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An all-out assault has been launched to uproot the foundations of Christian civilization in America.
If you’re intellectually sensitive to the presuppositions underlying current events, you’ve already seen the explicit agenda of humanists to silence the Christian voice in America.
No doubt you are greatly disturbed by the efforts of secularists, pluralists, and false religious groups to remove the Judeo-Christian God “from every post and pillar.” The following is just a few of the wicked strategies imposed by such humanist organizations as the American Civil Liberties Union, Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, and other secular and false religious groups:
- The persecution of Chief Justice Roy
Moore in Alabama
- The judicial attempts
to remove Christian symbols, such
as the nativity, from every public place
- The
elimination of public prayer from every
local and federal institution
- The promotion
of gay marriage in Massachusetts and
San Francisco
- The unhindered encroachment
of Islam throughout Western nations
These devices of the enemies of the Cross are the antithesis to the postmillennial prophecy of Zechariah who saw a day in which “HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD” shall be engraved “on the bells of the horses… Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and Judah shall be holiness unto the LORD of hosts” (Zech. 14:20-21). God’s intent is to write His name upon every area of life. The intention of humanistic man is to erase God’s name from every area of life. In this generation, the battle lines are drawn!
The Enemies of God Include Systems of Thought — Worldviews!
What do humanism, secularism, and Islam share in common? They are all religious worldviews. They all represent religious presuppositions whether their god is man or Allah. They are comprehensive systems of thought that speak to every area of life. A humanist is not content to simply retain his secularism within his own heart. He wants to impose his system on others within the public sphere. A Muslim never speaks of merely having a “personal relationship with Allah.” Why? Because Islam is not a “religion of the heart.” It is a worldview that commands every area of life and thought.
Does Mainstream Christianity Truly Understand
the Nature of the Conflict?
Even though most mainstream evangelicals are angered by contemporary Christian persecution, they do not understand the nature of the conflict. For many, it is merely another assault by the camp of unbelievers. For others, the efforts of humanists and false religious groups seem more sophisticated and determined than in previous decades. Instinctively, evangelicals are realizing that they are dealing with an intellectually advanced opponent.
Epistemological Self-consciousness
In factuality, we are dealing with what both Cornelius Van Til and my father, R.J. Rushdoony, referred to as epistemological self-consciousness. This phrase is actually a very simple idea. Epistemology is the theory of knowledge. It means that when someone is epistemologically self-conscious, he is fully aware of the implications of his knowledge. He knows who and what he is and works tirelessly to fulfill the implications of his worldview in every area of life. In this sense, in order for the humanists to be consistent with their “knowledge” they must seek to erase God from every facet of life.
In a 1967 Chalcedon Report article my father wrote, “The humanists religiously deny every authority other than man, and their totalitarian state is a deliberately conceived man-god defying the order of God with man’s own order.” This is an accurate description of our present dilemma as Christians. Humanists are out to replace the rule of God with the rule of man.
However, humanism cannot progress by itself. Secularists can only advance by the mutual indifference of the Church. My father wrote,
“Today the impotence and confusion of humanism is marked. It is wallowing in failure all over the world, in failure, but not in defeat, because there is no consistent Christian force to challenge and overthrow it.”
One might ask, “haven’t Christians tried to oppose such groups as the ACLU?” Sure they have. The tools of opposition, however, have been limited. It requires much more than activism, evangelism, or revivalism to stem the tide of advancing humanism. Dad saw Christian education as central to strengthening Christian resistance:
“The intensely powerful religious force of humanism, with all its hatred of God and God’s world of law and order, can never be defeated by people whose ground of operation is vaguely Christian and largely humanistic. The lack of Christian epistemological self-consciousness is one of the major reasons, if not perhaps the major, for the growing victory of the enemy.”
It’s the lack of an articulated Christian world and life view that allows humanists to gain the high ground in the cultural war. This is why the single most important task of a Christian ministry is to educate and equip the believer with a comprehensive faith that speaks to all areas of life.
“It is therefore of the utmost importance for Christians to develop epistemological self-consciousness. This means Christian education. It means a Christian philosophy for every sphere of human endeavor.”
My father had a clear view of the social problems we face today. He also knew the answer: Christian education. This is why, more than ever, the work of Chalcedon must continue to influence not only its constituency, but a greater audience among mainstream evangelicalism. Simply stated, we’ve been “preaching to the choir” for too long. It’s time to take our message to new frontiers.
Working Together for the Greater Good
One of the most significant contributions that you can make to the success of Christian civilization is to be a regular financial supporter of Chalcedon. This may sound like a bold statement, but the reality is that there are few Christian ministries that are dedicated to proclaiming “Faith for All of Life.” Television and radio ministries abound, but it is rare to hear about the issues that Chalcedon has covered routinely for nearly 40 years. Because our message is not “popular,” it requires a greater commitment by all of us to influence the greater Christian community. Reaching new frontiers with a comprehensive faith will require the combined efforts of both you and Chalcedon.
The Underwriter Challenge
Although one-time financial gifts are beneficial and appreciated, monthly support from dear friends like you is far more effective. Regular supporters enable us to adequately budget our resources for publishing and promoting “Faith for All of Life.” Being an Underwriter of Chalcedon means becoming a partner in the work and calling of this ministry.
How does someone become a Chalcedon Underwriter? It’s easy. Simply sign-up to be an Underwriter at one of the following levels:
Your monthly, tax-deductible gifts will empower Chalcedon to better mount a resistance to the anti-Christian efforts of humanism and false religions. Your support will enable Chalcedon to continue publishing “Faith for All of Life” in a multitude of formats such as books, magazine, and audio/video series.
And to express our appreciation for your tax-deductible, financial support we want to offer you one of three “thank you” packages, some of which were not available to our Underwriters until now. Here’s what you can receive:
- Bronze
Underwriters ($25.00/month) Receive:
FREE print subscription to the Chalcedon Report
FREE subscription to our web site featuring
the growing archives of the Chalcedon
Report
Year-round 25% discount on any book, monograph, audio or video series
Special updates throughout the year
- Silver Underwriters ($50.00/month) Receive:
Everything in Bronze plus…
FREE access to our soon to be released online archive of mp3 sermons and lectures (available in Summer, 2004)
Annual 50% discount on a single order
Not only that, but
if you sign-up to be a Gold, Silver, or Bronze
Underwriter, I will send you a complimentary
copy of my father’s masterful book Law
and Liberty. This insightful volume examines various
areas of life from a Biblical perspective demonstrating
how all things must be brought under the dominion
of Christ and His authoritative Word.
If you are committed to the vision of Chalcedon, then none of these benefits can compare with the personal satisfaction that comes from knowing your financial support is advancing the kingdom and stemming the tide of opposing worldviews. The “thank you” packages are simply our way of showing our appreciation to those who help make this ministry possible.
Will you consider
becoming a Chalcedon underwriter today?
We certainly hope that you do. Simply click
on one of the blue links above and fill
out the online form. We’ll
rush your complimentary copy of Law and
Liberty to you with further instructions
about how to take advantage of your “thank
you” package.
Thank you for standing
with Chalcedon both financially and prayerfully.
We encourage you to share with your circle
of influence how Chalcedon has impacted
your life and how we can be a blessing
to them as well.
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