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Celebrating A Day For Dads

Honor your father and mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord Your God is giving you (Exodus 20:12).

Introduction

Since last month’s blog celebrated a day for moms (here), it is only fitting that this month’s blog will focus on a day for dads (Father’s Day is 6/18 this coming Sunday). In the article last month, I spoke of several things that I learned from my mom, including her work ethic, the many skills she had that she kept to herself, and the love she lavished on me throughout my years of growing up. The same is true of my dad. So what I would like to focus on for this month is Exodus 20:12 that serves as an epigraph for this article.

What Does It Mean to Honor our Parents

My dad took seriously his responsibility to work and be the provider for our family he believed he was supposed to be. I watched him work hard all his life. That in-and-of-itself would have been worth more than I can say, having learned that from him. I must hasten to say, I wish I had learned it more than I did. Had I learned from my dad all the things I should have and taken them seriously, it would have saved me from a lot of nonsense into which I fell in my twenties and thirties. For example, with the exception of a mortgage, my dad always saved the cash to purchase even expensive materials, such as an automobile. He never went into debt.

Paul expounds on Exodus 20:12 in Ephesians 6:2-3. He states that to obey the commandment stated there comes with a promise. It is the first of the Ten Commandments. Paul says that to obey it so that it may go well with you, and that you may have a long life on the earth. Our parents, whether we understand it or not, are the blueprints by which we come to understand how to navigate life. If we will, we can learn from them all that will bring security and safety to our lives. This is something that God has built into our existence.

So what does to honor our parents look like? It means we hold them in esteem. We value them as precious. We look to them to protect, guide, and be our stalwarts through life because God has called them to such a responsibility if they choose to have children. In addition we are to respect and be respectful to them. This is a tall order on our part, which cannot be fulfilled except through God’s common, and for believers, His special grace. My dad was more than exemplary in the responsibilities he took on for the family. If anything he most likely put too much pressure on himself to be the provider he was. 

My Failures In Honoring My Parents

Like I stated earlier, I could, and should, have learned more from my parents than I did. In God’s providential grace, I was blessed with the parents I had beyond my comprehension. We are all rebellious to some extent as teenagers. But my rebellion went further than that as I grew older. In the 1960’s I bought into the nonsense that the older generation was somehow the enemy that my generation wasn’t supposed to follow nor respect. Never mind, that I made it to my teenage years and twenties because of the parents I had and all they had done for me.

What hurts me the most because I think it hurt my dad the most is that I lived in a way that said to him that I didn’t need nor respect all he had done as a provider. The shallowness of my existence in that decade led to the height of my arrogance, pride, and all the folly that goes with pride (read the Book of Proverbs). It hurt my dad immensely, in ways I didn’t understand until later.

I specifically remember one incident when he exploded about the way I looked with long hair and a beard. It wasn’t so much my appearance that was the issue. The factory for which my dad had been working was closed, and all the workers there lost their jobs. This hit deep at the value my dad held as a provider for the family. I was too ignorant and shallow at the time to realize the pain through which he was going by being out of work. For his generation, that was a hard hit, especially for a married man. The way in which I lived at that time was an insult to all he had done for me. 

The Reality of Sin

When I look back on those times that lasted longer than they should have, I’m acutely aware of how I didn’t live out the commandment stated in Exodus 20:12. Indeed, in many ways I blatantly and purposely disobeyed it. My dad bounced back, heartily pursued good work, found it, and lived out his days until retirement with a good job. He and mom retired to a small lake house where they had always wanted to live. I had little to do with helping them, if any at all. So I say to all of you whose parents still live today. Do not forsake them. Honor them, respect them, esteem them. Love them. They are the one parents you’ll have. There will be no other choices available to you. 

One of the last memories I have with my dad involves a time when he was really ill with coronary heart disease. His doctor had put him on about nine different medications. It was late at night just before we turned in for the evening. We sat at a kitchen table and went through all his meds so that he could ask the doctor the reason he had to take each one of them. It was also a time we just sat and talked. Here sat a man who had always been bigger than life to me. He had been the provider he always wanted to be. I don’t think I ever once said thank you. What I realized then, however, was that he was a little old man with a bad heart who, like everyone else, wanted to live just a little longer. I didn’t realize it at the time, but when we said goodnight to one another, that would be the last time I spent with him.

Conclusion

This is not to say Exodus 20:12 is a carte blanche for parents. Scripture calls on them to meet responsibilities toward their children as well. We all know people who emerged from abusive, broken, and unloving homes. But this is why God places so much emphasis on the family. The family is the basis by which we should learn how to navigate life. When family life is undone in a culture, sooner or later the culture is undone. I also believe that goes beyond the immediate family to the extended family. In addition to my parents, growing up I had loving grandparents, aunts, uncles, and older cousins. That was more of a blessing than I ever realized. At that time I was immersed into such a wonderful family life, the memories of which have stayed with me until now.

Last month brought us a time to remember and respect our mothers. This month brings us a time to do the same for our fathers.

Honor your father and mother so that life will be long and go well for you.

John V. Jones, Jr., Ph.D./June 14th, 2023

GENERAL ESSAY/CHRISTIAN THOUGHT

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To the Praise of Mothers

Honor your father and mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the Lord your God gives you (Exodus 20:12).

Introduction

This day belongs to moms all around the world and throughout time as we exalt or remember them. That we should honor our parents is commanded to us as one of the Ten Commandments. The apostle called it the first commandment with a promise . . . that you may live long on the earth (Ephesians 6:1-4). Both Exodus and Ephesians address that honoring and obeying parents lead to a long life. What are the ways that God’s promises work through His commandments regarding children and parents?

Work Ethic

One major memory I have of my mom is that growing up she always wanted to be a nurse. Unfortunately, her parents bought into the notion that nurses didn’t have a good reputation because of the nonsense that was spread about them in World War II. She set her dream aside for many years. In 1960, when my mom was thirty-years-old, she decided to pursue her dream, so she attended nursing school to obtain her LVN. In the last two or three decades, it has become more commonplace for adults to either enter or return to college to pursue a career or just to obtain the education they thought they missed. In 1960, that was not necessarily the case. But mom and a good friend of hers sought their LVN and obtained it. She worked hard while still raising me and being a mom at home as well. In the 1970’s, she attended college again to obtain her full RN. Again through some time and hard work, she completed her degree and received her RN. As a nurse, mom did not want to slack. She thoroughly enjoyed working in the emergency room because it helps me keep on top of my skills. She followed her dream, and worked as a nurse for over thirty years. I learned that work ethic, not just from my dad, but from my mom as well. Don’t I ever wish that I would have learned it more thoroughly than I did. Where I didn’t it was not due to lack of example and living it out. That work ethic was part of my upbringing, and the reason that I worked summer jobs, and eventually went on to pursue my own dreams.

Mom as a Mom

Not only did mom provide a good example for a work ethic and pursuing something she wanted to do through hard work and study, she was also a wonderful mom. I remember one time as I was just getting ready to start college, she asked me what do you really want to do with your life? In all honesty, I had never thought about what sincere goals I wanted to set for myself. I observed how that worked out for her and dad, but thought it would be something that would simply fall in place. I never thought about how to contemplate what it was I wanted to do with my life until that day. It still took me some time to find my way, but her question to me planted the seed that would bear fruit years later.

