Customer Reviews

The Foundations of Social Order

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Rushdoony's analysis of western the effect of the orthodox creeds on western civilization hits the nail right on the head. He explains the foundations of human freedom as it arose in western culture and also points to the reasons for its demise.

This book masterfully shows how Western liberty is the product of the creeds of the early Christian church. It is a highly original work on which the author evidently spent great time in thought. Highly recommended.

At the bottom of every social system is a religion. Society will work to mirror the theology that underlies it. Rushdoony charts how Western society and the freedom it enjoys (unique in the world) is derived from the creeds and confessions of the early church as they were developed from the Bible. This is a profoundly thought provoking book.

Sadly, Rushdoony makes some odd errors. His recounting of the death of Arius has some factual errors (wrong times, wrong people, etc.). These errors don't change the point of his story, but they show a lack of care that may or may not affect other facts in his book.

This is the type of book that explodes the various humanistic myths that freedom is attained by getting in touch with your inner self, etc.

It is simply the most brilliant book on the history of individual human freedom ever written. For this reason alone, it will survive any future events that may come. Also for that reason alone, it will be hardly read by those in power at the present time. Fortunately, it wasn't written to top the best seller lists, either.