“One of the reasons for the rapid growth of the early church was precisely the leadership and help it provided in a number of areas. It offered a better kingdom than that of Caesar.”
~ R. J. Rushdoony
Dear Friend of Chalcedon,
Jesus preached the “gospel of the kingdom” when the Roman Empire was at the zenith of its power. That statist power faded into history as our Lord’s Kingdom grew. Likewise, our statist, humanistic culture is very powerful, but the signs of its weaknesses are many. It’s time we put forth a better culture than the one that has grown up around us. We cannot wait any longer. The time is now for a better society, even if that society lies within another one.
According to the apostle Peter, we are a holy nation called out of darkness and into God’s light (1 Peter 2:9). According to our Lord, we are “the light of the world,” and a “city set on a hill” (Matt. 5:14). However, we are a nation within a nation and a city within a city. Our calling is a simple one:
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matt. 5:16)
Letting our light shine is more than evangelism, because our Lord likens our light to “good works” that men may see. In other words, as a nation within a nation, our good works should be observable.
Offering a Better Kingdom Than Caesar
How can the world see our good works? If we govern ourselves in terms of God’s Word, and we produce good fruit, the world can see it. If their schools decline while ours prosper, they’ll see the positive results of God’s Word. If we have such things as our own welfare, our own education, our own justice, and the like, we will shine more and more as that city on a hill.
As my father mentioned, the early church grew rapidly because of “the leadership and help it provided in a number of areas.” The end result was that the early church “offered a better Kingdom than that of Caesar.” We must do the same, and THAT is the sole purpose of Chalcedon and why you should support it:
The purpose of Chalcedon is to further the thinking and scholarship of a new upper class, of people geared to the future and dedicated to godly reconstruction. (Roots of Reconstruction, p. 717)
Those Who Are Dedicated
How do we produce new leadership in every area of life? We do it through Christian education at every level. This again is the role of Chalcedon. You’ve probably heard me say that Chalcedon is a “think-tank for the self-governing Christian.” That’s because we’re dedicated to equipping the builders of a “better kingdom than that of Caesar!”
Again, this is why I desperately need your financial support right now. The needs are great, but our dedicated supporters always come through for us. And if you’re interested in providing the best support for Chalcedon, there’s a special way that you can do that.
The Chalcedon Underwriter
Where would Chalcedon be without our Underwriters? I shudder to think. They are the ones that keep us working, and I want to encourage you to join their ranks today as a Chalcedon Underwriter.
What is a Chalcedon Underwriter? It’s someone who commits to supporting Chalcedon on a monthly basis. Why is this important? It’s because it gives me a predictable budget from which I can direct the work of Chalcedon in the most effective and cost productive way.
I can’t emphasize the importance of our Underwriters too much. They take the Biblical tithe seriously, because they know that God’s Kingdom must be financed. They know how vital the work of Chalcedon is in providing Christian education for the advancement of God’s Kingdom, and they’re prepared to “underwrite” that mission.
Would you take a few moments today to prayerfully consider working with Chalcedon as an Underwriter? All your financial gifts are tax-deductible, but the real reward comes in knowing that you’re supporting a ministry that best represents your deepest beliefs.
We presently have three levels of support—each with benefits—to choose from:
Bronze Underwriters ($25.00 or more per month) receive:
1. FREE print subscription to the Chalcedon Report and Arise & Build
2. Year-round 25% discount on any book, monograph, audio or video series
3. One annual, year-end FREE book coupon
Silver Underwriters ($50.00 or more per month) receive:
The first two benefits listed under the Bronze level plus…
* Annual 50% discount on a single order
Gold Underwriters ($100.00 or more per month) receive:
Everything included in the Silver level plus a FREE copy of every new book released from Chalcedon/Ross House Books.
Signing up as an Underwriter is easy. Just fill out the enclosed response card today and mail it back to Chalcedon with your first month’s contribution. I’ve also enclosed a self-addressed, postage-paid envelope for your convenience. Or, you can sign up online today at our website. Just visit here to become an Underwriter.
Please take action today. Our work depends on your regular financial support. You can make the difference today!
Let’s offer a better Kingdom than that of Caesar! Support a ministry that represents your beliefs by becoming a Chalcedon Underwriter today. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
- 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. His youngest son still resides with him. He has three married children and nine grandchildren.