Ep. #123 – Was the Reformation a Mistake? w/ Dr. Levering

Summary

Was the Reformation a mistake? That’s the essential question and topic of this conversation with Dr. Matthew Levering who wrote a book on the topic. We discuss the nature of biblical reasoning from Catholic and non-Catholic perspectives as well as differences between Catholics and Protestants on the issue of justification.

Guest Bio

Dr. Matthew Levering who is the James N. and Mary D. Perry jr. Chair of theology at Mundelien seminary. Ph.D., Boston College.  Previous appointments include: associate professor of theology at Ave Maria University,  Myser Fellow at the Center for Ethics and Culture at the University of Notre Dame, and professor of theology at University of Dayton.  Author or co-author of over thirty books including such works as Scripture and Metaphysics, Participatory Biblical Exegesis, Biblical Natural Law, Proofs of God, Aquinas’s Eschatological Ethics and the Virtue of Temperance, and Did Jesus Rise from the Dead?  

Currently at work on a nine-volume dogmatics, whose first three volumes have appeared (most recently Engaging the Doctrine of Creation). He is also editor or co-editor of over twenty books including such works as The Oxford Handbook of Sacramental Theology, Aristotle in Aquinas’s Theology, and The Reception of Vatican II. Translator of Gilles Emery, O.P.’s The Trinity.  Additionally, Dr. Levering is the co-editor of Nova et Vetera and of the International Journal of Systematic Theology as well as a member of the Academy of Catholic Theology and of Evangelicals and Catholics Together.

Topics

• Who was Fr. Matthias Joseph Scheeben and why does his book on Catholic dogmatics deserve endorsement?
• Why don’t you consider the Reformation “a mistake”?
• How does Catholic doctrine “arise from Scripture”?
• As you point out, both Catholics and non-Catholic Christians both agree Scripture is “God’s authoritative word.” So, where else do they agree and where do they disagree with respect to biblical reasoning?
• What was Luther’s view on Justification?
• How does the Catholic view differ?
• Do 2 Corinthians 5:21 and Romans 5:1 support a Reformation position over against the Catholic position? If not, then why not?

Resources

Was the Reformation a Mistake? Why Catholic Doctrine is Not Unbiblical by Dr. Matthew Levering

Handbook of Catholic Dogmatics 5.1 by Fr. Matthias Joseph Scheeben

Handbook of Catholic Dogmatics 1.2 by Fr. Matthias Joseph Scheeben

Proofs of God: Classical Arguments from Tertullian to Barth by Dr. Matthew Levering

Did Jesus Rise from the Dead? Historical and Theological Reflections by Dr. Matthew Levering

Engaging the Doctrine of Marriage by Dr. Matthew Levering

Related Episodes

Ep. #115 – He Founded the Catholic Church w/ Tim Staples

Ep. #112 – Natural Theology & the Resurrection of Jesus w/ Dr. Levering

Ep. #106 – Tradition, Lexicons, and Paradigms w/ Dr. Bryan Cross

Ep. #105 – Pope Peter w/ Joe Heschmeyer

Ep. #63 – Examining Sola Scriptura w/ Jimmy Akin