The New Calvinism: New Reformation or Theological Fad?

by Josh Buice, Paul Washer, Steven J. Lawson

In recent decades, there has been a shift in the landscape and focus of the Church. Topics such as the Sovereignty of God and humanity’s utter helplessness without him have become more widely appreciated. Books are being written and conferences attended in their thousands. This apparent renewal of interest in grappling with Scripture has created a movement labelled as New Calvinism. But is it really any different to ‘old’ Calvinism – and will it be of any lasting benefit to the Church?

Genres: Theology, Christian, Religion

128 pages, Paperback

Published December 1, 2017

Reviews

[Jeremiah Nichols · Rating 5 out of 5]

So you believe in Sola Scriptura? You also believe in a sovereign God? You say you live and serve for the glory of God alone? If that’s who you really are, have you seriously considered how these truths should transform your life and ministry?

The New Calvinism does not attempt to convert you to the Reformed position. The five authors do not spend much time explaining or defending the doctrines of grace. Assuming the reader shares a familiarity with these truths, editor Josh Buice and four others commend the strengths of the Young, Restless, and Reformed while also challenging adherents to apply the truths they profess and to consider many potential dangers within the movement.

Buice writes an incredible chapter on the authority of the Bible that is worth the price of the book. Paul Washer addresses the ministry of the local church while Steven Lawson calls the Reformed to back up their theology with genuine, holy living. As a pastor in Zambia, Conrad Mbewe speaks to the issue of spiritual gifts with simplicity and perspective; and blogger Tim Challies closes the book by offering the highs and potential lows of the New Calvinist movement.

If you have been impacted by the Reformed surge in any way, if you have been influenced by men like Piper, Sproul, MacArthur, Chandler, Dever, and Mohler, if you go to conferences like T4G or the Gospel Coalition, if you are a pastor, planter, seminary student, or someone who enjoys studying theology, this short book needs to be on your reading list. If this is not the world in which you live or if you are not a convinced member of the Reformed tribe, the book will probably not be as helpful for you. There are better places to introduce yourself to this theological perspective. But The New Calvinism has put language to issues I have personally wrestled with over the last few years and has reinvigorated my deepest convictions. It has my highest recommendation.

[Dr. David Steele · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Calvinism is back,” writes David Van Biema, in a Time Magazine article, entitled ‘The New Calvinism.’ The featured article, which was written in 2009 was included in a list of “Ten Ideas Changing the World Right Now.” That’s quite a claim for a secular magazine to make, yet the article tapped into a trend that has been and continues to shake up the evangelical world. The New Calvinism, edited by Josh Buice attempts to evaluate the so-called ‘new Calvinism’ and sets out to determine whether we are on the brink of a new reformation or if this popular doctrinal movement is only a theological fad.

To be fair, it would be important to note that the authors of The New Calvinism are committed to biblical Calvinism. Each contributor, including Josh Buice, Paul Washer, Steven Lawson, Conrad MBewe, and Tim Challies are convinced about the great realities that were recovered by the sixteenth-century Reformers, namely, that sinners are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, on the Word of God alone, for the glory of God alone.

Each contributor speaks favorably about the new Calvinism, but each brings a set of concerns as well. Opponents of Reformed theology will not likely be convinced by the convictions of these essays. But those who are committed Calvinists will be challenged by the warnings in this powerful little book.

The topics include Sola Scriptura, the doctrine of the church, sanctification, spiritual power, and discernment. The contributors rightly challenge some of the abuses which has surfaced in some churches. After challenging these pitfalls, the authors provide biblical correctives, which will insure a path forward that honors God.

This volume honors the best of historic Calvinism and treasures a biblical tradition that was recovered during the Reformation and is being rediscovered in our times. The authors are charitable and level-headed in their critiques - but most importantly, each one clings to the Sola Scriptura principle. Indeed, “Calvinism is back.” Our responsibility is to guard the truth and to and remain faithful to the timeless principles of God’s Word.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.

