Can We Sanctify Folly?
If the world lacks sound judgment in coping with its problems, it is because the church has failed to teach it properly, or to set a godly example.
- R. J. Rushdoony,
CA Farmer 254:5 (March 7, 1981), p. 29.
They are a multi-millionaire older couple widely known for their gifts to Christian causes. They regard themselves as good, Bible-believing Christians. They have two children, a boy and a girl, both in their late thirties. They have never given their very fine and godly son a nickel in help; their son was in a serious accident and unable to work for some time, while awaiting an insurance settlement. His wife went to work to support them until he was able to work again.
The daughter is a mess. She has drifted into a few bad marriages, and some other beds as well. She is ready to “try anything”—except Jesus Christ. Her parents feel sorry for her, and they have subsidized her generously over the years. “Life,” they say sadly, has been very rough on their “little girl.” The girl has been rather very rough with her own life!
Now these two people are prominent “Christians.” When they themselves, and many like them, are soft on sin, should we be surprised if judges and juries treat criminals better than their victims are treated? Need we be surprised at all the bleeding heart antics of millions on behalf of the guilty, homosexuals, pornographers, and others? After all, if “Christians” are soft on unrepentant sinners, why should the world be any different?
I once heard a minister claim that there had to be another reading originally to Matthew 18:23–34, where our Lord plainly states that sin must be paid for! The man wanted a cheap forgiveness, and a meaningless grace.
If the world lacks sound judgment in coping with its problems, it is because the church has failed to teach it properly, or to set a godly example. If the world is easy on sinners but hard on the godly, can we complain, if like this older couple, we are the same?
If wisdom and righteousness do not begin at the house of God, then judgment will (1 Pet. 4:17). We dare not sanctify our folly.
- R. J. Rushdoony
Rev. R.J. Rushdoony (1916–2001), was a leading theologian, church/state expert, and author of numerous works on the application of Biblical law to society. He started the Chalcedon Foundation in 1965. His Institutes of Biblical Law (1973) began the contemporary theonomy movement which posits the validity of Biblical law as God’s standard of obedience for all. He therefore saw God’s law as the basis of the modern Christian response to the cultural decline, one he attributed to the church’s false view of God’s law being opposed to His grace. This broad Christian response he described as “Christian Reconstruction.” He is credited with igniting the modern Christian school and homeschooling movements in the mid to late 20th century. He also traveled extensively lecturing and serving as an expert witness in numerous court cases regarding religious liberty. Many ministry and educational efforts that continue today, took their philosophical and Biblical roots from his lectures and books.