Jarl Waggoner's Articles

The Lure of Reconstructionist Theology

by Jarl K. Waggoner

A small but vocal group of theologians are beginning to make their presence felt in American churches. Equipped with powerful arguments and an unyielding determination, they are taking their flawed, but ever so appealing, message to Bible-believing Christians. They are the reconstructionists, or as they are sometimes called, theonomists.

Reconstructionist theology has been set forth primarily in two books: Theonomy in Christian Ethics by Greg Bahnsen (Presbyterian and Reformed) and The Institutes of Biblical Law by Rousas J. Rushdoony (Presbyterian and Reformed). These two men, along with Rushdooney's son-in-law Gary North, have provided the leadership for the movement. Their chief voices are The Chalcedon Report and the Journal of Christian Reconstruction.

The cornerstone of reconstructionist teaching is the Old Testament law. The Mosaic law is taught to be normative not only for the Christian's life but also for society at large. The Christian, therefore, should work for the establishment of the law as the all-encompassing principle of the earthly government. This would mean the establishment of the economic and legal system of the Mosaic law and would include such things as the death penalty for adultery and homosexuality.

A second feature of reconstructionist theology is a militant insistence upon a postmillennial eschatology. Reconstructionists denouce premillennialism as an eschatology of escape and amillennialism as an eschatology of defeat. They decry the "newspaper exegesis" that dismisses postmillennialism from serious discussion. For them the establishment of the reconstructed society, based on the Old Testament law, will precede Christ's return.

As one might expect, reconstuctionist teaching is based on covenant theology, though most Reformed theologians would assign it to the lunatic fringe. Reconstructionist thought has naturally had the greatest impact within Reformed circles. While no denomination endorses the teaching, adherents can be found in virtually every conservative Presbyterian body. A number of individuals in charismatic and nondenominational circles have also been drawn to the movement because it has a certain appeal to it.

What is the lure of reconstructionist theology? What makes it so attractive to many bright young minds? A number of things combine to make the movement an alluring alternative to the traditional schools of thought. First, by all counts the leaders of the reconstructionist movement are godly, Bible-believing men. They are unwavering in their stand for an inerrant Bible. Second, the reconstructionist leaders are men of brilliance. As such they can be very persuasive. Their writings reflect not only a vast knowledge of biblical and theological topics but also a thorough understanding of subjects such as economics, philosophy, and education.

Third, reconstructionists are avid supporters of the Christian school movement. Many fundamentalists share this enthusiasm with them, but for the reconstructionists Christian schools are seen as a primary means of bringing about the reconstructed society that will usher in Christ's return.

Fourth, reconstructionists tend to be biblical creationists. At a time when the vast majority of Evangelicalism has surrendered to scientism to one degree or another, the reconstructionists reaffirm the biblical account of creation. In fact, North's book, The Dominion Covenant: Genesis (Institute for Christian Economics) is dedicated to John Whitcomb and Henry Morris, authors of The Genesis Flood.

Another attractive feature of reconstructionist thought is its comprehensive world and life view. Since the basis of reconstructionism is the Mosaic law, reconstructionist theology speaks to government, criminal justice, economics, education, and virtually every other area of life. This is perhaps the strongest appeal of reconstructionist thought. People who are fed up with the prevailing conditions in our society find in the system a clear answer for all our ills.

While reconstructionist theology does pose a threat to our churches (as any false teaching does), it also has done us a great service by pointing out two glaring weaknesses in our teaching. First, we have failed to a large degree to accurately teach the distinctions between law and grace. Even some who call themselves dispensationalists in effect attempt to impose the law on the believer. Serious study and teaching need to be undertaken in this area. It is not enough to simply affirm the biblical teaching that believers are not under the law but under grace. We must teach it, live it, and allow others to live it.

A second failure of fundamentalism, as well as the broader evangelicalism, has been the lack of an all-encompassing world and life view. We have been content to preach salvation and principles of Christian living but have often failed to apply biblical principles to various areas of life. Have we given thought to how Scripture applies to business, economics, education, recreation, and criminal justice? In short, have we been teaching the Lordship of Christ? If we are not serious about teaching the Bible and applying its teachings to all of life, reconstructionism might prove an alluring alternative to many Christians.

This article first appeared in Voice magazine, July/August 1987. It was reprinted in the same magazine in the July/August 2000 issue. It is reprinted here by permission.