A surprising number of Christians, churches and organizations believe in reconstructionism or dominion theology. In short, kingdom building.
Their message is not new, but it does seem to be spreading, including among movers and shakers in our nation’s capital.
Building God’s Kingdom: Inside the World of Christian Reconstruction, by Julie J. Ingersoll, explains kingdom building theology and its influence in a clear and understandable way. This is a specialized topic which won’t appeal to most Christians, but it should.
My late friend Gerald Franz ranted often and vociferously against kingdom building. Refuting it was one of his favorite subjects. I can only imagine longingly the discussions we would have had about Ingersoll’s book.
In a nutshell, reconstructionists seek to transform culture and bring it in line with what they believe are the requirements of Biblical law. They seek to exercise dominion over all aspects of life as part of building God’s kingdom on the earth now.
Don’t believe their rhetoric about not being political. Ingersoll doesn’t.
Ingersoll’s chief point is that reconstructionist thinking has influenced conservative Christianity in ways its adherents likely don’t realize. I wouldn’t call her an alarmist, but she evidently sees this as a problem and wants her readers to be aware of it.
Reconstructionists hold a world view that embraces covenant theology, and their eschatology (beliefs about prophecy) is postmillennial. They are not dispensational.
This leads to the belief that the universal church has replaced Israel in God’s overall program. In turn the notion that God is through with Israel leads to teachings and writings that can be interpreted as antisemetic. Ingersoll picks up on this, though she doesn’t deal explicitly with replacement theology.
Here’s where things get sticky and confusing. Reconstructionists are not wrong about everything. In fact, some of what they teach is instructive.
For example, we could easily agree on the fact that the Bible speaks to every area of life. However, it behooves believers in Christ to know what the Bible truly teaches, especially on matters of the kingdom of God and the respective identities of Israel and the New Testament church.
I won’t attempt to unravel all of that here, but I will point out that Matthew 28:18-20, commonly called the Great Commission, tells us plainly what churches are to be doing in this present age. That passage says,
18. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
The Great Commission says nothing about building God’s kingdom on the earth. Christ is the one who will establish His kingdom in real, physical form in a future time.
The task of believers–with His enablement–is to spread the gospel. As Jesus said in John 10:16, And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
That said, I find myself in agreement with reconstructionists on the importance of and need for home schooling. We taught our children at home, but there was no thought of doing it to transform culture or take a baby step toward bringing God’s kingdom to Earth. We did it to raise godly children, and we knew sending them to public school would have been detrimental.
At the time Building God’s Kingdom was published in 2015, Julie Ingersoll was Associate Professor of Religious Studies at the University of North Florida. Her book’s introductory material is a must read because that’s where you’ll find relevant autobiographical information and an explanation of her frame of reference. Thirty years went into the making of her book.
I don’t know whether Ms. Ingersoll is born again. She’s hesitant on that subject.
She’s well aware some will call her a liberal and a Christian feminist. Nonetheless, she understands the thinking behind reconstructionism.
She was married to an active reconstructionist for a time, was involved with Christian education, and even participated in the activities of Operation Rescue, a pro-life organization from the 1980’s and ’90’s.
Ingersoll endeavors to be objective in her reporting, though she acknowledges objectivity is difficult. Still, I think she has done a good job.
She seeks to explain religion, rather than engage in polemics. But her bias does come through in certain parts of the book, such as in the chapter on creationism vs. evolution.
Ingersoll’s aim is to present a more thorough study of reconstructionism and its influence than other works she references. As proof, she quotes extensively from reconstructionist publications as well as material influenced by reconstructionists. R. J. Rushdoony, Gary North and Doug Philips are prominently cited.
Building God’s Kingdom is part textbook and part investigative journalism. In addition to spelling out reconstructionist thinking, Ingersoll reports on her experiences at various conferences relevant to her research.
Chapters cover:
- Christian reconstructionist theology
- Jurisdictional authority and sphere sovereignty
- Building a reconstructed society
- Christian and home schooling
- Creationism
- Attitudes toward violence, political reform, abortion and slavery
Material is also devoted to specific organizations, such as Vision Forum, American Vision and David Barton’s Wall Builders.
Building God’s Kingdom is an excellent resource as an overview of the thinking and influence of kingdom builders in American society. A selective bibliography will prove useful for those who want to verify her sources or do further research.
Ingersoll’s book is not for everyone. If you read it, do so for the purpose of becoming informed. Bring an open and receptive mind, and keep your Bible handy.