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Young, Restless, Reformed: A Journalist's Journey with the New Calvinists
From places like John Piper's den, Al Mohler's office, and Jonathan Edwards's college, Christianity Today journalist Collin Hansen investigates what makes today's young Calvinists tick.
Church-growth strategies and charismatic worship have fueled the bulk of evangelical growth in America for decades. While baby boomers have flocked to churches that did not look or sound like church, it seems these churches do not so broadly capture the passions of today's twenty-something evangelicals. In fact, a desire for transcendence and tradition among young evangelicals has contributed to a Reformed resurgence.
For nearly two years, Christianity Today journalist Collin Hansen visited the chief schools, churches, and conferences of this growing movement. He sought to describe its members and ask its leading pastors and theologians about the causes and implications of the Calvinist resurgence. The result, Young, Restless, Reformed, shows common threads in their diverse testimonies and suggests what tomorrow's church might look like when these young evangelicals become pastors or professors.
Church-growth strategies and charismatic worship have fueled the bulk of evangelical growth in America for decades. While baby boomers have flocked to churches that did not look or sound like church, it seems these churches do not so broadly capture the passions of today's twenty-something evangelicals. In fact, a desire for transcendence and tradition among young evangelicals has contributed to a Reformed resurgence.
For nearly two years, Christianity Today journalist Collin Hansen visited the chief schools, churches, and conferences of this growing movement. He sought to describe its members and ask its leading pastors and theologians about the causes and implications of the Calvinist resurgence. The result, Young, Restless, Reformed, shows common threads in their diverse testimonies and suggests what tomorrow's church might look like when these young evangelicals become pastors or professors.
162 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 17, 2008
19 people are currently reading
429 people want to read
About the author
Collin Hansen
33 books99 followersCollin Hansen is editorial director for The Gospel Coalition and was previously an associate editor for Christianity Today. He has written for Books & Culture, Leadership, and Christian History & Biography, and is the author of Young, Restless, and Reformed.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
November 8, 2016
The good to be derived from this book is the big picture narrative that traces the recent reformed resurgence among young Christians. But the helpfulness of the historical sketch is limited by three main factors.
1. The book is far too short. It seemed that half of it was Hansen's description of his one interview with John Piper and his being mesmerized by the opportunity to eat cereal with Piper and ride in his car. It didn't feel like a full treatment, and there was absolutely no discernible rationality to the book's progression. The author just went from one of his heroes to another.
2. The book lacks objectivity. Hansen was far more eager to talk about leaders he likes than accurately relaying information about the movement. He spent so much time interpreting the events and giving the "mind of God" as it were in each of them that the subtitle, which begins with "a journalist's journey" is misleading at best and intentionally deceptive at worst. This is most definitely providentialist history, thought it doesn't claim so.
3. It is unfortunate that the final chapter of the book is essentially a spirited defense of Mark Driscoll, that assures the reader Driscoll is a good role model and knows what he is doing. He even spends pages attacking MacArthur's disagreements with Driscoll, though time has obviously vindicated MacArthur and stolen from the book's journalistic credibility. There is an interesting double-standard here as well. Hansen argues that the YRR movement is reacting to the seeker friendly movement of years past, which operated out of a sense of pragmatism and neglected principles. Yet his defense of Mark Driscoll boils down to "he has a big church with lots of professions so he must be doing something right." That assertion, in light of recent developments, is not only contradictory to the claims of the book but must also be an embarrassment to its author.
1. The book is far too short. It seemed that half of it was Hansen's description of his one interview with John Piper and his being mesmerized by the opportunity to eat cereal with Piper and ride in his car. It didn't feel like a full treatment, and there was absolutely no discernible rationality to the book's progression. The author just went from one of his heroes to another.
2. The book lacks objectivity. Hansen was far more eager to talk about leaders he likes than accurately relaying information about the movement. He spent so much time interpreting the events and giving the "mind of God" as it were in each of them that the subtitle, which begins with "a journalist's journey" is misleading at best and intentionally deceptive at worst. This is most definitely providentialist history, thought it doesn't claim so.
3. It is unfortunate that the final chapter of the book is essentially a spirited defense of Mark Driscoll, that assures the reader Driscoll is a good role model and knows what he is doing. He even spends pages attacking MacArthur's disagreements with Driscoll, though time has obviously vindicated MacArthur and stolen from the book's journalistic credibility. There is an interesting double-standard here as well. Hansen argues that the YRR movement is reacting to the seeker friendly movement of years past, which operated out of a sense of pragmatism and neglected principles. Yet his defense of Mark Driscoll boils down to "he has a big church with lots of professions so he must be doing something right." That assertion, in light of recent developments, is not only contradictory to the claims of the book but must also be an embarrassment to its author.
