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Cristianismo e Estado
Introdução à edição brasileira de Jean-Marc Berthoud
“E reinará perfeita união entre ambos os ofícios.” Esta predição, concernente à relação entre o civil e eclesiástico, constitui o ponto culminante da profecia de Zacarias sobre as consequências derradeiras da primeira vinda de Cristo (Zc 6.13b). Com muita frequência, contudo, a igreja ao longo da história tem tentado comprar essa paz por meio de concessões, postando-se ao lado do governo civil em vez de Cristo, tomando partido com reinos passageiros em lugar do “reino inabalável”. Ao ignorar o fato de que a paz entre o povo de Cristo e as nações ocorre apenas quando as próprias nações se tornam discípulas de Cristo, os cristãos de hoje fingem obedecer ao mandamento de fazer discípulos de todas as nações, pois se sentem “tão deslumbrados em contemplar a glória temporal, que o reino que não vem pelo que observamos é considerado vil a seus olhos” (John Owen).
Por ser o Rei dos reis e Senhor dos senhores, o reinado de Cristo sobre os homens e o governo civil é universal e total. É ele quem “remove reis e estabelece reis” (Dn 2.21) e “multiplica as nações e as faz perecer” (Jó 12.23), pois o governo está sobre os seus ombros: ele é o governante entre as nações (Is 9.7; Sl 22.28). A necessidade hoje é que a igreja enfatize os direitos régios de Cristo, o Rei, confiante que seu governo sobre todos aumentará sem fim: “O zelo do SENHOR dos Exércitos fará isto”.
Este texto incisivo apresenta uma teologia bíblica sobre o Estado, traçando em detalhes a história e as consequências da dominação estatista e do abandono do dever cristão. Ao estabelecer com firmeza a opção bíblica em oposição ao politeísmo do cristianismo moderno, o autor nos alerta quanto às armadilhas do passado, e apresenta um conselho piedoso em relação ao presente e futuro. Cristianismo e Estado, a cristalização de décadas de pesquisas, é um divisor de águas da cristandade do século XX.
“E reinará perfeita união entre ambos os ofícios.” Esta predição, concernente à relação entre o civil e eclesiástico, constitui o ponto culminante da profecia de Zacarias sobre as consequências derradeiras da primeira vinda de Cristo (Zc 6.13b). Com muita frequência, contudo, a igreja ao longo da história tem tentado comprar essa paz por meio de concessões, postando-se ao lado do governo civil em vez de Cristo, tomando partido com reinos passageiros em lugar do “reino inabalável”. Ao ignorar o fato de que a paz entre o povo de Cristo e as nações ocorre apenas quando as próprias nações se tornam discípulas de Cristo, os cristãos de hoje fingem obedecer ao mandamento de fazer discípulos de todas as nações, pois se sentem “tão deslumbrados em contemplar a glória temporal, que o reino que não vem pelo que observamos é considerado vil a seus olhos” (John Owen).
Por ser o Rei dos reis e Senhor dos senhores, o reinado de Cristo sobre os homens e o governo civil é universal e total. É ele quem “remove reis e estabelece reis” (Dn 2.21) e “multiplica as nações e as faz perecer” (Jó 12.23), pois o governo está sobre os seus ombros: ele é o governante entre as nações (Is 9.7; Sl 22.28). A necessidade hoje é que a igreja enfatize os direitos régios de Cristo, o Rei, confiante que seu governo sobre todos aumentará sem fim: “O zelo do SENHOR dos Exércitos fará isto”.
Este texto incisivo apresenta uma teologia bíblica sobre o Estado, traçando em detalhes a história e as consequências da dominação estatista e do abandono do dever cristão. Ao estabelecer com firmeza a opção bíblica em oposição ao politeísmo do cristianismo moderno, o autor nos alerta quanto às armadilhas do passado, e apresenta um conselho piedoso em relação ao presente e futuro. Cristianismo e Estado, a cristalização de décadas de pesquisas, é um divisor de águas da cristandade do século XX.
