ChalcedonReport M I N I S T R Y N E W S F R O M T H E C H A L C E D O N F O U N D A T I O N® FEBRUARY 2025

This is How We Should Live

The answer to the Great Antinomianism is clear cut: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every
word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4). It is that every word that man must
hear, believe, and obey. It is the infallible word, and there is not another kind of word from God.1

I s it possible to reduce the thinking

of R. J. Rushdoony, or Christian
Reconstruction, to a single idea? For the
word that proceeds from God’s mouth,
and as God’s prophetic people, we are
to continually cast aside humanistic
he was driven to understand how the
Scriptures speak to every sphere of life,
not simply our individual sanctification,
critic, Rushdoony represents the primary thinking that we might better understand as important as that is. When Rush
source material for a frightening religious and apply God’s thought to every area of was once asked how he writes his book,
dystopia of unelected clerics who rule life as it says in Romans 12: he prefaced his answer with a simple
an unwilling population with Old 1. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by description of the central motive for his
Testament law as their public policies. the mercies of God, that ye present your scholarly calling:
Over the years, this conspiracy theory bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable I’m always studying because I’m
appears almost seasonally particularly unto God, which is your reasonable interested in something. I want to
with presidential election cycles. service. explore something. I want to know what
For critics within Reformed circles, 2 And be not conformed to this world: God’s Word is for it.3
the critique is typically leveled at but be ye transformed by the renewing This is why he saw his own work as
theonomy taking God’s law too far and/ of your mind, that ye may prove what is merely scratching the surface of the work
or the postmillennial over-confidence of that good, and acceptable, and perfect, that needed to be done. To rethink all
Christian dominion. will of God. areas of life in terms of God’s Word is
Both critiques miss the fundamental Was that not Rushdoony’s mission? beyond the capacity of a single scholar,
idea in Rushdoony’s thought, which is Did he not devote himself to proving or even a single ministry. This is a calling
that man shall live by every word that that good, acceptable, and perfect will of for all of us as we look for ways to apply
proceeds from God’s mouth (Deut. 8:3; God for all areas of life and thought? For God’s Word utilizing the tithe as a means
Matt. 4:4), and like it or not, there are him, this was how a Christian expresses to underwriting Christian institutions,
implications for such a comprehensive dependency upon God’s every word and charity, and other dominion work.
world and life view. We would argue submits himself to it: We are to live by every word that
the implications are most certainly the To pick and choose at God’s word is to proceeds out of the mouth of God, and
victory of God in history. place ourselves above it and to reduce it this has implications for every area of
Good, Acceptable, and Perfect to a resource for man to use. The true life and thought. What came about by
prophet stands on the whole word of the quiet revolution of Christian schools
When our Lord retorted to Satan
God, without reservations. Christ as the and homeschooling must now extend
that man shall live by every word of faithful prophet answers Satan each time
God (Matt. 4:4) the obvious reference to more areas of life as we “take back”
with Scripture, declaring, “It is written”
was the law, the prophets, the psalms, (Matt. 4:4,7,10).2
government by self-government in terms
and the wisdom literature, i.e., the Old of God’s law-word.
Testament. Now, as New Testament Taking Back by Self-Government
1. R. J. Rushdoony, Systematic Theology in Two
believers, we have in addition the Of course, it’s much easier for the
Volumes (Vallecito, CA: Ross House Books, 1994),
gospels and epistles which are equally Christian to think of God’s Word only p. 23.
God’s infallible word and replete with in terms of matters of the heart, but 2. Ibid., p. 284.
God’s revealed will for His people. the end result is the cultural decline 3. https://www.youtube.com/
Therefore, they are also part of every we’re witnessing today. For Rushdoony, watch?v=SXbPcuiXZ2Q

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 Can Eschatology Be Made Practical?
Chalcedon’s Leadership Makes That Case.
Mark Rushdoony and Martin Selbrede sit down to discuss “eschatons.”

