Learning from Countercultural Calvinist Churches - A Conversation with Ethan Senn

Refuge Church in Ogden, Utah is making a cultural dent in our nation. Similar to Christ Church in Moscow, Idaho and San Diego Reformed Church (see my interview with those pastors), they are arguing for unapologetic masculinity, singing, families, private schooling, and theonomy. Ethan Senn heads up a publishing company affiliated with the church called New Christendom Press, which publishes five podcasts regularly.

I discovered Ethan through the ‘Hard Men Podcast,’ which has done some great segments on hospitality and brotherhood within the local church. As one who wants to foster intimacy, good singing, and earnest discipleship in the body of Christ, I wanted to learn more about how Refuge Church is doing these things.

This conversation feels a little like interviewing someone from a different country and culture. His church is openly and centrally patriarchal. Their membership covenant requires all members to commit to keep their children out of public government education. They lead a classical Christian school. They foster church programs around shooting guns, weightlifting, and other recreation.

I think people of all tribes would do well to learn from one another. Senn insists that the strengths of his tradition depend upon faithful adherence to all of the different features found there. Those who are eclectically-minded would like to take some of the blessings of such a fellowship without a lot of the theological framing. We talk about that prospect as we consider the differences in polity, membership, covenant (renewal), and discipline.

Let me know your reflections on the content here.

Links:

Refuge Church - https://www.refugeutah.org

New Christendom Press - https://www.newchristendompress.com

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