"This insistence in Scripture is basic to the fact that in Christendom the goal for all has been literacy, knowledge of God's law-word, and wisdom. True Christianity is a faith for students, for those who seek wisdom and understanding."
~ R. J. Rushdoony (Deuteronomy, p. 69)
Dear Friend of Chalcedon,
There is no doubt that much of contemporary Christianity does not offer the wisdom and understanding-derived from the law-word of God-that creates godly civilization. What is offered instead is a smorgasbord of "feel good" messages that do nothing more than reduce the faith to something that serves the whims of man instead of pressing the Crown Rights of Christ in every area of life. As my father, R. J. Rushdoony, once wrote:
"The major concern of most church members is not the Lord's battles, nor the urgency to make a stand against compromise, but, ‘How can I best enjoy life?'" (Chariots of Prophetic Fire, p. 2)
The heavenly goal for man on earth is literacy, wisdom, knowledge, and understanding, but this is not for man's satisfaction. It is so that we may better function as executives under God, and that we may be more faithful, because it's faithfulness over time that separates the third and fourth grounds in our Lord's parable of the sower:
"Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires of other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful." Mark 4:18-19
It takes time for an otherwise faithful Christian to lose sight of God's promised victory in history and begin to allow cares and desires to overtake them. I've seen this happen time and again with Christian Reconstructionists. They begin with great excitement, but the real proving comes with time. When they don't see any major cultural transformations, they question their doctrine and move on.
But those who can maintain that vision of victory through all seasons are the ones who produce a hundredfold return (v. 20). These are the ones our Lord refers to as "called, chosen, and faithful" (Rev. 17:14).
Chalcedon's mission is to equip the faithful to "hear and understand."
My father continually emphasized that what God required most from us was faithfulness. God wasn't expecting that we change the world by ourselves, or win the world in a single generation. The Kingdom is the Lord's (Mt. 6:13). Our responsibility is to consistently apply our faith.
But those whom the Lord calls "good ground" are those who "hear the word and understand it" (Mt. 13:23). They are the ones who produce fruit over the long term. This is Chalcedon's mission: to better ensure that Christians hear and understand the word of the Kingdom.
We want to help produce more literate Christians that hunger for wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. We want to create a passion for God's law in believers all over the world. In short, Chalcedon must do its part in making sure the seed falls on good ground, so our focus is on making Christians good ground!
Ten Years After, Chalcedon Continues Its Mission
This year we recognized the tenth year since the passing of my father in 2001, and I believe he would be delighted to see how Chalcedon continues to bring the message of the Kingdom of God to a generation lost in the darkness of humanism. He would also be amazed to see the advancements in technology that allow anyone in the world to read his books at no cost to them.
Chalcedon remains a small ministry, but our impact is a great one. We were reminded of this recently as major news outlets such as CNN and TIME Magazine have reported on the so-called threat of Christian dominion. We anticipate seeing this type of reporting during election cycles, but it always demonstrates the power of our ideas, although the media pundits hardly understand our doctrines.
If it's the power of our ideas that are making the impact, then I want to minimize any restraint to those ideas getting out to new readers. This is where I need your help. As I've written to you previously, I have taken a significant step of faith by making these resources freely accessible online, but I believe it was the right one.
Still, it makes the role of our financial supporters that more vital to our continuing this mission. I need your support. Please send the most generous tax-deductible gift you can to Chalcedon this month, or take a few moments to consider becoming a regular supporter as one of our Underwriters. You can learn more about becoming an Underwriter here.
It's your tax-deductible financial gifts that sustain our labors, and I know you desire nothing more than to see Chalcedon continue the work of Christian Reconstruction during one of the most opportune times in modern history. Humanism is collapsing and evangelicals have no answer. Our time has come. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
In His Service,
Mark R. Rushdoony
P.S. The mission of Chalcedon is to equip Christians to hear and understand the word of the Kingdom. When they do, they'll become faithful. When that happens, we begin to possess the Kingdom. Please help Chalcedon do this by sending the most generous tax-deductible gift you can this month.
- 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.