Young, Restless and Reformed

In our current church culture, tolerance has become a prized core value. We cringe at theological issues that create divisive lines between followers of Christ. One of the most polarizing of such issues is Calvinism. I believe there are three reason that Calvinism rocks so many. First, we are by nature prideful and the idea that we have no say in our own salvation flows against our love of self. Second, there are those who have not taken the time to dive into the study of soteriology (salvation) and make up there minds based on their own thoughts and emotions instead of a thoughtful study of scripture. Third, there seems to be an arrogance that flows out of the Calvinist camp that holds a theological position without love. However, there is a new movement that is impacting the next generation of church leaders called the New Calvinist. There is a fast growing movement of young people who are energized by reformed theology without the snobbery. These young people are influenced by leaders such as John Piper, C.J. Mahaney and Mark Driscoll. I am greatly encouraged by this movement of God because it is missionally empowered and passionately God-centered. The next generation is turned off by much of what they see in the traditional church. Some movements such as the emergent church are asking the right questions but have provided the wrong answers. The New Calvinist are willing to ask some of the same questions of what it means to be the church in a postmodern culture and yet they are unwilling to break away from reformed doctrines of the faith. God is raising up a new generation of thinkers who have a grand view of the glory of God and yet have a risky faith that is willing to make great sacrifices to make God's glory known among the poor and unreached people of the world! (for more information read Collin Hansen's little book Young, Restless and Reformed or watch his discussion on the book's research below)