I recall over fifty years ago, while I was still in elementary school, my father commented in a sermon that it was difficult at times to carry on a conversation with the neighbors. Any substantive conversation led to a conflict of world and life views. His point was that community is difficult to maintain when there is no communion, no shared faith and ethical structure.
Fast forward to the present. We live in what one commentator several years ago called a “cold civil war.” Every issue reflects a polarization of opinions elevated to the level of moral absolutes. Every man is now a law unto himself and a judge of all matters. Athletes and other entertainers feel a need to preach self-righteously to their audiences. Even comedians often feel the need to pander to a particular group, sometimes seeming to delight in offending all others.
It is not just America that is dysfunctional. Historian Otto Scott spoke of “the thin veneer of civilization.” He was right. It was a common Christian faith that provided a moral unity to Christendom. Without it, the “thin veneer” is disappearing, and the chaotic violence of sinful man is reappearing. Not only are we a humanistic people, but we are increasingly ignorant of our Christian past. The “Christian capital” of the past is now largely depleted.
If this sounds pessimistic, I only intend it to be so regarding the future of humanism. Look around you. Is ours a culture of promise for the future? The failure of humanism is a traumatic event in our culture, but a necessary one. Let it die. Replace it with something better.
The world in the first century was even worse. It was a brutal world in which tyranny and injustice prevailed. Into that world, Jesus came and preached the gospel of the Kingdom of God. For some time, that kingdom grew. Since the Enlightenment, we have seen the West retreat into pagan humanism. America held out longer than Europe but has now succumbed. Our lifetimes will be seen as a low ebb in the developing kingdom, but not the last chapter. Jesus is Lord, not the loser in time and history. If we stay faithful to His reign and law-word, we are on the winning side of history.
We appreciate all those who help us in our efforts to stand in terms of the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the certain victory of His Kingdom.
- 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.