The Foundations of Social Order: Studies in the Creeds and Councils of the Early Church
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
This text explores the notion that every social order rests on a creed—a concept of life and law—and represents a religion in action. The basic faith of a society means growth in terms of that faith. Rushdoony argues that because of its indifference to its creedal basis in biblical Christianity, Western civilization is today facing death in its struggle with humanism. Just as when a foundation is provided, the general form of a building is determined, when a creed is accepted, a social order is determined. Rushdoony goes on to suggest that there can be no reconstruction of the Christian civilization of the West except on Christian creedal foundations.
For the entire set, see R.J. Rushdoony Culture and Ethics Collection (7 vols.).
- Explores how every social order rests on a creed
- Contends that the creedal foundation of a society determines its social order
- Demonstrates how the progress of a society also advances the growth of its creddal foundation
Top Highlights
“If the two natures of Christ were confused, it meant that the door was opened to the divinizing of human nature; man and the state were then potentially divine. If the human nature of Christ were reduced or denied, His role as man’s incarnate savior was reduced or denied, and man’s savior again became the state.” (Page 54)
“This hatred of roots and of certainty is basic to revolutionary activity. The revolutionist destroys things of value precisely because they have a value apart from him.” (Page 17)
“The divinity has been located in the people, in the masses, in democracy, so that ‘the people’ are in theory the power and the glory.” (Page 33)
“First, the early councils had as their primary purpose the defense and establishment of truth, not unity” (Page 18)
“Man could become god, but God could not become man” (Page 41)
Rousas John Rushdoony (1916–2001) was the author of more than 30 books. He earned his BA and MA from the University of California, Berkeley, and received his theological training at the Pacific School of Religion. An ordained minister, he worked as a missionary among Paiute and Shoshone Indians and as a pastor to two California churches. In 1965, he founded the Chalcedon Foundation, a Christian Reconstructionist organization.