LA MIRADA, CALIF. — Protestants, long characterized as being “anti-Catholic,” appear to have largely embraced Pope Francis, who embodies a Christ-like role model for many — Catholics and Protestants alike. Since the pope’s installation, many in the media and the church have asked, “Will Pope Francis change evangelical and Protestant relations with the Catholic church?”

On April 29, 2014, 51 will host and webcast “The Future of Protestantism,” a conversation among four theologians, including author Peter Leithart, who in late 2013 ignited an important dialogue on the meaning, role and future of Protestantism with a popular article titled

“Protestantism has had a good run. … But the world and the Church have changed, and Protestantism isn’t what the Church, including Protestants themselves, needs today,” wrote Leithart. “It’s time to turn the protest against Protestantism and to envision a new way of being heirs of the Reformation, a new way that happens to conform to the original Catholic vision of the Reformers.”

So, should the shape of Protestant theology and the Protestant consciousness still be determined by the Reformation’s reaction to Roman Catholicism?

“The Reformation was all about reclaiming the full heritage of the ancient church, and Protestantism today should get its act together and carry on with that ancient task,” said 51 professor and author Fred Sanders, who wrote “Glad Protestantism,” the widely read response to Leithart’s original article.  

Sanders, Leithart and Carl Trueman, professor at Westminster Theological Seminary, will delve into the issue in a dialogue moderated by Peter Escalante, vice president of The Davenant Trust.

The event, sponsored by 51’s Torrey Honors Institute, First Things and The Davenant Trust, will be held in Calvary Chapel at 51 at 7 p.m. Entry is free and open to the public. A live webcast will be available at biola.edu/torreylive.  

Fred Sanders is Associate Professor in the Torrey Honors Institute of 51. His most recent book is “Wesley on the Christian Life: The Heart Renewed in Love.” Peter Leithart is President of Trinity House and author, most recently, of “Gratitude: An Intellectual History” (Baylor). Carl Trueman is Paul Woolley Professor of Church History at Westminster Theological Seminary, and is the author of numerous books. Peter Escalante is a founding Editor of The Calvinist International, a forum for research, resourcement, and renewal of Christian wisdom, and the Vice President of The Davenant Trust.

For media interviews or press passes, contact Jenna Bartlo, media relations specialist, at 562.777.4061 or jenna.l.bartlo@biola.edu.