What it Means to be Protestant

What it Means to be Protestant
By: Gavin Ortlund

1. Would you Recommend this Book?

Absolutely, particularly as an introduction to what protestantism is and how it came to be, as well as the o so many in the young generation that are considering a move to Roman Catholicism or Eastern Orthodoxy.

 
2. What is the Main Point?

This book is what it claims to be, arguing that to be Protestant is not to leave behind the one holy catholic (little c) church, but in fact to BE exactly that, and simply to be always reforming underneath the sole infallible authority of the Word.


3. Which Parts should I read if I’m short on Time?

Chapters 1, 3, and 8-11.


4. Why does this book Matter?

Perhaps the primary usefulness of this book for me will be to thicken up everyday protestant’s understanding of protestantism, to help people see it not as novel or as new but as old and weighty and historical. It is easy to be negative about protestantism if you judge it by its lightest and least historical (and worst), which are unfortunately the biggest churches in America; however, Ortlund argues that this is not protestantism’s heart and foundation. He wants us not just to stick with protestantism, but to reform modern fluffy evangelicalism back to the historical church and its much deeper stronger roots. Ortlund refocuses us around the heart of protestantism and to view the accretions both in Roman Catholic/Eastern Orthodoxy AND modern evangelicalism as what they are.

 
5. Is this Book an “Easy-Read?” (Include Length)

Yes, it is very readable and around 300 pages.

 
6. Who is this Author and what did you think of their writing?

Ortlund is a scholar and a pastor, and is best known for his YouTube channel “Truth Unites,” which I watch almost daily, as well as his books such as this one, “Finding the Right Hills to Die On,” “Why God Makes Sense in a World that Doesn’t,” and more.
 
Ortlund is, as always, incredibly gracious and takes care not to overstate his case or be too dogmatic where it would be unwise to do so; however, he does not shrink from strong statements with clarity. He is very easy to understand and is pastoral in his writing; he is often the source I look to first when beginning to think through an issue or topic.


7. What is One Key Take-Away or Application for my life?

I should seek to understand church history better and ground my spirituality in the 2,000 years of such instead of only or primarily in personal experience or the modern church movements that are themselves largely disconnected from this history.

 
8. What was One point of Disagreement?


9. What are any other things that stood out to You?

Orltund’s tone throughout, as always, was as instructive to me as the content itself; despite his impressive learning and intellect, he remains humble and open to correction amidst his confident teaching.


10. Have you read any books similar to this one that you would recommend one to read first to help with this one?

This is a great first book on this topic. Mark Noll’s overview of church history could be helpful to join to this one either before or after.