Christian Reconstructionism & Cornelius van Til:
Founder of the Westminster Theological Seminary, Cornelius Van Til taught strict Calvinism. His presuppositional apologetics rejected the idea of reasoning with non-Christians on neutral grounds. He argued for complete reliance on the authority of the Bible, which is perfect, rather than human reason, which is depraved and unreliable. He created the idea of theonomy, or submission to the rule of god. His ideas are indispensable to Reconstructionism, but he never expressed adherence to it.
Founder of the Westminster Theological Seminary, Cornelius Van Til taught strict Calvinism. His presuppositional apologetics rejected the idea of reasoning with non-Christians on neutral grounds. He argued for complete reliance on the authority of the Bible, which is perfect, rather than human reason, which is depraved and unreliable. He created the idea of theonomy, or submission to the rule of god. His ideas are indispensable to Reconstructionism, but he never expressed adherence to it.
Christian Reconstructionism & Rousas John Rushdoony:
R.J. Rushdoony is the founder of Christian Reconstructionism. Born in 1916 and heavily influenced by the writings of Cornelius van Til, Rushdoony founded the Chalcedon Foundation in California in 1965. His 1973 book The Institutes of Biblical Law remains the handbook of Christian Reconstructionism, laying out all its principles and goals. Rushdoony was an early advocate of Christian homeschooling against secular public education and an early board member of the Rutherford Institute.
R.J. Rushdoony is the founder of Christian Reconstructionism. Born in 1916 and heavily influenced by the writings of Cornelius van Til, Rushdoony founded the Chalcedon Foundation in California in 1965. His 1973 book The Institutes of Biblical Law remains the handbook of Christian Reconstructionism, laying out all its principles and goals. Rushdoony was an early advocate of Christian homeschooling against secular public education and an early board member of the Rutherford Institute.
Christian Reconstructionism & Gary North:
Originally an activist in libertarian and anti-communist groups, Gary North came under the influence of R.J. Rushdoony and married his daughter. The two had a falling out over an obscure bit of doctrine and stopped speaking; North moved to Tyler, Texas and founded the Institute for Christian Economics where he focuses on economic aspects of Christian Reconstructionism. He is the primary publisher of Reconstructionist material today and North typically writes for general audiences.
Originally an activist in libertarian and anti-communist groups, Gary North came under the influence of R.J. Rushdoony and married his daughter. The two had a falling out over an obscure bit of doctrine and stopped speaking; North moved to Tyler, Texas and founded the Institute for Christian Economics where he focuses on economic aspects of Christian Reconstructionism. He is the primary publisher of Reconstructionist material today and North typically writes for general audiences.
Christian Reconstructionism & Greg Bahnsen:
An ordained minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and Calvinist theologian, Greg Bahnsen was an important figure for Christian Reconstructionists. Although a strong advocate of theonomy, he is better known for his advocacy of presuppositionalist apologetics which rejects the idea that there is a neutral ground on which Christians and non-Christians could debate. Despite this, he engaged in numerous debates and formulated the Transcendental Argument for the Existence of God.
An ordained minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and Calvinist theologian, Greg Bahnsen was an important figure for Christian Reconstructionists. Although a strong advocate of theonomy, he is better known for his advocacy of presuppositionalist apologetics which rejects the idea that there is a neutral ground on which Christians and non-Christians could debate. Despite this, he engaged in numerous debates and formulated the Transcendental Argument for the Existence of God.
Christian Reconstructionism & David Chilton:
A pastor in California before his death, David Chilton was a popular writer for Christian Reconstructionism who focused on eschatology and economics. He, like other Reconstructionists, argued that slavery was permitted under biblical law and was therefore a part of God’s design for humanity — even today in modern America. He also argued that the god of Judaism is “the devil” and therefore that Judaism must be replaced by Christianity — by force, if necessary.
A pastor in California before his death, David Chilton was a popular writer for Christian Reconstructionism who focused on eschatology and economics. He, like other Reconstructionists, argued that slavery was permitted under biblical law and was therefore a part of God’s design for humanity — even today in modern America. He also argued that the god of Judaism is “the devil” and therefore that Judaism must be replaced by Christianity — by force, if necessary.
