Reformed Catholicity

“Intellectually alert and edifying Christian theology will be attentive to divine instruction in Holy Scripture and to its reception, transmission, and explanation in the writings of the apostolic church in time. This fine book explains why, with clarity, grace, and dedication.”—John Webster, professor of divinity, St. Mary’s College, University of St. Andrews

“Allen and Swain here blaze an old trail in helpful new ways, correcting misinterpretations of what it means to be Reformed and in the process indicating a vital way forward for biblical interpretation and theology. I particularly appreciate the way they appeal to properly Protestant principles, like sola Scriptura, even as they urge us to thoughtfully retrieve and appropriate catholic tradition.”—Kevin J. Vanhoozer, Research Professor of Systematic Theology, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

“The notion of Scripture alone has come to be used in recent decades as a means of cutting off Protestantism from its own theological and ecclesiological history. The result is a faith that has too often proved fatally vulnerable to critique from Roman Catholics or degenerated into a theologically thin and ahistorical biblicism. In this densely argued but fascinating book, Scott Swain and Michael Allen demonstrate that classic Reformed Protestantism has an understanding of Scripture, of tradition, and of ecclesiology that anchors the Christian faith in biblical exegesis and at the same time provides the framework and the classical categories for avoiding both the Roman and biblicist options. Drawing on recent historical scholarship and engaging with contemporary Christian thought across the confessional spectrum, this is a bracing manifesto that sets out a clear pathway for the future of Protestantism.”—Carl R. Trueman, Paul Woolley Professor of Church History, Westminster Theological Seminary, Pennsylvania

“This manifesto embodies the Reformed catholicity for which it calls and for which many of us hope. Allen and Swain engage the catholic variety of today’s efforts at theological retrieval by recovering key aspects of the Reformed tradition that biblically support and helpfully shape this pursuit.”—Daniel J. Treier, Blanchard Professor of Theology, Wheaton College

“To anyone familiar with recent initiatives in Protestant life and thought, it is no surprise that Allen and Swain would coauthor such a stirring summons to embrace the fullness of historic Christian catholicity. What many will find surprising is that their ‘renewal through retrieval’ manifesto takes the form of rehabilitating the much-abused doctrine of sola Scriptura, by turns defending it from detractors and rescuing it from misguided champions. In their hands, this venerable doctrine resumes its function as a guide for engaging the riches of the church’s historic confession, not as an excuse for ignoring pre-Reformation exegesis. Here is Protestant theology that understands itself, its source, and its context with refreshing clarity.”—Fred Sanders, professor of theology, Torrey Honors Institute, Biola University

“Reformed Catholicity is a timely and important book. While slim in size, it is weighty in its message, which not only encourages us to recognize how we are all ‘traditioned’ in our faith but also invites us to enter this lively stream that flows from the Scriptures through the people of God to us. Thankfully, these wise authors avoid the growing forms of naive primitivism becoming popular in some circles while also steering clear of the sectarian theological isolation proposed by others. Instead, they invite readers to embrace Reformed catholicity, a theologically informed approach that humbly responds to the revelation of the Triune God, recognizing the organic connection between Scripture and dogma, consciously drawing upon and in conversation with the wisdom of the historic church in both her universal and particular expressions.”—Kelly M. Kapic, Covenant College

“A refreshing and encouraging retrieval of the church’s rich tradition is occurring among evangelicals in a manner and depth that would have been well-nigh unimaginable thirty years ago. Reformed Catholicity admirably reflects this engagement and will help Reformed readers—and those from other traditions—to embrace ever more deeply the wonder and glory of the blessed Trinity.”—Christopher A. Hall, distinguished professor of theology and director of academic spiritual formation, Eastern University