What We Cannot See
It is easy to believe “all things work together for good” (Rom. 8:28) when we see encouraging things. This is not a rational understanding of Providence, but a faith that holds to what we cannot in our finitude see. Hope in God. Rest in His mercy and grace.
- Mark R. Rushdoony
My local church here in Calaveras Country has been beset with two very unexpected deaths this summer, one being a child. Now, a young mother, a very sweet Christian, has been diagnosed with a very aggressive form of cancer. One shock has followed another. If we were to look at these three events alone, it would be enough to become despondent.
It is easy to believe “all things work together for good” (Rom. 8:28) when we see encouraging things. It is even possible to believe it when we are merely unable to see how things are working toward a greater good. But it is hard when one tragedy comes after another. What Paul is pointing to is not a rational understanding of Providence, however, but a faith that holds to what we cannot in our finitude see. Hope in God. Rest in His mercy and grace. Is that hard? The alternative is to give in to a nihilism. A belief in nothing. Such a perspective is personally and culturally suicidal.
These are strange times, but there is evidence of a turning. Did you know the largest contingent of churchgoers is people in their twenties? That is a new development and a very encouraging one.
But these times are troublesome, and the road ahead will be difficult. The “great dragon” will make war with the remnant “which keep the testimony of the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Rev. 12:17).
Chalcedon is committed to keeping this “big picture” of the advancing Kingdom of God, and our duties therein, before the remnant. Those who labor with us in this work are greatly 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. 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. He has four married children and nine grandchildren.