Calvinism in the News

The best Calvin news to come down the pike in a long time is the recent announcement by Crossway that Dr. W. Robert Godfrey's new book on Calvin is scheduled to be released on April 30, 2009.  If you know anything about President Godfrey, you'll buy this book sight unseen!  Click here: John Calvin - W. Robert Godfrey

Meanwhile, you take the good with the not so good . . .  According to the folks at Vision Forum Ministries, Calvin's 500th is an occasion to celebrate the transformation of culture and the birth of America.  "Reformers like Knox, Luther, and Calvin championed the doctrine of Sola Scriptura, opening the door for broad-sweeping cultural reform.  Calvin’s biblical worldview in particular took strong root in the New World — one reason why scholars describe him as the true `founder of America.'"  So, cultural transformation is the real legacy of the Reformation?  Ugh.  Click here: Reformation 500 Celebration - Vision Forum Ministries

Many of you saw the recent discussion about a resurgent Calvinism in Time. In case, you haven't here's the link. Click here: 3. The New Calvinism - 10 Ideas Changing the World Right Now - TIME

But what you may not have known is that Time magazine also spoke of a comeback of Calvinism in 1947!  Could it be that Calvinism will always be around?  Click here: Calvinist Comeback? -- Printout -- TIME

Comments

[Dean]

Isn't it intresting that they praise the Reformers, but when those same standards come knocking on their door in conviction, they have no time for the "archaic." They would label these same men as intolerent, old-fashioned, and of course"homophobes." I guess Justice Scalia is in good company.

[Rev. Z. Bartels]

Wait a minute... so was "joking" REALLY a crime in Geneva? That cannot be... (see the '74 Time article).

[Matt Holst]

Gotta love Vision Forum. Everything revolves around America pre-Civil War when peace ruled the land, the churches were full every week, families were in perfect harmony, and sin was all but obliterated. At least, I think that's how it was.

[Philip Walker]

Anyone else notice that in 1947, Horton was a liberal? What other skeletons are there to come out of that cupboard, eh? Eh?

[Zrim]

Philip, I noticed that as well. But my question was more, "Sheesh, how does he keep his boyish looks?"

[timinator]

Liberals, I wonder how they would label themselves, new conservatives?

[eliza]

HI - I have a question, I am struggling with some of the teachings of vision forum - do you think VF is revising history with it's interpretation of calvin and his impact on the new world (ie - america) - as if they are connecting some dots that may not be there - you are obviously a calvinist fan - what is your take on how they are presenting his theology and acdemic/spiritual contributions? Just wondered if you could expand your comments on the VF perspective on calvin and if that is accepted in other areas of theological debate. Thanks for your time on this.