Review the Call: #6 Communicate New Calvinism
24. Apr, 2009 
2 Comments
#6 Communicate the “neo-Calvinist” tradition to the next generation in a revitalizing way.
Just a few weeks ago I was shocked to read that Time Magazine wrote the #3 idea that is changing the world is New Calvinism. It doesn’t really validate the calling as much at it encourages me. When I first wrote down my call in 2000 I wrote out my conviction to doctrines and truths that often fall under the banner of Calvinism. I wrote that I would not be ashamed of these doctrines no matter how misunderstood they may be because I believe first in the truth revealed in Scripture and if that happens to fall under a label of Calvinism, so be it. As the years passed I found that indeed being labeled a Calvinist helped people to classify me and put me away as some foreign class of Christian. That convinced me of the need to communicate doctrine and truths that may indeed fall under the label of Calvinism in a new, revitalizing way to the next generation.
I must communicate and live contrary to the stereotypes given to Calvinists, which isn’t really hard because the stereotypes are usually just straw men. The way to communicate truth or conviction is not by arguing, I tried that method and it didn’t work, but to be truly Calvinist in word and deed by simply applying the truth to my life and methods of ministry. What I’ve found is that living out these truths, letting these truths shape the methodology and the ministry of my life has been far more convincing to people who otherwise don’t like Calvinism or have misunderstood Calvinism.
So I am encouraged that an applied Calvinism (isn’t even new, Abraham Kuyper was doing this long before it was ever cool) which is what is being termed New Calvinism or Neo-Calvinism, is getting some attention. I don’t think anyone should cry victory quite yet, but we can rejoice that truth is at least being noticed. The ministry of so many others like John Piper, Al Mohler, Mark Driscoll, and Matt Chandler is largely responsible for this attention, “the passion of evangelicalism lies in the new Calvinist,” and I simply want to continue being a part, living out the truth of God’s Word and letting the labels fall where they may as long as the glory is God’s. The day of apology for being labeled a Calvinist must end, and living out the truths of God’s Word must continue. I love communicating applied Calvinism to others, to see the freedom that bibilcal truth brings into a person’s life is truly remarkable.
I’m trying to find out more and more about what Calvinism actually leads to. There’s a lot of talk about theology, and not enough about how it effects every aspect of life. Applying Biblical Christianity to things like Science, Art, Philosophy, or Politics have in the past made amazing progress. Actually I’d say any progress made throughout all history is a direct result of someone knowingly or unknowingly applying Biblical principles to their task at hand. How do we unpack this more?
Great insight and question. Perhaps it begins with a de-emphasis on some of the religosity that pervades our Christianity and become a lot more honest about application. I think that we are sometimes blinded by a very hallow idea of Christian living that is more of a morality project rather than total transformation and kingdom living. How would you begin unpacking this?