Young, Restless, Reformed is “a journalist’s journey with the new
Calvinists.” Collin Hansen, an editor for Christianity Today describes
the contemporary resurgence of Reformed theology, particularly among
young evangelicals. The book consists largely of interviews with young
people who have been drawn to Calvinism and the leaders whom God has
used to foster the resurgence. In particular, Hansen devotes the bulk of
his attention on the ministries of John Piper, Albert Mohler, C. J.
Mahaney, and Mark Driscoll. He also devotes one entire chapter to the
renewed interest in a dead pastor-theologian, Jonathan Edwards.
Moreover, Hansen highlights important events such as The Passion
Conference, Together for the Gospel, and New Attitude, as well as
college campus ministries like Reformed University Fellowship, Campus
Outreach, and University Christian Fellowship. My purpose is not to
provide an extended review of the book. Several such reviews can be
googled online. Instead, I’d like to reflect briefly on some of the
responses to the book, especially from those within the Reformed camp.
Most responses to the book have been overwhelmingly positive. The
back cover features accolades from the well-known blogger Tim Challies,
author Jerry Bridges, NT scholar Donald Carson, and church historian
Douglas Sweeney. When I posted this blog, there were 31 reviews in
Amazon.com, 29 of which give the book 4 to 5 stars. After a thorough
review, British Reformed Baptist Erroll Hulse queries, “Criticisms?” and
tersely responds, “No!” The only weak spot Tim Challies finds is that
the book’s “focus is more on today than on yesterday and tomorrow.” He
wishes Hansen would have given a bit more time on “how this movement
grew” and on “where it might be going.” Challies concedes, however, that
the author’s narrow scope probably precluded such an analysis. Keep Reading >>>
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