JOwen
Puritan Board Junior
As a family we made the long migration into the Reformed faith in the mid 1990's. Our theological trip took us almost the complete breadth of the protestant landscape from charismatic, to mainstream evangelical, to baptist, to reformed baptist, to confessional/experiential Reformed. This migration allowed my family to soak in almost everything the Protestant Church had to offer before we were led to our current home. What a blessing it was to discover the deep and abiding waters of the old paths.
As a father, my desire is to see my children remain in, and love, the historic reformed faith as their mother and I do. Not for any parochial or traditional reason, but because it is the best expression of the Word of God, and the very place where they might find a Saviour from sin and live a life of consecration. But there is a problem. New Calvinism (NC) has been born, and it strangely reminds my wife and I of the very thing we came from as charismatics. Same story, different characters. The only difference between this strain of the Emergent movement and the Charismatic movement we came from is this; New Calvinism embraces reformed soteriology. Besides this, I find NC teaching the very same pragmatic principles I was taught as a young charismatic.
Old vs. New
Mark Driscoll, the Teaching Pastor of the 9000 member Mars Hill Church in Seattle WA, is the leading proponent of New Calvinism. There is no central organization for this movement, so its most visible figure will need to suffice as an example. Here is what Driscoll has to say regarding the movement:
It would take a whole other article to point out the errors in the above list. Suffice to say, New Calvinism is advancing its agenda on the back of a straw-man caricature of Old Calvinism. As someone wisely said, "Is it wise to begin a religious movement by criticizing the giants of the Reformation upon whose shoulders you stand?" So much for being loving.
What is New Calvinism?
Minimalism
New Calvinism is the kissing of postmodernism and one aspect of the Reformed Faith, the T.U.L.I.P. New Calvinism is not reformed in any other way. In fact it is minimalistic in doctrine. This means, that while it embraces the major tenants of Protestantism, it stops far short of confessional Christianity with a creed small enough to be placed on the back of a bulletin.[2]. Yes, NC likes the Puritans, but believes they went too far when it came to the particulars of the faith. NC roots are admittedly and unabashedly Emergent [3] The Emergent Church is a new movement in North American that has correctly identified the paradigm shift from a Christian culture, to a modern culture, to a postmodern culture. The Emergent Church did not create postmoderism, but attempts to make Christianity relevant the postmodern mind. In other words, “If you can't beat them, join them” is very much the prevailing attitude in New Calvinism.
Government and Law
NC has no single form of Church government but are mostly independent congregationalists. So much so that Mars Hill requires the new member to take a covenant.[4] The movement is antinomian, believing that portions of the law of God are abrogated as part of the Old Testament, and liberty of conscience has take its place. Recently, while listening to a Driscoll sermon, I noticed that his teeshirt had an image of Jesus on it, wearing headphones, spinning albums on a turntable as a DJ[5]. This is a clear violation of the 2nd commandment.
Worship
NC is Luther[an] in worship, believing that whatever the Lord has not forbidden in worship is permitted. Recently, Mars Hill Church launched a website called Re:Sound. Their first project is a sort of indie-rock [6] version of many Trinity Hymnal songs such as, “Softly and Tenderly”, “What Wondrous Love Is This”, “Doxology”, “Amazing Love”, “I’ll Fly Away”, etc. New Calvinism rejects the historic Reformed understanding of worship[7] holding to an eclectic style they call “free”.
Baptism and the Gifts
New Calvinism is Anabaptist and charismatic. Because they are not confessional, they cannot be regarded as Reformed Baptists. They practice adult baptism alone and do require it.[8] Most, if not all of New Calvinism believes in the continuation of special revelation by way of tongues, prophesy, laying on of hands, and all the other gifts of the Spirit mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12. New Calvinism is pragmatic and syncratistic, that is to say, what works is right, because it works. In New Calvinism, the Emergent Church has met Calvinism, but not Calvin, Puritanism, but not the Puritans, moralism, but not holiness.
