Do you ever wonder how Chalcedon is funded? Chalcedon operates on a modest budget made possible when our readers use the little envelope we enclose in each magazine.
As you can imagine, donations may fluctuate widely from month to month, making long-term planning virtually impossible. That's where our underwriters come in. By pledging $25.00 or more every month, this "Gideon's Band" of 300 underwrites our core functions — allowing us to plan ahead without lurching from crisis to crisis. Our underwriters are small in number but huge in heart and impact! They provide the foundation for all we build on.
Why do people decide to underwrite Chalcedon's work? We recently asked our underwriters that question and thought you'd be interested in their responses. Can you detect any common themes?
Douglas and Carrol Canning: "The Underwriters Program captures the essence of Chalcedon's ministry: long-term sustained giving which in turn enables the long-term sustained growth and development of the Kingdom of Christ in every area of life. It is tremendously encouraging to see God using Chalcedon's Underwriters as the building blocks for restoring Christian civilization into the next millennium and beyond!"
Dennis Clarys: "What you and others write about is God's truth."
Doug and Maureen Dahl: "Serving as underwriters for Chalcedon gives us a special tie to the organization, its work, and its people. The new monographs serve as excellent introductions to the tenets of Christian Reconstruction. They've enabled us to present the truth of God's plan for victory to many friends and acquaintances who have previously heard nothing but the sensationalistic fantasies of self-proclaimed 'end-times prophecy experts.' We think of it as a secondary form of 'snatching brands from the fire.' We look forward to participating in another challenging and rewarding year with Chalcedon. It is our great joy to co-labor with you, even in this modest way."
Robert and Kristina Dahlin: "I guess Dr. Rushdoony's view of the law's being applicable to all areas of life is what convinced me and changed everything in my life: How I raise my family, how I love my wife, how I worship God, how I teach my children, my relationship with others, etc. God used you as the means to lead us down the road to the Reformed Faith: we had no church within 100 miles of our home to teach us the true, Biblical faith. Dr. Rushdoony's teaching on postmillennialism and the dominion mandate has given us a greater vision and more courage as we look at the job ahead of us in bringing all things under subjection to Christ. Finally, the reason we underwrite the Chalcedon Report is because the Report was sent to us for 7 or 8 years faithfully when we gave nothing in return. Now, understanding the value and being able to give a little, we rejoice to share what little we can with you. It was the Chalcedon Report's teaching on the separation of governments that led us to the conviction to get my severely mentally handicapped father out of a state mental institution after 10 years, realizing the job of caring for our family does not belong to the state. He now is very happy to live here with us on our farm, with his twelve grandchildren around him (and another on the way)."
Giuseppe DiTrapani: "I am delighted to express my heartfelt gratitude for the Chalcedon ministry. Delighted because I've been so illuminated (just look at all the darkness around). The expression of my faith is the strength of my life. And the gratitude in my heart is the drive of my inexhaustive energy. I support Chalcedon because it supports me."
Justin and Melanie Dock: "Chalcedon is the main source of information pertaining to the rule of God in all areas of life. We found — no exaggeration — complete, total, satisfaction in understanding of God's Word as espoused by Chalcedon. Lightning bolt! There is now purpose and meaning in every single thing we do. God by His grace chose to reveal that to us by Chalcedon!"
Bernard and Helen Duskin: "We have known Rev. Rushdoony for many years going back to the times when he would speak to us at a Christian school when our children were students there. He helped to mold our understanding of Christianity. We received the guidance that provided a firm foundation of history and theology, not man's logic. By this we were set on a course of understanding what God is really doing in the world which gives us the confidence that righteousness does not only exalt a nation, but also our lives. Through this theology we are able to realize joy and peace in a world that some others think has gone mad."
Dr. Nicholas and Janie Edwards: "What comes out of Chalcedon is real food from the Word of God. Knowing that God's Word is true has been established in my heart firmly and forever by the Holy Spirit and materials from Chalcedon."
David and Iris Guild: "Our main opportunity for an effective outreach of the Gospel is through support of the worldwide ministry that you are accomplishing at Chalcedon. The first part of our tithe is sent to the Chalcedon Foundation because we know it will be used for the furtherance of the Gospel and for the glory of the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord. We know the Lord of all grace has blessed your work (i.e., Zambia, orphans, distribution of the Report, conferences, book publishing, etc.) and we trust He will continue to do so through the faithful declaration of the truth and principles of God's Word for every area of life. We appreciate the dedication and hard work for the cause of Christ that you and your staff are constantly doing."
Dorothy Hatfield: "I am thankful and grateful for all the great work Chalcedon is doing. So often we pray the Lord's Prayer and advance of the 'Thy Kingdom Come Thy Will Be Done On Earth' petition. It is certainly being furthered through Chalcedon's leadership and efforts. A good foundation for a new Christian civilization is being made."