I f there is any doctrine that can easily go

off the rails it is eschatology. If there’s
any teaching that will draw a crowd, it’s
one that promotes how current world
events reveal that we’re nearing the end
of all things. As you’ll see momentarily,
there is a more insightful way to view
eschatology and one that will truly
shape the future. This was the topic of
a recent Chalcedon Podcast episode on
“Eschatology & Restoring God’s Order.”
Inspired by R. J. Rushdoony’s
concept of eschatons, Mark Rushdoony
and Martin Selbrede discussed salient
points about how ethics shape both
human history and our own lives, which “We must focus on constructing righteous foundations that can endure.”
begs the question as to why mainstream
evangelicals have limited eschatology By detaching ethics from with the intervention of Christ as a
to what Martin referred to as “cosmic eschatology, he warned, we risk radical break in the redemptive timeline.
eschatology,” i.e., the end of time and trivializing eschatology into mere Instead, Mark asserted, “The failure
creation, which gives us no ethical speculation, losing its practical guidance of humanistic orders prepares the way
imperative. We’re simply uninvolved and spiritual depth. This also fosters for God’s Kingdom to take root and
observers awaiting the pyrotechnics of sensationalism and false hopes. “When flourish.”
the end times. ethics is put into place as the engine that
drives eschatons,” he explained, “we align The Role of Historical Perspective
Eschatons: The Harvest of Ethics with Scripture’s simple but profound “We often can’t recognize an
In this episode, Martin began by directive: ‘Do this and live; do this and eschaton until we look back,” Martin
defining “eschatons” as endpoints or die.’” This alignment restores the power said, “but history consistently
harvests—the culmination of actions and of eschatons to guide believers and demonstrates God’s sovereignty over
ethics sown over time. He explained that societies toward God’s intended order. human affairs.” Both Martin and Mark
eschatons are not limited to the ultimate emphasized the importance of historical
cosmic end but are present throughout Judgment as Part of Redemption perspective in understanding eschatology.
history, impacting individual lives, While many view God’s judgments Martin cited examples from biblical
institutions, and nations. These harvests as only punitive and as end points and modern history, such as the fall
manifest as blessings for obedience or in themselves, they actually have a of the Soviet Union. These events, he
curses for disobedience, illustrating the redemptive purpose, as Mark Rushdoony argued, represent eschatons that redirect
inseparable connection between ethics noted: “All of God’s judgments serve humanity toward God’s purposes.
and eschatology. to destroy the works of man, frustrate Mark added that eschatology should
“Eschatons are all over the Bible,” Satan’s efforts, and reestablish His divine inspire humility and diligence when
Martin said, pointing to historic order.” With this understanding, we shift interpreting history. He cautioned against
examples but noting that these eschatons the focus from fear to hope, and our overconfidence in predicting how God’s
are found in our own lives. He asks: faith resides in God’s commitment to plans will unfold, reminding us that
restoration. even the disciples misunderstood Christ’s
What is our eschaton? Do we use our
time properly? Three score and ten
Mark critiqued the pessimism that mission until after His resurrection. “We
years is the span of time of a man, we see in eschatological perspectives such must avoid arrogance in eschatological
approximately, according to Psalm 90. as dispensationalism, which portrays matters,” he said. “God’s timeline and
What will you be doing with that time? church history as a long series of failures methods often defy human expectations.”
What’s that time going to be like? where the only victory is at the end We don’t seem to learn this lesson.
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 Building on Godly Foundations
Both Mark and Martin stressed the
need for Christians to build on Biblical
foundations rather than relying on
humanistic systems destined for collapse.
Martin warned against leveraging
corrupt institutions for temporary
gains, emphasizing the importance of
establishing systems rooted in Biblical
principles. “When the root is evil,
the fruit will be bad,” he said. “We
must focus on constructing righteous
foundations that can endure.” This is the
essence of Christian Reconstruction.
Mark echoed this sentiment, calling
Christians to responsibility and active “The failure of humanistic orders prepares the way for God’s Kingdom to take root and flourish.”
participation in God’s Kingdom. “The
work of Christian Reconstruction “Our labor is not just about survival,” governance. “The foundations we build
begins with individuals, families, and he said. “It is about advancing God’s today will determine the future,” he said.
education,” he said. “We cannot simply kingdom and preparing the ground for “We must prioritize obedience to God’s
hope to preserve the status quo; we must future generations.” law, even in areas where it challenges
lay the groundwork for a society aligned Whether ancient or modern societal norms.”
with God’s law.” history, the interplay between ethics
The Future of God’s Kingdom
Mark and Martin agreed that and eschatology should be clear. Martin
The podcast episode concluded with
God’s sovereignty is the cornerstone of noted how the neglecting of the land
a hopeful vision of the future, rooted in
eschatology. Mark described God as the Sabbaths in ancient Israel led to her
the certainty of God’s promises. Martin
absolute monarch, combining legislative, captivity in Babylon. “Ethics trumps
reminded us of Isaiah’s prophecy that “of
judicial, and executive authority. “If we historical assumptions,” he said. “God’s
the increase of His government and peace
believe God is on His throne,” he said, patience does not negate His justice.
there shall be no end.” He emphasized
“we must act accordingly, aligning our When the time comes, the consequences
that God’s kingdom has grown steadily
thoughts and actions with His authority.” of disobedience are unavoidable.”
since the time of the apostles and will
Mark reflected again on the fall of
Practical Eschatology continue to expand despite opposition.
the Soviet Union as a modern example
Martin went on to emphasize that Mark echoed this optimism, urging
of an eschaton. “When humanistic
eschatology is not merely an abstract Christians to remain faithful in their
systems collapse, they pave the way for
theological concept but a practical guide work. “God’s plan is bigger than any
God’s order to take root,” he said. “These
for daily living. He noted that every single moment in history,” he said.
moments in history remind us of God’s
individual, institution, and society is “Our responsibility is to trust in His
sovereignty and the futility of opposing
constantly moving toward an eschaton. sovereignty and labor diligently for His
His will.”
“God’s revelations about the future glory.”
are not for our amusement,” he said. Reconstructing Society Once again, a truly Biblical
“They are meant to empower us to work Mark and Martin both emphasized worldview can bring us great
faithfully for His Kingdom, knowing that the need for Christian Reconstruction as encouragement as we better understand
our labor is not in vain.” This focus on a response to the failures of humanistic both the power of God’s sovereignty as
responsibility reinforces the covenantal systems. Martin argued that Christians well as the power of our own obedience.
thrust that actions have consequences, must move beyond passive engagement, There are many more eschatons to face
whether blessings or judgments. taking active steps to rebuild society both individually and collectively, but
Mark elaborated on this point, on Biblical foundations. “The modern God’s law and covenant provide us
stating that eschatology provides church often focuses on preserving the with the necessary tools to fulfill our
a framework for understanding status quo,” he said. “But we are called to responsibilites in advancing Christ’s
accountability. He explained that reconstruct every area of life according to Kingdom in history.
recognizing eschatons in contemporary God’s law.”
history, such as the collapse of ungodly Mark stressed that this work begins If you’d like to listen to the
institutions, should inspire Christians to with individuals and families but extends full podcast episode, just visit
build alternatives rooted in God’s law. to education, economics, and social https://tinyurl.com/ChalcedonPodcastEp51

