Peter J. Leithart, The End of Protestantism: Pursuing Unity in a Fragmented Church

Abstract

Peter Leithart is to be admired for his love for the church and willingness to say difficult things to make it better. His The End of Protestantism: Pursuing Unity in a Fragmented Church evidences a zeal to sustain the church in the future, which requires a united church rooted deep in its traditions. Leithart is willing to challenge any status quo that gets in the way of sustaining the church. Almost nobody escapes criticism in this book. But first, what does Leithart mean by the end of Protestantism? On the one hand, “end” can refer to a thing’s purpose, that is, in the Aristotelian sense the final cause of a thing. A book on the “end” of Protestantism might then address the way Protestantism fulfills its purpose, or how Protestantism’s original intent ultimately leads to unity, even if currently we have a fragmented church. On the other hand, the term “end” can refer to a stopping point, that is, the ceasing-to-exist of a thing. A book on the “end” of Protestantism might then call for the ceasing-to-exist of Protestantism or demonstrate how unity will come about only when Protestantism stops. Leithart’s work falls principally, though not wholly, into the latter category. Protestantism is largely a problem, a contributor to fragmentation—and thus a contributor to weakening the church—and the pursuit of unity will require its ceasing to exist. Naturally, the first reaction to hearing that Protestantism must end might be to think Leithart is calling for all Christians to become Roman Catholic. But Catholicism in its present form is not the answer for Leithart, either. It, too, must change: “Protestant churches will have to become more catholic, and Catholic and Orthodox churches will have to become more biblical.” Leithart doesn’t unpack at great length what it might mean for Catholic and Orthodox churches to become more “biblical.” But the via media between Protestantism needing more catholicity, and Catholicism and Orthodoxy needing to be more biblical should resonate with many an Anglican, who would likely say “Amen” 952320 PRE0010.1177/1063851220952320Pro Ecclesia: A Journal of Catholic and Evangelical TheologyBook Review book-review2020