2016 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 1986
22 people are currently reading
125 people want to read
About the author
Rousas John Rushdoony
137 books147 followersRousas 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.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 20, 2025
I don’t really understand the draw to theonomy, but Rushdoony is someone that had more influence than most people realized. *Christianity and the State* is perhaps Rushdoony’s clearest articulation of his political theology.
November 11, 2017
Only Rush could successfully connect Donatism to modern anarchism in the same book that connects Thomistic metaphysics to totalitarianism. Someone reading this could easy be discouraged by what appears to be Rush's attack on every form of government, but properly paired with his other work (specifically One and the Many) you can see that Rush in really hard on the idea of the State as a vehicle worthy of much attention. This issue isn't a better system of government, but that political action is epiphenomenal: the State is only reigned in when the other spheres become more robust. The strength and faithfulness of families and the church are the only true "checks" on the state.
As typical of his style, each chapter can be read almost standalone, so certain themes are repeated often. Also noticed references and common themes to EHR's "Out of Revolution."
The biggest problem with reading Rush is the reading list he assigns in his footnotes. For example, here we get a quotation from FW Buckler (previously unknown to me) on the Holy Spirit:
"The Holy Spirit is the divine, Royal Glory of the kingdom of God, established on earth by our Lord. The doctrines of its divinity and place in the Trinity as of the same being (homoousion) with the Father and the Son, from whom it proceeds, is the Church’s assignment to its source of the Glory which is hers through her Lord. From the possession of the Glory proceeds the royal righteousness. It is this fact, which is symbolized in the sacrament of confirmation, which is, in reality, the chiefest of all sacraments, for it is the Epiphany of each son of man."
And in the same section from Buckler, Rushdoony draws this conclusion on the significance of the "fire" at Pentecost. "A great blazing light or fire is the ancient symbol of glory. At Pentecost, it was not one fire nor one tongue of light which appeared, but tongues of flame. Previously, a tongue of fire had been carried before Great Kings such as Cyrus, Darius, and Alexander the Great, to signify their claim to be the light of glory. These were all man-made flames, because they were man-made claims to the divine Glory. Now at Pentecost it was God the Spirit who brings the fire, and it comes to all who are the called of God."
Rush's discussion of the Vatican is important to understand the state and religious politics of the Reformation. He also makes mention of the Vatican's attack on the Armenian Church over Mosaic dietary laws under Benedict 14. Suprisingly, he is soft on monasticism and points out how these communities could defend against tyrant churches and states. Specifically points to Henry VIII as an example of the State recognizing the potential power of what we now call, "The Benedict Option."
As typical of his style, each chapter can be read almost standalone, so certain themes are repeated often. Also noticed references and common themes to EHR's "Out of Revolution."
The biggest problem with reading Rush is the reading list he assigns in his footnotes. For example, here we get a quotation from FW Buckler (previously unknown to me) on the Holy Spirit:
"The Holy Spirit is the divine, Royal Glory of the kingdom of God, established on earth by our Lord. The doctrines of its divinity and place in the Trinity as of the same being (homoousion) with the Father and the Son, from whom it proceeds, is the Church’s assignment to its source of the Glory which is hers through her Lord. From the possession of the Glory proceeds the royal righteousness. It is this fact, which is symbolized in the sacrament of confirmation, which is, in reality, the chiefest of all sacraments, for it is the Epiphany of each son of man."
And in the same section from Buckler, Rushdoony draws this conclusion on the significance of the "fire" at Pentecost. "A great blazing light or fire is the ancient symbol of glory. At Pentecost, it was not one fire nor one tongue of light which appeared, but tongues of flame. Previously, a tongue of fire had been carried before Great Kings such as Cyrus, Darius, and Alexander the Great, to signify their claim to be the light of glory. These were all man-made flames, because they were man-made claims to the divine Glory. Now at Pentecost it was God the Spirit who brings the fire, and it comes to all who are the called of God."