The memories I have of her are countless. In addition to being a solid professional nurse, mom was an artist. She purchased a kiln, and fashioned through pottery plates, cups, bowls, and glasses on which she painted designs herself, and these dishes became what the family used on special occasions, such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other holidays. Holidays was another thing for which I remember her. She loved the holidays, and wanted to make them festive for the entire family, from Thanksgiving meals Christmas trees, opening gifts, and celebrating all in find style. Those times were the most memorable and fun times I can imagine. As I look back on them, I wish I would have embraced them even stronger than I did.

There are countless memories and snippets of memories that I have of her when I was a small child. I recall the train trips we would take to visit her parents. In the 1950’s, the train was a major way to travel before the airlines became so popular in the 1960’s forward. I recall as well her joy as we looked for a new home in 1960. We would drive around town, scooping out all the homes that were on the market in our town. Her joy was beyond measure. We had a little week-end shack, if it even could be called that, which set on a small lake in East Texas. And mom loved to fish and to cook freshly caught fish for a meal. She was truly a fun-loving person who lived life fully. I was asthmatic as a child, and the one memory I hold dear of her is one night when I was having trouble breathing and sleeping, she got up from her sleep and rocked me until I finally went to sleep. I was probably four or five, but I never forgot that late night caregiving at her hand. Mom comprised a full-life of gifts and talents that she lived out as an amazing example for me to witness and follow.

Biblical Perspective on Mothers

Exodus 20 and Ephesians 6:1-4 are mere beginnings on how we are to relate to our mothers and fathers. Other Biblical examples include Ruth’s relationship to Naomi (Book of Ruth). Naomi’s faith in God provided an example for Ruth, so she told Naomi that she would stay with her, and her people would be her people, and her God would be her God. Marys response to the angel Gabriel and her willingness to undergo doubts from others about her pregnancy provides yet another example. Although not fully under-standing, she never doubted that God had good things in store for her in His providential care for her. Indeed when she visited her relative, Elizabeth, she delivered her wonderful Magnificat (Luke 1:45-56). The greatest example of honoring one’s mother is seen when Jesus, the Christ, died on the cross. He addressed both Mary and the disciple John, who will become the apostle John, woman, behold your son. And to John, He said, behold your mother (John 19:26-27). From that time forward, John took Mary into his household and to provide for her.

Conclusion

On April 17th, 2007, my mom succumbed to esophageal cancer. In the providence of God, the college campus where I taught in Austin had been shut down because of a stupid bomb threat because some student didn’t want to take a final exam. However, what that meant is that I got to spend the morning with mom on her last day here on earth. I held her hand as she passed on.

This day belongs to all the moms out there, those especially who have done the hard work of raising a child, and doing it right. There are many other examples we could look at. This Biblical perspective gives us a chance to think about our parents as a the gift they are. I know not all families were as blessed as mine happened to be. The lack of family love and guidance truly speaks to the Biblical truth of how we should see our family life as a blessing. R. J. Rushdoony sees the family as a basic form of government by which we exercise dominion over the world, if we live true to God’s law. We should thank and praise God if our family life was truly blessed as it should have been.

John V. Jones, Jr., Ph.D./ May 14th, 2023

GENERAL ESSAY

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Rushdoony on “The Source of Law”

Introduction

R. J. Rushdoony’s book Sovereignty is a major work that addresses the theology proper enunciated by the title, the sovereignty of God. The work comprises 80 chapters, so rather than trying to do a short review of the book, which wouldn’t do it justice at all, in future blog articles I will time and again address independent chapters within the book. Each chapter, for the most part, can stand alone for extensive study. For this blog article, I will tackle Chapter 11 of Sovereignty, titled “The Source of Law”. If God is sovereign, and He is, then He is sovereign over every area of our lives for which He has given us His law.

I’ve stated on this blog before that we live in a politicized world today. One only has to observe the reaction to the overturning of Roe V. Wade to confront the politicization of the culture. Although recently coming to its apex, the roots of progressivism and radical liberalism reach back to Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, FDR, and Lyndon Johnson, all of whom believed in taking the country in a different direction than the founders established. With the rise of progressivism and radical liberalism, we see the growth of centralized government, the bureaucratization of government, and the idea that government institutions should be run by experts who know what is good for the people. As such, the idea of the consent of the governed is jettisoned along with the separation of powers. The basic principles of government as seen in the founders is antithetical to those embraced by the progressives and the later radical liberals. Particularly at stake for the progressives was their stance against Christianity and the idea of eternal verities.

R. J. Rushdoony looks at the rise of the State as an attack on the sovereignty of God and he poses the question in chapter 11 of his book, what is the source of law? If the source of law is not founded on the truths of God, then we are left open to the historical relativism of the progressives, proffered in the name of reason. Rushdoony traces the development of these Enlightenment ideas that eventually spawned the progressive era in America.

Enlightenment & Scientism

With the Enlightenment, scientism began to govern men’s minds and reorder society (Rushdoony, p. 65). What does this mean in terms of the question, what is the source of law? First, one of the basic premises of the Enlightenment entailed the faith that Reason inheres all the natural universe. Hence, according to Enlightenment thinkers, the laws of reason could be applied to the goal of an orderly society. In the 18th century, mathematics became viewed as the triumphant science. The ideology then was that society could be viewed analogous to physics so that the axioms of Euclidian geometry could be applied to the affairs of government with mathematical precision. Thus according to Enlightenment thinkers, social problems were facing the dawn of a new era that would bring about their resolution. According to Geoffrey Bruun (1929), this ideology represented a confusion between scientific and juristic law.

Consequences for the Social Sciences

If society was to take on the laws of physics for its study and understanding, a rational Newtonian order was seen to imbue all being. (Interestingly, Woodrow Wilson in his ideology of progressivism would abandon Newton for Darwin). The first consequence of this rationalistic worldview was that philosophy divided into rational and empiricist camps. However, both camps, according to Rushdoony, stood on a Cartesian premise that man’s self-consciousness became the ultimate point of reference. The second consequence came with the Enlightenment view of anthropology. Human beings are reduced to being no different than the impersonal movements of atoms. As such they need ordering by those who are scientific experts. Human beings were no longer to be viewed as bearers of God’s image, but imbued with the laws of human nature. This especially became pronounced after Hegel and Darwin. As I stated above, the progressives after Woodrow Wilson would view government in Darwinian terms, in terms of historical relativity rather than foundational principles set by the framers of the Constitution. Cornelius Van Til, Christian theologian and apologist, see the root of the dehumanization of man in these Enlightenment premises (Van Til, 1935). The third consequence of scientism for social human beings is that Christianity and the church become irrational, i.e. they have no place in society. We see the full fruit of this thinking in today’s politics where First Amendment rights of freedom of religion are under attack. Nature has replaced God. The basic necessity is adaptation to the environment (Rushdoony quoting Quain Professor of Comparative Law, p. 67).

