There are a couple of colourful Calvinist characters who often find their way onto my mp3 player, both of whom have had articles about them in the New York Times.

The first is Mark Driscoll, pastor of Mars Hill Church, Seattle. He’s the Top Gear of Christian preachers – blokeish, un-PC, and usually very entertaining. Who Would Jesus Smack Down? takes a look at Driscoll’s unique blend of down-to-earth masculinity and Calvinist theology. (HT: Dave Bish at the Blue Fish)

The second is Doug Wilson, another preacher and writer with a quick mind and sharp turn of phrase, who between pastoring, writing and debating Christopher Hitchens, champions what he calls “classical Christian education”, which is offered at the university he helped found, New St Andrews College, and aims to introduce a reformation in higher education and save Western civilization. It’s a very different approach to the culture wars, but does it just create another Christian bubble in which to shelter young minds? Read what NYT reporter Molly Worthen has to say here.