Ten Myths About Calvinism: Recovering the Breadth of the Reformed Tradition

by Kenneth J. Stewart

Historian of Christianity Ken Stewart is intent on setting the record straight about Reformed theology. He identifies ten myths held by either or both Calvinists and non-Calvinists and shows how they are gross mischaracterizations of that theological stream. Certain of these persistent stereotypes that defy historical research often present a truncated view of the depth and breadth of the Reformed tradition. Others, although erroneous, are nevertheless used to dismiss outright this rich body of biblical theological teaching. Some key questions Stewart explores in this provocative, informative and thoroughly researched Ten Myths About Calvinism is sure to enrich both promoters and detractors, students and scholars.

Genres: Theology, Church History, Christian, Christianity

301 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2011

About the author

Dr. Stewart is a specialist in the history of Christianity from the Reformation to the present with special interest in the development of the evangelical Protestant tradition. He has a growing interest in early Christianity and the transmission of doctrine from the early church forward to our time. He also teaches early modern European history and the two-semester Christian Doctrine sequence required for sophomores.

Reviews

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd probably give this one 3.5 stars if I could.

It's been a while since I read a solid history and this definitely satiated my fix. Some good content that I'd never really thought about or heard before. Takes on a lot of myths and in the process does a great job of educating on various aspects of the Reformed faith. Particularly helpful chapters were "Calvin's View of Predestination Must Be Ours", "TULIP Is the Yardstick of the Truly Reformed", and "Calvinism Undermines the Creative Arts".

The chapter on TULIP in particular was really helpful in thinking about the over-usage of an acronym that is really unhelpful outside of an introduction to a larger theological system. I'd encourage the book for that chapter alone.

A qualm though...

It could just be the grumpy Presbyterianism (just kidding... kind of) but it seems like the author has a bone to pick with the "New Calvinism". Most evidently in his conclusion. He goes to pains to look at various movements of Calvinism from the French Revolution until the early 1990's to show that the New Calvinism isn't really "new". Though I'm thankful he gave a brief history of things like the Princeton school, Lloyd-Jones, Kuyper, etc. I think his objection is largely baseless.

It appears to me that he's written the book to those who think that Calvinism disappeared after Jonathan Edwards. He cites the now famous 2006 Christianity Today article as leaving a gap from Jonathan Edwards until the date of the first Passion Conference in 1997. While I agree that a gap of over 200 years is pretty ridiculous, I don't think that the majority of these New Calvinists are unaware of various streams of Calvinism since Edwards.

For example, I'd venture to bet that more New Calvinists are familiar with the works of C.H. Spurgeon than of Calvin. Similarly I also don't think that going to pains to talk about Lloyd-Jones is necessary since one of the highlights of this years Together For the Gospel Conference, a true hotbed of New Calvinism, was the announcement that all of DM Lloyd-Jones' sermons were going to be posted online. Lastly, as far as I can tell, "Knowing God" by J.I. Packer was as much New Calvinistic "must read" material as "Desiring God" by John Piper.

It's entirely possible that most New Calvinists are largely unaware of the Reformed streams' history and that because of my historical and theological nerdness I'm more aware than most. However, I really don't think that's the case. I think it's far more likely that most young evangelicals dabbling in Calvinism outside of just podcasting Matt Chandler sermons (love him) have a general idea of the history and significance of the Reformed faith.

[Philip Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

The stuff on Servetus was super helpful, explaining the political situation in Geneva in the 16th century that led to his death.
Also the documentation of the Calvinistic emphasis on world evangelisation is thorough and dispels the myth that Reformed theology is antimissionary.

[Ryan Yoakum · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book as a whole (and would personally rank it more up to 3.5)! Alongside being a very comprehensible and engaging read, Stewart's historical work is top notch as all of his work is thoroughly research (especially in Early Modern/Reformation history, where I think Stewart's writing really shines through). With the exception of one chapter, pretty much all of his other points were arguments were well-supported and presented clearly. I also liked the division of the book making four points towards Calvinists and six towards non-Calvinists. Dividing the book this way was quite clever of Stewart in distinguishing this book from the other apologetic defenses of Calvinism and instead making it an open conversation for both sides to learn. :)

My biggest issue with the book is found in the subtitle. While it claims to discuss the "Breadth of the Reformed Tradition", it really only focuses on a limited number of differences between Calvinists (I personally think the book should be called "Ten Myths of Presbyterianism"). As a Calvinist myself, I think one of the unique parts of the Reformed tradition is how diverse it is (both theologically when considering different denominations that hold to it as well as culturally in the different ways that such beliefs have influenced the political/social perspectives of numerous societies). I wish there could have been more historical examples that demonstrate that Calvinism/the Reformed Tradition has never been a monolithic movement and provide a taste of the diversity in Calvinistic theologies and applications in the body of believers around the world who share the Calvinistic title, even if they disagree on piratically everything else ;).

