Chris Castaldo, co-author of 'Why Do Protestants Convert?', discusses the factors behind Protestant conversion to Roman Catholicism or Eastern Orthodoxy. Issues like historical rootedness, beauty in traditions, and theological and sociological influences are examined. The conversation stresses the importance of theological reflection and the potential for a Protestant renewal.
Conversion to Catholicism driven by factors like historical rootedness and reverence.
Historic Protestantism contains answers to objections, resources for renewal amidst conversion challenges.
Deep dives
The Rafiki Foundation's Mission in Africa
The Rafiki Foundation, a Christian mission agency, has been serving in Africa for almost 40 years. They aim to help people know God, improve their living standards, and equip the Church to reach the next generation in Africa. Operating in 10 African countries, they care for orphans, run Christian schools for the underprivileged, and provide discipleship for young African teachers. Through their classical Christian curriculum, they aim to equip churches and schools with Bibles and resources from a reformed perspective.
Reasons for Protestant Conversion to Catholicism
The podcast explores the psychological, theological, and sociological reasons why individuals are leaving Protestantism for Roman Catholicism. Conversations with converts reveal that factors like historical rootedness, reverence, and tradition often play significant roles in their decisions. Some individuals prioritize aspects like community belonging, intellectual gravitas, and aesthetic appeal in their conversion journey. The Reformation tradition is highlighted as offering resources to address these needs and satisfy spiritual longings.
Approaching the Differences Between Protestants and Catholics
The discussion delves into how Protestants should view the Roman Catholic Church and individual Catholic Christians. While acknowledging doctrinal differences and the complexities of tradition within Catholicism, the podcast emphasizes the importance of recognizing valid Christian faith within the context of the Catholic Church. The objective is to evangelize individuals from diverse Christian backgrounds, including Protestants and Catholics, promoting a deeper union with Christ and a focus on the essential gospel message.
Many of the best and brightest Protestant thinkers have converted to Roman Catholicism in recent decades. Some have found Protestantism shallow in doctrine, history, ethics, and worship. Chris Castaldo, co-author of Why Do Protestants Convert? sits down with Carl and Todd to discuss the psychological, theological, and sociological factors behind these conversions.
As someone who has had conversations with those who have converted from Protestantism to Catholicism or, in some cases, Eastern Orthodoxy as well, very often in my conversations with them, theology is not the first thing. Oftentimes [there are] other issues that they will name first, like the historical rootedness or the reverence that they found or the beauty that they found in the Roman Catholic or Eastern Orthodox traditions. – Todd Pruitt
Although many converts’ criticisms of contemporary Protestantism may be warranted, Chris points out that historic Protestantism contains the answers to these objections and the resources for a Protestant renewal.
Thanks to the generosity of the Davenant Institute, we had two copies of Why Do Protestants Convert? to give to our listeners. Congratulations for Jennifer W. from Southern Pines, NC and Nicholas R. from Plantation, FL!
Show Notes:
Chris’ article on the state of the Roman Catholic Church: