Feb 19, 2021
Theology on the Go
Quick thoughts on the YRR movement
One observable characteristic of the first and second-generation Young Restless Reformers is their proclivity to engage in intramural-theological conversation without the backbone of any formal tradition. They love everything from Bahnsen to Barth, and Polycarp to Piper. Their fascination with all things theological spurs from a starved evangelical diet and the fad of hipster-Calvinism beginning to work its way out of everyone’s system. As it is with anything, there are pros and cons to this academic approach.
We could argue that this eclecticism is one reason for the uptick in Theonomic Baptists, Anglican’y Presbyterians, and Social Justice Kuyperians running around. Most of these groups take something of interest from another’s work without much forethought into how it fits into their own formal system of theology. Unfortunately, many are deprived of said system. As a result, online chats are rife with recommendations to read x, y, and z without any consideration of denominational standards or traditional views. The use of a confession, not entirely the fault of the second generation, would help buoy readers within the voice of the church.
A confessional hermeneutic would also notably guard against the temptation to ad-lib what it means to be Reformed and Calvinist (among other things). This is not to be taken as a denial of diversity in thought within confessionalism. Neither is it implied that to read widely is to read poorly. There are plenty of intramural conversations worth having within every ecclesiastical tradition. It is simply to say that the copy and paste system that has become so popular among the YRR will not be enough to bolster the truth in the end.
Tim Keller has remarked in the past that Christians are like trees; as he matures, the rings which comprise the trunk grow larger and extend wider. With this analogy, he is encouraging a narrow approach to reading while we are still yet saplings. That is, Christians, particularly young Christians, should exercise discretion in their immaturity — and set up boundaries. This will ensure that as the tree grows, those things imposed upon the integrity of the trunk will find it nearly impossible to manipulate the center.
My advice? Read books and join a confessional church. You’ll be happier, and less schizophrenic in the end.