LaVerne and Frances Hill: "After reading many books from Dr. Rushdoony and others, we are more convinced that Chalcedon has real answers to the world's problems, and we want to be a part of it all."
Robert and Susan Hiltebeitel: "We believe that as our family grows (home, church, etc.) we also are working in the foundational areas of a Christian society. As Underwriters of Chalcedon, you have supplied us with many tools with which to do our job. Thank God, we can be a part of your support, as we see Chalcedon as being central to the reformed nation and world that we expect our 'seed' to dwell in."
Eric and Ronda Holmberg: "As we find ourselves besieged by the enemies of Christ on every side, praise God for a ministry like Chalcedon that boldly declares the only proper response for a follower of the Most High, 'There's no place they can run from us now'! As more and more Christians repent of the heresy of premillennial 'dispensationalism' and take seriously the parting words of our resurrected Lord, Chalcedon's prophetic voice will become increasingly vital."
Dr. Herbert W. Hopper, Sr.: "Chalcedon is consistent in its exposition of God's Word and how His Word should be worked out in the lives of His followers — right here on this earth. Chalcedon is persistent in the ways that it adheres to the absolute sovereignty of God."
James M. Jarrell: "Christianity for me quickly became unrealistic and irrational. The intellectual absurdity presented to me in United Methodist Christianity drove me quickly to a humanistic attitude that placed me at the center of all my thinking. I left the church in my early teens. The efforts of Chalcedon, by the grace of God, finally proved to me that Christianity is much more than simple emotionalism and intellectual absurdity. Christianity is not irrational, but the only true basis of rationality. Consequently, reality must then be constructed in terms of a Biblical worldview. Christianity is not an impotent faith, but a life-changing force which will ultimately prevail in triumph. As an underwriter, I am honored that I can help further the efforts of such a noble and most importantly Godly cause. I applaud Chalcedon for standing strong on the triumphant faith of Jesus Christ in a world dominated by compromise and corruption."
Ruth Sawall: "Chalcedon material has given me insight into eschatology. It makes sense, gives me hope and enthusiasm in my faith. The more Chalcedon material I read and hear, the stronger my faith grows and the more excited I become. Chalcedon picked up where my church left off. Your material is the best. As we influence other Christians, the body of Christ will represent a force that will change history."
Jeffrey P. Sexton, Major, U. S. Army: "The ministry of Chalcedon is unique and supplies me with information and perspectives on Christianity and this world that I receive from no one else. I appreciate Chalcedon's articulation of a plan for Christian success in all areas of life. My Christian education has increased tremendously through reading Chalcedon works."
Dave and Susie Turnbaugh: "The reason Susie and I support the ministry of Chalcedon regularly is because it is the first Christian ministry that we became acquainted with that is laying a proper foundation for long-term Biblical reformation. The money that we give to Chalcedon does not go toward quick fixes for the problems of society; but it will bear fruit in generations to come."
Gary Wagner Family: "We know the money is used in the best possible and most economical way to advance the Lordship of our King Christ Jesus. My love for Rush and Chalcedon runs deep and I can think of no other ministry where my meager support could be put to a great cause!"
Anthony and Margaret Young: "In 1983 God sovereignly caused me and my wife to be present at a seminar in Sydney, Australia and to hear Dr. Rushdoony. From that time on Chalcedon graciously posted the Report to us regularly. Through this, God has gradually but radically changed our thinking, from a limited evangelical view to a better understanding of the whole counsel of His Word and how it applies to all of life (we will ever be indebted to Chalcedon for this). We have much joy in being underwriters, it gives us the opportunity of being (by God's grace) a very small part of what He is doing in our generation towards His final and certain victory. It is a tremendous privilege!"
Roger and Rebecca Vrooman: "Where I am today in my faith I owe to R. J. Rushdoony and all of you who contribute to the Chalcedon Report."
If, after reading these testimonials, displaying the team spirit, unity, purpose, sense of real participation in laying the foundation for the restoration of Christian civilization, you're interested in becoming an underwriter (and receiving a 40% discount on selected books, a special quarterly update on our progress as well as a few "surprises" throughout the year), just e-mail me or drop a note and ask for "Underwriters Information." You may think your five loaves and two fish are of little help, but our Lord can multiply your giving to help thousands. We pray that Underwriters will continue to grow as an instrument of blessing. As we have said for years on our thank-you letter, "Your giving establishes the limits of our work, humanly speaking."
To find out how you can become a Chalcedon Underwriter and receive a personal quarterly progress report on Reconstruction projects around the world, please contact us:
Chalcedon Underwriters
P.O. Box 158
Vallecito, CA. 95251
(209) 736-4365 phone
(209) 736-0536 fax
[email protected]
- 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.