God's Plan For Victory: The Meaning of Postmillennialism

by Rousas John Rushdoony

An entire generation of victory-minded Christians, spurred by the victorious postmillennial vision of Chalcedon, has emerged to press what the Puritan Fathers called "the Crown Rights of Christ the King" in all areas of modern life. Central to that optimistic generation is Rousas John Rushdoony's jewel of a study, God's Plan for Victory (originally published in 1977). The founder of the Christian Reconstruction movement set forth in potent, cogent terms the older Puritan vision of the irrepressible advancement of Christ's kingdom by his faithful saints employing the entire law-word of God as the program for earthly victory.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Nonfiction, Politics, Religion

96 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1977

About the author

Rousas John Rushdoony was a Calvinist philosopher, historian, and theologian and is widely credited as the father of both Christian Reconstructionism and the modern homeschool movement. His prolific writings have exerted considerable influence on the Christian right.

Reviews

[Suzannah Rowntree · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good short argument for postmillenialism as the only eschatology likely to encourage fearless Christian cultural advances. Not a defence of postmillenialism as a view with solid roots in Scripture, and not intended to be, but loses some effectiveness through not dealing with postmillenialism's formidable theological cred.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very short work in which Rushdoony argues the biblical case for postmillenialism and demonstrates that premillenialism and amillenialism lead to theologies of defeat and abandon the dominion mandate.

It is an effective work with some incisive commentary. It is a worthwhile read.

In one of the most biting comments, Rushdoony writes, "there is An Implicit Manichaeanism in premillennialism and in amillennialism. The material world is surrendered to Satan, and the spiritual world is reserved to God."

In another sharp jab, he writes, "Thus, both amillennialism and premillennialism have the same social impact as schizophrenic depression: they produce a blocked future, a future which offers no hope with respect to history and time. But they do have a hope with respect to eternity. However, we have a right to ask of many of them how valid their hope is, since our Lord emphatically declares that the test of faith is a very practical one: do men bear good fruit here and now (Matt. 7:15-20)? “The peaceable fruit of righteousness” (Heb. 12:11) is simply the results of God’s chastening of His sons, to cleanse them of fruitlessness and to lead them into righteousness, and it means results here and now. “The night cometh, when no man can work” (John 9:4). If Christians have a blocked future, then the world is in a fearful condition, because it is Christians who are the light of the world and the salt of the earth (Matt. 5:13-15)."

[ValeReads Kyriosity · Rating 2 out of 5]

They should retitle this one: Why Everyone Who Isn't Postmill Is a Heretic and How Cranky I Am about That. While I agree that the premill and amill positions are in error, I think he was way to free with the h-bombs. Also, I wish he'd spent more time on the positive side—postmillennialism is a topic that should make ya happy, for Pete's sake!—rather than on what's wrong with the other positions.

Again, enjoyed the narrator's accent...but you really, really, really don't have to say "quote" and "unquote" before and after every quote. That got annoying very fast.

[Carter Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, but extremely insightful. This is not a detailed exegetical defense of postmillenialism, but rather a general discourse (almost an essay collection) on what postmillenialism entails and the inadequacy of other eschatologies.

[Aaron Slack · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short but extremely loaded introduction to and summary of postmillenialism. Highly recommended.

[Benjamin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good stuff, you can never go wrong with some Rush!

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent overview of the postmill perspective on the Bible and human history. There is much here to ponder and apply.

[Roy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good defense of postmillennialism. While I didn't agree with all that the writer wrote, I did agree that the Bible teaches postmillennialism and that this is a victorious view of end times and not a defeated view. I rejoice that Jesus will indeed bring complete victory (Psalm 110:1; 1 Corinthians 15:25).

[Austin Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great little book

[Emanuel V. Drăgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written book, but too short for the matter treated.

[Christian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rushdoony's famous summary work on Postmillennialism -- the eschatology of God's victory. Rushdoony also reviews the pre- and a- millennial theories and their errors.

Highly recommended as a starting point in learning Biblical eschatology (study of the end times) and how eschatology and action are related.

This book is so short and easy to read that there is no excuse to not read it.



[BTW, it did not take me 4 months to read. I was just side tracked.]

[Josiah · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this short, easy to read book R.J. Rushdoony issues a clarion call to the church to cast off a despairing, unbiblical view on the world and history and embrace God's Plan for Victory.

[Rory Fry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must read for all Postmills

[Gabe Mira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book on postmillenialism. I would say my biggest takeaways were being taught the practical implications of all eschatological views (premillennialism, amillenialism and postmillenialism) worked out in everyday life. It’s incredible to see how truly Biblical and Christian the postmil view is.

