In an influential book, Mark Noll and Carolyn Nystrom ask Is the Reformation over?
They do not provide a one-word answer to the question, but their reply seems to consist of three elements. First, they believe that Rome has changed, resulting in extensive agreement with Protestants. Second, they find that there remain Reformation differences that have not been resolved. But, third, despite these differences, the gap has narrowed to such an extent that the anathemas of the Reformation can be withdrawn and replaced by fraternal acceptance.
Their evidence
The book is journalistic in style and paints with a broad, impressionistic brush. Much of it is simply descriptive, but some of the descriptions are questionable. For example, finding a focus on ‘the essential work’ of the cross and resurrection in John Paul II’s book, Crossing the Threshold of Hope, hardly counts as finding convergence with evangelicalism. We need only ask: the cross of which Christ? The Christ of the gospel? Or Christ the purchaser of merit that the church can dispense? That Christ is not evangelical, yet his cross is still central in some way. More doctrinal nuance is required to establish genuine agreement in these descriptive sections.