The Source of Law

Rushdoony states: Where man and nature become the source of law . . . instead of obeying God’s law, seeing the law as above and over us, law becomes something we express and determine in terms of adaptation to our natural being. This then is alone true law. Christianity and the Bible become then alien to the true and natural order (p. 67). We see today that humanistic ideology can attack the church, seeking to prevent Christians and the church from becoming politically involved. When Christians voice their views against abortion, they are charged with the violation of the separation of church and state (Rushdoony, p. 68-69). Rushdoony concludes: If man and the state are the source of law, it then follows logically that no law from God has any standing in society and will be seen as alien to “liberty”. . . the source of law in any society is the god of that social order. The new god is the state, the modern Molech, and he demands human sacrifices. (p. 69). The question that will be catapulted toward the church is, if Christians believe God is the source of law, then what does that mean for the individual rights of non-Christians? That question is packed with several layers of premises, but it is an important question with which Christians should deal. Rushdoony has said many times, regeneration, not revolution and violence, is the path forward to an awakened society.

Conclusion

Both believer and unbeliever must wrestle with the question of what is the source of law. Rushdoony in this chapter does not mention the rise of progressivism under Woodrow Wilson, then FDR, and finally Lyndon Johnson. Post 1965 witnessed a rejection of some of the progressive principles, bringing forth what has been called a radical liberalism, embracing multiculturalism, the sexual revolution, and the challenge to the structure of the family (Hillsdale College, Constitution 201, The Progressive Rejection of the Founding and The Rise of Bureaucratic Despotism). Wilson ushered in the bureaucratic state, which is alive and thriving today. Its existence undermined the founders idea of separation of powers and consent of the governed. The bureaucratic state, operated by experts who have not been elected know what is better for society and its people. Thus the source of law is the humanistic ideology of man, thrust upon people by the state. This is a battle that Christians must fight, but fight in a way that is Biblical and spiritual, not merely, and for sure not solely, political. God’s sovereignty calls on us to exercise the dominion mandate, taking captive every sphere of life to the reign of Jesus, the Christ. The dominion mandate, spiritually and prayerfully considered, is our path toward a Christian awakening in this country.

References

Bruun, G. (1929). The Enlightenment Despot. New York: Henry Holt.

Rushdoony, R. J. (2007). Sovereignty. [Chapter 11, “The Source of Law”, pp. 65-69]. Vallecito, CA: Chalcedon/Ross House Books.

Van Til, C. (1935). Psychology of Religion. Philadelphia, PA: Westminster Theological Seminary.

Online Reference

Hillsdale College Online Courses. Constitution 201: The Progressive Rejection of the Founding and The Rise of Bureaucratic Despotism. Hillsdale, MI: Hillsdale.edu.

John V. Jones, Jr, Ph.D/April 14, 2023

CHRISTIAN THOUGHT

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The Christian Worldview

Introduction

In last month’s blog article, I reiterated what I want this blog to be about (you can access that article here). I’ve also written about the dominion mandate as put forth by R. J. Rushdoony and those who work with the Chalcedon Foundation. I do not believe we can sufficiently exercise the dominion mandate without a fuller grasp of what a Christian worldview entails (see my blog article The Need for a Christian Manifesto here).

The P & R Publishing Company has provided a wonderful service, providing Christians with the Basics of Faith Series, written from a Reformed Christian perspective. The series comprises booklets that, although short, provide a well-grounded discussion of Biblical doctrine with such titles as: What Is Faith? What is Grace? What Is a Reformed Church? And there are many others in addition to these titles. Periodically I will review these booklets here on this Contemplation blog. This month’s blog article will focus on the booklet authored by Philip Graham Ryken, What Is the Christian Worldview? To fulfill the dominion mandate, as believers we must understand that our belief in Christ impacts the way we live fully in all spheres of life. Being in Christ means we hold to the Christian worldview. When we as Christians engage the world, our worldview comes with us. As it does, it bumps up against other worldviews. Specifically our Christian worldview is antithetical to non-Christian worldviews. We then are called to cultural engagement on various levels. A consistently held Christian worldview shapes our thoughts, guides our words, and motivates our actions (Ryken, p. 7).

What Is A Worldview

A worldview, also designated as a world-and-life view, is a structure of understanding that we use to make sense of the world (Ryken, p. 7). The worldview we hold is grounded in our presuppositions, regardless of how aware we are of the presuppositions by which we engage the world. Our worldview undergirds how we look at life, interpret the universe in which we live, and how we orient our soul. Heart, mind, and soul are important Biblical concepts (Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Matthew 22:37-40). Ryken states that a worldview is a well-reasoned framework of beliefs and convictions that gives a true and unified perspective on the meaning of human experience (Ryken, p. 7). Hence our worldviews address how we make meaning of life. Why are we here? Where are we going? What are the values we hold and why? Is life meaningful or just a happenstance conglomeration of events and experiences? Ryken sets forth the purpose of his booklet in that he wants to help people think from a Christian perspective, delineating some of the practical implications of holding a Christian worldview. In particular, how does a Christian worldview help believers understand: 1) God as the creator (creation); 2) the ugly truth that we turned away from God (the Fall); 3) God’s plan of salvation for His people (Grace); and 4) the future preeminence of Jesus, the Christ (Glory). These four areas of exploration form the outline of Ryken’s booklet.

The God Who Is There And Is Not Silent

As an immature believer, I attended a Francis Schaeffer seminar in Fort Worth, Texas in 1979. It truly solidified for me the place of and the important use of the mind in Christian life. I had heard and experienced that among conservative Christianity, there was little room for the mind and deep thinking. Schaffer’s seminar directly opposed the caricature of the shallow-thinking Christian. When I read Ryken’s title for this section of his booklet, it brought back good memories of that seminar. Our Christian worldview is not merely a collection of disconnected concepts that we loosely call Christian. It is grounded in the being and character of God. One’s understanding of who God is from a truly Biblical perspective is foundational to all we otherwise believe. The existence of God is the basic premise to which everything else holds together. God is the creator and sustainer of the universe. He is also our creator, with an important difference between us and the rest of creation. We are created in God’s image, Imago Dei. This puts our worldview at odds with other religious and secular worldviews, be they Hindu, atheism, or secular-humanism. As such our worldview calls us to pursue and learn as much as our finite minds will allow us guided by the Holy Spirit about the numerous attributes of God. A discussion of those would require countless blog articles just to tap the surface of the Biblically-based attributes of God. Suffice it here to say that it is important to our worldview to know that God is totally sovereign, He is triune (Father, Son, Holy Spirit), and He has designed everything to manifest His own glory. God has revealed Himself in His Word, which is Scripture. It is only by this revelation that we come to know Him. John 1 tells us that Jesus Christ is the Word, logos. Hence a Christian worldview is a Christ-centered worldview (Ryken, p. 15). As our Creator, God gave mankind a mandate over the creation.