October 19, 2009
Book group book about Hansen's travels across the country to report on what he sees as a resurgence of reformed theology in places where you wouldn't expect it - the Southern Baptist Convention, for example. The key there is where you wouldn't expect it -- we noted that reformed theology is hardly new to, say, the Presbyterians or the Reformed Church of America. He doesn't pay much attention to them, but perhaps they are just not hip enough, since most of the people he talks to are thirty-something White guys described by their goatees or olive cargo pants so that we agree with him that they are hip. Oh yes, he also talks with four women (because he says Calvinists are traditional complementarians when it comes to gender roles) and two Black men.
The book provoked good discussion among us about how much we agree with TULIP or Calvinism in general, though we do not think Hansen ever fully defines either Calvinism or Arminianism. His purpose instead seemed to be to interview dozens of White guys about how they became Calvinists (inevitably they studied the Bible and suddenly they just were) and where they are taking their churches. He attends conferences and talks with people and there are lots and lots of people and churches to keep straight, should that be an interest.
Hansen's overall tone is breathless respect for the people with whom he's talking. I wish he had a little more critique and a lot more synthesis. This is not much about reformed theology and a lot more of People-magazine like sightings of Reformed theologians. My overall impression is that Hansen needs to step back and figure out what this all means -- for him, for U.S. Protestant Christianity, for the Church.
Two remaining questions: 1) Many of the Calvinists he talked with seemed to be jerks -- perhaps brilliant theologians. but with lousy interpersonal and pastoral skills. Does Calvinism tend to jerkiness? And 2) we wondered if the appeal of some of the growing Reformed churches is simply good exegetical preaching and if, like Wolfe writes (The Transformation of American Religion), many of the people in those churches could explain Calvinism.
Could have been better.
The book provoked good discussion among us about how much we agree with TULIP or Calvinism in general, though we do not think Hansen ever fully defines either Calvinism or Arminianism. His purpose instead seemed to be to interview dozens of White guys about how they became Calvinists (inevitably they studied the Bible and suddenly they just were) and where they are taking their churches. He attends conferences and talks with people and there are lots and lots of people and churches to keep straight, should that be an interest.
Hansen's overall tone is breathless respect for the people with whom he's talking. I wish he had a little more critique and a lot more synthesis. This is not much about reformed theology and a lot more of People-magazine like sightings of Reformed theologians. My overall impression is that Hansen needs to step back and figure out what this all means -- for him, for U.S. Protestant Christianity, for the Church.
Two remaining questions: 1) Many of the Calvinists he talked with seemed to be jerks -- perhaps brilliant theologians. but with lousy interpersonal and pastoral skills. Does Calvinism tend to jerkiness? And 2) we wondered if the appeal of some of the growing Reformed churches is simply good exegetical preaching and if, like Wolfe writes (The Transformation of American Religion), many of the people in those churches could explain Calvinism.
Could have been better.
May 24, 2022
I started reading this book a while ago as I was perusing journalistic views of religion. This one is interesting because it was written in 2008. Some of the public perceptions in this book, especially involving Mark Driscoll and Josh Harris, have changed. The young, restless, and reformed movement does not seem quite so young anymore, nearly 15 years later. However, this book does provide an interesting snapshot of a moment in time when many people were trying to figure out where all of these Calvinists were coming from. For people are interested in the history of Christian movements, this book does have some very interesting anecdotes and interviews.
January 8, 2023
A fascinating read a decade+ later after the YRR movement has become a memory. The desire for deeper theology and preaching is still alive, but I hope we learned one thing from the YRR movement - we should learn from youthful mistakes and submit to scripture and tradition alongside wiser saints.
It is a book that many in my generation should read to better understand the Calvinistic internet influences that shaped them.
It is a book that many in my generation should read to better understand the Calvinistic internet influences that shaped them.
February 7, 2022
Knowing this book contained info about several churches/pastors I was familiar with enticed me to read it. I only have a surface level of understanding about the issues or controversies surrounding Calvinism and the emergent church. This book helped it become a little clearer. But I mostly enjoyed the background info on some of my favorite pastors such as John Piper and Al Mohler.
