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RIGHT or WRONG? Christian Reconstructionism
Posted: 1/05/07
RIGHT or WRONG?
Christian ReconstructionismI recently heard about “Christian Reconstructionism.” Some facets of it seem to run counter to historic Baptist distinctives. Is that a valid conclusion?
Evaluation of Christian Reconstructionism is difficult for two reasons. First, there is diversity and even division in the movement on key issues. Second, the literary output of the movement is so enormous there is always the possibility of having missed some nuance. Certainly Rousas Rushdoony’s Institutes of Biblical Law and the works of Gary North are important resources for understanding this movement. Many features of Christian Reconstructionism are faithful renderings of Christian doctrine and as such will be favorably viewed by most Baptists. These would include the authority of Scripture, the necessity of salvation by grace through faith and the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ to transform our world by the work of the Holy Spirit. At least one major aspect of Christian Reconstructionism will create distance between it and important Baptist distinctives, however—its understanding of the relationship between biblical law and civil government. Christian Reconstructionists insist they do not seek Christianization of the political order by a minority of believers so as to impose a biblical ethic “on a pervasively unbelieving populace.”
01/04/2007 - By John Rutledge
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Texas Baptist Forum
Posted: 12/15/06
Texas Baptist Forum
‘Baby Jesus’
Merry Christmas. And, oh, by the way, there is no more “baby Jesus.”
• Letters are welcomed. Send them to marvknox@baptiststandard.com; 250 words maximum.
“There are people who feel ‘excluded’ by Christian symbolism and are offended by the manger and the angels and the Child, but there have always been humorless, legalistic people. Complaint is an American art form, and in our time, it has been raised to an operatic level. To which one can only say: ‘Get a life.’”
Garrison Keillor
Author and radio personality (RNS)“My sense so far speaking to people is that they are understanding. They’re taking the high road and being compassionate, not condemning her.”
Oscar Isaac
Actor who plays Joseph in The Nativity Story, speaking about the revelation that actress Keisha Castle-Hughes, who plays Mary, is pregnant and unwed at age 16. (USA Today/RNS)“If I really want to last in life, I’ve got to stop and realize there’s a whole journey of life to live. I’ve got to remember it’s not how fast I live that’s important; it’s how well I live.”
Rick Warren
Pastor of Saddleback Community Church in Southern California (www.pastors.com)“Let us pray for brotherhood and for all humanity.”
Pope Benedict XVI
Joining Mustafa Cagrici, the grand mufti of Istanbul, in prayer beneath the dome of the Blue Mosque, one of the most prominent landmarks in the Muslim world, in Istanbul (RNS)As one who has a relationship with God through his Son, Jesus the Messiah, I am disturbed by the image of a baby in a manger that is so prevalent at this time of year. The reasoning for this is that children can relate easily to a baby when being taught about Jesus.
At face value, the statement sounds good. I can buy into the idea of children relating to a “baby Jesus” when they are “introduced” to the Lord. But even children understand the concept of growing up.
01/04/2007 - By John Rutledge
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