Why this Matters to Our Children
New Calvinism is exciting, at least on the surface. It combines what appears to be the “best” of two worlds by marring contemporary culture with the basic tenants of Calvinism. Of the 9000 members of Mars Hill Church, virtually all of those in attendance are between the ages of 20-35. The music style is not much different than what you would expect the average worldly young person to be listening to on their iPod. The sermons are racy, humorous, and easily captivate the attention of the audience.
What's Good
There are bright spots to this movement however. NC is seeking to bring to the attention of the average American, some of the forgotten truths of the historic faith. Most leaders of NC come from mainline evangelicalism, and it is good to see that they are beginning to realize that the “stuff and fluff” of their parent system has no solid anchor in the Word, especially when it comes to the sovereignty of God . New Calvinism is introducing this truth to tens of thousands who are, at least in some way, seeking. So then, we are thankful that NC is orthodox on the cross, the blood, on the need for personal repentance, and faith. NC has also demonstrated that what we need more than ever in our day is a return to passionate pulpit preaching. Mark Driscoll is a wonderful and engaging communicator. Perhaps in the Reformed Church, in an overreaction to the flamboyant methods of modernism and the Charismatic moment, we have left off the pursuit of passion, deep conviction, and believability in the old paths. Do we positively reinforce in our children, what we believe and why we believe it? Do we go beyond the basics, important as they are, and passionately communicate the other important truths of holiness, Psalm singing, sabbath keeping, etc. NC is teaching, loud and clear, that these doctrines are unimportant, and can be left to the personal tastes of the Christian. A generation of young Christians is listening to their message.
NC is very transparent. This is attractive to many who are disillusioned with a perceived formalism of Old Calvinism, a kind of standoffish presence in the pulpit. New Calvinism leaders, open themselves up and let the people into their lives. NC is beneficial to many who would otherwise spend their days in mainline evangelicalism, are now reading their Bibles, Spurgeon, Owen, and other great authors because believable men are encouraging them to look deeper. It is our hope that these young people will go further into Calvinism, and see the full-orbed historic faith in confessional, experiential, Reformed orthodoxy. Then the tributary of NC has done us a service.
Lastly, NC is evangelistic. They take the Great Commission very seriously by attempting to bring the gospel to their own city or town. They see the need to confront society with the gospel in their schools, places of work, and neighborhoods. So did Old Calvinism at one time. Perhaps we need to recapture this often neglected portion of our own tradition. The Lord has seen fit to bring the heathen to our doors. Mission work is no longer “over there”, but is right in front of us. New Calvinism is reminding Old Calvinists to do what our Lord commanded, and not hide out light under a bushel. For this we are thankful.
What's Bad
When my wife and I began our reformed trek, we needed to take baby steps. Those whom the Lord used in the reformed way did not give us the works of John Owen and tell us to get back to them. We began with the popular authors such as, Sproul, Macarthur, Jerry Bridges, and John Piper. These authors helped to explain to us where we were, and where we needed to go. Thankfully it did not stop there. As our ability to assimilate material grew, we began to read people like A.W. Pink, Lloyd-Jones, Iain Murray, Neil Pronk, and Joel Beeke. From there we began to read people like Octavius Winslow and William Jay, and before long, we were reading the Puritans and the Reformers themselves. My point is, the first authors were, to my wife and I, a bridge into the Reformed Faith. However this bridge has the potential of going two directions.
It could become a problem for some in Old Calvinism, recognizing our present deficiency in being salt and light as a Church, to turn to those that, for the most part, posses what we have lost. NC is interacting with culture, arguing for Christ, and seeing many brought to faith from every walk of life in their own communities. It is all over the Internet. Many Christian young people will find it almost impossible not to notice, and desire the same things. So should we all. The potential problem, as we see it is this...those in NC are bridges into the Reformed faith for many, but are also a bridges out. Far to many are becoming enamored with the personality, style, and apparent freedom inherent in NC, and are starting to question the importance of doctrinal precision. Minimalism is slowly creeping into our minds, and because we are the product (yes product) of a postmodern society, we are willing to entertain winds of change because they appear to work better than our current way.