July 27, 2019
This book reads a little differently than the usual because it is a work of journalism, but I liked it. And even though I don’t care about the “new” movement or a lot of their methods, There was a lot of history from church movements in my lifetime. There is also a wealth of great resources to read. However, it was kind of revolting to read the chapter about Mark Driscoll And Joshua Harris after seeing how they have gone off the deep end. I thought it was telling that John MacArthur called Driscoll out as a fraud even back then. Overall a good read.
July 18, 2021
An interesting anecdotal take on key people and institutions in the New Calvinist movement. Triumphalist, lacks any substantive data, and avoids any significant criticism of the movement.
The chapters on Driscoll, Mahaney, Harris and Southern were fascinating reads.
This is definitely the narrative I hear around New Calvinism adherents and it’s compelling told.
2.5 stars
The chapters on Driscoll, Mahaney, Harris and Southern were fascinating reads.
This is definitely the narrative I hear around New Calvinism adherents and it’s compelling told.
2.5 stars
April 23, 2022
This is a collection of 7 stories of Calvinist theology becoming dominant and useful in the lives of young Christians. I found the book surprisingly dated for having been written in 2008. Some of the main characters have fallen into disrepute (Mark Driscoll), and others seem to have faded away. I don't understand the fascination with Calvinism, so I didn't get what it is about it that the book was saying was drawing young people to closer relations with Christ. Still, it's well written. The stories are interesting.
May 31, 2013
This is basically an extended magazine article about the recent resurgence in partial-Calvinism, especially among young (post-boomer, 20s to early 40s) evangelical baptists and pentecostals. Hansen talks very little about the state of Calvinism and Calvinistic convictions among young presbyterians, reformed, Anglicans, Lutherans, etc. A broader and more thorough examination would have been interesting. There are large swaths that weren't discussed (thinking of the growing CREC and the large numbers of Anglicans, Lutherans and Presbyterians leaving their mainstream churches for more conservative alternatives). There is also a growing return to full-fledged covenant theology happening among young evangelicals albeit to a lesser degree. It is hard to see how a return to Calvinist soteriology will stick around beyond the current generation that is embracing it without a simultaneous return to covenant theology along with its emphasis on total world-and-life-view and raising children in the faith as opposed to the mainstream evangelical approach which is a hodge-podge of treating our children like non-Christians at times (trying to get them to pray the "sinner's prayer" and invite Jesus into their hearts) and like Christians at times (teaching them to pray and sing God's praises before they have prayed the "sinner's prayer"). I think that embracing Calvinist soteriology and the sovereignty of God without also embracing a full-orbed and biblically faithful covenant theology might make for a messy and unbiblical approach to raising and evangelizing our own children. The whole Bible must remain the standard or the systematic theology will morph, warp and eventually take over. I also would have appreciated more in depth conversations with people like Sproul, Piper, Packer, MacArthur (I know he declined interview), D.A. Carson, Timothy George, and others who have been influential in this movement around what they think lies behind this resurgence, what they think will be the lasting effects if any, and what cautions/advice they would give this movement. I know that these things were touched on briefly by some of those interviewed, but a more thorough examination would have been interesting. All in all, a good book that makes me hopeful and that also reminds me that shepherds must step up and tend the flock because wolves always move in when God is working.
April 15, 2012
A quick-to-read collection of interviews discussing the unexpected resurgence of Calvinism / Reformed theology among young Christians in America. A few thoughts,
1. I think I agree with the suggestion here that one of the reasons Calvinism is so attractive today is because it offers a very big view of a glorious, sovereign, transcendent God. We have a transcendence starved culture - and I mean even inside many Protestant churches, which emphasize the friendship of God (good), but speak far too little and too lightly of his power and might and glory and judgement.
2. It's interesting to me that several of the people interviewed came to Calvinism mainly as a result of personal experience. They were living as devoted enemies of God and Christianity, and in very short order found themselves, somehow, Christians. So of course their salvation had to be totally of God - it certainly wasn't their idea, after all! C.J. Mahaney, describing his conversion after a life of hard-partying, said,
"I had a Reformed soteriology that night, even though I'd never heard the phrase. Had you met me that night and told me, 'You responded, then God responded to your response,' I would have said, 'You're an idiot.'"