But overall, I am glad to have read this book and would certainly recommend it as a good resource if you are interested in at least Presbyterianism/Covenant Theology or just misconceptions Calvinists, non-Calvinist Christians, and even unbelievers have on Church history!

[Jim Gulley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stewart divides his “ten myths” between four that Calvinists should not be circulating, but are; and, six that Non-Calvinists should not (but are). He argues that Reformed theology has a lineage that predates Calvin and his Institutes, and that other leaders of the Reformation made contributions as significant as Calvin’s. The Non-Calvinist tropes are due to misunderstandings of Reformed theology and misreading of church history. On the myth that Calvinism has fostered racial inequality, Stewart is defensive. He acknowledges the role that many Presbyterian leaders have played through history in slavery, apartheid, and Jim Crow, while also pointing out contributions that Presbyterians have made toward racial justice and reconciliation.

The TULIP acrostic is criticized for the misleading monikers of U, L, and I. The five points date back to the Synod of Dordt, but the acrostic is a fabrication from the 1900s. Calvin’s doctrine of double predestination is widely shared, but not definitive of Reformed theology. Stewart defends Calvinism’s view on gender issues, but omits an entreaty on complementarianism. Likewise, he points out the limits of iconoclasm during the Reformation in defending against the charge that Calvinists undermine the creative arts; however, he does not mention their contributions to classical music and hymnology.

[Greg Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kenneth Stewart's Ten Myths about Calvinism is an interesting, well-informed, and helpful puncturing of ten myths about Calvinism (four originating from Calvinists themselves and six from non-Calvinists). Stewart's basic premise is that these myths tend to portray Reformed Christianity as narrower than it actually is. His points are always well supported with impressive historical citations. In the end, I found the book to be encouraging and educational.

[Christian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good overview of Reformed history. The author rarely takes it upon himself to debunk this or that myth, usually preferring to cite historical sources, so the whole is less rhetorical and more of a reference guide.

Most interesting to me was the chapter on Calvinism and the creative arts.

[Jennifer Layte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some people bring light reading for airplane trips. I bring heavy reading and heavy reading only, because if it's something I really want to read but probably won't get around to in the daily round, being stuck on a plane with nothing else forces me to read it.

Such was the case with this book. It took me a chapter or so to get into it, but it's really well-researched and actually very interesting--at least to anyone with a moderate interest in theology. Like most of Stewart's anticipated readers, I had my own presuppositions of Calvinism, which I feel were well addressed and treated in this analysis. Some of the points made, made me want to get up out of my airplane seat, pump the air, and say, "Amen!" But I only actually do stuff like that in Gospel choir concerts.

Added note: The guy who wrote this book? Is my uncle. Yay, Uncle Ken!

[Chuck Bonadies · Rating 4 out of 5]

Outstanding book on the nature of Calvinism. Steward divides the book into two sections: four myths that Calvinists circulate about Calvinism and six that non-Calvinists propagate.

Consider the following myths. TULIP is the yardstick of the truly Reformed. Calvinists take a dim view of revival and awakening. Calvinism promotes antinomianism. Calvinism is antimissionary.

All of the chapters were enjoyable. I do suspect that some will accuse the author of cherry picking certain sources and omitting others.

The strength of the book is its weakness: the historical perspective. Stewart does a great job revisiting the history of Calvinism. I would like to see more interaction with contemporary Calvinists.

CB

[Радостин Марчев · Rating 4 out of 5]

Балансирана книга написана с много здрав разум. Отначало мислех да прегледам 3-4 глави, които ме интересуваха по-конкретно, но след като я започнах я прочетох цялата - от начало до край. Написана с добри исторически познания и еднакво полезна както за калвинисти така и за християни с различно богословие. В истерията около Young, restless and reformed през последните години авторът звучи много разумно.

[Adam Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review to follow.

[Jared Hiebert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good correction of some popular myths of Calvinism. The Reformed and non-Reformed can benefit from this book.