Review of Young, Restless, Reformed

Except for that time I went 3-5 with a couple RBI’s for my American Legion baseball team at a State championship game I have never read an article about me.  In 2008 Collin Hansen wrote a book about me:  Young, Restless, Reformed.  It’s a shame I did not pick it up until recently.   

Actually the book is not about me.  But it just as easily could have been.  I think that was one of Hansen’s hopes with this book.  There is a growing movement of “New Calvinists” and Hansen explores the in’s and out’s of the movement. 

Inside you will find interviews with “everyday folk” (broke seminary students like myself), as well as interviews with the “guys in lights” like Piper, Dever, Driscoll, Mahaney, Mohler, and Joshua Harris.  Hansen does not limit himself to only the T4G crowd, though.  He also goes to Yale and explores the Calvinism in that climate. 

It is an interesting journey; one that probably could have been a couple of years longer.  It would be interesting to see how Calvinism in England influences the Calvinism in the States.  There are neat anecdotal tales that really gets at the heart of this growing movement.  But there are also cautions for the newer Calvinists. 

As one within the movement I would be interested to read a review from someone that knows the “doctrines of grace” but disagrees with them.  It is obvious from reading where Hansen’s loyalties are.  He is part of the movement himself—I would almost like to see another similar book from an outsiders perspective.  At times I think Hansen may be overstate his case a little, or be a little harsh with the non-Reformed church culture, but overall it is straight-forward journalism.

Hansen does offer some occasional critique for those of us within the movement.  So, in that regard it is helpful to read it even if you are Young, Restless, and Reformed.  It will also be encouraging for many to know that they are not alone in their theological leanings. 

But this book may be most helpful for those outside the movement.  It may even be a good read for those that are critical of the Young, Restless, and Reformed crowd.  This book will certainly show a good part of what “we” believe and many of the reasons why. 

It’s an easy read and a relatively fun journey through the Young, Restless, and Reformed movement.  I would heartily suggest this book to anyone interested in the growing movement towards Reformed theology and Calvinism. 

Rating 4.5 out of 5 Stars

Buy It: 10.49 (hardcopy) 7.99 (e-book)