For many, the way we process reformed information has changed, due, in part to the sound-bite age in which we live, and the vanishing art of thinking deeply. Many have taken the old fathers, and replaced them with the much easier to read and understand, modern authors and Internet bloggers. Men who may or may not hold to all the important truths of the Confessions. Over time the pallet for truth slowly changes, expectations lower for the sake of results, and before you know it, the “bridge into” Old Calvinism becomes the “bridge out.”into New Calvinism. Part of the attractiveness of NC is that you can have your cake and eat it too. That is you can claim to be reformed, hold to the five points of Calvinism, hear a funny yet challenging sermon on being a better father, wife, friend etc, and live the rest of the week in relative freedom. Go to the movies, listen to Pop music, imbibe in many worldly activities, and still feel you are connected to the reformation because the Church says these things are OK. In NC there is no emphasis on being strangers and pilgrims in the earth, and little promotion holy living.[9] A new standard is fast approaching the next generation of Old Calvinists if we are not willing to do 2 things:
Defend what we believe to be true in its entirety, with sincerity, holiness, and love.
Advance the gospel light without compromise, inside and outside the Church walls.
Conclusion
My wife and I have “been there, done that”. We've been on the March for Jesus with 35,000 believers rallying on the streets of Vancouver in so called unity. I’ve been to the King Dome in Seattle Washington with 55,000 wired Promise Keepers raising the roof. I’ve experienced first hand the mega church in all her supposed glory, majesty, and splendor. I have been a part of the syncretism between the Church and the world. Let me tell you as one who has been there- it is empty. New Calvinism has strange echoes in my heart. It's deja vous.
New Calvinism is a zealous movement, which makes it believable to many. I was reminded of Thomas Watson's definition of zeal when he said, “Zeal is a mixed affection, a compound of love and anger...Zeal is the flame of the affections; a godly man has a double baptism—of water and fire. He is baptized with a spirit of zeal; he is zealous for God's honor, truth, worship: "My zeal has consumed me" (Psalm 119:139) [10]. We need to get reacquainted with zeal that is according to knowledge.
If New Calvinism has taught me anything, it has reminded me of the many things I am not doing well, or at all. I am compelled to look at myself in a critical light and ask, “am I ministering to my own generation effectively?” We own a rich heritage in Old Calvinism. It once changed the world during the Golden Age of Puritanism, it can change the world again. It is changing the world in places like South Korea and Brazil. We need to bring the message of the gospel, not only across the sea, but across the street. Something which is far hard to do than we think.
Food for thought.
“Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled” (Luke 14:23).
___________________________
Endnotes
1.Time Magazine Names New Calvinism 3rd Most Powerful Idea | TheResurgence .
2.http://www.marshillchurch.org/about/what-we-believe
3. [video=youtube;58fgkfS6E-0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58fgkfS6E-0[/video]
4.Much like the Cambridge Platform of the New England settlements of early America.
5.YouTube - Mark Driscoll on the Emerging Church.
6.Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that primarily exists in the independent underground music scene.
7.See Heidelberg Catechism Lord's Day 35, Article 64, Church Order.
8.http://www.marshillchurch.org/about/membership-faq
9.I would highly recommend Dr. Peter Masters article, The Merger of Calvinism With Worldliness. Metropolitan Tabernacle. Metropolitan Tabernacle - The Merger of Calvinism with Worldliness
10.The Godly Man's Picture. Banner of Truth, 1999.
