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Faith for All of Life Nov/Dec 2006 Publisher & Chalcedon President Rev. Mark R. Rushdoony Chalcedon Vice-President Martin Selbrede Editorials Features Editor 2 From the Editor 9 Economy Restored: Rev. Christopher J. Ortiz Paradise Restored, or, A Blueprint for a Biblical Get Back to Your Post! Model of Government Managing Editor Ian Hodge Susan Burns 4 From the Founder Contributing Editors The Paradise Motive 12 Don’t Pray for the Lee Duigon Peace of Babylon Columns Kathy Leonard Mark R. Rushdoony 7 The Restoration of Family Chalcedon Founder 16 The Arrogance Greg Uttinger Rev. R. J. Rushdoony of Utopianism (1916-2001) Timothy D. Terrell was the founder of Chalcedon 30 The Current Trends in the Theonomy Debate and a leading theologian, church/ 24 Contra Imperium: Jacob Aitken state expert, and author of numer- The Christian Case Against ous works on the application of Reviews American Imperialism and Biblical Law to society. the Security/Police State 20 Religion Gone Bad: The Hidden Tom Rose Receiving Faith for All of Life: This Dangers of the Christian Right magazine will be sent to those who request it. At least once a year we ask by Rev. Dr. Mel White that you return a response card if you Martin G. Selbrede wish to remain on the mailing list. Year-End Contributors are kept on our mailing Products SALE list. Suggested Donation: $35 per Save 30% on year ($45 for all foreign — U.S. funds 33 Catalog only). Tax-deductible contributions Everything may be made out to Chalcedon and Thru Jan. 12th mailed to P.O. Box 158, Vallecito, CA 95251 USA. Chalcedon may want to contact its readers quickly by means of e-mail. Faith for All of Life, published bi-monthly by Chalcedon, a tax-exempt Christian foundation, is sent to all who request If you have an e-mail address, please it. All editorial correspondence should be sent to the managing editor, P.O. Box 569, Cedar Bluff, VA 24609-0569. send an e-mail message including Laser-print hard copy and electronic disk submissions firmly encouraged. All submissions subject to editorial your full postal address to our office: revision. Email: [email protected]. The editors are not responsible for the return of unsolicited manuscripts [email protected]. which become the property of Chalcedon unless other arrangements are made. Opinions expressed in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the views of Chalcedon. It provides a forum for views in accord with a relevant, active, historic Christianity, though those views may on occasion differ somewhat from Chalcedon’s and from each For circulation and data other. Chalcedon depends on the contributions of its readers, and all gifts to Chalcedon are tax-deductible. ©2006 management contact Rebecca Chalcedon. All rights reserved. Permission to reprint granted on written request only. Editorial Board: Rev. Mark R. Rushdoony, President/Editor-in-Chief; Chris Ortiz, Editor; Susan Burns, Managing Editor and Executive Assistant. Rouse at (209) 736-4365 ext. 10 Chalcedon, P.O. Box 158, Vallecito, CA 95251, Telephone Circulation (9:00a.m. - 5:00p.m., Pacific): (209) 736-4365 or or [email protected] Fax (209) 736-0536; email: [email protected]; www.chalcedon.edu; Circulation:Rebecca Rouse. F r o m t h e E d i t o r Paradise Restored, or, Get Back to Your Post! Christopher J. Ortiz n 1986 I borrowed a structionist, and none of my constitu- Eden—the fullness of blessing for God’s Istrange book from a ency had the slightest idea what I was creation. friend who assured me talking about. This is also the power of law-keep- that my life was about to ing: it is obedience for the purpose of be radically changed. I’d Eschatology and Obedience blessing. Though we are in danger of heard that before. Every As my theology, like leaven, worked losing sight of this meaning, the Pauline book promised such glorious transfor- its way through the lump, I soon found doctrine of theonomy provokes our re- mation, but usually left little to no major no peaceful coexistence within my membrance with simplicity and clarity: circle of influence. The fulcrum had revisions in my faith. However, this book Children, obey your parents in the shifted. I discarded the soiled garments was different, and my friend was correct: Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father of arminianism and no longer saw I was about to be floored. and mother; which is the first command- value in the “deeper life” teaching of The book was the late David Chil- ment with promise; That it may be well mainstream Charismaticism. It became ton’s Paradise Restored: A Biblical Theol- with