Reconstructionist perspective Christian Reconstructionism

christian reconstructionists advocate theonomic government , libertarian economic principles. maintain distinction of spheres of authority between family, church, , state. example, enforcement of moral sanctions under theonomy carried out family , church government, , sanctions moral offenses outside authority of civil government (which limited criminal matters, courts , national defense). however, believe these distinctions become blurred, application of theonomy implies increase in authority of civil government. reconstructionists argue, though, under theonomy, authority of state severely limited point judicial branch exists (e.g., homosexual not fear of police force breaking in house @ night, since, under theonomy, there no executive branch , therefore no police). reconstructionists theocratic government not oligarchy or monarchy of man communicating god, rather, national recognition of existing laws. prominent advocates of christian reconstructionism have written according understanding, god s law approves of death penalty not murder, propagators of forms of idolatry, active homosexuals, adulterers, practitioners of witchcraft, , blasphemers, , perhaps recalcitrant youths (see list of capital crimes in bible). american vision s joel mcdurmon responded these criticisms denying reconstructionists have promoted coercive means.

conversely, christian reconstructionism s founder, rousas rushdoony, wrote in institutes of biblical law (the founding document of reconstructionism) old testament law should applied modern society , advocates reinstatement of mosaic law s penal sanctions. under such system, list of civil crimes carried death sentence include homosexuality, adultery, incest, lying 1 s virginity, bestiality, witchcraft, idolatry or apostasy, public blasphemy, false prophesying, kidnapping, rape, , bearing false witness in capital case.

kayser points out bible advocates justice, , biblical punishments prescribed crimes maximum allowable maintain justice , not available option, because lesser punishments authorized well.

views on pluralism

rousas rushdoony wrote in magnum opus, institutes of biblical law: heresy of democracy has since [the days of colonial new england] worked havoc in church , state and: christianity , democracy inevitably enemies , , said elsewhere christianity , radically anti-democratic; committed spiritual aristocracy, , characterized democracy great love of failures , cowards of life . nevertheless repeatedly expressed opposition sort of violent revolution , advocated instead gradual reformation (often termed regeneration in writings) of society bottom up, beginning individual , family , there gradually reforming other spheres of authority, including church , state.

rushdoony believed republic better form of civil government democracy. according rushdoony, republic avoided mob rule , rule of 51% of society; in other words might not make right in republic. rushdoony wrote america s separation of powers between 3 branches of government far more neutral , better method of civil government direct democracy, stating [t]he [american] constitution designed perpetuate christian order . rushdoony argues constitution s purpose protect religion federal government , preserve states rights.

douglas w. kennard, professor theology , philosophy @ houston graduate school of theology, wrote regard christian reconstructionism, christians of non-reformed traditions, such baptist, methodist, catholic, [and] orthodox , under threat of capital punishment fostered extreme theonomist. on other hand, ligon duncan has stated roman catholics episcopalians presbyterians pentecostals , arminian , calvinist, charismatic , non-charismatic, high church , low church traditions represented in broader umbrella of reconstructionism (often in form of christian america movement).