Creation – The Way We Were

Ryken (p. 16) points out that theologians have commonly organized the Christian view of the world into four stages of redemptive history: Creation, Fall, Grace, and Glory. Having already spoken of God as the Creator, His act of creation answers the question why is there something rather than nothing? Such a view of a Creator distinct from His creation is diametrically opposed to New Age paganism, pantheism, panentheism, and materialistic naturalism. John 1 speaks of Jesus, the Christ as the creator of all things. Hence, as stated the Christian worldview is a Christ-centered worldview. The relationship of the Creator to His creation is of bedrock importance to the Christian worldview. Stamped with the Imago Dei, we are rational, creative, moral, and spiritual beings. We do not exist for ourselves. We are made so as to manifest the glory of God. We were created to fulfill the dominion mandate and to glorify God in all that we are and all that we do. We glorify God with our praise and worshipping. We glorify God with our bodies. (This foundational belief opposes many of the man-made philosophies that view the material as bad or evil, while the spiritual or ethereal is good or moral). We glorify God through marriage and the family. The mandate to populate the world goes back to Genesis and the  creation event. Likewise, we are called to glorify God in our work and our rest. The dominion mandate, or what Ryken calls the Creation Mandate, is a major way of living by which we glorify God. Everything we do represents God’s rule on earth. Hence Christians should vigorously embrace the sciences, the arts, and the areas of trade and business. Along with the Creation Mandate, Ryken proffers the Cultural Mandate (p.24), revealing God’s glory through the creative works we do in all spheres of endeavor. This mandate was given to Adam and Eve in the Garden. 

The Fall: Paradise Lost

Whether or not we like it, we are fallen creatures. We are tainted by the corruption of sin. All we have to do is look through the pages of our lives, recognizing those areas of which we are not proud, whether it has to do with individual actions or how we interacted with others. Evil entered the world through an historical event. Yet we are in Adam’s loins, and we are tainted and thereby at enmity with God. Sin brings guilt, alienation, estrangement, corrupted minds, corrupted bodies, family problems, and carelessness with our environment. We live in a time of great evils, from the slaughter of the innocent through abortion and euthanasia, to the snuffing out of innocent life through an immoral and there by failed foreign policy. Is it no wonder that many people view life as miserable and meaningless? Ryken states, the best explanation for the tragedy of humanity is the biblical doctrine of sin (p. 31). Although Paradise was lost, all is not lost. 

Grace: A Work in Progress

Our fallen nature pulls us to live in a self-serving sense rather than living in the manner whereby all our life pursuits bring glory to God. In other words, unless we submit to the Holy Spirit to guide our sanctification, we will circumvent the Creation and Cultural mandates. These mandates, while calling us to live according to the gifts and talents with which God has gifted us in the providential circumstances we now find ourselves, calls on us not to live to ourselves, but to God. Such a life can only come about through the grace of God. First, there is our salvation, accomplished totally by His calling. Second, there is our sanctification, accomplished by the Holy Spirit who indwells us. We possess a natural tendency not to live in the way God wants us to live. As God is the author of creation, He is also the author of our redemption. The Christian worldview calls for a faith-based view of salvation (sola fide). This is the grand theme of the Scriptures: salvation in Jesus Christ (Ryken, p. 32). In addition, the Christian worldview puts forth the Incarnation of Jesus, the Christ. Because Jesus is fully man, as well as fully God, He can sympathize with the difficulties and temptations that come our way. The covenant of redemption asks one thing of us: to believe and trust what Jesus, the Anointed, has done. The Christian worldview calls on us to add no works to the cross of Christ for our salvation – sola fide, solus Christus, soli Deo Gloria. God’s solution for the Fall of humanity is in the person and work of Christ (Ryken, p. 33). Through the grace of God, both for our salvation and sanctification, we are learning to think Christianly in every sphere of life. The Holy Spirit is gradually working in me to restore the knowledge of God, myself, and the world I lost through the fall. . . The formation of a Christian worldview itself is a gift of God’s saving grace – a gift that is given only to those who trust the written and incarnate Word of God (Ryken, p. 34). 

Conclusion

Philip Graham Ryken provides so much more in this forty-five page booklet. In the last few remaining pages, Ryken speaks to the Great Commission as part of the Christian worldview. Evangelism and the Cultural Mandate are not an either-or option; they are a both-and calling from God (p.37). As I stated above, the booklets in the Basics of the Faith Series, are short and to the point, yet are full of profound truths for Christians who believe in the person and work of Jesus Christ. In this booklet, Ryken has taken us through the history of redemption, from our Creation to our need of Grace. Only if we embrace the Christian Worldview can we fulfill the dominion mandate that God has called us to fulfill. The booklets in this Series are written from the perspective of Reformed theology, based on Biblical evidence. For future blog articles, I will be writing other reviews of booklets in this Series. I hope this short review will whet the appetite of believers in Christ to delve into the Basics of the Faith Series.

Ryken, P. G. (2006). What Is The Christian Worldview? [Basics of the Faith Series]. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing.

[Philip Graham Ryken (b. 1966), is an American theologian, Presbyterian minister (PCA), and academic administrator (Wheaton College). He obtained his BA from Wheaton College in 1988, Master of Divinity from Westminster Theological Seminary in 1992, and his Ph.D. in historical theology from the University of Oxford in 1995. He is currently the eighth president of Wheaton College, and a member of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals]. 

John V. Jones, Jr. Ph.D./March 14th, 2023

BOOK REVIEW/CHRISTIAN THOUGHT

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Christian Reconstruction

Introduction

What is Christian Reconstruction? The best way to answer this question is to go straight to source, R. J. Rushdoony and others who are associated with or write for the Chalcedon Foundation. I have taken much of what I’ve written here from the Journal of Christian Reconstruction, 1996 publication. Because Christian Reconstruction has been so maligned and others mimic the caricaturing without having read Rushdoony and others, or if they have, they nick pick or cherry pick rather than present a fair representation of what various authors have said who have written about Christian Reconstruction, it is most important to go straight to the sources regarding this topic.

What Is Christian Reconstruction?

In a vary recent article (October 2022), which can be found on Chalcedon.edu, Mark Rushdoony shares that his father coined the term Christian Reconstruction in 1965. He then provides his own definition of Christian Reconstruction by analogy describing the Christian’s work responsibilities in the Kingdom of God (1). Both Christian Reconstruction and the postmillennial position associated with Christian Reconstruction assume the Holy Spirit is remaking all things in terms of the victory of Jesus Christ and the corresponding defeat of Satan (2). Hence Christian Reconstruction is about Christians’ faithfulness to the duties to which God has called us in whatever sphere we happen to reside, work wise and otherwise. As believers who have set in evangelical and Bible churches, we have all probably heard and have been exhorted to deny ourselves and take up our Cross. But what do these exhortations mean for the believer in Christ? To deny ourselves is to take up the work that God has put before us. And this work, whatever it may be for each Christian, is our cross. To follow Christ is to fulfill our responsibilities in the Kingdom (3). Mark Rushdoony provides a good historical example of someone fulfilling his responsibilities in the person of Johannes Kepler, a 17th century astronomer. When Kepler described his methodology as a scientific astronomer, he proclaimed he approached his work as one thinking God’s thoughts after Him (4). Each Christian has a calling that he must fulfill. Each calling may involve a heavier cross than others. If we follow Christ, we will suffer, but to what extent is in the hands of God’s providence. Whatever work we’re doing in this life, however, we can approach it as Kepler approached his work, thinking God’s thoughts after Him.

