The problem with Christian Reconstructionism is that it has a tendency to allow those involved to forget about having a personal relationship with Christ. It is about rules, cruel, hard rules that have nothing to do with the teachings of Christ. In fact, the rules involved have nothing to do with anything previously seen by Christians or Jews. R. J. Rushdoony and his henchman, Gary North (AKA Scary Gary) created a new religion. While the followers of it claim to be Christian, they are not practicing a previous form of our faith. There’s nothing wrong with starting a new domination, but there are basic philosophies, basic theology, and certain things that are hard and fast rules. The problem with the new religion created by Rushdoony, is that he’s not bothering with this. What he keeps, he alters until what is being practiced is unrecognizable.
It’s all part of Christian Reconstructionism, invented by R. J. Rushdoony, perpetuated by Gary North, and embraced by such liberty loving luminaries as Ron Paul, Rand Paul, Ted Cruz, the Wall Builders, Tony Perkins, Jerry Boykin, James Dobson, Tom Delay, Mike Huckabee, Hobby Lobby, Alan Keyes, Gary Bauer, Sen. John Cornyn, Phyllis Schlafly, Sen. Sam Brownback, Richard Viguerie, Doug Phillips, Howard Phillips, Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, Paul Weyrich, Tim LaHay, Beverly LaHay, Concerned Women for America, Family Research Council, Constitution Party, Council for National Policy, American Coalition for Traditional Values, Liberty Council, Home School Legal Defense Fund, Chalcedon Foundation, John Ashcroft, Howard Ahmanson, Discovery Institute Ted Haggard, Nelson Bunker Hunt Trint Lott, Oliver North, Richard Mellon Scaiffe, Kenneth Starr, Larry Pratt, John Whitehead, Patrick Henry College, Randall Terry, Eagle Forum, Don Wildmon, Amerian Family Association, James Kennedy, Coral Ridge Ministry, Gary DeMar, Plymouth Rock Foundation, American Vision, Rick Santorum, Judge Roy Moore, Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Mark Levin, The Federalist Society, Ted Olson, Promise Keepers, Rick Warren, Mark Driscoll, Mars Hill Church, Pat Buchanan, Rick Perry, Michele Bachmann, Francis Schaeffer, Franklyn Graham,New Apostolic Reformation, NAR, C. Peter Wagner, Cindy Jacobs, Alliance Defense Fund, Kenneth Copeland, Mark Rushdony, Bob Barr, Dick Armey, Paul Pressler, Steven Hotze, Ray Sutton, Paul Hill, Christian Exodus, Jay Grimstead, Whiley Drake, John Hagee, Cornerstone Church, Michael Pearl, Debi Pearl, Nancy Campbell, Jerome Corsi, Geoffrey Botkin, Douglas Wilson, Kurt Cameron, Kevin Swanson, R. C. Sproul Jr, Richard Bacon, John martin, Philip Vollman, Greg Bahnsen, Andrew Sandlin, Rick Joyner, Dutch Sheets, Lou Engle, International House of Prayer, Bobby Jindal, Sarah Palin, Steve King, and so forth and so on.
“...Even without being corrupted by power, Rushdoony’s political intentions looked to be far more extreme that those of Adolf Hitler, Stalin. Chairman Mao or Pol Pot. He appears to have had no respect whatsoever for democracy – “The church today has fallen prey to the heresy of democracy.” (The Institutes of Biblical Law page 747.)
Like all would-be dictators, Rushdoony had no respect for the law (that is, any law that stands in his way) –”The only true order is founded on Biblical Law. All law is religious in nature, and every non-Biblical law-order represents an anti-Christian religion.” (Institutes of Biblical Law, page113) He also made it clear that he expects that force will be necessary to impose such order, “Every law-order is in a state of war against the enemies of that order, and all law is a form of warfare.” (Institutes of Biblical Law, page 93).
This looks to be a call for violence against democratically elected governments and those that support them. Indeed, it looks to be a call for war against all governments and their supporters that are in the way of Rushdoony’s murderous ambitions.
It should not be surprising to learn that Rushdoony had an intense dislike for toleration of other peoples’ opinions. Indeed, a central belief in his fantasy world was of segregation and/or separation according to religion and morality. The use of the term segregation also implies an underlying racism which we will see more of in this report.
Rushdoony believed that every attempt to destroy the principle of toleration (except toleration of himself and his murderous views) is an effort to reduce society to its lowest common denominator. Toleration is the excuse under which this levelling is undertaken, but the concept of toleration conceals a radical intolerance. “In the name of toleration, the believer is asked to associate on a common level of total acceptance with the atheist, the pervert, the criminal, and the adherents of other religions as though no differences existed.” (The Institutes of Biblical Law page 294.)
