Between the fog machines, strobe lights, and casual streetwear filling the black-box sanctuaries of Evangelical megachurches to the solemn, incense-filled pews of a Roman Catholic cathedral – Christianity is sold as a binary choice.
One must either embrace tradition and submit to Rome (and all her extrabiblical dogmas like purgatory, the papacy, and veneration of the Saints). Or they must chase the emotional-high, experiential megachurch Christianity that sells a seeker-sensitive, watered-down Gospel.
Yet many young Christians grow disillusioned by the emotional theatrics of modern evangelicalism, yearning instead for order, reverence, and a tradition that magnifies the holiness of God.
In response to this false dichotomy, many are turning to Roman Catholicism or Orthodoxy.
The use of the word “tradition” has become a dog whistle, signaling alignment with catholicism or orthodoxy, and admiration for objective beauty has become a litmus test for distinguishing between Protestant or Roman Catholic Christians.
This is both unfortunate and misguided.
Individuals who appreciate philosophy, value tradition, and feel the tug of the good, true, and beautiful are often perceived as Catholic. Or, such individuals are deemed prime candidates for conversion by their Catholic friends.
The widespread association of tradition with Catholicism and lack thereof with American Protestantism – although understandable – creates a false dichotomy within American Christianity.
To be clear, not all Protestants embrace the smoke machines, TED-talk style sermons, and baggy jeans and sneakers typically seen at the evangelical megachurch. In fact, Reformed Protestantism would have been outraged by the lack of reverence for God in these services.
Though anecdotal, many Christians have started in nondenominational churches, only to become aggrieved by the casualness and irreverence and subsequently convert to Roman Catholicism. The yearning for beauty, tradition, and order often absent in the American megachurch (and many protestant churches, for that matter) drives this shift in denomination. It’s understandable.
Nevertheless, while the transcendentals of goodness, truth, and beauty are inherently connected, one must not be too quick to prioritize aesthetics at the expense of truth, which is ultimately found and known through the inerrant Word of God.
My intention is not to persuade on doctrine (at least not in this piece), but to demonstrate that this dichotomy is false. One can revere God as Holy, respect tradition, and have a robust appreciation for beauty whilst avoiding wetting your feet in the Tiber.
In anticipation of a primary refutation, it is important to clarify that while this topic holds significance, Christian unity must remain a priority. Unity in Christ must rise above aesthetic or minor theological disagreements. Yet, there is still room to voice and defend such disputes among Christians, provided it is done with truth and grace.
That being said, consider an alternative tradition: high-church Protestantism.
Lutherans, Anglicans, Presbyterians, and more are all confessional and creedal denominations. Many of these churches sing the old hymns, recite the Nicene creed, and worship in stained glass churches. (To be fair, one must exercise discernment within these denominations to ensure they are not part of sects that fly pride progress flags. But the Catholics have rogue priests and parishes as well. It seems no church is immune to human sin…)
These churches represent a large swath of American Christianity that has been overlooked in recent decades as the pendulum swung back and forth from the Jesus revolution to the papacy.
Turning back time to the start of the Reformation, the men who led the charge did not set out to start a revolution, nor did they want to revolt against the Roman Catholic church. Instead, they longed to recover the true Gospel written clearly in Scripture. Their conviction stemmed not from a zeal for revolution but a commitment to the truth of Scripture. They did not oppose tradition itself but sought to reform the tradition of clergy that was not rooted in the Word of God. As noted by Martin Luther:
Unless I am convicted by scripture and plain reason — I do not accept the authority of the popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other — my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. God help me. Amen.
For reformers like Martin Luther and John Calvin, the written and inspired Word of God must be the foundation of the church, not the other way around. These men were convicted, courageous, and imperfect. And they would likely roll over in their graves to see American Protestantism turn, in large part, into a branch of the entertainment industry.
A glance at the Westminster Confession and Calvin’s Institutes quickly reveals a different breed of Protestantism, one quite distinguishable from what is encountered in mainstream culture.
So, do not be tempted to cross the Tiber because of the flashing lights and diluted Gospel of the megachurch; the five solas of the Reformation need not be abandoned.
Likewise, Roman Catholics questioning the dogmas of the church should understand that they do not need to embrace an Evangelical megachurch model.
Reject this false dichotomy within American Christianity.
Fear the Lord, seek the truth, and know that the Gospel is the same yesterday, today, and forever – no matter the direction the pendulum swings.