Even if you’re not a big eschatology person or you don’t care about theology, this short read by Rushdoony proves you should, because it has implications for the here and now in your family life, in politics and in the world.

I also gained (and you will too) a better understanding, as mentioned above, of the negative effects of the premil and amil viewpoints. The former says you’ll just get raptured so don’t worry about anything except soul-saving (though that is super important and is not glanced over), and the latter says the world is going to get worse and worse so you might as well not bother.

Praise God for the Biblical postmil view that so many brothers and sisters in Christ have had in times past.

“Reformation means to proclaim the saving power of Christ and to apply the Word of God to every area of life. Anything short of this is not the gospel.”
- R.J. Rushdoony

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

[Zach de Walsingham · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was one of Rushdoony’s later in life works after he left the OPC, and is a mixed bag of a few good thoughts about eschatology, but it is all severely undermined by his dim view of ecclesiology. He states right near the beginning that the Kingdom is not the Church and that he disagrees with St. Augustine, without citing scripture to back up this view. He relegates the Church to just another human institution, ignoring its Apostolic establishment as the Bride of Christ. No mentions of prayer, or of the sacraments either. He also ignores the picture of the heavenly Jerusalem in Revelation 21.

[Chase Cohee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good thoughts about how eschatology affects daily living, and some helpful general thoughts on what education, economics, and other fields of work look like if Christians are intentional about fulfilling the dominion mandate and Great Commission. Not a lot of exegesis if someone is thinking through biblical arguments for postmillennialism. Perhaps his characterization of amillenniamism as pessimistic and withdrawn from cultural advancement may have been true in the 1980s, but a more optimistic amillennialism seems to have gained traction in more recent years so I think a revision of this work today would have to treat that view more charitably.

[Peter Kiss · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately, a presentation of the only sound Biblical eschatology is over-shadowed by Rushdoony's very uncharitable tone through the book. We should be very hesitant to call fellow, genuine Christians heretics. More than that, it's not winsome whatsoever. I think Post-Millenialism is the only defensible, consistent, and clear eschatological view, but I don't think this book would convince anyone who wasn't already in the door. I agree with his views, but definitely not the way he presents them.

[Bryan Kuranaga · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rushdoony outlined God's plan for victory and highlights the Law (and its application, of course) as THE tool of dominion given to God's people. Therefore, it is important that believers know God's Law and ask the Spirit's help to understand it and apply it in their given context. Furthermore, Rushdoony expounds on the folly of holding anything but a positive eschatology and how that distracts people from seeking true change in the culture.

[Monique Mathiesen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thought provoking, but seemed more interested in making a case against premillennialism then it did for post millennialism. Still, a highly enjoyable read for those interested in Christian reconstructionism. This book completely changed the way I understand what it means for Adam and Eve to have dominion over the earth.

[Tyler Pedersen · Rating 1 out of 5]

A mess. Rushdoony lazily dismisses Amillennialism and Premillennialism without making any meaningful distinctions between them; both are unbecoming of a true Christian... Christians should have a dominion-mindset, and only the postmillennial view provides it. Postmillenialism is just the obvious choice, don't ya know? No exegesis required; none provided.

[Peter Clegg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Upon second glance, I can give a fairer review. A concise, God centered, summary of Biblical eschatology. For a more in depth view see Kenneth Gentry's "He Shall Have Dominion." This is the clearest study of eschatology that I have read and helped me solidify my view.

[Zach McDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good concise introduction to postmillenialism. As usual, Rushdoony does not pull any punches, and he spends more time tearing down premillennialism than making a clear case for his postmil. The punches are accurate nonetheless.

[Forrest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and Sweet

Excellent little book by Rushdoony. In order to understand how Postmillennialism affects the lives of believers and the culture, we must understand God’s law. If you want a little primer on Postmillennialism, this book is great.

[Jesus Salgado · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author provides a helpful application of the post-millennial view of the end times and does a good job showing the end goal of the other views and how it's disastrous concerning God's plan for the world.

[Korey Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heavy on rhetoric, light on exegetical evidence. Still #datpostmil

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good introduction

[Josiah Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good overview of Postmillennialism. I'm not convinced it is the correct view, but I am convinced it is the most optimistic view.

[TJ Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short "common sense" type of defense of Postmillenialism, the so-called eschatology of hope. This is not an in-depth exegetical defense but is insightful despite being a short read.

[Tony Lee Ross Jr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rushdoony summarizes the major points on why partial-preterist postmillenialism is the biblical eschatology. Not an exegetical defense, more of a general practical defense.

[Diana Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

An accurate quick rundown of Postmil.

Rushdoony is always spot on, such an uderrated reformer. This book is a great rundown of Postmil eschatology. Great read.