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Why Do Protestants Convert?
An investigation of a troubling question
A strange phenomenon has gripped Protestantism in recent decades: many of its best and brightest thinkers have converted to Roman Catholicism. Likewise, many earnest, normal believers have found Protestantism shallow in doctrine, history, ethics, and worship, and made the leap to Rome.
How can Protestants make sense of this? In this short and penetrating book, originally published as a series of essays, Brad Littlejohn and Chris Castaldo insightfully diagnose the psychological, theological, and sociological factors behind Protestant conversions to Rome.
With refreshing honesty, they find many converts’ criticisms of contemporary Protestantism to be warranted, but argue that historic magisterial Protestantism has within it the answers to these objections and the resources for a Protestant renewal.
Publication Details
- Publisher: Davenant Press
- ISBN: 978-1-949716-20-7
- Publication Date: dECEMBER 12, 2023
- Author: Brad Littlejohn and Chris Castaldo
- Price: $14.95
Endorsements
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“The phenomenon of evangelical intellectuals converting to Roman Catholicism is perhaps not massive in numbers, but still significant and well-attested beyond the United States. It signals some deficiencies in how the evangelical faith is perceived and lived out in its spiritual, ecclesial, and cultural aspects. So, this book is timely and needed. Littlejohn and Castaldo ask the right questions and provide insightful indications to help the reader approach the topic in a theologically informed way. They also help those who might be attracted to swim over to Rome to pause and think twice. Without having an idealized view of the Reformation, the book challenges consumerist, individualistic, and shallow experiences of the evangelical faith and invites us to appreciate the rich legacy of historic Protestantism and its present-day vitality. At the same time, the book rightly argues that Rome is not that haven it is often portrayed by outsiders who sentimentally engage her. It is a dangerous place to stay away from. I commend Littlejohn and Castaldo for writing such a compelling case for Protestants not to convert to Roman Catholicism”
— Leonardo de Chirico, Director of the Reformanda Initiative, author of Same Words, Different Worlds: Do Roman Catholics and Evangelicals Believe the Same Gospel?
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“In every era since 1517 adherents of the Reformation have sought what they thought to be a safer haven under the papal cloak, just as Roman Catholic contemporaries found their way to security in the promise of new life in Christ proclaimed by the Reformers. Littlejohn and Castaldo examine specific psychological and sociological contexts for Protestant conversions to the papal obedience in our time. They offer a convincing demonstration of the power of Reformation theology to offer the only true security in Christ’s death and resurrection and the bestowal of his benefits through God’s Word and trust in Christ alone.”
— Robert Kolb, Professor of Systematic Theology Emeritus, Concordia Seminary
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“In an age when many Protestants feel a powerful pull towards Rome, it is necessary to understand both her appeal and the wealth of often untapped resources Reformational Protestantism has to meet—and eclipse—her charms. With wisdom and sensitivity, this book does that well, offering a helpful challenge for Protestants to be better Protestants.”
— Michael Reeves, President of Union School of Theology
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“This book will be especially helpful for pastors, seminary teachers, and anyone interested in church history and theology.”
— Gregory Soderberg, Kepler Education
More Endorsements (4)
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“This book is about more than conversion. It’s a perceptive survey of the challenges facing contemporary American Christians of all stripes. Catholics as well as Protestants will benefit from reading Why Do Protestants Convert? ”
— R.R. Reno, Editor of First Things
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“Littlejohn and Castaldo fill a gap with this important book exploring why some leave Protestantism for another tradition. They do not trivialize, oversimplify, or condescend to this phenomenon. On the contrary, they take it with the utmost seriousness and show it must not be dismissed. Along the way, they challenge contemporary Protestant practice while simultaneously pointing to the riches offered in classical Protestantism. I highly recommend Why Do Protestants Convert? for all wrestling with ecumenical disagreements today, or seeking to help others in this process.”
— Gavin Ortlund, Host of the Truth Unites podcast
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“ Why Do Protestants Convert? asks and answers a question that has troubled me for some time. As it explores the psychology, theology, and sociology of conversion, the book identifies key weaknesses in our churches that, taken together, make for something like a gut punch to contemporary evangelical Protestantism. Yet the authors also helpfully remind us there is no need to swim the Tiber, for there is nothing so toxic in today’s evangelical Protestantism that the magisterial Protestant tradition does not have the resources to cure.”
— Kevin J. Vanhoozer, Research Professor of Systematic Theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
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“Littlejohn and Castaldo have succeeded in providing a concise and compelling account of how the failures of Protestant churches are leading some to Rome. The diagnosis may be painful, but in providing it, they have outlined the road to renewing and revitalizing the Reformed tradition and American evangelicalism.”
— Nathanael Blake, Senior Contributor at The Federalist ; Postdoctoral Fellows at Ethics and Public Policy Center
