"The key question thus is, not, when will the humanistic state collapse, but, when will Christian reconstruction establish forces sufficient to create a new and godly order?
When will the change occur? The forces for change are already at work, and Christian Schools and renewed Christian scholarship are basic to them."
~ R. J. Rushdoony (Roots of Reconstruction, p. 1027)
Dear Friend of Chalcedon,
We speak so much of humanism, statism, liberalism, conspiracies, and more that we forget that our real battle is against something much greater than man. The Apostle Paul writes, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" (Eph. 6:12).
In the end, our battle is against the kingdom of darkness, but as Paul also said, "Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience" (Eph. 2:2).
We battle against wicked spirits, but our confrontation is with man and the organized sin that serves as the front for celestial evil. In short, our wrestling is both with heavenly and earthly powers.
Contending by Reconstruction
How can we as Christians contend with such things? First, as the children of disobedience walk according to the prince of the power of the air, so we walk according to the Spirit (Rom. 8:4) by whom we live (Gal. 5:25).
Second, as fallen men organize their sin in the state, and in their culture, so the godly must organize righteousness by means of establishing a godly order. This is the meaning of Christian Reconstruction.
And third, just as the devil needs only a foothold (Eph. 4:27), so we must continue to exploit the place we've secured thus far by building on the great work in Christian education and Christian scholarship.
Scholarship That Applies the Faith
Since 1965, the Chalcedon Foundation has led the way in reconstructing Christian education and Christian scholarship. Our fundamental premise has always been that effective theology is applied theology-that scholarship isolated to the academy will create little to no change in society. Our faith is for all of life!
Through the work of Chalcedon, thousands upon thousands of families embraced their responsibility to provide their children with a distinctly Christian education. Out of this also came a great homeschooling movement and a multiplicity of Christian schools.
Chalcedon helped to create an increase in a Christian scholarship that sought to apply God's law to every sphere of life from economics to art, from medicine to science, and from church to state. Great political activism ensued, and despite significant challenges, Christians are now seriously engaged in the political process.
These accomplishments are our foothold in history, and it is on these fronts that we must continue to devote our efforts. That's why I'm writing you today. I would like you to consider partnering with Chalcedon to advance the great work of Christian Reconstruction during a time when Christians are most willing to listen.
During this time each year, I write this letter to our readers to ask them to prayerfully consider becoming a Chalcedon Underwriter by making a monthly commitment to this ministry. More than anything else, it's the regular, generous, tax-deductible support of our Underwriters that enables us to continue our work which is now into its 49th year!
Our Underwriters determine our budget, and our budget determines the work we'll accomplish in a given year. As you can imagine, we rely heavily upon our Underwriters, but they also understand the important role they play in Christian education. Were it not for their faith, vision, and sacrifice, Chalcedon would not be here publishing and promoting the work of Christian Reconstruction.
Please consider supporting Chalcedon as an Underwriter by choosing one of the levels listed below and signing up by March 31, 2014. You can do this by visiting our website at www.chalcedon.edu/support/chalcedon-underwriter.
Bronze Underwriters ($25.00 or more per month) receive:
1. FREE print and web subscription to Faith for All of Life
2. Year-round 25% discount on any book, monograph, audio or video series
3. One annual year-end FREE book coupon
Silver Underwriters ($50.00 or more per month) receive:
1. FREE print and web subscription to Faith for All of Life
2. Year-round 25% discount on any book, monograph, audio or video series
3. FREE access to our online archive of mp3 sermons and lectures
4. Annual 50% discount on a single order
Gold Underwriters ($100.00 or more per month) receive:
1. FREE print and web subscription to Faith for All of Life
2. Year-round 25% discount on any book, monograph, audio or video series
3. FREE access to our online archive of mp3 sermons and lectures
4. Annual 50% discount on a single order
5. A FREE copy of every new book released from Chalcedon/Ross House Books
Please act today. Chalcedon desperately needs your support. You have the power to make the difference in 2014! Go now to sign up as a Chalcedon Underwriter.
In His Service,
Mark R. Rushdoony
P.S. When will Christian Reconstruction establish forces sufficient to create a new and godly order? Chalcedon is devoted to this cause, and we need your help as an Underwriter to do it. Please sign up before March 31, 2014.
- 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.