Interesting Post on New Calvinism

John Calvin

The Merger of Calvinism with Worldliness

from Sword & Trowel 2009, No. 1 by Dr Peter Masters

When I was a youngster and newly saved, it seemed as if the chief goal of all zealous Christians, whether Calvinistic or Arminian, was consecration. Sermons, books and conferences stressed this in the spirit of Romans 12.1-2, where the beseeching apostle calls believers to present their bodies a living sacrifice, and not to be conformed to this world. The heart was challenged and stirred. Christ was to be Lord of one’s life, and self must be surrendered on the altar of service for him.

But now, it appears, there is a new Calvinism, with new Calvinists, which has swept the old objectives aside. A recent book, Young, Restless, Reformed, by Collin Hansen tells the story of how a so-called Calvinistic resurgence has captured the imaginations of thousands of young people in the USA, and this book has been reviewed with great enthusiasm in well-known magazines in the UK, such as Banner of Truth, Evangelical Times, and Reformation Today.

This writer, however, was very deeply saddened to read it, because it describes a seriously distorted Calvinism falling far, far short of an authentic life of obedience to a sovereign God. If this kind of Calvinism prospers, then genuine biblical piety will be under attack as never before.

Cont. Reading

HT.  My Two Cents

Though I agree with a lot of what Dr. Masters said in his article, I think he’s off based on Resolved Conference and his thoughts on musical styles. I think Dr. Masters needs to listen to the MP3’s from the conference.

For instance, the 2009 Resolved conference’s general theme was Sin & Personal Holiness. How could someone have a problem with a conference that engages a sold out conference of young people to live Holy Lifes and flee from sin?

But, I share his concern about C J Mahaney, Joshua Harris, and Mark Driscoll along with Matt Chandler.