The New Calvinism

TIME Magazine recently published a special issue entitled, “Ten Ideas Changing The World Right Now”. Coming in at #3, right in between “Recycling the Suburbs” and “Reinstating the Interstate”, was “The New Calvinism”(!)

I have observed increasing interest in Calvinism in the American church, particularly among young Christians, for several years. The popularity of theologians like John Piper and Tim Keller as well as modern covers of old-school hymns like Chris Tomlin’s “Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)” have signaled the rise of the neo-Calvinist movement.

But I don’t know if I had put my finger on the “why” behind this trend before.

This quote from the article was particularly insightful. It’s from Collin Hansen, author of Young, Restless, Reformed: A Journalist's Journey with the New Calvinists:

"A lot of young people grew up in a culture of brokenness, divorce, drugs or sexual temptation…They have plenty of friends: what they need is a God."

And it’s not just people’s personal lives in upheaval. Widespread political and economic instability only increase the appeal of a mighty God who’s in control of the entire world.

For those of us who know and serve this great God, there could hardly be a better time to share Him with those around us.

Read an online version of David Van Biema’s article here.