BOOK REVIEW - BIBLCAL AUTHORITY AFTER BABEL: RETRIEVING THE SOLAS IN THE SPIRIT OF MERE PROTESTANT CHRISTIANITY BY KEVIN J. VANHOOZER

Is the Protestant Reformation, as Alister McGrath calls it, "Christianity's Dangerous Idea?" Did Martin Luther and friends unwittingly undermine Biblical authority by introducing concepts like Sola Scriptura and the Priesthood of all believers? Has the Evangelical Movement drifted from the Five Solas, and if so, how do we retrieve them?

This book by Kevin Vanhoozer was written in 2016 with the 500th anniversary of the Refomation in view. He introduces his book with various views (many uncomplimentary) of Protestantism, including it producing secularization, skepticsm, and schism. He then looks at the Five Solas (Grace Alone, Faith Alone, Scripture Alone, In Christ Alone, For The Glory of God Alone), analyzing with each one 1) what the Reformers meant, 2) other views on the subject, and 3) how that "sola" means for Bible, Church, and Interpretive authority.

The book's title refers to what's called "Interpretive Babel," where there are many versions of Protestantism without a head as the Pope is for the Roman Catholic Church. Vanhoozer answers this with a non-typical order of the Five Solas, pointing out there is no official order for them (the main difference is Vanhoozer moves "Sola Scriptura" from the usual first item to third, after "Sola Gratia" and "Sola Fide". Also, I found his take on "Soli Deo Gloria" unique, focusing on the unity of the universal church as how God is glorified.

This is a book aimed for intellectuals. I admit I struggled  following the concepts. I did like the 20 Thesis he included, four with each of the solas. But I still am not sure what his points were, let alone if I agreed with them. This is a book I might challenge a pastor to read, but it's too deep for me to consider doing a Bible study on it.

That being said, I might try it again a year from now, and see if a re-read would help me comprehend his points.