What Is Theonomy?

Another idea that has been greatly maligned in the thought of Christian Reconstruction is that of theonomy. What is theonomy? Mark Rushdoony talks about his father’s proposed goal in writing the 3-volume work, The Institutes of Biblical Law. Basically this massive work was proffered by R. J. Rushdoony as God’s way of sanctification of obedience. The process of our sanctification and growth as Christians should lead us to obey the Law of God. Yes, we will fall short, but the power of the Holy Spirit will enable us to become more and more like Christ, which is why we look forward to that day when we see Him face-to-face. Although the church has noticed the moral degeneracy of the culture, in many ways we have refused to see the purpose of God’s Law for our lives today. Mark Rushdoony points to the reaction of the church to the early days of homeschooling as an example of how the church compromised with the culture and the State (5). There is still much misunderstanding about theonomy, mostly by those who have not read R. J. Rushdoony, or those who nick pick over eschatological positions. Theonomy is not about our obeying the Law by our own power or about our meriting something before God by keeping the Law. We are to be obedient to God, and that can come only through the power of the Holy Spirit who strengthens our inner being toward our sanctification.

How Is Christian Reconstruction Misunderstood?

As Mark Rushdoony points out in his Chalcedon Report for October 2022, contrary to critics’ claims, it must be pointed out that neither Christian Reconstruction, the dominion mandate, nor the postmillennial eschatology suggest that man is in charge of ushering in the kingdom (6). As stated above, nowhere in Christian Reconstruction literature will one read that Christians are to meritoriously obey the Law of God so as to earn salvation. As believers grow in sanctification, they will by the power of the Spirit become more obedient to God throughout their lives. Regardless of eschatological differences with their different views of the Kingdom of God, we should all be honest in reporting what other believers say about their understanding of how God would have us live in the world while not being of the world.

Conclusion: Some Qualifiers

Qualifiers is probably not a good word for this conclusion. I just want to add here that for most of my Christian life, there were many years when I didn’t know about R. J. Rusdoony’s work whatsoever. I wish I had discovered it earlier. At this point, I would not claim to be a postmillennialist nor a theonomist, but I sure want to know more about those positions. I have obtained my understanding of Scripture in Bible churches that were premillennial in their eschatology. I have not settled on a position as yet, and I’m seventy-five years old. We should hold firmly to what I call the Five Fundamentals of the Faith, and in a highly divisive age, we as Christians need to witness to the world where we draw the line in the sand. Simultaneously, we need to witness to the world how we can agree to disagree with other Christians who hold to the fundamental truths of Scripture without becoming divisive where no such division is required. What I do believe and want to contribute by any work I do is that as Christians in every sphere of life, we do our work as unto the Lord, taking all things captive to the name of Christ. I look forward to learning more about Christian Reconstruction and the dominion mandate.

References

Rushdoony, M.R. (2022). Chalcedon Report October 22: Leaning into the Hard Work of the Kingdom. Chalcedon Foundation: Vallecito, CA. (All references in this Blog come from this source).

John V. Jones, Jr., Ph.D./February 14th, 2023

CHRISTIAN THOUGHT

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Faith and Analysis: The Goals of This Blog

Introduction

When I had the official kickoff back in September 2022, what I’m writing now about this blog is what I should have written then. But like I do a lot of things, I shoot from the hip without having a clear vision of what my goals for a project might be, and thereby I don’t have a good sense of what I’m trying to do or where I want to take a project on which I happen to be working. I do know that I sought the name change to Faith and Analysis because I want to analyze our culture from the perspective of my faith, a born-again Christian, dare I say a fundamentalist Christian since that word has taken on a derogatory and even evil connotation in our time. Long-range goals are approached by short-range goals a step at a time. What I want to do with this month’s blog is lay out what I see as the over-arching plan for Contemplations to involve.

Order and Dominion

Over the past few months since I changed the perspective of this blog to Faith and Analysis I recognized that I had a sense of my thoughts being scattered, and that I was all over the place in terms of what I wanted as a focus for this blog. On the one hand, I didn’t want the focus of the blog to be too narrow, nor did I want it to be so broad as to have no focus at all. The blog needed tightened up and organized. God is about dominion and order. What I was trying to accomplish with Contemplations needed some order brought to it. My goal is to organize this blog around eight different themes or foci.

An Organizing Structure

The eight themes or foci around which this blog will be built and organized are the following: 1) the blog with its Christian perspective will proffer Reformed Theology, thereby drawing on Calvinism as a framework for discussing theological concerns and the pulse of our culture; 2) as one who holds to Reformed Theology, the sovereignty of God over our lives and His bringing about His Kingdom will be a major theme of exploration for this blog; 3) with that major theme, its corollary, God’s providence in our lives will be a reoccurring discussion within these pages; 4) as Faith and Analysis I will seek to apply a Reformed Christian perspective to current, historical, societal, and cultural events that we face as Christians, particularly those of us who hold to the fundamentals of the faith; 5) as one who promotes Reformed Theology, I will uphold the necessity of Biblical and theological knowledge and sound doctrine, providing discussions of theology and Biblical studies written across history of the church from the early Church Fathers to the present (book reviews, discussions of theological doctrine, highlighting Christian literature and writers; 6) As one who promotes Faith and Analysis, I will not shy away from discussing from a Christian perspective political, economic, and moral concerns; 7) given the emphasis on sound doctrine, I prayerfully hope to emphasize the importance of sound logical thinking in a postmodern age where accurate thought and truth are consistently under attack; 8) the blog will highlight the dominion mandate, Christian Reconstruction, and theonomy as discussed in the writings by R. J. Rushdoony and others (the Chalcedon Organization).

Conclusion

As any casual reader can tell from reading this particular blog, my goals are certainly not too narrow, nor are they too broad given the Christian perspective from which I write. Above all, Jesus Christ will be the center of thought for this blog. My own personal stance aligns for the most part with Reformed Theology. I embrace the dominion mandate that R. J. Rushdoony discusses in his writings. At this point I’m not ready to proclaim that I’m a theonomist or postmillennialist. There’s a lot to organize around this blog as I’ve delineated it here. Perhaps that’s what leads me to a sense of disorganization at times. The dominion mandate calls on us to bring order, not only to our thought lives, but in everything we pursue, taking captive all spheres of endeavor to the name and reign of Jesus Christ.

John V. Jones, Jr./Ph.D./January 14th, 2023

GENERAL ESSAY/CHRISTIAN THOUGHT

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Book Review: The Sovereignty of God [A. W. Pink]

Introduction

Throughout the introductory chapter of Pink’s Book, The Sovereignty of God, this question rings loud and clear: Who is regulating the affairs on this earth today? Pink offers us two options, God or the Devil. Written in the early part of the twentieth century, Pink points to the many troubles and crises happening at that time that led people to question whether or not God is in charge. Particularly germane to Pink’s time was World War I, and he would see World War II before he died. 