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 “To believe in God means to believe that He, not man,
is the ultimate Lord and ruler over all things. It means
to trust Him for our salvation, and for our todays and
tomorrows.” ~ R. J. Rushdoony

Ways You Can

God and the Future by R. J. Rushdoony Help Chalcedon
A Word In Season: Daily Messages on the Faith for All of Life, Volume 3, pp. 9-10 Engage with Our Content: Read
A few years ago, a prominent these frightening developments and share our articles, podcasts, and
professor stated, “The future had was in the grace of God and the videos with friends and family. It not
not yet happened and therefore certainty of His government: “God only enriches your understanding
cannot produce any effect in the of Christian Reconstruction but also
is our refuge and strength, a very
helps spread these ideas to a wider
present.” Many people agree. The present help in trouble. Therefore
audience.
future, they hold, is open to all kinds will not we fear, though the earth
of possibilities, and to all kinds of be removed, and though the Host Study Groups: Organize
lifestyles, and there is nothing to mountains be carried into the midst small groups in your community to
bind man in any fashion. of the sea.” discuss the principles of Christian
As Christians, we cannot agree Reconstruction. These gatherings
To believe in God means to
with this at all. The future, like the can serve as a powerful tool for edu-
believe that He, not man, is the
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ultimate Lord and ruler over all support network for our cause.
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In fact, the ground of Christian
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Pray for Our Work and Mission:
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Prayer is the foundation of every-
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It is not the communists, ungodly to the future in terms of God, not don, its leadership, and its mission
men anywhere, or man in any form man. All too many who claim to to educate and apply the message
who determine the future but only be Christians see the future as of Christian Reconstruction. Your
God Almighty. supposedly dominated by antichrist, spiritual support is invaluable.
This was the confidence of the and their faith is thereby manifested.
By taking these steps, you can make
Psalmist in Psalm 46. The world of God never for a moment surrenders a significant difference in helping us
his day was an extremely violent the government of the universe to achieve our goals and spread this
one, violent in earthquakes and anything or anyone, and we had message. Together, we can work
disasters as well as in the warrings better believe it: He requires us to. towards a society that reflects the
of men and nations. The confidence He alone is God, and beside Him faith for all of life.
of the Psalmist in the face of all “there is none else” (Isa. 45:22).
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