In the 1960s to the 1990s, American evangelicalism’s center swirled together around Billy Graham, the English apostle to the universities John R.W. Stott, Christianity Today, and a handful of publishers, including IVP and Zondervan and Eerdmans. That center gradually dissipated in the aging of Graham and Stott and the shifting importance of the voices and editors in chief at
All very good. I typically, simply — and surely simplistically — suggest that NC’s rise is largely due to its tightness theologically, its order, certitude, etc against the social background of upheaval, chaos, and general postmodern confusion. Calvinism is the ultimate meta-narrative of power/order. Perhaps something like the appeal to peace of Psalm 46:10 against the cosmic commotion of v. 2-3 (though v10 may be speaking to the commotion itself and not to the worshipper). There can be no contingency in God’s world. So, it’s a reaction against societal chaos much more than an attentiveness to biblical exegesis, as they are wont to insist. Theology is biography, and that’s for all of us.
This discussion of the New Calvinism, etc., is simiilar to the battles among producers of the most powerful sink cleaners or the tastiest cold cereal. What if I'm not interested in sink cleaners or cold cereals? Do I have to have a preference among my options? Or can I walk away from this whole discussion because none of the options happen to be on my grocery list?
I’m reading Trueman’s Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self which traces the roots of the psychological man. This is implicitly criticized as a product of secularism.
It seems the book is saying that this is part of new Calvinism’s counter-narrative.
Can anyone point me to other sources, other takes on radical individualism from other Christian perspectives?
What if all of them are dead-wrong, missing the core of Jesus's life and teachings? If I listen to Jesus, I won't be surprised if I hear him say, "A plague on all your houses! That's not central to my purpose."
All very good. I typically, simply — and surely simplistically — suggest that NC’s rise is largely due to its tightness theologically, its order, certitude, etc against the social background of upheaval, chaos, and general postmodern confusion. Calvinism is the ultimate meta-narrative of power/order. Perhaps something like the appeal to peace of Psalm 46:10 against the cosmic commotion of v. 2-3 (though v10 may be speaking to the commotion itself and not to the worshipper). There can be no contingency in God’s world. So, it’s a reaction against societal chaos much more than an attentiveness to biblical exegesis, as they are wont to insist. Theology is biography, and that’s for all of us.
Okay. I repent. But even as I look at the shelves, I see them cluttered with products I do not want or need.
This discussion of the New Calvinism, etc., is simiilar to the battles among producers of the most powerful sink cleaners or the tastiest cold cereal. What if I'm not interested in sink cleaners or cold cereals? Do I have to have a preference among my options? Or can I walk away from this whole discussion because none of the options happen to be on my grocery list?
I’m reading Trueman’s Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self which traces the roots of the psychological man. This is implicitly criticized as a product of secularism.
It seems the book is saying that this is part of new Calvinism’s counter-narrative.
Can anyone point me to other sources, other takes on radical individualism from other Christian perspectives?
What if all of them are dead-wrong, missing the core of Jesus's life and teachings? If I listen to Jesus, I won't be surprised if I hear him say, "A plague on all your houses! That's not central to my purpose."