[Hillary Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the chapters by Paul Washer, Steve Lawson and Conrad Mbewe. Those chapters made me think and had very good content that aligned with the gospel.

[Jim Lehman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book on a lark at a conference. I was cheap and the title intrigued me. It’s really more of an “inside baseball” kind of book for pastors within the movement, but it offered helpful analysis, encouragement, critique, and dangers. Paul Washer’s chapter ought to be mandatory reading for any pastor or elder and is worth the price of the book. Lawson’s and Challies’ chapters are also strong and helpful. I didn’t agree with everything in Mbewe’s chapter but appreciate his position and critique as I think through my own. The preface and Buice’s chapter were especially difficult reading. The arguments are repetitive and the writing stylistically weak. I also abandoned the book midway through the first chapter. If you can push through and get to Washer’s chapter, you will be incredibly blessed.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful! Washer’s chapter is excellent.

[Todd Bryant · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a critique, or perhaps more appropriately a warning, for the relatively new movement often labeled "New Calvinism" - or even, the "Young, Restless and Reformed" movement.

First things first, I am not part of this movement. I have been blessed by God to have always attended a church that believes in God's sovereign grace. So, I'm somewhat hindered from truly grasping all of the warnings in these pages. I cannot clearly connect with those problems that this book warns about. Understand, the type church I grew up in definitely has our own set of problems. They just don't completely align with this new movement.

That said, I tried my best to read this book as a "New Calvinist". If the concerns in this book are valid (and I believe they are, knowing the authors), then every person that is part of this movement needs to read this book. From the call to Sola Scriptura to a clear understanding of Biblical ecclesiology to a call to practical holiness to a warning to flee Pentecostal tendencies to a call to continually self-assess our own churches Biblically, this book is useful to all who read it - even for those that aren't part of the movement.

[Alexandru Balaur]

Citatul care urmează reflectă destul de bine esența mesajului cărții.
”Majoritatea oamenilor sunt introduși în credința reformată prin doctrina cunoscută în mod obișnuit sub numele de calvinism sau harul suveran. Acest lucru a condus adesea la o eroare gravă în a presupune că o persoană a îmbrățișat învățătura Reformei doar pentru că a acceptat această doctrină specifică. O astfel de atitudine ratează să recunoască faptul că piatra de temelie a Reformei nu a constituit soteriologia harului suveran, ci doctrina sola Scriptura (doar Scriptura) și că, plecând de la această învățătură, a fost redescoperită doctrina harului suveran. Astfel, o persoană nu a îmbrățișat credința reformată doar pentru că este calvinist în soteriologia sa, ci pentru că a îmbrățișat doctrina sola Scriptura și caută să o aplice în orice aspect al credinței și practicii sale.”

[Joey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really great little book that introduces those persuaded by the doctrines of grace to a more fully Reformed view. Calvinism itself is only referenced, but the authors tackle other major areas of Reformed theology:

Sola Scriptura
The Regulative Principle of Worship
The necessary pursuit of personal holiness
Cessationism

It serves as a mini-G3 conference in book form with chapters by Josh Buice, Paul Washer, Steve Lawson, Conrad Mbewe, and Tim Challies. It's a great book, which I would recommend to anyone, whether a Calvinist or not.

[Mihai Anca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is a book that describes the new curent of thinking in theology that derived from pragmatism theology.
Is a returning to the 5 sola: Sola Scriptura, Sola Fida, Sola Gratia, Sola Christus, Soli deo Gloria.
One main point is that in the church it should be no compromise and the Scripture should be read and preached without compromise.
Stronly recommend it!

[Matt Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not exactly your average book on the New Calvinism movement. Otherwise known as the the Young, Restless, and Reformed movement, due to the popularity of the term by Colin Hansen’s book. Written with contributions by the head and main contributors , it reads like one big G3 conference. It shows the main characteristics and dangers of the movement.

[Devin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Steve Lawson's essay was excellent! The rest were solid.