Originally published at crisis magazine
The conservative Presbyterian academic Carl R. Trueman is one of the most important and interesting voices in contemporary Protestantism. His top-selling 2020 book, The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self: Cultural Amnesia, Expressive Individualism, and the Road to Sexual Revolution, was such an impressive scholarly tour de force it was celebrated by Protestants and Catholics alike (including myself). He regularly speaks at Catholic events, such as the Leonine Forum, where I had the great pleasure of meeting him a couple of years ago. He even writes for Catholic publications such as The Catholic World Report.
So, when the good Dr. Trueman offers his opinions on Catholicism—as he recently did at First Things—one can’t help but pay attention. In a December 12 piece titled “Why I Am Not Catholic,” Trueman begins by noting that “many issues are important in my commitment to Reformed Protestantism: authority, salvation, the nature of the ministry, and the significance of sacraments are just a few of the more obvious.” He adds that the Catholic Church has given Mary “significance that is well beyond anything the Bible would countenance.” But his preeminent concern, he tells us, is with one thing—or rather, one person. Can you guess?
