Below is a very interesting video. I would not consider myself an eclecticist. I prefer the old, old story – unchanged – not combined with the best of the latest styles and ideas, especially when some of those ideas are taken from an erroneous emergent movement, which, contrary to our brother Kevin DeYoung’s remarks, was far from ‘short-lived’ and certainly does not have in common with Calvinism “a call that our faith is costly, our faith is a lot bigger than us, and really reacting against cheap grace.”
On the contrary, the emergent movement is all about cheap grace, rejection of the absolutes of biblical doctrine and the promotion and acceptance of homosexuality within the Church.
New Calvinism combined with emergent-style nightclub type entertainment, torn-jeans, and offering God worldly leftovers as worship cannot, and will not last. In time, either biblical Christianity and God ordained worship or the grunge, entertainment driven movement will consume the other.
Kevin DeYoung:
Look at the last ten years the two movements that have caught some traction is the emergent [church] for a very short time, and I think the residue from that might be the social justice emphasis and then you have the new calvinism, and I know there is some overlap, but I think both of those have in common a call that our faith is costly, our faith is a lot bigger than us, and really reacting against cheap grace. I think the challenge is if we’re going to do this social mercy ministry piece right it has to go through this vision of a massive glorious God and a Gospel that’s first of all a Gospel of what God has done for us.
I agree with your assessment on this video. While the 1689 Confession is not God’s Word, that fact does not warrant the Acts 29 practice of being cultural and “Calvinist”. I’ve read a bit of stuff from DeYoung and am thankful he’s not in league with Driscoll (that I know of) or Paggitt. His book, “Just Do Something” – http://shop.churchandfamilyreformation.org/Just-Do-Something-BKJDSKD.htm – is a very good examination of the issue of finding and doing God’s will that has been shipwrecked by mystical methods from myriad authors within the camp.
I think they agree with Douglas Wilson. http://www.canonwired.com/ask-doug/new-calvinism/
“Calvinism” is actually repackaged Platonism. It is a philosophy of the divine that contemplates ideal qualities and “perfections.” It isn’t scriptural (though it pretends) and is obscenely amoral – no, immoral. It appeals to modern people because of its pretentions and pseudo wisdom.
With all the love I can muster – phhht!
WoundedEgo – you come across as pretentious. Calvinism isn’t about John Calvin – it’s about biblical Truths that transcend the comprehension of natural men.
Ego,
You should pray and study more. You are totally wrong. Calvinism is humble because God is sovereign.
Incorrect contextualiztion is the problematic issue……not “new Calvinism”.
To answer the question, “What’s new about New Calvinism?”, I would say tatoos and piercings…
Ha ha…I laughed when I saw your comment. Since you already nailed the “Jesus is my homeboy” persona….
One thing I have noticed that seems to be accepted by most of the “New Calvinists” is they seem to be charismatically open. Blend this with some edgy language (oh don’t forget the tattoos and piercings) and you have a culturally relevant church movement that many non-believers can be attracted to. I guess I’m not understanding how this concept goes together in light of Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” I guess it just looks conformist in nature, but it’s really not?
The video is a very good analysis of the subject, from reputable people. I believe there is nothing new under the sun, so I am naturally suspicious of “new”, because it so often tries to raise itself by claiming that there is something wrong with what came before. The bible has not changed, Jesus certainly hasn’t changed, so as Dr. Mohler said, there are limited angles to approach this.
I think Mr. DeYoung, and many others, give the “emergent” movement way too much credit. It, and it’s proponents and their offspring have been around long enough that we can have some historical understanding of it. And what do we find? We find zero historical Christianity, rehashed liberalism, post-modern thinking, and heresy galore.
Calvinism, new or old, depends on scripture itself, not on a man or another generations musing, as does any set of Christian beliefs. New adds nothing if it is not well grounded in scripture.
I am alarmed that these men gave tacit approval to the emergent movement… the emergents are universalist, newage, hedonists.
Any group of young people who love scripture and seek GOD will not be found in emergent groups.
This vid proves that our current leaders need to do some research into present-day goings on.
As De Young finishes up saying here, ‘In different houses, same street”, nope- can’t go along with the road that these Resurgence folks, such as De Young and his partners, are on. He mentions the big tent? Just thinking the video has provided for us yet another ‘turning’ into the New Age thought (in the name of Calvinism)…especially in light of who and what the New Calvinist promote, such as a Leonard Sweet, or any given contemplative mystic, ETC. New Calvinism is a good thing? I don’t think so…has little to do with the old path.
I agree with Truthy on this one, current leaders need to do some research on what’s really going on (quit giving people this doublespeak, as in video) Of course I don’t see that happening. Since the leaders aren’t going to tell us, it’s up to each to get a clue. Who are these people trying to kid…telling us this ‘new’ path is really the old path, if we all join together under this umbrella, it’s all good and we’re onto a ‘good’ thing? Just a quick look at readings and links on soooo many of the ‘Reformed’ sites is quite telling. But hey it’s ALL good, right? A little Calvinism, a little Charismatic-ism, a little contemplative, a little missional, with a good dose of emergent….and on it goes. Hmmmm, yum. I think this is a great video and people should listen very closely to what is being said and then go check out exactly who and what (they are talking about) is living is these houses and what street this is all on. I for one don’t live on their street.