Pink’s Context and Ours

Arthur Walkington Pink (1886-1952) was educated at Moody Bible Institute. He is known for his stand as a Calvinist, hence he is by God’s providence, the man to pen this book about the sovereignty of God. The introductory chapter, along with the solemn question Pink poses, lays the foundation for what is to unfold in the following chapters. Times are still challenging today as they were in Pink’s day. There are events going on in the world that no doubt lead people to question whether or not God is in control. Many raise the question as to God’s very existence. Is our time any less troublesome than Pink’s? At the moment we are watching an invasion of Ukraine by the Russian military. Christians in many parts of the world are being put to death for their faith. Due to our foreign policy, we have been engaged in one military conflict after another since Vietnam. Woodrow Wilson wanted to bring democracy to the world via military intervention. Today the so-called War on Terror has proved as fruitful as democratizing the world. Free speech is under attack at every turn. The Constitution has been shredded in the name of compassion. Today in the U.S. we face a thirty-one trillion dollar debt, leading people to wander just how long the dollar will hold up before it collapses totally. And there is no end in sight of the road to entitlements coming out of DC, but primarily coming out of the taxpayer’s pocket. We are a country that sacrifices the unborn to the whims of people who want their freedom without any responsibility. It would be easy for someone to look in on these events and cultural mores and question: who regulates the affairs of the earth today? Pink, however, takes us to scripture to read and hear what it says about the character and attributes of God. In Pink’s presentation, either we live by sight or we live by faith. What does Scripture tell us about the one true sovereign God?

Sight or Faith

Pink tells us that walking by faith signifies certain ways of living. It means our thoughts are formed, our actions regulated, our lives molded by the Holy Scriptures . . . It is from the Word of Truth, and that alone – that we can learn what is God’s relation to this world. Pink stated that the troublesome times of his day were coming to fruition just as the Scriptures predicted. As believers in Christ, we should not be surprised that the world is turning away from God. Believers in Christ are in the world but are not of the world. The world system will continue to grow more and more antagonistic toward the Christian faith. . . . let it be said that the scriptures predicted just what we now see and hear . . . What is needed now as ever before, is a full, positive, constructive setting forth of the Godhood of God.

The Structure of the Book

As stated the introductory chapter lays the ground work for what is to follow in the next twelve chapters. This opening chapter states the major postulate on which the entire book is built. Because God is God – He does as He pleases, only as He pleases, always as He pleases; that His great concern is the accomplishment of His own pleasure and the promotion of His own glory; that He is the Supreme Being, therefore, Sovereign of the universe. Based on this postulate, Pink contemplates the exercise of God’s sovereignty, first in Creation (Chap. 2). Then he explores how God’s sovereignty relates to God’s Governmental Administration over the works of His hands (Chap. 3). In the next two chapters, Pink explores the difficult and controversial areas of God’s election for salvation (Chap. 4), and the reprobation of the wicked (Chap. 5). Pink then explores what he calls God’s sovereignty in His operation on and within men (Chap. 6). Pink then explores two more difficult areas as he looks to understand God’s sovereignty as it relates to the human will (Chap. 7) and human responsibility (Chap. 8). This is an area where even Calvinists find disagreement. Given God’s sovereign control of all that occurs, what is the relationship of God’s sovereignty to prayer (Chap. 9)? Given the doctrine of God’s sovereignty, what should be the Christian’s attitude toward such teaching (Chap. 10)? The Sovereignty of God is a truth revealed to us in Scripture for the comforting of our hearts, the strengthening of our souls, and the blessing of our lives. The next two chapters deal with difficulties and objections to the doctrine of God’s sovereignty (Chap. 11) and then the practical value of the doctrine of God’s sovereignty (Chap. 12). The book closes with a conclusion that summarizes all that went before along with an exhortation for believers in Christ to seek and attend to sound doctrine (Chap. 13). 

Conclusion: Practical Value of the Doctrine of God’s Sovereignty

Although not a pragmatist, Pink believes that sound doctrine has practical value. The penultimate chapter explores what he considers to be the practical value derived from the doctrine of God’s sovereignty. Pink delineates ten areas for the believer that will be strengthened by a proper and deeper understanding of God’s sovereignty. For purposes of bringing this blog article to a finale, I’ll simply list those ten areas. God’s Sovereignty 1) deepens our veneration of the Divine character; 2) is the solid foundation of all true religion; 3) repudiates the heresy of salvation by works; 4) is deeply humbling to the creature; 5) affords a sense of absolute security; 6) supplies comfort in sorrow; 7) begets a spirit of sweet resignation; 8) evokes a song of praise: 9) guarantees the final triumph of good over evil; 10) provides a resting place for the heart. As stated in the opening of this article, A. W. Pink penned The Sovereignty of God for those who have placed their faith in Christ for their salvation, those who hold to the Five Fundamentals of the Faith. For many Christians today, this will not be considered light reading, nor did Pink intend it to be so written. I urge all believers who look with hope toward the dominion mandate as put forth by R. J. Rushdoony, to not only read this book, but to read and reread it, bringing good and solid study to it. We are called to love God with all our mind. Sound doctrine is not valued that much today in many pulpits. But if we are to love God with all we are, we cannot remain ignorant of good, sound teaching. 

[Pink, A. W., (2018). The Sovereignty of God. (Originally published in 1918). 2018 edition published by Digitalreads.com. All material and quotes in this blog article are taken from the 2018 Kindle edition.]

John V. Jones, Jr., Ph.D./December 14th, 2022

CHRISTIAN THOUGHT/BOOK REVIEW

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Book Review: The Biblical Philosophy of History [R. J. Rushdoony]

Introduction

Because of modern approaches to historical research, we are accustomed to thinking of history as simply the reporting of chronological events whereby the historian holds neutral his underlying presuppositions that form the basis of any interpretation of historical events. History then is more or less a journalistic reporting of events without bias. Indeed, according to some historians, history should not entail an interpretive process that looks to understand the meaning of events. But can historians simply report events without any underlying presuppositions? The very facts they choose to chronicle involves a choice on their part of some material while bypassing other material. In his book, The Biblical Philosophy of History, R. J. Rushdoony provides a different picture of history. He challenges us with questions like, What is history? What are the underlying presuppositions of various historiographies (historical method)? Can there really be a neutral approach to history? On the basis of these questions Rushdoony then proceeds to proffer a Biblical philosophy of history. In his various writings, Rushdoony posits the contrast of a Christian worldview with other worldviews that he designates as humanism. Whether those worldviews entail Greek philosophy,  medieval scholasticism, Enlightenment rationalism, positivism, or existentialism, they have in common their antagonism toward a Christian worldview because at their core they are all humanistic in that they view man as the determiner of all things. A Biblical Philosophy of History is a work meant for those who believe in a historical Jesus, who offers salvation to those who place faith in Him as called by God. 

