‘Why Do They Cross the Tiber?’: Setting the Stage - Leonardo De Chirico

"Since the 20th century, when a ‘conversion story’ was heard, it would typically be one from Roman Catholicism to Evangelicalism. While this is still the case on a global scale, the reverse direction is gaining momentum. In the theological world, Dr. Albert Mohler warned evangelicals about the ‘temptation’ of Roman Catholicism at the 2021 Presidential address to the Evangelical Theological Society. It is important to understand what is happening and how to respond biblically.

This is part 1 in a 5 part series on 'Why Some Evangelicals Are Tempted by Roman Catholicism and How to Respond'.

1. ‘Why Do They Cross the Tiber?’: Setting the Stage

In recent decades, there have been some ‘conversions’ of well-known evangelicals to Roman Catholicism—from Thomas Howard in 1985 to Francis Beckwith in 2007, followed by significant numbers of younger intellectuals attracted to Rome. The question is ‘why’? "

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Leonardo De Chirico is the pastor of Breccia di Roma, a church that he helped plant in Rome in 2009, and Chair of the Theological Commission of the Italian Evangelical Alliance. Previously, Leonardo planted and pastored an evangelical church in Ferrara, Italy from 1997 to 2009. He earned degrees in history (University of Bologna), theology (ETCW, Bridgend, Wales) and bioethics (University of Padova). His PhD is from King's College (London); it was published as Evangelical Theological Perspectives on Post-Vatican II Roman Catholicism. His recent books are A Christian Pocket Guide to Papacy (Christian Focus, 2015); A Christian Pocket Guide to Mary (Christian Focus, 2017), Same Words, Different Worlds. Do Roman Catholics and evangelicals believe the same gospel? (IVP, 2021), Engaging with Thomas Aquinas. An evangelical approach (IVP, 2024), and Tell Your Catholic Friend. How to have Gospel conversations with love (B&H, 2025). He is a lecturer of historical theology at Istituto di Formazione Evangelica e Documentazione in Padova, Italy. Additionally, Leonardo is the director of the Reformanda Initiative, which aims to equip evangelical leaders to understand better and engage with Roman Catholicism, and the leader of the Rome Scholars and Leaders Network (RSLN).

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