3. Several people interviewed emphasized the importance of living in a humble way - something that ought to be easier for Calvinists but sometimes seems not to be. If the only time your excellent theology ever finds expression is in arguments with other people, you may be an unattractive jerk.
1. I think I agree with the suggestion here that one of the reasons Calvinism is so attractive today is because it offers a very big view of a glorious, sovereign, transcendent God. We have a transcendence starved culture - and I mean even inside many Protestant churches, which emphasize the friendship of God (good), but speak far too little and too lightly of his power and might and glory and judgement.
2. It's interesting to me that several of the people interviewed came to Calvinism mainly as a result of personal experience. They were living as devoted enemies of God and Christianity, and in very short order found themselves, somehow, Christians. So of course their salvation had to be totally of God - it certainly wasn't their idea, after all! C.J. Mahaney, describing his conversion after a life of hard-partying, said,
"I had a Reformed soteriology that night, even though I'd never heard the phrase. Had you met me that night and told me, 'You responded, then God responded to your response,' I would have said, 'You're an idiot.'"
3. Several people interviewed emphasized the importance of living in a humble way - something that ought to be easier for Calvinists but sometimes seems not to be. If the only time your excellent theology ever finds expression is in arguments with other people, you may be an unattractive jerk.
August 11, 2017
I think I honestly liked the idea of this book more than the actual book itself. Reading about the surprising uprising of Calvinism is very interesting. And Hansen often does a great job with his research and interviews. I especially liked the chapters about Piper, Mahaney, and Driscoll. All were intriguing to read.
But the majority of the book was sort of slow and harder to read. He sometimes went on rabbit trails about things that didn't seem as central to his purpose, and sometimes gave his own personal opinion at an unhelpful time.
But overall, I'm glad I read it. The most helpful overall contribution of the book was how he tried to see why this resurgence in Reformed theology was happening. On this, I thought the most helpful was on page 126, where, relying on JI Packer's analysis, he said that the word of uncertainty made by theological and moral relativism may have been a major factor in why Reformed theology--with its many truth convictions--spread so well. It also makes sense why older speakers who teach with conviction, especially Piper, have drawn such a following.
A second contribution of the book was simply to see more of the inside of these celebrity pastors, if one might call them that. I enjoyed this aspect, and for this reason categorize the book basically as a biography.
I would recommend it only if someone really wanted to dig into the roots of this resurgence of Calvinism. But even then, it can be slow at times.
But the majority of the book was sort of slow and harder to read. He sometimes went on rabbit trails about things that didn't seem as central to his purpose, and sometimes gave his own personal opinion at an unhelpful time.
But overall, I'm glad I read it. The most helpful overall contribution of the book was how he tried to see why this resurgence in Reformed theology was happening. On this, I thought the most helpful was on page 126, where, relying on JI Packer's analysis, he said that the word of uncertainty made by theological and moral relativism may have been a major factor in why Reformed theology--with its many truth convictions--spread so well. It also makes sense why older speakers who teach with conviction, especially Piper, have drawn such a following.
A second contribution of the book was simply to see more of the inside of these celebrity pastors, if one might call them that. I enjoyed this aspect, and for this reason categorize the book basically as a biography.
I would recommend it only if someone really wanted to dig into the roots of this resurgence of Calvinism. But even then, it can be slow at times.
July 15, 2012
This was a good book in journal/interview format of Collin Hansen's travels around the country to interview with key people in the modern day "reformed movement" (for lack of a better term). It sheds some real positive light on what Biblical reformed teaching has done for the spiritual growth of many Christians. Especially those in their 20's (and 30's). It is so exciting to see such a fire for the Lord in the younger generation(s). It also encouraged me to see what a potential there is in ministering to college students.
So if you think "reformed" or "calvinists" are bad words then you need to read this book, it may change your thinking, as you hear positive results of such teaching.
If you are already Reformed/Calvinists you'll equally be blessed by this book.
So if you think "reformed" or "calvinists" are bad words then you need to read this book, it may change your thinking, as you hear positive results of such teaching.
If you are already Reformed/Calvinists you'll equally be blessed by this book.
January 29, 2010
Interesting forays into the New Calvinists. Aside from the Tim Kellerites, this is mostly about reformed baptists. These people are zealous for the gospel and innovative (new organizations, denominations, cooperative coalitions, technology) which is encouraging, in fact, Calvinistic despite Horton's response in the book that these people aren't Reformed (hence the reason why we have "new" Calvinists instead of just Calvinists). The question left unaddressed by Hansen, unintentionally or not, is that will the New Calvinists be around in two generations? In other words, is this a more theologically substantive short-lived "revival", or will it sink covenantal roots and be around in 2060?
