Unlearning Protestantism: Sustaining Christian Community in an Unstable Age

A Catholic and former Mennonite, Schlabach makes clear from the outset that his book is not about persuading Protestants to convert to Catholicism. But the associate professor of theology at the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minn., and director of the Bridgefolk Mennonite-Catholic movement proposes that Protestants have something important to learn from Catholics: the practice of stability that keeps them together despite their differences. Schlabach believes the very virtues that allowed Protestant reformers to take courageous stands centuries ago have morphed into vices that now undermine community life, keeping Protestants from the hard work of living together. Conversely, he says, Catholics stay together amid disputes by exercising stability, fidelity, and “loyal dissent.” Although Schlabach allows that some situations require “protest, dissent and perhaps even prophetic departure for a time,” he calls on all Christians to nurture virtues and practices that make it possible for them to pursue reform while sustaining their communal lives. This thoughtful and groundbreaking work will speak to Protestants and Catholics alike. (Apr.)