Customer Reviews

Christian Reconstruction: What It Is, What It Isn't

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This book is co-authored by Gary North and Gary DeMar. The first half of the book is written by North and outlines the basic contours of Christian Reconstruction. Five theological doctrines give Christian Reconstruction its shape: presuppositionalism, Calvinism, theonomy, covenant theology, and postmillenialism.

Much could be said about how these doctrines define Christian Reconstruction but in the interest of brevity, Christian Reconstruction is about comprehensive redemption (p. 31). In the power of the Holy Spirit, God's law-word is the basis for healing and reformation not only in the individual, the family and church spheres, but also in the state.

North offers some interesting history on the movement. The modern Christian Reconstruction manifestation began in 1960s America with the writings of Rousas John Rushdoony. For the most part, however, it picks up from the Puritan worldview of the 1600s, which also viewed God's law-word as the blueprint for all areas of life.

Gary DeMar is responsible for the second half of the book, which is set up in a Q and A format. Eleven of the most common questions about Christian Reconstruction are answered including: are Christians under the law?, isn't natural law the standard of righteousness for the nations?, is revolution the way to advance God's kingdom?, etc.

This book is very clearly and plainly written. Whether a proponent or opponent of Christian Reconstruction, this is the go-to book for a primer on the subject.

I wanted a brief introduction to Christian Reconstruction _by_ Christian Reconstructionists. This is exactly what I got. North and DeMar make a strong case for the position and, as a person who reads my Bible "cover to cover" every year, I'm convinced they're correct. I foresee Biblical Theonomy and Post-millennial eschatology spreading rapidly as Christians return to being "whole bible" Christians.

So many misconceptions of "reconstructionist" theology have spread that North and DeMar were forced to write this book in their defense. (I personally will never wholly trust Christianity Today again and cancelled my 15 year subscription after Clapp's treatise on Reconstructionism and haven't renewed it after another 20 years. I was also soured with Richard John Neuhaus as scholarly and accurate after his ill-informed analysis of reconstructionist beliefs, though I've subscribed to First Things for now a decade.)

North and DeMar write in a a very popular style. North writes tersely, packed, and abruptly. The chapters are short with not much depth, but attempt to get at the key arguments. After outlining the distinctive of reconstructionist theology (presuppositionalism, theonomy, postmillennialism), they spend a great deal of time in eschatology, since it pertains directly to one's view of the Kingdom, God's law, and power through the Holy Spirit. In one sense, they are really making a case that reconstructionist theology isn't novel. Many of the greats in church history were postmillennial, presuppositionalism is winning the contemporary apologetic debates, and most Christians have always applied biblical law as seen through the New Testament as guides for civil and moral law. Yet, North and DeMar characterize "the modern church" as pietistic, antinomian, and just down right limpish. Reconstruction theology is a call to action, to personal and cultural regeneration and reconstruction based squarely upon the Word of God, rather than some statistic coercive power. It is a theology with a plan, a hope, and a power - the power of God. If you have read nothing else about the reconstructionists, you should read this book. Their other writings are much richer, but this is a good introduction.

Get this book. It is a very good introduction to a big topic "Christian Reconstruction" or you might have heard the term "Theonomy". If you have ever wondered what the Bible has to say to you today in the 21st centuty, even the Old Testament, then get this book. It will put the word of God in a light that you have probably not seen before. It is great. Really, get anything by Gary DeMar, he is OUTSTANDING, and North is = if not more outstanding.

Lives up to the name of its title very well. Is easy to read, informative, and (thanks to the confrontational style of Gary North) at times entertaining.