Some years ago when we decided to add a second bi-monthly publication in addition to the Chalcedon Report, we knew we had to come up with a name. We wanted one that would convey something of our mission or message. We called the publication Arise and Build, borrowed from a phrase in Nehemiah 2:20.
The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.
The message of Nehemiah then was much like that of Christian Reconstructionists today. He had returned to Jerusalem to oversee its reconstruction, beginning with its walls. Though Jews had previously returned, the city was still a mass of ruins left over from its destruction decades earlier by the Babylonians. Hebrew influence in the region had declined to an insignificant level and various other groups held sway. They were careful not to openly attack the Jews because they had returned with permission and blessing of the Persian emperor. Still, they were obstructionists unwilling to easily give up their hegemony so they challenged Nehemiah and his stated intent. That is when Nehemiah plainly said that the people of God would “arise and build” regardless of their attempts to hinder.
Likewise, we have work to do. We must “arise and build,” do the work of the Kingdom despite those who feel they have inherited its dominion. Nehemiah prepared the people to repel attacks, but their first duty was to build.
This is the phase in which the church now finds itself. We have suffered inward apostasy and outward reverse, but our duty is also to “arise and build.”
Those who help in this work of building upon the rock, Jesus Christ, are much appreciated.
- 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.