Sacramental Protestantism
Protestants are people of the word; Catholics are people of the sacraments. That’s the way it’s usually divided up.
Sed contra, I say: Medieval Catholics frequently denied that there were sacraments in Eden; Protestants have just as frequently affirmed Edenic sacraments. The upshot: For Protestants, sacraments are inherent in human interaction with God; for Catholics (at least medieval ones), sacraments were a postlapsarian accommodation.
Sed contra, I say again: Medieval Catholics frequently said that the sacraments of the old law were mere signs; Protestants have just as frequently said that the sacraments of the Old Testament offered Christ and His benefits to Israel. The upshot: Protestants upgraded, not downgraded, sacramental efficacy.
Peter Leithart
Peter J. Leithart is President of Theopolis Institute. He is the author of numerous books on theology, literature, and culture, including Theopolitan, Defending Constantine, and Baptized Body.
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