The Driving Force of the Kingdom
The dynamic of the Christian era is not of men but because of the Kingdom of Heaven powered by the Holy Spirit.
- Mark R. Rushdoony,
The year “2020” seems futuristic doesn’t it?
In some ways life passes by very quickly, but in others so slowly it seems a though there is no change. The days, months, and years of our lives seem to pass by faster and faster. When we were young, a school year seemed like an eternity. Now, we see our children and grandchildren go through stages of life before our eyes. Scripture compares our lives to flowers of the field that bloom in spring only to fade away in the heat of summer.
In other ways we feel as though things are standing still. When we see the evils of the world and the futility of anything apart from God, it seems as though men have made no progress at all. That is, in fact, the case. Men make no progress because they are sinners. Their natural progression is morally downward. Yet the dynamic of the Christian era is not of men but because of the Kingdom of Heaven powered by the Holy Spirit. Men can serve it, but they are not its driving force. Few individuals in history can be singled out as having advanced the Kingdom. Those we remember are noteworthy because they recall men to some aspect of faithfulness. Many of those were themselves badly mistreated.
No man or human institution advances the Kingdom. It is wholly the work and timing of God. All we can do is pledge our faithfulness to Him and His Lord, and pray, with the martyrs in heaven, “How long, Oh Lord?”
The financial contributions of our supporters enable our humble kingdom labor. We hope to have some important news in the coming year about our work. Your prayers are 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.
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.