Life and Books and Everything Protestants and Catholics: What’s the Difference? With Chad Van Dixhoorn, Blair Smith, and Mark McDowell
Nov 26, 2025
In this enlightening discussion, guests Chad Van Dixhoorn, a church historian and Reformed theologian, Blair Smith, a professor known for his work on Augustine, and Mark McDowell, a systematic theology professor, delve into the intricate differences between Protestants and Catholics. They tackle the nuances of the Catholic Mass, the implications of historical doctrines, and how cultural alliances with Catholics can coexist with doctrinal disagreements. Additionally, the panel touches on infant baptism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and offers practical advice for engaging with Catholic friends.
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Worship Aesthetics Drive Disaffection
- Protestant worship can sometimes feel aesthetically lacking and gimmicky, driving people toward Catholicism for transcendence.
- Chad Van Dixhoorn suggests the Reformed tradition offers a reverent, thoughtful worship alternative that addresses that need.
More Ritual, Less Assurance
- Catholicism can appear to 'give more' but may offer less where assurance of salvation is concerned.
- Chad Van Dixhoorn highlights Trent's anathemas as evidence that Catholic teaching limits assurance and thus offers less gospel confidence.
Recover The Mystery Of The Trinity
- Evangelicals sometimes underemphasize the central mysteries like the Trinity and Christology in worship and teaching.
- Blair Smith urges Reformed Christians to recover creeds and robust doctrinal attention to address this weakness.
