44. Reconstruction in the Media and Arts

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.

John Saunders (1938-2009) While working in missile and aerospace, he got involved in community theater and was discovered, and did his first televison show (Bonanza) in 1968. For the next 22 years he worked in more than 130 film and television shows. He loved studying and sharing his Christian faith.  He produced the Western Conference on the Media and the Arts for Chalcedon. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, 6 children and 13 grandchildren.