical theology requisite to faithfully carry out his project. There are simply too many places where he displays his ignorance of the historical Reformed tradition. Perhaps another theologian can pick up where Thomas has left off to offer a more rigorous comparison between these two camps.
I would like to thank the good folks over at Cross Focused Reviews for providing me with a free review copy of this book. I was not obligated to provide a positive review.
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