Review: The New Calvinism Considered

The New Calvinism Considered: A Personal and Pastoral Assessment by Jeremy Walker, Evangelical Press, 2013, 128 pages.

The New Calvinism Considered is Pastor Jeremy Walker's assessment of the recent trend toward reformed theology largely within American Evangelicalism. This short book gives an overview of the movement, commendations, concerns, and concluding thoughts. This is quite a task given the spectrum of people who would align themselves with New Calvinism (NC). Thus, Walker admits he is using a broad brush out of necessity.

The author characterizes this movement by a return to the five points of Calvinism, God's sovereignty in salvation, and the influence of Jonathan Edwards via John Piper. The NC is shaped to a great degree by prominent pastors and theologians - Piper, D.A. Carson, and Tim Keller, organizations - The Gospel Coalition and Together 4 the Gospel, and bloggers - Justin Taylor and Tim Challies. There may be other key players as well, but names and networks have a major role within NC.

The author's commendations include a focus on God's glory, emphasis on grace, being missional, complementationism, harnessing the power of social media for the spread of theology, and expository preaching. Walker also recognizes that many have come to faith or have grown as believers through NC.

His concerns, however, are probably what will generate the most discussion from this book. These include pragmatism and commercialism as seen in an "ends justify the means" attitude and the degree of deference given to and the hands-off attitude towards "celebrity" pastors. Walker also cites the tension between pursuing holiness and grace which could lead to unconscious antinomianism. Ecumenism is another concern resulting in questionable alliances and endorsements by key figures. To this list, he adds interpretation of the spiritual gifts and an enthusiasm for the movement that can lead to pride.

The book ends with the author's call for us to be Calvinists without any qualifiers whatsoever.  He encourages us to stand in the truth and serve in the context of the local church as this is the environment which will "best equip the church to be a blessing to the world in which we live and to others whom we hope to help." (pg. 112)

Although I don't fit the young, restless, and reformed demographic, the NC movement was highly influential in my turn towards reformed theology after being a Christian for 40 years. Hence my impressions are more as an insider.

First of all, I think Walker was very fair in his commendations of NC. Many of these worthy characteristics were what drew me to this theology. God's sovereignty, not only in salvation but over everything, is a powerful life-changing doctrine. Sound preaching and a return to the biblical gospel have helped so many believers including myself.

Secondly, most of the author's concerns have crossed my mind in the last few years. In our enthusiasm, it is possible to think we've invented the theological wheel and forget we stand on the shoulders of faithful men and women who have gone before us. It is also very sad to see events played out on social media that confirm the strong celebrity culture within NC. In regard to antinomianism, perhaps the UK was not stricken as severely with the moralism that infected Evangelicalism in the States. Thus it makes sense that we would react strongly against legalism. However, we need to be careful that reaction is not pushing the pendulum too far.

Thirdly, I wholeheartedly agree with Pastor Walker's conclusion to be Calvinists. Period. We should believe what we believe not because we've heard it, inherited it, or assumed it but because we've searched the scriptures to see if these things are so (Acts 17:11).

To conclude, if you consider yourself part of this movement, I would encourage you to read The New Calvinism Considered. This book offers healthy criticism given graciously. May we receive it in the same spirit and allow God to correct and adjust us as He sees fit.

More information:

Jeremy Walker is pastor of Maidenbower Baptist Church, Crawley, UK. He blogs at Ref21 and The Wanderer and is the author of several books.

The Confessing Baptist interview

Author Talks With Shaun Tabatt interview

I received a copy of this book from EP Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."