CK2:16 Ten Myths About Calvinism

June 24, 2011  David Murray   2 comments

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This week’s guest on The Connected Kingdom is Dr. Ken Stewart, who is Professor of Theological Studies at Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Georgia. Intervarsity Press recently published Dr. Stewart’s book Ten Myths About Calvinism: Recovering the Breadth of the Reformed Tradition. Tim  and I spoke to him about the Old Calvinism about the New Calvinism and about what the even newer future Calvinism may look like. Here is a table of contents pointing out some of the highlights of our discussion:

  • 1:30 – Overview of the ten myths about Calvinism
  • 9:35 – Purpose and audience of the book
  • 11:00 – Our polarized movement; who has the inside track on explaining and articulating the Reformed faith; too many Calvinist authorities
  • 14:47 – Clarification on Calvinistic brands
  • 16:15 – Did we blow the Rob Bell situation?
  • 29:06 – Theological accountability and Gospel Coalition
  • 31:42 – Fault lines in Calvinism

There is lots of interesting food for thought in this podcast!

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  • Adam Kuehner

    Thanks for posting the interview. This book looks like it has some very helpful material to contribute. Nevertheless, I had some hesitations about Dr. Stewart’s vision. His call for interdenominational Reformed “unity” seemed vague. We all want unity, but I didn’t hear any unique logistical suggestions. The strength of 21st century Calvinism has been its grass roots dynamic. To be sure, we must aim to promote a more consistently biblical ecclesiology, but Dr. Stewart gave the impression that there ought to be a formalized “movement” to appoint official spokesmen and manage public responses to issues like Rob Bell, etc. Personally, I am not persuaded that the bulk of the Reformed response was as bloodthirsty as suggested. Most of the reviews I read online anticipated this accusation and made every effort to avoid an aggressively negative tone. Dr. Stewart’s comments on the sabbath and on women in the church had me somewhat perplexed as well. In sum, his vision of a broad-minded, more-tightly-managed Reformed tradition appears to supply more questions than it does answers. Still, this book is a hot topic and I greatly appreciated the interview! Keep up the good work!

  • David Murray

    Thanks Adam. You raise some valid concerns. Maybe we can have Dr Stewart back again as there has certainly been some considerable follow-up on this podcast.