As a father, my desire is to see my children remain in, and love, the historic reformed faith as their mother and I do. Not for any parochial or traditional reason, but because it is the best expression of the Word of God, and the very place where they might find a Saviour from sin and live a life of consecration. But there is a problem. New Calvinism (NC) has been born, and it strangely reminds my wife and I of the very thing we came from as charismatics. Same story, different characters. The only difference between this strain of the Emergent movement and the Charismatic movement we came from is this; New Calvinism embraces reformed soteriology. Besides this, I find NC teaching the very same pragmatic principles I was taught as a young charismatic.
Old vs. New
Mark Driscoll, the Teaching Pastor of the 9000 member Mars Hill Church in Seattle WA, is the leading proponent of New Calvinism. There is no central organization for this movement, so its most visible figure will need to suffice as an example. Here is what Driscoll has to say regarding the movement:
1.Old Calvinism was fundamental or liberal and separated from or syncretized with culture. New Calvinism is missional and seeks to create and redeem culture [Syncretism is a blending or marrying of two incompatible systems into one new organic method.].
2.Old Calvinism fled from the cities. New Calvinism is flooding into cities.
3.Old Calvinism was cessationistic and fearful of the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. New Calvinism is continuationist and joyful in the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.
4.Old Calvinism was fearful and suspicious of other Christians and burned bridges. New Calvinism loves all Christians and builds bridges between them. [1]
2.Old Calvinism fled from the cities. New Calvinism is flooding into cities.
3.Old Calvinism was cessationistic and fearful of the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. New Calvinism is continuationist and joyful in the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.
4.Old Calvinism was fearful and suspicious of other Christians and burned bridges. New Calvinism loves all Christians and builds bridges between them. [1]
It would take a whole other article to point out the errors in the above list. Suffice to say, New Calvinism is advancing its agenda on the back of a straw-man caricature of Old Calvinism. As someone wisely said, "Is it wise to begin a religious movement by criticizing the giants of the Reformation upon whose shoulders you stand?" So much for being loving.
What is New Calvinism?
Minimalism
New Calvinism is the kissing of postmodernism and one aspect of the Reformed Faith, the T.U.L.I.P. New Calvinism is not reformed in any other way. In fact it is minimalistic in doctrine. This means, that while it embraces the major tenants of Protestantism, it stops far short of confessional Christianity with a creed small enough to be placed on the back of a bulletin.[2]. Yes, NC likes the Puritans, but believes they went too far when it came to the particulars of the faith. NC roots are admittedly and unabashedly Emergent [3] The Emergent Church is a new movement in North American that has correctly identified the paradigm shift from a Christian culture, to a modern culture, to a postmodern culture. The Emergent Church did not create postmoderism, but attempts to make Christianity relevant the postmodern mind. In other words, “If you can't beat them, join them” is very much the prevailing attitude in New Calvinism.
Government and Law
NC has no single form of Church government but are mostly independent congregationalists. So much so that Mars Hill requires the new member to take a covenant.[4] The movement is antinomian, believing that portions of the law of God are abrogated as part of the Old Testament, and liberty of conscience has take its place. Recently, while listening to a Driscoll sermon, I noticed that his teeshirt had an image of Jesus on it, wearing headphones, spinning albums on a turntable as a DJ[5]. This is a clear violation of the 2nd commandment.
Worship
NC is Luther[an] in worship, believing that whatever the Lord has not forbidden in worship is permitted. Recently, Mars Hill Church launched a website called Re:Sound. Their first project is a sort of indie-rock [6] version of many Trinity Hymnal songs such as, “Softly and Tenderly”, “What Wondrous Love Is This”, “Doxology”, “Amazing Love”, “I’ll Fly Away”, etc. New Calvinism rejects the historic Reformed understanding of worship[7] holding to an eclectic style they call “free”.
Baptism and the Gifts
New Calvinism is Anabaptist and charismatic. Because they are not confessional, they cannot be regarded as Reformed Baptists. They practice adult baptism alone and do require it.[8] Most, if not all of New Calvinism believes in the continuation of special revelation by way of tongues, prophesy, laying on of hands, and all the other gifts of the Spirit mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12. New Calvinism is pragmatic and syncratistic, that is to say, what works is right, because it works. In New Calvinism, the Emergent Church has met Calvinism, but not Calvin, Puritanism, but not the Puritans, moralism, but not holiness.
