The Elephant in the Room – Part 2

TimeWatch Editorial
January 21, 2016

The Concept of Christian Reconstructionism is total in its application. It touches every aspect of life, and is as transformative as it is intrusive. First, let us take a look at the meaning of the philosophy.

“Christian Reconstructionism is a fundamentalist Calvinist movement that believes that Mosaic Law should be observed by modern societies. This group was founded by Rousas John Rushdoony, and has had an important influence on the Christian Right in the United States. Reconstructionists advocate theonomy and the restoration of certain biblical laws said to have continuing applicability. Theonomy is the idea that, in the Bible, God provides the basis of both personal and social ethics. In that context, the term is always used in antithesis to autonomy, which is the idea that Self provides the basis of ethics.” Ingersoll, Julie (2009). "Mobilizing Evangelicals: Christian Reconstructionism and the Roots of the Religious Right"

As we grasp a clearer view of the true intent of this burgeoning political point of view we begin to see an entire alteration of society based upon the opinion and conviction of one particular trend of thought. The exclusion of choice becomes immediately clear, reinforced by the threat of consequence.

“Christian Reconstructionism's founder, Rousas John Rushdoony, wrote in The Institutes of Biblical Law (the founding document of Reconstructionism) that Old Testament law should be applied to modern society and he advocates the reinstatement of the Mosaic law's penal sanctions. Under such a system, the list of civil crimes which carried a death sentence would include homosexuality, adultery, incest, lying about one's virginity, bestiality, witchcraft, idolatry or apostasy, public blasphemy, false prophesying, kidnapping, rape, and bearing false witness in a capital case.” Durand, Greg Loren, Judicial Warfare: Christian Reconstruction's Blueprints For Dominion, Chapter 13

The absence of an alternative will be strictly imposed, while a coercive approach to conformity will be the method of management. The functionality of the Constitution of the United States would not fare well within the confines of this new approach to governing.

“Rousas John Rushdoony wrote in his magnum opus, The Institutes of Biblical Law: "The heresy of democracy has since [the days of colonial New England] worked havoc in church and state" and: "Christianity and democracy are inevitably enemies", and elsewhere said that "Christianity is completely and radically anti-democratic; it is committed to spiritual aristocracy," and characterized democracy as "the great love of the failures and cowards of life". In Extremis – Rousas Rushdoony and his Connections, British Centre for Science Education, retrieved December 12, 2007.

What is truly amazing is how very similar this point of view is to the Papal opinion concerning the concept of Democracy and the Freedom of Conscience. A much closer look would immediately suggest that the similarity could not possibly be accidental. In fact a pointed examination would reveal the parallel with Islam and Catholicism. Although all three have provided themselves sufficient room to deny the linkage, the philosophy, the implementation and the consequence of disobedience are far too alike to go unnoticed.

The Reconstructionists continue to defend their position, claiming that it is the best possible choice for America and the world, and stating that they have been misquoted, or misunderstood. In his book, “Christian Reconstruction” Gary North writes:

“Probably the most infamous attack on Christian Reconstruction was "Democracy as Heresy," published in Christianity Today. I have seen its conclusions repeated in numerous articles critical of Christian Reconstruction. In many cases this is a subsequent article's only source of information for its critique. The misrepresentations of the "Democracy as Heresy" article are too numerous to list. A single example, however, will give you some idea how bad this article really is. On the first page of “Democracy as Heresy" the author asserts that Reconstructionists would abolish democracy and reinstitute slavery.” Gary North, “Christian Reconstruction” page 10

Then Mr. North proceeds to give an example which is intended to show how wrong the accusation is.

Nowhere does the author define democracy for his readers, and it is only later in the article that slavery is defined, not as "chattel slavery," as was practiced in the United States, but as "biblical slavery" (Exodus 22:3b).25 "Biblical slavery," more appropriately described as "indentured servitude," would "allow impoverished persons to labor away their indebtedness, or criminals to make restitution." Gary North, “Christian Reconstruction,” page 10

One could only wish that the gentle explanation Mr. North has given would parallel the method of implementation. Unfortunately, these things are never as kindly applied as they are spoken. Perhaps another of Mr. North’s writings “Tools of Dominion: The Case Laws of Exodus” speaks more clearly to the issue.

“If a poor man committed an economic crime against someone, he had to repay his victim; he did not pay restitution to the State, nor did the State pay restitution to his victims. The punishment therefore fit the crime, for the restitution payments were proportional to the losses that the crimes had inflicted.” Gary North, “Tools of Dominion: The Case Laws of Exodus” Page 123

In other word, the poor man became the slave of the victim. As I’ve said before, these things are never as kindly applied as they are spoken. The elephant still stands quietly in the room.

Cameron A. Bowen