Rushdoony argues that Christianity’s future depends on remembering and applying past victories, not merely believing abstractly. Early Christians transformed society by practicing a total faith establishing justice, charity, education, and care for the poor so effectively that the church became an “empire within the empire.” When these victories were forgotten, Christianity retreated into private religion, losing cultural power and relevance. He insists that persecution is a sign of effectiveness, not failure. When Christian schools, homeschooling, and applied faith grew, hostility increased. Faith must be tested, refined by hardship, and lived out publicly; “salvation-only” or privatized Christianity has no future. Christ is not merely a means of personal security but Lord over every sphere of life, requiring obedience in money, work, justice, and culture. Rushdoony concludes that Christianity either governs all of life or withers. Tithing, freedom from debt, and active dominion are essential for renewal. Drawing on Calvin and the Reformation, he calls for a return to applied, militant faith one that confronts secularization, brings every area under Christ’s authority, and accepts conflict as inevitable. The real question, he says, is not whether a battle exists, but whether Christians are ready to fight it faithfully."

Ask this episode

“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

Transcript

Related