Why this Matters to Our Children
New Calvinism is exciting, at least on the surface. It combines what appears to be the “best” of two worlds by marring contemporary culture with the basic tenants of Calvinism. Of the 9000 members of Mars Hill Church, virtually all of those in attendance are between the ages of 20-35. The music style is not much different than what you would expect the average worldly young person to be listening to on their iPod. The sermons are racy, humorous, and easily captivate the attention of the audience.
What's Good
There are bright spots to this movement however. NC is seeking to bring to the attention of the average American, some of the forgotten truths of the historic faith. Most leaders of NC come from mainline evangelicalism, and it is good to see that they are beginning to realize that the “stuff and fluff” of their parent system has no solid anchor in the Word, especially when it comes to the sovereignty of God . New Calvinism is introducing this truth to tens of thousands who are, at least in some way, seeking. So then, we are thankful that NC is orthodox on the cross, the blood, on the need for personal repentance, and faith. NC has also demonstrated that what we need more than ever in our day is a return to passionate pulpit preaching. Mark Driscoll is a wonderful and engaging communicator. Perhaps in the Reformed Church, in an overreaction to the flamboyant methods of modernism and the Charismatic moment, we have left off the pursuit of passion, deep conviction, and believability in the old paths. Do we positively reinforce in our children, what we believe and why we believe it? Do we go beyond the basics, important as they are, and passionately communicate the other important truths of holiness, Psalm singing, sabbath keeping, etc. NC is teaching, loud and clear, that these doctrines are unimportant, and can be left to the personal tastes of the Christian. A generation of young Christians is listening to their message.
NC is very transparent. This is attractive to many who are disillusioned with a perceived formalism of Old Calvinism, a kind of standoffish presence in the pulpit. New Calvinism leaders, open themselves up and let the people into their lives. NC is beneficial to many who would otherwise spend their days in mainline evangelicalism, are now reading their Bibles, Spurgeon, Owen, and other great authors because believable men are encouraging them to look deeper. It is our hope that these young people will go further into Calvinism, and see the full-orbed historic faith in confessional, experiential, Reformed orthodoxy. Then the tributary of NC has done us a service.
Lastly, NC is evangelistic. They take the Great Commission very seriously by attempting to bring the gospel to their own city or town. They see the need to confront society with the gospel in their schools, places of work, and neighborhoods. So did Old Calvinism at one time. Perhaps we need to recapture this often neglected portion of our own tradition. The Lord has seen fit to bring the heathen to our doors. Mission work is no longer “over there”, but is right in front of us. New Calvinism is reminding Old Calvinists to do what our Lord commanded, and not hide out light under a bushel. For this we are thankful.
What's Bad
When my wife and I began our reformed trek, we needed to take baby steps. Those whom the Lord used in the reformed way did not give us the works of John Owen and tell us to get back to them. We began with the popular authors such as, Sproul, Macarthur, Jerry Bridges, and John Piper. These authors helped to explain to us where we were, and where we needed to go. Thankfully it did not stop there. As our ability to assimilate material grew, we began to read people like A.W. Pink, Lloyd-Jones, Iain Murray, Neil Pronk, and Joel Beeke. From there we began to read people like Octavius Winslow and William Jay, and before long, we were reading the Puritans and the Reformers themselves. My point is, the first authors were, to my wife and I, a bridge into the Reformed Faith. However this bridge has the potential of going two directions.
