maturing young adults

Al Mohler speaks here about a topic i have been thinking about for a while now. Adolescence is getting extended in the West, and has been doing so for years. The church doesn’t really help in this regard either when we have so many demographic/generational type ministries such as ‘young adult ministries’. How can the church help people to mature and become adults not only in life but in their faith? Nothing worse than a youth group for ‘young adults’ that extends right out until people are 25+.

Book Review: Young, Restless, Reformed

Collin Hansen, Young, Restless, Reformed: A journalist’s journey with the New Calvinists (158 pages, Wheaton, USA: Crossway), 2008.

In recent years there has been an enormous increase in youth and young adults being interested and wrestling with Reformed Theology. Hansen, a journalist with CT, travels the USA interviewing the leaders that are sparking this movement. It is somewhat of a biographical, church history type book but makes for very intriguing reading. It is amazing to see how Reformed Theology and Calvinism has made its way into churches and university groups around the country and quite possibly the world.
Hansen begins by nailing what he believes was the spark that lit this proverbial match, Louie Giglio and the Passion Conferences. The emphasis on God’s glory and the vision of a powerful, all-transcendent God through the teaching of John Piper began what is now quite clearly a movement. Hansen gets the opportunity to interview John Piper in his home (what an experience that must have been!) and talks with a number from the Passion conferences and from Piper’s church, Bethlehem Baptist in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

SBTS is next on his radar, where Al Mohler, some 15 years ago began a Calvinistic resurgence by taking over the presidency of the college. The influence he, the college and the large evangelical staff within the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) has sporned many new church plants and new pastors with a passion for the doctrines of grace.

Hansen continues to shoot around the country talking with all the leaders and detractors of the movement. He looks at original sermon manuscripts and notes of Jonathan Edwards at Yale University and speaks with a number of enamoured Edwards fans. He interviews both C.J. Mahaney and Joshua Harris about their role in producing charismatic Calvinists through their church, Covenant Life, and which has also produced a number of church plants under the Sovereign Grace banner. Of course, no book regarding the increase in Calvinism can be done without speaking of the booming congregation at Mars Hill Church, Seattle, where Mark Driscoll is based.

Along the way Hansen also talks to a number of others, including those who do not agree with the theology or methods of what has been happening. The SBC is a good example of this where many pastors are reticent to give Calvinism a foot in the door. However, due ot the influence of Mohler and the SBTS it cannot be helped. Other university professors and preachers around the country who disagree with this theology are humble but concerned with this rising tide.

I thought it was a great book. Coming from a reformed theology, Calvinistic type thought and having been heavily influenced by the likes of Piper, Mohler, Mahaney, Driscoll, Dever and the like i was very encouraged to see God working in wonderful ways through this movement. But, it wasn’t seeing these big guys and hearing from them that was the most encouraging. It was hearing of the small churches and youth groups who are steadily and faithfully proclaiming the Word. It certainly makes you want to get involved and learn and practice this theology and then teach it to others. May i be pushed by God to do so and be enraptured at his grace and glory.

Overall i’d give it an 8/10. I liked it a lot. I’m sure some people would be concerned about this rise, but i think it’s great.

Ligon Duncan in Melbourne

As part of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria’s 150 year celebration Ligon Duncan has been here doing a series of talks. Yesterday he spent 3-4 hours at Donvale Presbyterian giving lectures regarding ministry. I unfortunately only got to see the end of his first talk and then all of his second (he had a third but i had something else to go to). This afternoon, or maybe even right now, he is speaking at the celebration service at Scot’s Church also.

It was a great privilege to hear someone who i greatly respect. I have listened to him on mp3 through his church’s podcasts, but also through his talks at T4G. He is great! While he may not be one who gets the recognition like Piper or Mohler or MacArthur he can still share the pulpit with them and be just as good.

So, yesterday i sat at the back of the church with my Bible and listened to him, fully enjoying the way he explained the gospel, dealt with the atonement and shared with us the Father’s love for His Son. I didn’t even take notes! I am so used to it at college, but this time i just sat back, relaxed and listened. It was very beneficial for my soul and for all those who attended. It was a privilege to hear him speak in person and i one-day hope to be able to get over to T4G to hear all those guys in person.