February 3, 2009
A survey of some of the larger, faster growing churches, mostly in the east, who are attracting Reformed young people. John Piper figures prominently in all of it. Reformed, Charismatic, young, with all the strengths and weaknesses that young people have.
I'm afraid it is a fad, but pray that it isn't. Right now the "movement" is a lot of hype and fun, the test will be if it changes culture.
I'm afraid it is a fad, but pray that it isn't. Right now the "movement" is a lot of hype and fun, the test will be if it changes culture.
April 1, 2021
Conclusion of the matter: Millennials are more interested in basic doctrines of grace than anyone thought, because a mighty transcendent God is greater than a therapeutic God - especially for a group comfortable with rebellion.
“‘A lot of Calvinists talk like Paul; they don’t act like him.’ - Mark Driscoll
“By their fruit, Calvinists will thrive or decline once again.”
“‘A lot of Calvinists talk like Paul; they don’t act like him.’ - Mark Driscoll
“By their fruit, Calvinists will thrive or decline once again.”
October 24, 2024
The bottom line of the entire review I'm about to write below is that this book did not age well.
I was part of the YRR movement that swept evangelicalism in the 90s and 00s, and attended for 11 years a church that was in the official Gospel Coalition directory. I left New Wave Calvinism (the movement this book describes) in 2019 and have joined the United Methodist Church. Since then, I have found a Christian faith more vibrant, curious, disciplined, and loving than I ever could have imagined while involved with the YRR, despite how confident (read: cocky) and certain (read: insecure) I was about the "truth" of the reformed resurgence.
And that's the problem with the entire book: it is cocky and certain while relentlessly deflecting. Hansen is quick to decry "liberalism," caricature "mainline" churches, and point out the alleged sins and scandals of everyone except his own movement. When it comes to his heroes, Hansen will vaguely gloss over controversy, division, arrogance, and abuse while (gently, sometimes subtly) making sure the reader knows that the real villains in the story are those who are "seeker-sensitive," "liberal," "emergent," or anything he deems not quite 5-Point-Calvinist enough.
Well, we're here, 16 years later. Mark Driscoll is embroiled in scandal and had an entire podcast series dedicated to his abusive leadership. Joshua Harris has renounced Christianity. CJ Mahaney had to resign from Sovereign Grace after plausible abuse allegations. John Piper's church is currently undergoing a mass resignation of its leadership board after accusations that Piper and Piper's successor created a toxic staff culture behind the scenes. John MacArthur excommunicated a woman who wanted to leave her convicted-child-abuser husband and is involved in multiple financial scandals. Those who were most swept up into the YRR movement have been the quickest to join the exvangelical, "deconstructionist" movement today.
You know a tree by its fruit. The fruit has been overwhelmingly stinky.
I'm glad to have read this book because it helped me understand my own past experiences in the New Calvinist movement, and because it will stand as an indicting time capsule against any movement that claims it has a monopoly on the truth.
I was part of the YRR movement that swept evangelicalism in the 90s and 00s, and attended for 11 years a church that was in the official Gospel Coalition directory. I left New Wave Calvinism (the movement this book describes) in 2019 and have joined the United Methodist Church. Since then, I have found a Christian faith more vibrant, curious, disciplined, and loving than I ever could have imagined while involved with the YRR, despite how confident (read: cocky) and certain (read: insecure) I was about the "truth" of the reformed resurgence.
And that's the problem with the entire book: it is cocky and certain while relentlessly deflecting. Hansen is quick to decry "liberalism," caricature "mainline" churches, and point out the alleged sins and scandals of everyone except his own movement. When it comes to his heroes, Hansen will vaguely gloss over controversy, division, arrogance, and abuse while (gently, sometimes subtly) making sure the reader knows that the real villains in the story are those who are "seeker-sensitive," "liberal," "emergent," or anything he deems not quite 5-Point-Calvinist enough.
Well, we're here, 16 years later. Mark Driscoll is embroiled in scandal and had an entire podcast series dedicated to his abusive leadership. Joshua Harris has renounced Christianity. CJ Mahaney had to resign from Sovereign Grace after plausible abuse allegations. John Piper's church is currently undergoing a mass resignation of its leadership board after accusations that Piper and Piper's successor created a toxic staff culture behind the scenes. John MacArthur excommunicated a woman who wanted to leave her convicted-child-abuser husband and is involved in multiple financial scandals. Those who were most swept up into the YRR movement have been the quickest to join the exvangelical, "deconstructionist" movement today.
