The Yardstick of Obedience
Christian Reconstruction is a term that was coined by my father, R.J. Rushdoony, when he began Chalcedon in 1965. He used the term to refer to what he saw as the responsibility, the job description if you will, of citizens of the Kingdom of God in an apostate era. He felt they were to focus on going back to the basics of faithfulness to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
A number of individuals have picked up the mantle of Christian Reconstruction over the years only to discard it at some point. Several have conveniently justified themselves by declaring Christian Reconstruction dead or failed. This betrays a lack of understanding on their part as to the nature of Christian Reconstruction.
Christian Reconstruction was not a five- or ten-year political plan, nor was it a promotional campaign the success of which could be determined by its acceptance in the marketplace of ideas. Christian Reconstruction is an analogy of difficult, long-term responsibilities of Christians. Its ultimate success has always been dependent on the timing and regenerative and sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. Unlike construction or restoration work, Christian Reconstruction cannot set a time frame for its completion. It can only describe the immediate work that must be done towards something we cannot fully even envision. Because the means of Christian Reconstruction is faithfulness to God’s law-word, our yardstick is our own obedience, not the success of any short-term outcome we might hope for.
Christian Reconstruction is about responsibility, so it is a hard sell. To this point, the church has not yet accepted the fundamental pre-requisite for Christian Reconstruction, which is theonomy. Therefore, we are still in the process of recalling the church to its duties. The old covenant history of Israel clearly indicates that God will not bless His people when they are disobedient.
It all sounds impossible, doesn’t it? Yet with God all things are possible.
We appreciate all those who stand with us in our task of encouraging Christians in the work of the Kingdom.
Topics: Biblical Law, Christian Reconstruction, Culture , Dominion, Government, Humanism, Justice, R. J. Rushdoony, Theology