The Protestant Tradition
An Essay in Interpretation

This 1955 book offered a new interpretation of early Protestantism and, against this background, a searching treatment of modern religious issues.

J. S. Whale (Author)

9780521229135, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 9 June 2011

378 pages
21.6 x 14 x 2.1 cm, 0.48 kg

First published in 1955, this book was intended to offer a new interpretation of early Protestantism and, against this background, a searching treatment of modern religious issues. The Protestant tradition stems mainly from Luther, Calvin, and the Sectarians. Luther was the revolutionary genius; because of his acute sense of paradox his teaching is difficult to understand, but Dr Whale's summing-up makes it a good deal easier. After him Calvin, with his remorseless logic, may seem an unsympathetic figure; but here he is shown in his proper light as the great statesman and doctrinarian of the young church. The Sectarian movement was steadily gaining strength in England in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries; Dr Whale examines its teachings and tells of its later development. He speaks with conviction and vigour about issues including religious tolerance and intolerance and the conflict between Church and State; he closes with a plea for unity the Church.

Foreword
Abbreviations
Preface
Part I. Luther: 1. The historical problem
2. Luther's contemporary relevance
3. The paradox of justification by faith alone
4. The paradox of believing sinner's assurance
5. The paradox of 'Gabe' and 'Aufgabe'
6. The calling and the Church
Part II. Calvin: 7. System
8. Doctrine
9. Churchmanship
10. The Church in the world
Part III. the Sect-Type: 11. Dissent
12. The personal principle
13. The voluntary principle
14. The spiritual principle
15. Strength and weakness
Part IV. Modern Issues: 16. The Roman Church and toleration
17. The totalitarian state and the crown rights of the redeemer
18. Sectarian division and the Oecumenical movement
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Church history [HRCC2]