Roman Catholicism and Neo-Calvinism

“Surely, no Roman Catholic philosopher has such an in-depth knowledge of neo-Calvinist thought as Eduardo Echeverria. I even suspect he has a deeper under¬standing of it than many neo-Calvinist thinkers themselves. Echeverria makes a long and strong argument for the claim that when it comes to the basics, Catholic and neo-Calvinist thinking are in deep accord, even if the formulations of the basics differ considerably between the two traditions. This is a truly pioneering and stimulating exercise in ecumenical thinking.” —René van Woudenberg, Professor of Epistemology and Metaphysics, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam “There was a time when many of us—both neo-Calvinists and Catholics--would have thought it futile to seek a rapprochement on faith and reason topics between the likes of Herman Dooyeweerd and Pope John Paul II. Worse yet, there were folks on both sides who did not want such a project to succeed. Thank God that Eduardo Echeverria was the one to take on the assignment. We are all in his debt for this brilliant breakthrough study!” —Richard Mouw, Senior Fellow, Henry Institute, Calvin University “Most people know that Catholicism and Calvinism have been ecclesial and theological rivals for centuries. But what few know, and what Professor Echeverria demonstrates, is that they are also siblings, sharing a biblical and an Augustinian paternity. No one is better equipped than Echeverria to parse out the myriad convergences and divergences in this relationship. His duplex fundamental theology ought to serve as a model for Christian ecumenical theology. Roman Catholicism and Neo-Calvinism convincingly shows that scrupulous attention to multiple traditions—so far from diluting or diminishing Christian theologizing—makes it more cogent, comprehensive, and comprehensible. A cord of many strands is not easily broken. Would that more theologians would engage thinkers beyond their own tradition who seek, as they do, to unfold the unfathomable mystery of God in Christ.” —Michael Mcclymond, Professor of Modern Christianity, St. Louis University “What hath Amsterdam to do with Rome? At a time when too many of us are resigned to endure an “ecumenical ice age,” Echeverria soldiers on with energy, insight, and authentic Christian hope. This exercise in “receptive ecumenism” sparkles with deep insight and ecumenical good will, staging a fascinating “dialogue in love” that puts into conversation such classical voices from the neo-Calvinist tradition as Herman Bavinck, G. C. Berkouwer, and Herman Dooyeweerd, with, amazingly, Pope Saint John Paul II, Joseph Ratzinger, and Garrigou-Lagrange. Echeverria argues cogently that any Christian ecumenism worthy of the name must aim at the reconciliation of differences in doctrinal theology through a dialogue of love that leads to genuine unity in the truth. This book does just that and so credibly issues a clarion call for bringing separated Christians together, especially at this fraught moment, when traditional Christians on all sides find themselves beleaguered by the advocates of the gender studies paradigm. Making common cause against this corrosive ideology can be fostered, Echeverria argues, by meticulously uncovering the unity in truth about both God and man that traditional Catholics and Protestants already share. This important study will be useful for Catholics who want to better understand their separated Reformed and Evangelical friends, and, vice versa, for traditional Protestants open to taking a second look at Catholicism. Highly recommended!” —Mickey L. Mattox, PhD, Flack Family Foundation Chair and Professor of Theology, Hillsdale College