History and Meaning

A popular movement emerged in the 1960’s that had its roots in the 19th century and the writings of Frederich Nietzsche. The movement was a philosophical one and anti-theological one known as the God is dead philosophy. Following Nietzsche, theologians such as Thomas J. Altizer held that the era of Christian civilization had come to an end, and all morals and values generated by a Christian worldview had collapsed. Historically, then Christianity became nothing more than a myth to be reported in the annals of historical research. What this meant for human beings was that they were then immersed in the process of historicity, thereby the search for a transcendental meaning in history is a meaningless pursuit. In contrast to this philosophy, Rushdoony brings forth a Biblical Philosophy of History. Throughout this work, Rushdoony pits a view of history as grounded in Biblical truth against various humanistic philosophies of history, including the Greek view of history, medieval scholasticism, Enlightenment rationalism, the positivism of Comte, pragmatism, Marxism, Fabian socialism, scientism, and relativism. Rushdoony’s first chapter, with the same title as the book, lays the groundwork for the entire work. 

The Biblical Philosophy of History

In his opening chapter, Rushdoony goes straight to Genesis and the Biblical perspective of creation as the foundation to the Biblical philosophy of history. He delineates nine implications for historical understanding if we accept the Biblical claim of God as Creator. 1) The doctrine of creation asserts that the universe, time, history, man, and all things are the handiwork of a sovereign, omnipotent, omniscient, and triune God (p. 7). 2) This means that the meaning of history is to be understood primarily and essentially in terms of that God (p. 7). If God created time and history, then they are determined by Him. Hence, as human beings we are not immersed in time without recourse to any transcendental meaning. History is not caught in time but proceeds from eternity. 3) Creation is described by all of Scripture as a creative act of God, in six days, and thus it must be understood as an act, not of process (p. 7). 4) The Biblical doctrine of creation not only asserts that creation is the creative act of God, but also, because it is totally His creative act, creation is totally under His government (p. 10). 5) The source of energy and power is radically different in the Biblical faith from that in the humanistic creed. For the orthodox Christian, who grounds his philosophy of history on the doctrine of creation, the mainspring of history is God (p.12).God’s sovereignty and providential control give history meaning because history unfolds on the basis of His eternal decrees. 6) The Biblical philosophy of history is grounded not only on the doctrine of creation, but also on the doctrine of the infallible Scripture (p. 13). 7) The Biblical philosophy of history means that time does not come out of a primeval past, but from eternity (p. 15) 8) The doctrine of creation has reference to the nature of man (p. 16). Human beings are not caught up in the process of time and historicity; they are passive in their relationship to God, but active agents in relation to time and creation. 9) All factuality is . . . made personal, because it is the handiwork of the personal triune God, and it derives its meaning from His personal, creative act and eternal decree (p. 18). Rushdoony builds the theme of his book, The Biblical Philosophy of History, as he expounds on these nine principles while also contrasting the Biblical philosophy with humanistic philosophies throughout history from ancient Greece to the modern era. 

The Structure of the Book

Given the nine implications for the Biblical Philosophy of History from the premise that God is creator, Rushdoony takes Christian readers on a journey of how these implications relate to what Orthodox Christians hold as basic truths of Scripture. Hence readers will delve into what it means for history if we accept what Romans 9 says about inescapable truths seen in creation. What does the Incarnation and the Virgin Birth mean for our understanding of history? What does regeneration of the believer mean for our understanding of history and our place in history? Rushdoony takes Orthodox believers into these discussions and others. Two appendices to the book delve further into historiography and Rushdoony’s plea for the need of Christian scholarship in this area, as one means of Christian Reconstruction where all spheres of life are taken captive for the name of Christ.

Conclusion

As stated, The Biblical Philosophy of History is written straightforwardly for the Reformed Orthodox Christian. It provides the believer with a firm foundation for why we should study history, whether we pursue it as a professional, a student, or a layperson. History has meaning and purpose. The Christian interpretation of history is at odds with all humanistic approaches to understanding history, if indeed there is any understanding to be had from humanistic presuppositions. 

References:

[Rushdoony, R. J. (2000). The Biblical Philosophy of History (originally published in 1969; reprinted in 2000). Vallecito, CA: Ross House Books.] [All page numbers refer to the Kindle edition.]

John V. Jones, Jr., Ph.D./November 14th, 2022

BOOK REVIEW/CHRISTIAN THOUGHT

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Waiting on God

Introduction

As we pray, study God’s Word, and face the vicissitudes of life that come at us, Scripture tells us over and over again about the comforts that come with waiting on God. What exactly does it mean to wait on God? What are the comforts and blessings that come when we do wait on God? Is the Fruit of the Spirit, patience, implicated in our waiting on God? If we learn what it truly means Biblically to wait on God, what is God trying to teach us through our waiting on His timing?

The Sovereignty of God

There are many attributes we could study concerning God’s character. God’s sovereignty, however, speaks to who God is in contrast to who man is. God’s sovereignty simply means that God is God. He does what He pleases, when He pleases, how He pleases. It is tempting to qualify this statement with God’s other attributes, so as to not make it sound as if God is whimsical and arbitrary. Nothing God does is antithetical to His holiness and justice. However, let’s stay focused on God’s sovereignty for the moment without moving too quickly to qualify the power and glory that is His being as seen in the simple fact that God is the great I AM. There is nothing that is outside of God’s control. All that happens in the world and to us individually is under His control. Two years ago I experienced a cerebellum stroke that still effects my ability to walk to this day. (I wrote about this experience, beginning here). Obviously, the why question emerged for me, but I’ll probably never have a specific answer to that question, other than it was God’s will that I had the stroke. The important thing for created beings to realize is that no one gives God counsel or advice for what and how He does things. He is sovereign, and He is His own counsel. Two important Books in Scripture can highlight this truth for us: The Book of Job, and Genesis in detailing the life of Joseph. God is God, and He is sovereign over His Kingdom, and rules as He knows best. Waiting of God calls on us to rest in His sovereignty and let things play out as they will. Many times we pray for something, and we want an answer to our prayer to come about immediately, as quickly as possible. Waiting on God requires the Fruit of the Spirit, patience, as well as trusting all the other magnificent and magnanimous attributes of God.

The Providence of God

God’s sovereignty speaks to His absolute control over all that occurs in life. God’s sovereignty is worked out through His providential hand. The stroke I experienced entails God’s providential hand in my life. God teaches us things through the sufferings and difficulties we face in life. God blessed me in displaying His providence at every turn as I worked through the difficulties of that stroke for a full year. Although I believed in God’s sovereignty and providence prior to my stroke, the twists and turns I went through during that time solidified for me God’s providential hand in my life. There was a lot of waiting I had to do, particularly waiting to regain strength, to walk again with the use of a roller and cain, to restore my voice so as to talk again, and to develop my ability to swallow and eat again. I would have preferred all that to have happened overnight, but that’s not the way strokes work. And in many cases it’s not the way God works. I learned a lot during that time about prayer, working hard in rehab, and waiting on God’s good timing. Waiting on God requires us to trust in His providential timing. God hears our prayers. He may not answer them all in the way we would prefer, and some prayers He may answer with a no. But His providential care is for certain.

