Join (or Listen in to) the Conversation

Exhibit hall attendees, who visit the Chalcedon booth at conferences, notice our banner with the simple message: Read Rushdoony.  Why are we so interested in people reading the books of R. J. Rushdoony? 

It can be beneficial, at times, to receive a pre-digested version of Rushdoony’s thinking. How much more nutritious (to keep the analogy going) to digest it for oneself. That said, I realize that not all people are immediately primed to appreciate his teaching.  For this reason, we launched the Chalcedon Book of the Month Club.  For those who read his books but have questions, or for those who just need to discuss the ideas and implications of those ideas, having a group of like-minded people to converse with proves helpful.  So far we have available on our website 12 such discussions moderated by various people. 

Our most recent meeting covered  Noble Savages: Exposing the Worldview of Pornographers and Their War against Christian Civilization. I think it is one of our most important conversations to date.  It shed light on the recent revelations of sexual misconduct from Hollywood and the media by demonstrating just how consistent the world and life view behind them stem from the philosophy of the Marquis de Sade.  I think you will find the discussion (just over an hour long) fruitful for your understanding. 

Next month’s discussion will focus on The Luxury of Words: Poems of R. J. Rushdoony.  Many are surprised to discover Rush wrote poetry.  However, he wrote these poems over the course of many decades, more for himself and directed to God, than for any human audience.  The collection that Chalcedon has published provides a window into the soul of Rushdoony and augments our understanding of his life’s work.

Author, Suzannah Rowntree will moderate our discussion on February 5.  (You may register here.) She has provided the following questions for participants to consider before joining the discussion. 

·         Which poem was your favorite, and why?

·         Was there a poem that you found challenging? Why?

·         How do the poems change (in tone, content, or style) over the decades?

·         What are some ideas that recur in multiple poems throughout the book?

·         We all know Rushdoony primarily as an author of theology. What themes from his theology do you see appearing in his poetry?

·         Was there something new that you learned about Rushdoony through reading his poetry?

 Let me encourage you to take advantage of both the live and recorded discussions of Chalcedon’s Book of the Month Club.  They will do much to help you digest for yourself, the fundamentals of Christian Reconstruction. Your understanding of how to more fully participate in furthering the Kingdom of God will be greatly enhanced.

(For a special treat, listen to the audio album, that participants at the Chalcedon Fiftieth Anniversary Celebrations received, highlighting some of Rush's poetry.)