Wednesday, July 23, 2014

The New Calvinists: Changing the Gospel

"The New Calvinists" by Dr. E.S. Williams (Wakeman Trust - publishers) is a succinct and informative booklet highlighting some of the current proponents of a phenomenon called "new Calvinism." This movement "has been called a growing perspective within conservative evangelicalism that embraces the fundamentals of 16th-century Calvinism while also trying to be relevant in the present-day world." I think that description is putting it very mildly. This term was popularized by Time magazine in 2009 with an article on "ten ideas changing the world right now" since "New Calvinism" made that list. Dr. Williams deals with advocates of New Calvinism like Tim Keller, John Piper, Mark Driscoll, Proclamation Trust (UK), and the Porterbrook Network (UK). Every point of contention and information is carefully documented in the end notes so as to adequately substantiate critical points of information. This book is a welcomed resource of current information (albeit - things are on the move constantly, for ex. Mahaney's scandal and leaving The Gospel Coalition; TGC asking Tullian Tchividjian to leave bec. of differing views on the issue of sanctification, etc. are all so fluid that to capture it in a book is nearly impossible). But Dr. Williams' book having been published in March of this year is still informative and insightful. There are hints of moderate Calvinism in the book since Dr. Williams embraces "reformed theology" and therefore it is the theological framework reflected in his booklet.

Contents

1. The Phenomenon of New Calvinism: The Resurgence of Worldly Christianity

2. Tim Keller: the Intellectual Populist of New Calvinism

3. John Piper and Theological Flexibility

4. Mark Driscoll: Proponent of "Cultural Relevance"

5. New Calvinism in the UK: the Proclamation Trust

6. The Porterbrook Network and New Calvinism

7. A Voice From the Past

Notes

74 pages of good reading. (C) 2014. You can order a copy here: http://www.tabernaclebookshop.org/
or go on Amazon and purchase a used copy. (I think they only have one used copy available, FWIW).