I truly wanted to like this book. And there were things that gave me hope early on that I would. The honest admission that the authors do not have everything wired was refreshing. Also, the authors desire to practice what they preach is commendable.

Unfortunately, other things continued to nag as I got further in the book: a confusing proposal, false dichotomies, and caricatures. For the latter, I am not sure many in the so-called “Reformed” camp would agree with the description given of them in this book. The impression is that these folks put doctrine in too prominent a place.

Granted, the Reformed movement, if we can call it that, is sprawling, so there are definitely folks who fit the profile these authors describe. However, I am do not think the authors give much credit to the social consciousness of many in the resurgence of Calvinism. For example, it is by design that John Piper lives in a poor neighborhood and seeks to incarnate the gospel there. Whether you agree with his theology or not, it is that theology which spurs him to do so.