To put it simply, those that disagree with Rushdoony are the same as perverts and criminals….”
It’s about politics, to the point where religious conservatives like David Barton, Glenn Beck, Michael Farris (the rapists’ best friend), ALEC, the John Birch Society, are calling for major changes to the Constitution. There’s a reason for this. Rushdoony created his movement to bring about God’s rule on Earth. Like what just happened in the state of Alabama, good ‘Christian’ politicians are literally lying and cheating to get their way. They don’t care. There is no morality. There is no decency.
There are two kinds of Dominionists:
“...Soft Dominionists are Christian nationalists. They believe that Biblically-defined immorality and sin breed chaos and anarchy. They fear that America’s greatness as God’s chosen land has been undermined by liberal secular humanists, feminists, and homosexuals. Purists want litmus tests for issues of abortion, tolerance of gays and lesbians, and prayer in schools. Their vision has elements of theocracy, but they stop short of calling for supplanting the Constitution and Bill of Rights.
Hard Dominionists believe all of this, but they want the United States to be a Christian theocracy. For them the Constitution and Bill of Rights are merely addendums to Old Testament Biblical law. They claim that Christian men with specific theological beliefs are ordained by God to run society. Christians and others who do not accept their theological beliefs would be second-class citizens. This sector includes Christian Reconstructionists, but it has a growing number of adherents in the leadership of the Christian Right….”
There are 15 crimes punishable by death for Christian Reconstructionists.
- “…Abortion: Rushdoony’s position on this is convoluted to say the least: Rushdoony states in regard to Exodus 21:22-25: “If the penalty for even an accidental case [of abortion] is so severe, it is obvious that a deliberately induced abortion is very strongly forbidden. It is not necessary to ban deliberate abortion, since it is already eliminated by this law. Second, if a man who, in the course of a fight, unintentionally bumps a pregnant woman and causes her to abort, must suffer the death penalty, how much more so any person who intentionally induces an abortion?” (The Institutes of Biblical Law pages 263-264.)Except, as far as the author is aware, the Bible does not call for the death penalty for deliberately induced abortion.
- Apostasy: – abandonment of faith (same comments as on Idolatry). Clarkson claims that Rushdoony suggested the death penalty be used to punish those guilty of “apostasy, heresy and blasphemy (blasphemy references are below), witchcraft, astrology, adultery, ‘sodomy or homosexuality,’ incest, striking a parent, incorrigible juvenile delinquency, and in the case of women, ‘unchastity before marriage.’”
- Astrology: Clarkson claims that Rushdoony suggested the death penalty be used to punish those guilty of astrology. Rodney Clapp quoted Rushdoony in his 1987 essay in Christianity Today – Democracy as Heresy (Feb 20th issue): “[Christian fundamentalists must] take dominion over the US…[abolish democracy] which is actually heresy…[establish a theocratic republic] under biblical law…True to the letter of Old Testament law, homosexuals, adulterers, blasphemers, astrologers, [and for such offences as] abortion, heresy, apostasy…will be executed.”
- Bestiality: (see The Institutes of Biblical Law, pages 255-256.) – “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is an abomination. Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to liedown thereto: it is confusion (Lev.18:22, 23).”
- Blasphemy: (The Institutes of Biblical Law pages 18, 27 and 106). Rodney Clapp quoted Rushdoony in his 1987 essay in Christianity Today – Democracy as Heresy (Feb 20th issue): “[Christian fundamentalists must] take dominion over the US…[abolish democracy] which is actually heresy…[establish a theocratic republic] under biblical law…True to the letter of Old Testament law, homosexuals, adulterers, blasphemers, astrologers, [and for such offences as] abortion, heresy, apostasy…will be executed.”
- Heresy: (see above) Rushdoony believes that democracy and freedom are heresy. He has claimed heresy as punishable by death (see above). However, in the broader sense, Rushdoony believed that any belief in any religion/denomination other than his own justified killing the person who held those views – see below on idolatry. Rodney Clapp quoted Rushdoony in his 1987 essay in Christianity Today – Democracy as Heresy (Feb 20th issue): “[Christian fundamentalists must] take dominion over the US…[abolish democracy] which is actually heresy…[establish a theocratic republic] under biblical law…True to the letter of Old Testament law, homosexuals, adulterers, blasphemers, astrologers, [and for such offences as] abortion, heresy, apostasy…will be executed.”
