The other day I made a post that primarily focused on a major flaw I find in my generation. This time I want to focus on something I find encouraging, but do so in light of that flaw that is so prominent today: the idea that 'new' is 'better'.
I've been hearing a lot lately about the 'New Cavinism' movement. It was in Time's 10 Ideas That Are Changing The World Right Now special, as number 3 if I remember correctly. Being a Calvinist/Reformer who believes Reformed theology is accurate to Scripture (hence my being Calvinist), I am excited to hear that more young people are discovering what I would say are biblical doctrines for themselves. However, there's also a good deal of worry in me, which I will attempt to explain.
These Calvinist doctrines, while not actually new, are new to many people. Reformed doctrine is something that has for many years been largely ignored or denied in American churches, and I would say most people within the church deny classic Calvinism, if they're aware of it at all. That being said, I think it's good that these doctrines are on the rise again, with the help of wise and godly men like John Piper, John MacArthur, RC Sproul, DA Carson, JI Packer, Mark Driscoll, Al Mohler and many others. Being that so many have a view of Calvinism tainted by what they've been raised with, inaccurate information, extreme/stupid 'Calvinists', and a misinterpretation of many texts, I am encouraged to see that some are getting out of the box that the American church has often made. However, my fear is that many are affirming these (Reformed) doctrines not because they find them to be in line with Scripture, but merely because they are 'new' or rising in popularity. If that is why people are 'becoming Calvinist', then I'd prefer to return to whatever they were before. One should never believe anything merely because it's new or popular; all of our beliefs should be held because they affirm what the Word of God says. If people jump on the Calvinist bandwagon merely because it's new and interesting or because they want to be different, then they should be ashamed. Be a Calvinist--or whatever other doctrinal system you hold to--simply because it is what Scripture teaches about the nature of God, the nature of man, and the nature of salvation. And always, ALWAYS keep the glory of God at the center, because that's how it is in Scripture and that's how it is for God Himself.
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