This is book number three on the topic of Calvinism which we have reviewed in this space (and on the Here I Sit Podcast). It is written by Kenneth Stweart Emeritus Professor of Theological Studies at Covenant College. His book is a corrective, as the title suggests, but also furthers discussion regarding the true nature of Reformed theology. In his work, Stewart seeks to set the record straight regarding the belief, history, icons, and contemporary emphasis of Calvinism or the Reformed tradition. (He prefers the latter term)
Stewart writes his book “with Calvinists in mind,” yet he hopes that it will also be a valuable work for those who have “consciously decided that the Calvinist position is not for them.” To this end Stewart divides his book into two parts. The first articulates four myths that are perpetuated by Calvinists which they should not be; the second contains six myths that non-Calvinists circulate about Calvinism which are inaccurate. The author argues that each of these are mischaracterizations of the Reformed tradition that need to be corrected in order to give this theology its proper due. His desire is to burn away the dross that has accumulated on the gold of Reformed theology on account of its going mainstream.
He begins his work in Part 1 by looking at “Four Myths Calvinists Should Not Be Circulating (But Are).” He identifies them as:
Myth 1: One Man (Calvin) and One City (Geneva) Are Determinative
Myth 2: Calvin's View of Predestination Must Be Ours
Myth 3: TULIP is the Yardstick of the Truly Reformed
Myth 4: Calvinists Take a Dim View of Revival and Awakening
Part 2 deals with “Six Myths Non-Calvinists Should Not Be Circulating (But Are).” They are as follows:
Myth 5: Calvinism Is Largely Antimissionary
Myth 6: Calvinism Promotes Antinomianism
Myth 7: Calvinism Leads to Theocracy
Myth 8: Calvinism Undermines the Creative Arts
Myth 9: Calvinism Resists Gender Equality
Myth 10: Calvinism Has Fostered Racial Inequality
Coming in at around 300 pages there is too much in this work to discuss in a short review so I will keep my comments focused on Part One and the final chapter. I really appreciated the fact that Stewart was willing to take some corrective shots at some who call themselves ‘Reformed’ but really aren’t. Throughout the section he calls on Calvinists to be more theologically aware and more biblically discerning. Many Reformed people have a ‘name it and claim it’ attitude toward Reformed thinking that doesn’t hold up to serious biblical and historical work. They name something within the Reformed tradition as their own, then they claim to be Reformed to any and all who will listen.
Stewart recognizes that there was (writing in 2011, although I think it is still happening somewhat) a “wave of Calvinist resurgence” taking place which has led many cage-stage Calvinists (which he calls “extremists”) to reduce the complexity of Calvinism to a few points; usually those relating to soteriology. (i.e. MacArthur) As an example of the kinds of correctives he articulates throughout this section, Stewart warns that there surely are many enthusiastic converts among the "young, restless, and Reformed" who will be shocked to hear that “TULIP cannot be allowed to function as a creed” and that Calvinism, in fact, does not have five points. According to Stewart, Reformed theologians past and present have wrongly turned this five-point doctrine into a “Procrustean formula” -- an inflexible yardstick of belief. In doing so, they demonstrate themselves to be Reformed adjacent only.
In the final chapter Stewart calls out some of the modern ‘Reformed’ people who are like Melchizedek -- they appear without genealogy. That is, they lack historical grounding, and they promote a de-historicized form of Reformed theology that often does not stand within the tradition that it claims to be purporting. He writes that those new Calvinists need to recognize that they stand “in succession to and dependency on… earlier movements” and thus they need to demonstrate that they are either not part of this tradition and come up with new terminology to articulate their beliefs or return to the historical foundations of the Reformed tradition.
Ten Myths of Calvinism is a valuable resource for anyone looking to better understand Calvinism or to clear up misconceptions about the Reformed tradition. This book was written almost 15 years ago yet I find myself returning to it to refresh my memory regarding the true nature of Calvinism. For that reason, it is a valuable addition to any Reformed persons library.
Soli Deo Gloria