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Scribes of the Kingdom of Heaven

By Mark R. Rushdoony
April 24, 2023

Forty years ago, my father challenged a peculiar theological statement by a Christian author. When the writer said he intended to be innovative in his Biblical commentary, my father responded with, "We are not called to be innovative; we are called to be faithful."

This represents our calling as individuals and Chalcedon's as a ministry. Christian Reconstruction was a term coined to describe the responsibility of Christians in a period of declining faithfulness. It was a new expression of the duty of faithfulness in the Master's absence.

Our Lord expressed this in a very beautiful passage, one we often overlook. He told his disciples (Matt. 13:52) that they must be "scribes" of the Kingdom of Heaven. A scribe was an expert on God's law. They are sometimes referred to in the gospels as "lawyers," in fact.

As scribes of God's Kingdom, the disciples were to bring out this treasure of knowledge, "things new and old." Both are necessary. The "old" represented the established, honored teaching and applications, but the "new" was also important. While holding to all the "old," their new scribal declarations made them fresh and relevant. So too, must Christian Reconstruction work from a position of orthodoxy, but then make "new" application. Just as a civil lawyer bases his new appeal on "old" established jurisprudence, we are to seek fresh ways of bringing all of life and thought into subjection to our Lord and King. This is Chalcedon's purpose, and we are grateful for those who support our work in this effort.


Topics: Biblical Law, Christian Reconstruction

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.

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 lives in Vallecito, California, his home of 43 years with his wife of 45 years and his youngest son. He has three married children and nine grandchildren.

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