Calvinism is cool again?

In my earlier post I quoted Mark Dever who quoted Spurgeon’s position on Calvnism as the true Gospel.  Dever is writing what looks to be a 10-part series on the resurgence of reformed theology (or Calvinism for short) amongst young people.  I would hope that Dever would also make mention of the music that our era in church history is experiencing by this resurgence.

Great men of God like Luther and Calvin not only taught us the deep truths of God’s word but also brought us to God in music.  Yes they wrote hymns!  It seems that in every great wave in Church history where reformation occured it was accompanied by wonderful music.  Now I wish I had a quote or evidence to back that statement up but unfortunately its 7am and I don’t.  I can, however, recall a tape by MacArthur called Insights into a pastor’s heart when he spoke to the master’s seminary students and spoke on this very subject of the great theologians who turned to hymn writing.  In short what I believe MacArthur was trying to explain was that biblical theology produces exalted doxology.  My former pastor at Community Bible Church recently said a similar statement when he said that, “pastors forget that when people are taught the word of god they will want to sing.”

Now is music a cause of the resurgence in reformed theology?  Not necessarily.  I believe its the result of it. 

Consider the ministry of Sovereign Grace Music (henceforth SGM) led by Bob Kauflin.  They are one of the most popular worship bands and song writing ministries we have today.  Why are they so popular, particularly with young people?  It’s because when people, young or old, hear the clear and wonderful Gospel they will want to sing to their God.  SGM just happens to be very skilled in writing music that appeals to the younger generation while maintaining music that has biblical fidelity.  Look at the history of SGM where they came out of Covenant Life Church which is committed to bible exposition and to the reformed tradition.  In short it is their theology that produces songs of great praise and doxology.

Now consider other Christian artists whose lyrics are on a serious bible diet.  Every so often when its popular they will produce a “worship project” CD where they will take old hymns and add a modern sound to it.  Please don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with adding a modern sound to old lyrics.  My point is that these artists are almost forced to this because God’s people demands music that is in sync with what they are hearing about their God!  If you are in a church where the Gospel is light, the bible is not clearly taught, you will sing songs that are ambiguous enough that you can sing it to your girlfriend!

My goal is not to pit SGM against the rest of the Christian Contemporary Artists out there but to make the point that music that reinforces the biblical truths comforts, refreshes, and uplifts the soul.  Music that speaks of the death of Christ, the sovereignty of God, the blood, the Father’s love to send His Son, our justification, the imputed righteousness of Christ — will lift the heart to the praise and adoration of God.  Music like that lasts.  Music like that doesn’t have to change because the source of that music, the bible, is an inexhaustible well.

Calvinism is cool again not because of John Calvin but because of the doctrines that he discovered, not invented, from studying his bible.  And when people hear about those doctrines they will want to sing.