His Greatest Impact Is Yet Future
History is replete with examples of important figures lost to mythology and absurdly fanciful depictions because their real history is largely lost. My father has also been the subject of such fictions, largely due to his critics whose motive is to posture him as a person that must be dismissed.
- Mark R. Rushdoony
Last month, Chalcedon published my biography of my father. With dozens of his own books in print, one might be inclined to ask why I thought a biography was needed. Aren’t his own words more important than a recitation of things about him personally?
In a word, yes, they are, and one of my reasons for delaying a biography was that he would not think one was important.
Yet, it is because of that point, his historical importance that I moved forward with this biography. Though his life is less important than his ministry, I believe the issues he addressed will become more important in the coming years. His greatest impact is yet future because the church must address issues he brought up that it has thus far chosen to ignore.
History is replete with examples of important figures lost to mythology and absurdly fanciful depictions because their real history is largely lost (think St. Patrick, St Valentine, and St. Nicholas). My father (thanks to social media rumors and internet-based false narratives) has also been the subject of such fictions, largely due to his critics whose motive is to posture him as a person that must be dismissed.
For these reasons and more, I decided to go on the record so as to force some semblance of parameters to future historians. My father’s legacy was his writing and that will continue to be true. My hope is that my words will force some accountability to truth moving forward.
The much-needed assistance of Chalcedon supporters empowers us to make sure my father’s ministry continues for years to come.
- Mark R. Rushdoony
Mark R. Rushdoony graduated from Los Angeles Baptist College (now The Master’s College) with a B.A. in history in 1975 and was ordained to the ministry in 1995.
He taught junior and senior high classes in history, Bible, civics and economics at a Christian school in Virginia for three years before joining the staff of Chalcedon in 1978. He was the Director of Chalcedon Christian School for 14 years while teaching full time. He also helped tutor all of his children through high school.
In 1998, he became the President of Chalcedon and Ross House Books, and, more recently another publishing arm, Storehouse Press. Chalcedon and its subsidiaries publish many titles plus CDs, mp3s, and an extensive online archive at www.chalcedon.edu. His biography of his father will be published later this year (2024).
He has written scores of articles for Chalcedon’s publications, both the Chalcedon Report and Faith for all of Life. He was a contributing author to The Great Christian Revolution (1991). He has spoken at numerous conferences and churches in the U.S. and abroad.
Mark Rushdoony has lived in Vallecito, California, since 1978. His wife, Darlene, and he have been married since 1976. He has four married children and nine grandchildren.