Christian Reconstructionism…Michael S. DavisEnglish 104Summer 2003

…And its Social Implication

Thesis:Although the Christian Reconstructionist movement is severely opposed by some and misunderstood by many, Christian Reconstructionism is achieving greater influence in the American culture and society (especially through the home schooling movement).

Intellectual OriginsJewish Religion (B.C.)Jesus’ TeachingsApostolic TeachingsEarly Church FathersReformersPuritans

Source DocumentsOld TestamentNew Testament

Authoritative LiteratureCreeds and CouncilsWritings of Early Church Fathers “Institutes of the Christian Religion,” John Calvin“Westminster Confession of Faith”“Puritan” TheologyCornelius Van Til’s Presuppositional Apologetics

More Literature“Institutes of Biblical Law,” Rousas John Rushdoony“Theonomy in Christian Ethics,” Greg Bahnsen“Days of Vengeance,” David Chilton

History1965 RJ Rushdoony established the Chalcedon Foundation 1973 RJ Rushdoony published “Institutes of Biblical LawHundreds of books, newsletters, articles, treatises, symposiums, debates

Early FoundersCornelius Van TilRousas John RushdoonyGreg BahnsenGary NorthGary DemarDavid ChiltonJames Jordan

Cornelius Van Til1895-1987Professor of ApologeticsWestminster Theological Seminary

Rousas John Rushdoony1916-2001Minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian ChurchMissionary to Chinese in San Francisco and to Western Shoshone Tribe in Idaho

Current StatusLeaders

Gary NorthGary DemarJames JordanKenneth L. Gentry, Jr.Roger SchultzRay SuttonAndrew Sandlin

ActivismRutherford InstituteNational Taxpayers

Party (Now Constitution Party)

National Reform Association

Institute For Christian EconomicsChalcedon Foundation

Christian Reconstructionismand its Social Implication

F am ilyB as ic U n it

F am ilies re flec t B ib lica l va lu es .C h ild ren are p art o f th e C oven an t.

C h u rchC oven an t C om m u n ity

Th e C h u rc h w ill w orsh ip B ib lica lly.S an c tion s w ill b e en fo rced .

S oc ie tyA ll m en are se lf-g ove rn ed .

Th eoc ra tic G overn m en t.C ivil L aw re flec ts G od 's L aw .

C h ris tian R econ s tru c t ionId eo log ies

S ch o lars rig o rou s ly in te rp re t th e L aw -w ord o f G od .C h ris tian s ap p ly th e p rin c ip les in a ll sp h eres o f life .

Isaiah 2:4,11:19And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

In the Kingdom of God… There will be worldwide peace and a life changing love for God… ~Effected by the Word of God ~

TheoryEveryone has a philosophyEveryone lives according to their philosophyWhat you believe philosophically, affects the way you live

ResearchCulmination of two years of research beginning with my conversionRead a few booksUsed the internet to find informationInterviewed a friend

StrategyStudy to know the truthStudy the movement’s beliefs as a followerStudy to impact the beliefs of those around meDiscuss and debate with others

Local InterviewInterviewed a Christian Home school “Mom”Former “Femi-nazi”Already friends with the familySpent an hour and a half in discussion and interview

What I learned…A “Transformational,” Christian World and Life ViewPresuppositional Apologetics

You should know…Faith is not a “Sunday” thing-it applies to all of life and cultureThere is no “neutrality” when it comes to Faith…you are either for or against.

My Connection…I am a “Five-Point” Christian Reconstructionist