If Protestantism is True: The Reformation Meets Rome [Paperback]

Devin Rose (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 6, 2011

What if Protestantism were true?

That's the question Rose takes up and explores. Each argument assumes Protestantism is true and then attempts to make sense of Christian history and theology based on that assumption. In this way, he presents a series of intelligible and compelling arguments for the Catholic Church's claim to be the Church that Christ founded.

Catholics will learn to defend their faith, and Protestants will be challenged to answer the toughest questions about the roots of their beliefs.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Devin Rose is a Catholic writer and lay apologist. After his conversion from atheism to Protestant Christianity in college, he set out to discover where the fullness of the truth of Jesus Christ could be found. His search led him to the Catholic Church. Rose blogs at St. Joseph's Vanguard. He has written articles for Catholic News Agency, Fathers for Good, Called to Communion, and appeared on EWTN discussing Catholic-Protestant topics.

Product Details

• Paperback: 180 pages
• Publisher: Unitatis Books (June 6, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0615445306
• ISBN-13: 978-0615445304
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (73 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #22,899 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I'm a Catholic author and lay apologist equipping Catholics to defend their faith, and helping Protestants fairly consider Catholicism's claims.

I grew up militantly atheist, then suffered from an anxiety disorder, panic attacks, and depression during college and had a radical conversion to Christ. I entered full communion with the Catholic Church in 2001 and ten years later God called me to become an apologist.

Because I've been around the block religiously (and anti-religiously), I keep an even-keeled attitude and try to avoid polemics. My philosophy is to treat people with kindness, no matter what they believe.

I'm a full-time software developer writing programs to help scientists and engineers make your world better. I used to play lots of sports but am now a husband and father and don't have time for it! Thanks for checking out my work.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

220 of 226 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An honest, charitable look at the holes in Protestantism June 7, 2011

By Brandon Vogt TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Apologist extraordinaire Devin Rose has just released his first book. It's titled If Protestantism is True. In the book, Devin explores how things like the canon of Scripture, the saints, and Scared Tradition all lead not to Protestantism but into the Catholic Church.

The book's title reveals its primary method of exploration: If Protestantism is True leans heavily on the logical tool reductio ad absurdum, "reduction to the absurd." This method says, "If you assume A is true, then the absurd conclusion B must follow. But if you can't accept the absurdities of B, then you can't accept A either." Devin applies this tool to many traditional Protestant beliefs like sola Scriptura, the dismissal of most Sacraments, and the rejection of papal authority, unveiling the natural ramifications of each claim.

But what's great about this book is that it's not just dry, intellectual gymnastics. Devin also includes anecdotes of real people wrestling with the claims of Protestantism. In the first chapter, for example, Devin lays out his own story, explaining his journey from atheism, to Evangelical Christianity, and finally to Catholicism. Devin's conversion strengthens his arguments since he has experienced both sides of the Catholic/Protestant divide, choosing his position only after weighing the claims of each side.

Another thing I love is that the book is both charitable and intelligent--caritas in veritate, as a wise man encouraged. Many Catholic apologetical books coldly denigrate Protestantism. But Devin writes warmly and though he disagrees with most Protestant claims, he probes each one seriously and respectfully. It's clear that Devin cares deeply about Christian unity, considering it not a game to be won but a goal to be passionately pursued.

117 of 122 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Thoughtful, well-written book July 23, 2011

By Pamela R. Jenkins

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

As a Protestant exploring the Catholic Church, I found this to be one of the best books I've read. Instead of straight-on apologetics, Mr. Rose points out the different beliefs between Catholics and Protestants, and shows the theological problems Protestants face using an "if, then" equation. That alone has made it unique among the apologetics books I've read recently.

The author is sincere, humble, and very kind in the way he makes his case for what Catholics believe, why they believe it, and how Protestantism has lead to divisions in Christianity.

78 of 81 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent resource August 16, 2011

By R. L. Hume

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

When I first got this I was a bit miffed because so many of the points seemed obvious to me. After talking to a few folks and pointing out some of the things in this book I find that it's not at all obvious to most Protestants who are convinced that the Catholic Church is wrong. I pretty much "read" my way into the Catholic Church having been brought up Fundamentalist and then becoming Lutheran in my late teens. I studied a lot and ended up being unable to avoid the conclusion that the Catholic Church is right, it is the One True Church. Unlike me, however, it seems a great many people haven't done much reading at all and simply repeat what someone has told them about the Catholic Church and their own faith as well. This book is well worth having on your bookshelf whenever you may want to be ready to point out the flaws in the arguments of those Protestants who seem to revel in trying to convert Catholics.