November Blogger Spotlight

I hope to interview one fellow blogger a month. For November, meet my friend Douglas K. Adu-Boahen, the 17 year old author of Contemplations of a Young Calvinist.

1. Who is the "Black Reforming Kid?"

The Black Reforming Kid is Douglas Robert Kofi Adu-Boahen. I cannot stand that name Robert (neither can my parents – throwback to my grandparents), so I tend to go as Douglas K. Adu-Boahen. The Black Reforming Kid moniker started when I began getting into Reformed theology about a year ago. As a young black man interesting in the teachings of the Reformers, I chose the name to remind myself and others that I was still reforming and still am.

2. Where do you live and what church do you attend?

I live in London, England, and am a member of the Metropolitan Tabernacle Baptist Church in London, but due to some family issues, I’m currently attending my parent’s Pentecostal church.

3. When and how did you become a Christian?

I was born in a Christian home as the son of a pastor, so I “knew” something of what Christianity taught, but it wasn’t until I turned 11 and was confronted with the Gospel that it actually hit me that I wasn’t as good as I thought. Burdened, I went to a Sunday school teacher who simply pointed me to Acts 16:31 and prayed with me.

4. When and how did you become reformed?

As a kid, curiosity has been a lifelong problem of mine. (Some say it is a gift from God – I disagree with them on that LOL). I began reading a lot of weird literature – Watchtower magazines, the literature of Herbert W. Armstrong, Seventh-Day Adventist material and the like. Despite never really agreeing with these guys, one thing they all had in common was bashing Pentecostalism, which I grew up in. So about a year and a half ago, I began to study the Bible and soon found that much of what I had been told didn’t really match.

I got so frustrated and soon rejected much of what I had been taught. I was doing computer odd jobs at the time and had the opportunity to work for a retired Presbyterian preacher who had moved to the area a few years back to be closer to his family. I explained much about the confusion I felt and his response was always to point me to Scripture. One day, I asked him what he believed on such things as God, the Bible, salvation, etc. He always answered my questions with the Bible and a good grasp of theology. I asked him what books I should read and he gave a stack of books. I was still going to church with my parents, but I would take a book with me and soon found that the authors (Berkhof is one shining example) were always pointing to the Bible, which I had never experienced when I read books by Pentecostal authors. Before long, I became convinced of Reformed Baptist theology and haven’t looked back since.

5. Why are you blogging? What do you hope to accomplish?

Now there is a question. I think my aims for blogging have changed between today and when I started. Initially, I will admit I was blogging out of my frustration with the Pentecostalism I had grown up in. As I began to read other blogs, I began to realize there was a lot more to talk about and share. I guess today the aims have become to help encourage young people not to sit on the periphery of the church (especially my fellow Reformed teens) and for them to realize that they have a voice.

6. What Christians (past or present) have had the greatest influence over you?

In terms of immediate influences, I’d have to say that my pastor, Dr. Peter Masters, has been an influence in my life in the short time I’ve known him, through his ability to take the complex truths of the text of Scripture and exposit in a clear, practical way.

Other present influences would include John MacArthur (who has taught me that simply teaching the Bible can produce results – totally different to what I was told growing up), Dr. James White of Alpha and Omega Ministries, who has drilled into my head two words I will most likely never forget: theology matters, C.J. Mahaney and John Piper, who both have demonstrated to me that being Reformed doesn’t dull your spiritual passion and Mark Driscoll (as controversial as he is), who at times will say, in five minutes, what takes some folks days to articulate, and Dr. R.C. Sproul, whose vision of the holiness of God still amazes me.

7. Who are your favorite authors, and what are some of your favorite books?

My favourite authors are John Piper, John MacArthur, Steven J. Lawson and R.C. Sproul, and from past years, Charles Spurgeon, A.W. Tozer, Louis Berkhof and James Boice. Apart from my ESV Bible, I cannot say I have a single favourite, although The Gospel According to Jesus is the closest contender.

8. What are some of the ways that you are serving aside from the Internet?

Well due to my church situation, I’m not able to serve in any meaningful capacity which pains me a great deal.

9. How does Christian life in the U.K. compare to Christian life in the U.S.?

I won’t say that it is 100% the same since we deal with different social climates. The US, to some degree, has a cultural understanding of what Christianity is. In the UK, not so much, and if you do, it is based on American televangelists. On a personal level, it’s no different since you deal with the same temptations, same pressures and same fears.

10. Parting thoughts?

Thanks for the opportunity, Bro. John. I’d like to say one last thing to fellow young people and that is this: folks, there is a huge world out there so get stuck in! I started blogging thinking only 3 readers would still be reading today, but clearly the Lord has other plans. So I encourage fellow young people to get involved in blogging.