Christian Reconstructionism & Gary DeMar:
Gary DeMar founded and runs the Christian Reconstructionist group American Vision located in Smyrna, Georgia. Its goal is to “restore America’s biblical foundation.” DeMar is also a member of the member of the Steering Committee of the Coalition On Revival (COR), a Dominionist organization. DeMar has expressed support for applying the death penalty to offenses like sodomy and providing abortions.
Gary DeMar founded and runs the Christian Reconstructionist group American Vision located in Smyrna, Georgia. Its goal is to “restore America’s biblical foundation.” DeMar is also a member of the member of the Steering Committee of the Coalition On Revival (COR), a Dominionist organization. DeMar has expressed support for applying the death penalty to offenses like sodomy and providing abortions.
Christian Reconstructionism & D. James Kennedy:
Pastor of the Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, D. James Kennedy denies that he is a Christian Reconstructionist. In 1996 he addressed a banquet held by American Vision and belongs to COR (Coalition on Revival), a Dominionist group that wants to impose biblical law on America. He claims that America and the entire world belong to Christians, that Christians must reclaim America for God, and that Christians must govern.
Pastor of the Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, D. James Kennedy denies that he is a Christian Reconstructionist. In 1996 he addressed a banquet held by American Vision and belongs to COR (Coalition on Revival), a Dominionist group that wants to impose biblical law on America. He claims that America and the entire world belong to Christians, that Christians must reclaim America for God, and that Christians must govern.
Christian Reconstructionism & Larry Pratt:
Head of Gun Owners of America and English First, an anti-immigrant group, Larry Pratt bridges Christian Reconstructionism, white supremacism, and the radical militia movement. Co-chair of Pat Buchanan’s 1996 presidential campaign, Pratt bases his opposition to gun control on biblical principles, participated in Christian Identity gatherings, was a contributing editor of the anti-Semitic periodical United Sovereigns of America, and sees militias as a bulwark against anti-Christian government.
Head of Gun Owners of America and English First, an anti-immigrant group, Larry Pratt bridges Christian Reconstructionism, white supremacism, and the radical militia movement. Co-chair of Pat Buchanan’s 1996 presidential campaign, Pratt bases his opposition to gun control on biblical principles, participated in Christian Identity gatherings, was a contributing editor of the anti-Semitic periodical United Sovereigns of America, and sees militias as a bulwark against anti-Christian government.
Christian Reconstructionism & Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.:
A theologian at the Bahnsen Theological Seminary, Kenneth L. Gentry has written a great deal in defense of Post-Millennialism and Theonomy. Gentry believes that God’s law as revealed in the Bible is prefect, objective, and completely applicable to human society in the modern era. He believes that it’s impossible for there to exist any philosophy that is contrary to his biblical worldview and that this worldview requires the existence of free-market economics.
A theologian at the Bahnsen Theological Seminary, Kenneth L. Gentry has written a great deal in defense of Post-Millennialism and Theonomy. Gentry believes that God’s law as revealed in the Bible is prefect, objective, and completely applicable to human society in the modern era. He believes that it’s impossible for there to exist any philosophy that is contrary to his biblical worldview and that this worldview requires the existence of free-market economics.
Christian Reconstructionism & Rev. Andrew Sandlin:
Once the executive vice president of Chalcedon and editor of the Chalcedon Report, Rev. P. Andrew Sandlin was an important voice in Christian Reconstructionism who left the Chalcedon Foundation after the death of R.J. Rushdoony. Andrew Sandlin expressly advocated the ideology of Christian Supremacy, according to which Christians are superior to all other religious believers and have a divine mandate to govern. Whether he continues to believe all of this is questioned.
Once the executive vice president of Chalcedon and editor of the Chalcedon Report, Rev. P. Andrew Sandlin was an important voice in Christian Reconstructionism who left the Chalcedon Foundation after the death of R.J. Rushdoony. Andrew Sandlin expressly advocated the ideology of Christian Supremacy, according to which Christians are superior to all other religious believers and have a divine mandate to govern. Whether he continues to believe all of this is questioned.
