It is somewhat amazing to consider what is happening within evangelicalism. On the one hand you have a section that seems to be obsessed with trying to ride each new wave that comes along in effort to gain relevance and popularity (church growth). On the other hand you have guys who want to go back to the old historic doctrines that have been trumpeted for centuries and equip the coming generation to likewise herald them (the new Calvinists). The church growth guys aim to be on the cutting edge of the 21st Century while the Calvinists are content to be on the cutting edge of the 16th Century. Each side seems to almost eschew the other for their respective strategies. The contemporary evangelical climate is as complex as it is interesting.
Enter Colin Hansen, an editor for Christianity Today. Colin wrote an article back in 2006 entitled Young, Restless, Reformed. His goal was to highlight the surging phenomon of the regeneration of Calvinistic theology. He has expanded this article and turned it into a book by the same title.
Hansen discloses in the introduction that the premise behind the book stems from his initial reluctance to see the emerging movement as the next wave in evangelicalism. Instead, says, Hansen, “in my limited sphere I saw a return to traditional Reformed theology. My friends read John Piper’s book Desiring God and learned from Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology.” So Hansen set out on a journey to see if his experiences were “unique or a sign of something bigger.” And off he goes with a journey with the new Calvinists.
In each of the chapters Hansen is on sight interviewing key leaders and players within this Reformed resurgence. He is at the Passion Conference in Atlanta talking to attendees, at John Piper’s church in Minnesota, Yale University, The Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville (Al Mohler), Covenant Life Church in Maryland (CJ Mahaney & Josh Harris), The New Attitude Conference in Louisville, and Mars Hill Church in Seattle (Mark Driscoll).
The interviews were enjoyable. At each turn Hansen helpfully interacts with what we are learning about this movement. He helps give personal background about each person he talks with and also discloses some personal nuggets that keep you on your toes (for example, John Piper eats a bowl of cereal after preaching every Saturday night).
As a non-Southern Baptist, one of the more interesting chapters to me was the discussion in chapter four on the effect of Calvinism in the Southern Baptist Convention. I knew it was a heated issue, but since I don’t live in that world, I was surprised to see quotes by guys who seem to bundle Calvinism with the death of the church. Hansen interviews seminary student and blogger Timmy Brister who seems to have been branded with a Scarlet letter for his stand for Reformed theology in some of the churches where he served. In reading some of the statements by SBC leaders I was left with the impression that they were less open to change (or even discussing it–even if it is biblical) and are instead quite concerned with clinging to tradition (whether or not it is biblical). This view into SBC life was illuminating.
Overall the book was a quick and enjoyable read. Hansen gives Piper a lot of love, and I think he should. However, I would have liked to see a little more time given to Sproul, MacArthur, Carson or even guys who came before like John Murray. In addition, I am left wondering where Hansen thinks this is going. Perhaps this is out of the scope of the work, but I would have liked him to steer the ship in that direction a bit.
I really enjoyed the read. I felt like I was watching (reading) a documentary that included many of my close friends. This kinship no doubt is the effect of faithful preaching and teaching by these men who serve so many of us.
You may pick up discounted copies are available at Westminster or Amazon.