You know a tree by its fruit. The fruit has been overwhelmingly stinky.
I'm glad to have read this book because it helped me understand my own past experiences in the New Calvinist movement, and because it will stand as an indicting time capsule against any movement that claims it has a monopoly on the truth.
June 27, 2021
Calvinism has had a resurgence over the last couple of decades. I picked up this book to learn how and why. The takeaways here are fairly intuitive. John Piper, of course, has had a tremendous influence among evangelicals. And there's no question that the trend towards Calvinism has been a reaction against the seeker-sensitive fluff that was gaining ground in evangelical churches in the 1990s and continues to be a problem. As a side, Marc Driscoll and Joshua Harris are featured, which made the book feel dated, and me feel sad.
I will say that I was disappointed with this book. It uses a journalistic style that relies more on anecdotes and personal stories than on substance. The author is himself one of the young Calvinists that are the subject of the book, so there's a lack of distance and objectivity. (See his defensiveness when one of the interviewees raises concerns about the impact of Calvinism on evangelism.) The analysis stays on the surface. I would have been interested in a deeper discussion of how Calvinism has influenced younger evangelicals' views on legalism, politics, and eschatology.
I will say that I was disappointed with this book. It uses a journalistic style that relies more on anecdotes and personal stories than on substance. The author is himself one of the young Calvinists that are the subject of the book, so there's a lack of distance and objectivity. (See his defensiveness when one of the interviewees raises concerns about the impact of Calvinism on evangelism.) The analysis stays on the surface. I would have been interested in a deeper discussion of how Calvinism has influenced younger evangelicals' views on legalism, politics, and eschatology.
March 17, 2025
I first heard of this book on Trevin Wax's Reconstructing Faith podcast, and soon read about it in another book I recently read ("Killing Calvinism" by Greg Dutcher). So I checked this book out.
In "Young, Restless, Reformed," journalist Collin Hansen investigates the modern resurgence of Calvinism. When Emerging Christianity seemed to be the fad of the day, Hansen went to various places where he found traditional Calvinism was alive and strong.
Hansen goes to various locations, such as the Passion Conference, Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minnesota where John Piper is the pastor, and The Southern Theological Seminary which saw a revival in Biblical inerrancy as well as Calvinism.
My opinion? This book is more of a journal of Calvinism's rebirth, interviewing not just the big names but young people who were influenced as well. It reviews people getting into Calvinism not as one trying to convince the unconvinced but a reporter telling what influenced his interviewees' lives.
I recommend this book.
In "Young, Restless, Reformed," journalist Collin Hansen investigates the modern resurgence of Calvinism. When Emerging Christianity seemed to be the fad of the day, Hansen went to various places where he found traditional Calvinism was alive and strong.
Hansen goes to various locations, such as the Passion Conference, Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minnesota where John Piper is the pastor, and The Southern Theological Seminary which saw a revival in Biblical inerrancy as well as Calvinism.
My opinion? This book is more of a journal of Calvinism's rebirth, interviewing not just the big names but young people who were influenced as well. It reviews people getting into Calvinism not as one trying to convince the unconvinced but a reporter telling what influenced his interviewees' lives.
I recommend this book.
July 15, 2019
A quite dated book. Many of the figures Hansen engages with have moved on/retired from the The YRR-Calvinist milieu. Obviously, this is the problem with reading any current events books, especially one regarding the oft-mutating subcultures in the American Evangelical subculture.
One prominent issue with the text is, what I felt to be, a distinct lack of dialogue with the confessional Calvinist/Reformed circles- circles which claim tens of millions of professing adherents. Most of the individuals Hansen focuses on are baptist, quasi-charismatic, non-denominational, etc (of course, these are the defining characteristics of New Calvinism). But, still, for all the talk venerating Johnathan Edwards (a pedobaptist and skeptic of the more externalized demonstrations of the Holy Spirit during mid-18th century revivals), these young, restless, and s0-called Reformed dilettantes seem to be skimming their nicely shelved Banner of Truth editions.