It could become a problem for some in Old Calvinism, recognizing our present deficiency in being salt and light as a Church, to turn to those that, for the most part, posses what we have lost. NC is interacting with culture, arguing for Christ, and seeing many brought to faith from every walk of life in their own communities. It is all over the Internet. Many Christian young people will find it almost impossible not to notice, and desire the same things. So should we all. The potential problem, as we see it is this...those in NC are bridges into the Reformed faith for many, but are also a bridges out. Far to many are becoming enamored with the personality, style, and apparent freedom inherent in NC, and are starting to question the importance of doctrinal precision. Minimalism is slowly creeping into our minds, and because we are the product (yes product) of a postmodern society, we are willing to entertain winds of change because they appear to work better than our current way.
For many, the way we process reformed information has changed, due, in part to the sound-bite age in which we live, and the vanishing art of thinking deeply. Many have taken the old fathers, and replaced them with the much easier to read and understand, modern authors and Internet bloggers. Men who may or may not hold to all the important truths of the Confessions. Over time the pallet for truth slowly changes, expectations lower for the sake of results, and before you know it, the “bridge into” Old Calvinism becomes the “bridge out.”into New Calvinism. Part of the attractiveness of NC is that you can have your cake and eat it too. That is you can claim to be reformed, hold to the five points of Calvinism, hear a funny yet challenging sermon on being a better father, wife, friend etc, and live the rest of the week in relative freedom. Go to the movies, listen to Pop music, imbibe in many worldly activities, and still feel you are connected to the reformation because the Church says these things are OK. In NC there is no emphasis on being strangers and pilgrims in the earth, and little promotion holy living.[9] A new standard is fast approaching the next generation of Old Calvinists if we are not willing to do 2 things:
Defend what we believe to be true in its entirety, with sincerity, holiness, and love.
Advance the gospel light without compromise, inside and outside the Church walls.
Conclusion
My wife and I have “been there, done that”. We've been on the March for Jesus with 35,000 believers rallying on the streets of Vancouver in so called unity. I’ve been to the King Dome in Seattle Washington with 55,000 wired Promise Keepers raising the roof. I’ve experienced first hand the mega church in all her supposed glory, majesty, and splendor. I have been a part of the syncretism between the Church and the world. Let me tell you as one who has been there- it is empty. New Calvinism has strange echoes in my heart. It's deja vous.
New Calvinism is a zealous movement, which makes it believable to many. I was reminded of Thomas Watson's definition of zeal when he said, “Zeal is a mixed affection, a compound of love and anger...Zeal is the flame of the affections; a godly man has a double baptism—of water and fire. He is baptized with a spirit of zeal; he is zealous for God's honor, truth, worship: "My zeal has consumed me" (Psalm 119:139) [10]. We need to get reacquainted with zeal that is according to knowledge.
If New Calvinism has taught me anything, it has reminded me of the many things I am not doing well, or at all. I am compelled to look at myself in a critical light and ask, “am I ministering to my own generation effectively?” We own a rich heritage in Old Calvinism. It once changed the world during the Golden Age of Puritanism, it can change the world again. It is changing the world in places like South Korea and Brazil. We need to bring the message of the gospel, not only across the sea, but across the street. Something which is far hard to do than we think.
Food for thought.
“Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled” (Luke 14:23).
___________________________
Endnotes
1.Time Magazine Names New Calvinism 3rd Most Powerful Idea | TheResurgence .
2.http://www.marshillchurch.org/about/what-we-believe
3. [video=youtube;58fgkfS6E-0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58fgkfS6E-0[/video]
4.Much like the Cambridge Platform of the New England settlements of early America.
5.YouTube - Mark Driscoll on the Emerging Church.
6.Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that primarily exists in the independent underground music scene.
7.See Heidelberg Catechism Lord's Day 35, Article 64, Church Order.
8.http://www.marshillchurch.org/about/membership-faq
9.I would highly recommend Dr. Peter Masters article, The Merger of Calvinism With Worldliness. Metropolitan Tabernacle. Metropolitan Tabernacle - The Merger of Calvinism with Worldliness
10.The Godly Man's Picture. Banner of Truth, 1999.
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You'd probably think that is a bit unfair. I agree.