thee, and thou mayest live long on difficult to find common ground with ogy of Dominion. It had an odd cover the earth. Eph. 6:1–3 depicting one of those masterful illustra- most Christians because our philoso- Long life for the righteous is a clear tions so often used by the Dominion phies concerning history were literally allusion to the days of Eden; and the Press books—an image of a golden “worlds” apart. restoration comes via the fulfillment of mountain, waterfalls, and colorful wa- The primary difference was that I commandments in history. The apostle ter-sprinkled foliage. Just the cover itself now had a philosophy of history. Time is here demonstrating the proper use of was revolutionary. Most books on the and history suddenly mattered. Where the “two-edged” sword of God’s law- “end-times” featured mushroom clouds history was headed held severe impli- word: commandment and promise—a or a fiery globe. This one displayed a cations for how I functioned in the usage much needed today to help avoid vision of paradise that, along with the present, and I was ready to embrace my the pitfalls of hyper-Charismaticism and title, confronted me immediately with responsibility. its emphasis upon promise, or the legal- its obvious thesis: that God was not Postmillennialism was an inescap- ism of certain conservative churches and going to end the world tomorrow, but able concept for me. How could the their man-centered doctrines of holi- rather restore it to Edenic glory. world ever belong to the wicked one? ness. Our doctrine should encourage Since I was raised in a non-Chris- However, I was using the term to a joyful obedience to God’s law with a tian home, I did not have much to convey a progressive transformation certain expectation that He will reward unlearn. I admit that I did accept the of society more so than simply defin- the diligent seeker (Heb. 11:6). third-grade eschatology of the im- ing the time of Christ’s return. I think minent last days, but I was inherently most people do. My concern remains Sinful Man Desires Paradise an optimist. I was also a Charismatic. the development of the Kingdom of on His Own Terms Therefore, anything that hinted at God in history, i.e., the reign of Christ in Collectively, modern man is also Christian advancement appealed to me. every sphere. involved in a millennial pursuit of para- By the time I reached the tenth But even this phrase is becoming dise. He longs for the day when conflict chapter, I was converted. And, yes, trite. I say it almost habitually. The will give way to peace and lack will everything changed; and things would idea of the manifested reign of Christ make room for abundance. But let us continue to change as my theology in every sphere of life is now defined as not be fooled by this superficial utopia. developed. Beyond eschatology it would “Christian domination” without any His desire is a paradise free from labor, be the Reformed faith and theonomy reference to the paradise motif. Yet, the since the idea of work is no Eden for that would reengineer my entire think- issue in eschatology is restoration, not him. Rather, his idea of paradise is the ing. I had become a Christian Recon- domination. It’s the bringing back of stuff of legend and lore wherein a male- 2 Faith for All of Life | November/December 2006 www.chalcedon.edu Faith for All of Life dominated bliss is gorged with gluttony spite God’s charge to “dress and keep” though Christ has redeemed us from and immoral fantasy. the garden (Gen. 2:15), Adam left his the Fall, we also remain hidden among For the Muslim, the martyr’s reward responsibility after violating God’s di- the trees due to guilt and bad theology. is a palace full of virgins—certainly rect command to avoid the prohibited What are the implications for history no paradise for the seventy-two young tree (v. 17). In other words, “Where are if each one of us moves just a few yards women marked for sexual slavery. For you, Adam? Why are you not where I away from our respective responsibilities? the dispensationalist Christian, paradise placed you?” Get Back to Your Post is a new millennium with Christ seated Adam knew he was naked and hid I must admit that I am still some- upon a throne in Palestine in daily com- from the intimidating voice of God what Charismatic in my approach to munion with the restored Jewish people. moving through the trees. Man became faith. I imagine you are as well. I still For the social Darwinist, paradise is the conscious of sin, and life decisions were believe that God is desirous to answer one-world order of steel and stone hewn now governed by guilt and fear.