One prominent issue with the text is, what I felt to be, a distinct lack of dialogue with the confessional Calvinist/Reformed circles- circles which claim tens of millions of professing adherents. Most of the individuals Hansen focuses on are baptist, quasi-charismatic, non-denominational, etc (of course, these are the defining characteristics of New Calvinism). But, still, for all the talk venerating Johnathan Edwards (a pedobaptist and skeptic of the more externalized demonstrations of the Holy Spirit during mid-18th century revivals), these young, restless, and s0-called Reformed dilettantes seem to be skimming their nicely shelved Banner of Truth editions.
April 21, 2022
A reasonable snapshot of a cultural/theological moment. The story that Hansen tells was very much still in its infancy; histories of the New Calvinism will need to reckon with what its true legacy is in the coming years, especially in light of recent troubles. Major figures of this period (Mark Driscoll, Josh Harris, C. J. Mahaney) have experienced falls to varying degrees, with the first two completely rejecting Calvinism, so the landscape has changed quite a bit since this was written. It will be interesting to look back 20 years from now and see how if the trajectory Hansen maps out holds or falters.
January 22, 2019
Even though all of the people and places mentioned (apart from a church in Bolivia) in this book can be found in the US, I still didn't feel like attending a party full with strangers. Due to the globalization and WWW many of the books mentioned in "Young, Restless, Reformed" have reached Latvia and some of the winds described here have reached us as well.
The style of the book is simple and sometimes makes you think: "You can skip this part...", but I enjoyed the overall idea behind the book.
Interesting read.
The style of the book is simple and sometimes makes you think: "You can skip this part...", but I enjoyed the overall idea behind the book.
Interesting read.
February 23, 2019
This work tracks the development of the Reformed resurgence in America. Although difficult to evaluate a movement that is ongoing, Hansen does a good job tracing the various strands that have led to the Reformed Resurgence, including writings and publication of works by our spiritual forefathers, the teaching of men like R.C. Sproul, John MacArthur, and John Piper, the growth of parachurch movements, and the use of modern worship music and Reformed rap. A great overview of a developing movement.
March 7, 2022
Interesting to read about the Calvinist resurgence particularly because I became a Calvinist myself in the last 10 years or so. I really appreciated the chapter on Piper. I would have liked to see a chapter on MacArthur and/or Sproul since they also have/had such a huge voice in current reformed theology. Instead I got long chapters on CJ Mahoney, Joshua Harris, and Mark Driscoll who all have been involved in huge church scandals since this book was published. Obviously it’s not fault of the author but it simply left a bad taste in my mouth.
August 4, 2020
This was an interesting read partly because of the style of the book but also because this book is about 10 years old so it’s interesting to see where everybody is now. Driscoll fell off the path and is kind of regaining ground in the charismatic/non-denom crowd. Harris has completely left the faith. Piper, Macarthur, and Mohler are continually growing their ministries and staying committed to their Reformed beliefs. There were others mentioned but I appreciated this book because it helped me to see the greater movement of “the new Calvinists” and how God is at work with those involved. It also helped me to have a greater appreciation for those who have started consistent and faithful in their ministry like Piper and Macarthur. This was a quick read, but a good read for those who have an appreciation for the somewhat recent (though some would argue they’ve been slowly growing all along) resurgence of Reformed doctrine in the US.
December 26, 2020
Over a decade after it was published, this history of the intellectual disputes of white evangelicals reads naively optimistic. If the chroniclers of the conservative resurgence failed to even acknowledge the movements history of racism, nationalism, and reductive views on gender and sexuality, it’s no wonder those churches were unable to reckon with these problems before it was too late.
January 1, 2024
This was a quick, easy little read on Reformed Theology and its significance/growth within the wider evangelical movement. If you’re interested in the subject and want to see it covered from a journalistic standpoint, this is a good introduction. It introduces numerous pastors and theologians who can be delved into deeper if desired.
November 30, 2017
Some helpful insights into the growth of the reformed church in America. A little dated and slightly unhelpful uses of 'calvinistic' theological terms. But generally a good read and helps understand why a lot of American churches seem to be the way they are.
June 16, 2018
An informative survey of the wider ‘Reformed’ movement in USA, revealing how divergent in practice, such as worship and cultural involvement (worldliness) the men mentioned are. Hansen does not mention the divergence in doctrine that exists among them.
March 16, 2018
Good, but now dated. An interesting take on ministries that have changed drastically since this book was written. A good and inspiring view of how theology shapes worldview and ministry.
April 12, 2021
Good. Encouraging. Dated.
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