In light of the forthcoming issue of Time magazine where, shockingly, New Calvinism is named as the third most influential idea changing the world today, I felt it timely to speak of the issue further.

False Dichotomies

For starters, in some ways the terms Old Calvinism and New Calvinism are not entirely accurate. This is because the legacy of Calvinism is one in which there is a rich history of faithful Bible preachers and teachers, and also admittedly some who were less than faithful to the Scriptures.

The Gospel Is the Issue

Those who are doctrinally faithful to the timelessness of Scripture by emphasizing the issues closest to the gospel of Jesus Christ are great servants to every age. By focusing on that which is timeless, they are perennially timely. Subsequently, these sorts of Calvinists are both old and new, in that while they are old, their convictions remain perennially fresh. New Calvinists do little more than try to speak the same truths in fresh and passionate ways. Therefore, in light of the Time article that rolls off the press this week, I want to take some time to honor some Old New Calvinists and point out their influence on the New Calvinists.

To Learn More

For anyone wanting to do a more thorough study of the legacy of Old New Calvinists, I would commend Christian Theology: An Introduction by Alister E. McGrath, as it tours the history of theology from the Reformed perspective. Also helpful are the articles at ChristianityToday.com. For those wanting to peruse the works of the Old New Calvinists, you will be amazed at what you find at www.ccel.org.