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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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.
Unified Social Ethics Build Influence
- Catholics often present unified social ethics through Catholic social teaching, which can make them effective cultural allies.
- Mark McDowell notes Protestants can still partner with conservative Catholics on issues like pro-life activism despite doctrinal differences.
Doctrinal Elasticity, Not Repentance
- The Roman Catholic Church has grown doctrinally more flexible even if it hasn't formally repudiated older anathemas.
- Chad Van Dixhoorn observes an elasticity in modern Catholic practice compared to Reformation-era rigidity.