- Homosexuality: (male only) See Institutes of Biblical Law, pages 187, 430, 482, 594 and comments below)
- Idolatry: (this appears to be a belief in any religion or denomination that Rushdoony did not approve of. Rushdoony believes it requires “death without mercy” (The Institutes of Biblical Law pages. 28-39 and 66). Idolatry is thus not only punishable by law as socially detrimental, it is in fact a capital offence. (R.J. Rushdoony, Law and Society: Volume II of the Institutes of Biblical Law 1982, pages 468 and 316). “It constitutes treason to the King or Sovereign, to Almighty God.” (Institutes of Biblical Law, page 66)
- Incorrigibility and delinquency: This is widely reported as one of Rushdoony’s reasons for killing people. Rather than repeat what he said, we refer to an article in the Chalcedon report published whilst Rushdoony was alive and still advocating mass murder: In the January 1999 issue of the Chalcedon Report, the Rev William Einwechter called for the stoning to death of disobedient children. In the article, Einwechter cites Deuteronomy 21:18-21, which advises parents to take “a stubborn and rebellious son” before city elders to be stoned to death if he will not change his ways.Einwechter claimed that the death penalty should be applied to “a grown son (and by extension to a daughter as well) who, for whatever reason, has rebelled against the authority of his parents and will not profit from any of their discipline nor obey their voice in any thing.”He stated that “[T]he execution of the rebel in view is just, merciful, and preventive. Just, in that the transgressor deserves to die; merciful, in that his quick death prevents the destruction of the family, society, and others; preventive, in that it strikes fear in the heart of other would-be rebels and restrains them from taking a similar ruinous course.”Einwechter is VP of an organisation called the National Reform Association (NRA). It was formed in the 19th Century but was taken over by reconstructionalists some time back. Basically despite being at the absolute lunatic end of the religious spectrum, the NRA has got political. Einwechter’s writings frequently appear on the group’s website (www.natreformassn.org. He edits its publication, The Christian Statesman.See also Institutes of Biblical Law, pages 185/7, 396/397, 430, 481/2 and 594.
- Incest: According to Clarkson, Rushdoony suggested the death penalty be used to punish those guilty of incest.
- Rape: (but not, it appears of children) See The Institutes of Biblical Law pages 396-397. Note that Pedophilia is okay.
- Sabbath Breaking: (see Gary North, “The Economics of Sabbath Keeping,” in Rushdoony, Institutes, p. 824.) In the words of Mark Rushdoony, son of R.J. Rushdoony, “The divorce problem will be solved in a society under God’s law because any spouse guilty of capital crimes (adultery, homosexuality, Sabbath desecration, etc.) would be swiftly executed, thus freeing the other part to remarry…. Parents would be required to bring their incorrigible children before the judge and, if convicted, have them stoned to death.” Mark Rushdoony, The Chalcedon Report #252 (1986).
- Sex before marriage: (women only) According to Clarkson, Rushdoony suggested the death penalty be used to punish those guilty of unchastity before marriage but this only applied to women.
- Striking a Parent: According to Clarkson, Rushdoony suggested the death penalty be used to punish those guilty of striking a parent.
- Witchcraft: (sorcery)/Fortune Telling – Clarkson claims that Rushdoony suggested the death penalty be used to punish those guilty of witchcraft…”
Rushdoony also was something of a racist. He believed in slavery. You can acquire slaves to pay off debt, as punishment for theft, capture in war, or by purchase. Rushdoony also thought the American Negro was better off being a slave. Only white Christians should be citizens and allowed to vote. Married woman may vote, if their husbands allow it. Jews will not be recognized by God. American Indians cannot vote. The wealthy are important, the poor are to be used and manipulated. His movement is embraced by Neo-Confederates. They are libertarian. Ron Paul is their god on earth. Somewhere in here, you will also find the Koch Brothers. Who do you think is funding the revolution?
Gone is the need for a personal Savior and a personal relationship with Christ. In its place is a corporate faith where there is no individuality. It is about group think. Christianity, and the Jewish faith from which it was built has always understood that there is a need for an individual relationship with the Lord. This has been removed from the conversation. Evidently, so has John 3:16. I see very little indication of a personal relationship with Christ. It is about what the family, i.e. the patriarch says one must do, regardless of what that is.
This is a new religion. It is NOT Christian. It is incompatible with freedom, liberty, democracy, individuality, and independence. It requires allegiance to the group, punishment, dogma, the subjugation of women, abuse of children, and abuse of women. There is no room for individual though. Democracy is heresy. Any disobedience from the rules begets death.
In fact, that’s what Christian Reconstructionism is all about – death. It is about the brainwashing of previously stalwart believers. It fosters betrayal, deception, cruelty, and dishonesty. Anyone who is familiar with the Bible knows that there is a way of ‘means testing’ things. It’s quite simple.
Philippians 4:8 8 Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
I don’t know about you, but I’m just not seeing this in Christian Reconstructionism. Part VI continues tomorrow, with a discussion about the background of Calvinism and what religious extremism like what Rushdoony envisions had done to people.
