Time: A Resource not an Enemy
Time is our God-given resource to be used in the advancement of His kingdom.
- Mark R. Rushdoony
Each New Year’s Day reminds us of the passing of time. When I was in school, 1984 was still the futuristic world of George Orwell. If the calendar does not remind us of the passing of time, certainly a look in the mirror will.
When I was in high school, I remember watching Burl Ives recite a poem about the passing of time in which he expressed frustration, then anger at the march of time. It was a moving performance by the veteran singer/actor, but my father happened by at that moment and commented that anger at the passing of time was a wicked perspective because time is not our enemy but our resource that we use as long as God gives us breath to further the advance of His kingdom.
When we are tempted to bemoan the passing of time, it is worth remembering Isaiah’s prophecy of the course of history after the advent of the Messiah:
Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. (Is. 9:7)
As time passes, we need to keep this “big picture” in view, because time leads ever closer to the fullness of the Kingdom of God and His Christ.
- 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.