Patience: A Fruit of the Spirit

I would like to wax eloquently on how I’ve developed patience over the past two years in dealing with this stroke, but if I did, I would certainly be falling into sin. I am one impatient dude. Patience is one of the nine Fruit of the Spirit, delineated in Galatians 5:22-23. Notice, Scripture does not designate them as fruits, but as Fruit. They are one and indivisible. Waiting on God requires us to wait on God’s timing, not ours. There are still things with which I struggle as a result of my stroke. My balance is still not the best, and eating some things can be difficult due to my inability to swallow certain types of food. My left side was affected by the stroke, so I tend to drop a lot of things, which can really test my patience. I have prayed quite often for this Fruit of the Spirit to become manifested in my life. So it too is something for which I have to wait on God to develop within me through His Holy Spirit. There are some truths we can know. God wants for us the blessing that comes with the Fruit of the Spirit. So I know He will answer my prayer for patience in His own way and in His own timing. Waiting on God requires patience because patience requires trust in who God is and what He is all about.

Conclusion: What the Future Holds

Waiting on God to work things out in our lives is no easy task. Patience and trust require faith in who God is. We are promised in Scripture that God works all things together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). We are still fallen creatures on this side of life, and it is easy for us to give up on God’s promises. David faced this struggle, stating that he said in haste, I am cut off from before your eyes/Nevertheless You heard the voice of my supplications/When I cried out to You (Psalm 31:22). I have mentioned on this blog before the idea of Christian Reconstruction as put forth by R. J. Rushdoony who established the Chalcedon Foundation. If we as Christians are to bring every sphere of life captive to Christ, we have to be a patient people, not just because that is a decent character trait to possess, but because patience shows that we believe in the sovereignty and providence of God, that we trust by faith that He will bring about all things in His good timing. And what he will bring about will be Holy, Righteous, and Just, according to all His magnificent attributes.

This nation is going through some difficult times right now. And God judges the nations (Joel 3:1-23). I am not sure what the future holds for us. We face a 31-trillion-dollar debt, which just to say that, is unfathomable as to what it means. We are a nation, grounded in humanism whereby people look to the State for salvation. As believers, we need to pray diligently for this nation. And those prayers will require us to trust by faith in God’s sovereign plan, meaning we must wait on the Lord our God to do what He will do. Wait on the Lord; be of good courage. And He will strengthen your heart; wait, I say wait on the Lord (Psalm 27:14).

John V. Jones, Jr., Ph.D./October 14th, 2022

CHRISTIAN THOUGHT

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Contemplations: Faith & Analysis Kickoff

Introduction

One might say that the notion of truth has fallen on hard times, but actually it has been a long-time coming. We see today the fruits of what was sown beginning in the Enlightenment, working its way into the modernist age. Although rationalism born out the Enlightenment is at odds in many ways with the postmodern age in which we now live, both are the result of humanism. If man is the ultimate measure of all things, then the radical relativism of postmodernism is the result of that presupposition. Spinoza opened the door to postmodernism, whether or not one wants to admit it, in his attack on Biblical truth and the existence of a personal God. Because of at least a Christian consensus, our culture did not feel the full force of the undermining of absolute truth for a couple of centuries. Now we see it in full force in every sphere of life from education to economics, and for sure in the political realm. One only had to listen to Biden’s speech the other night to know that we live in a time of full-blown rhetoric. Lest people think I’m picking on one political party, the same is true about the statements spewed by Trump. Unfortunately, much of the church under the guise of Christianity embraced the modernist form of thought as witnessed by the rise of Neo-Orthodoxy, modernist theology (Barth, etc.), liberation theology, and a segment of the emergent church that denounces the place of doctrine in Christianity. Without truth grounded in a solid foundation, the human creature is rudderless, directionless, and embraces the notion of a meaningless and purposeless universe.

Faith & Analysis Kick Off Time

Over the summer I previewed what was coming in the blog with the name change to Contemplations: Faith and Analysis. The September publication is the beginning of what I pray is a bright future for this blog. I have come to believe that the basic foundation for anything designated as the truth is the Christian faith. In the months ahead, and hopefully longer, I will provide analysis of what is transpiring in our culture and nation from a Christian point of view. Presently, we face a time when just about anything is acceptable other than an Orthodox Christian worldview. Contemplations, moving forward, will draw on a Reformed Christian framework to critique what is occurring in the realm of culture, politics, economics, education, business, the arts, etc. Although I will draw on the works of many Christians, I primarily will base what I write here on R. J. Rushdoony and his thoughts on Christian Reconstruction. Unfortunately, there is a much caricaturing of his position and, thereby, misunderstanding of what Christian Reconstruction is all about. Basically, it comes down to taking captive to Christ all areas of life. Due to Neo-Orthodoxy, and the modernist movements in the church, the concept of Christianity itself unfortunately means a variety of things to people. I will delineate where I’m coming from in this blog article

Reformed Theology

I embrace my faith from the perspective of an Orthodox Reformed theology. What exactly does that entail? There are several elements to my faith that I want to delineate here, but how they apply to an analysis of our culture via faith will come to light only in time across the months through my published blog articles.

Five Fundamentals of the Faith

First, I am Orthodox in that I hold to basic Biblical Christianity. The foundation of my beliefs lies on what I consider the Five Fundamentals of the Faith. These are 1) the eternal existence of the Creator Triune God and His creation ex-nihilo of the universe and all there within, and the Fall of man; 2) the Incarnation of Jesus Christ and the Works of the Holy Spirit; 3) the necessity of the Substitutionary Atonement of Jesus Christ and its apprehension by faith alone; 4) the death, resurrection, ascension, and second coming of Jesus Christ; 5) the inerrancy and infallibility of Scripture. The way in which I draw on my faith to critique the present climate of our culture will unfold in the months ahead.

The Five Solas

The Five Fundamentals of the faith delineated above can be somewhat correlated to what are called the Five Solas that emerged out of the Reformation. These are 1) sola fide – faith alone; 2) sola Scriptura – Scripture alone; 3) sola gratia – grace alone; 4) solus Christus – Christ alone; 5) Soli Deo Gloria – to God the glory alone. These Five Solas help sum up the Five Fundamentals of the faith described above.

T.U.L.I.P. Calvinism

As one whose faith is grounded on Orthodox Reformed theology, God’s sovereignty and His providential hand over our lives is at the core of what I believe. Unfortunately, Calvinism is another one of those terms that carries with it much caricaturing and misunderstanding. Hopefully, over the course of time I will make clear how this Reformed view of theology provides a foundation for analysis via faith of our culture and nation. The Five Points (T.U.L.I.P.) of Calvinism are: 1) Total Depravity; 2) Unconditional Election: 3) Limited Atonement: 4) Irresistible Grace; 5) Perseverance or Preservation of the Saints.

Conclusion

The discussion above is only a thin layer of what Reformed theology entails. But it provides a basic starting and kickoff point for establishing a foundation for the analyses that will be forthcoming in the months ahead. Contemplations: Faith & Analysis will provide analyses through various formats – essays, ideas regarding Christian counseling, book reviews, political analyses, discussions of economics, and other formats. We are entering an election season, and this heyday of rhetoric unfortunately fits a postmodern mindset. The goal of Contemplations is to provide a thoughtful analysis of the culture from the perspective of Christian thought, particularly in terms of Christian Reconstruction as described by R. J. Rushdoony and the Chalcedon organization. .

John V. Jones, Jr., Ph.D./September 14th, 2022

CHRISTIAN THOUGHT