Rush's discussion of the Vatican is important to understand the state and religious politics of the Reformation. He also makes mention of the Vatican's attack on the Armenian Church over Mosaic dietary laws under Benedict 14. Suprisingly, he is soft on monasticism and points out how these communities could defend against tyrant churches and states. Specifically points to Henry VIII as an example of the State recognizing the potential power of what we now call, "The Benedict Option."
May 6, 2010
Excellent, as usual. Rushdoony is great!
December 12, 2023
The assertion that “Religion and politics don’t mix” has led many Christians astray, fostering the belief that their faith should remain separate from political matters. However, the reality is that politics today is undeniably influenced by a different form of religion: humanism. The prevalence of humanistic ideals in civil and political spheres is a direct result of Christians relinquishing their influence, a consequence of lacking a scriptural theology of the state. This forfeiture has contributed to a global trend towards tyranny, with modern states aspiring to a status akin to Hegel’s “god walking on earth.”
In the absence of a clear scriptural understanding of civil government, humanism readily fills the theological voids around the world. The urgent need is to restore a comprehensive, biblical theology of the state. “Christianity and the State,” articulates this theology, meticulously argued and thoroughly documented. The book is a noteworthy contribution to advancing Christ’s kingdom and enhancing comprehension of the intricate relationship between the church and the state in the Christian tradition.
Nevertheless, this read was dry and I thought it excessively repetitive. While containing good information, it was burdensome to read. I rated it 3 out of 5 stars. However, if you’re looking for a primer on this topic I think “Christianity and the State” is a good start.
In the absence of a clear scriptural understanding of civil government, humanism readily fills the theological voids around the world. The urgent need is to restore a comprehensive, biblical theology of the state. “Christianity and the State,” articulates this theology, meticulously argued and thoroughly documented. The book is a noteworthy contribution to advancing Christ’s kingdom and enhancing comprehension of the intricate relationship between the church and the state in the Christian tradition.
Nevertheless, this read was dry and I thought it excessively repetitive. While containing good information, it was burdensome to read. I rated it 3 out of 5 stars. However, if you’re looking for a primer on this topic I think “Christianity and the State” is a good start.
March 2, 2024
Like many of Rushdoony's books, no one who doesn't already share the author's predispositions need read the book. For Rushdoony doesn't make arguments as much as he does assertions.
"This is the way it is and my commanding knowledge of history asserts that it is so." Such is the predominant tone of the book.
Nevertheless, Rushdoony *does* possess a commanding knowledge of history, especially, and--when combined with his biblical understanding--serves as a potent tonic to the inanities of modern thought.
Helpful.
"This is the way it is and my commanding knowledge of history asserts that it is so." Such is the predominant tone of the book.
Nevertheless, Rushdoony *does* possess a commanding knowledge of history, especially, and--when combined with his biblical understanding--serves as a potent tonic to the inanities of modern thought.
Helpful.
October 14, 2020
We need renewed respect for GOD'S law
This book is pure gold and reminds Christians that God is over all and Christ is King over every sphere of life, whether acknowledged or not. God's transcendent law is the only standard for justice. It's either that or legal positivism. It also explains the sad, pathetic, and anemic failure of our churches to speak truth into culture because she has embraced a humanist perspective.
This book is pure gold and reminds Christians that God is over all and Christ is King over every sphere of life, whether acknowledged or not. God's transcendent law is the only standard for justice. It's either that or legal positivism. It also explains the sad, pathetic, and anemic failure of our churches to speak truth into culture because she has embraced a humanist perspective.
July 6, 2023
I have been reading this periodically in my free time. The paradigm shift of scholarship, expertology, but most importantly, politics, is a grand awakening. If you read this book, your conceptions of reality will be positively reshaped, like putting on a pair of reading glasses. Rushdoony spoke ahead of his time and this is worth the read.
August 22, 2024
Definitely more coherent in writing than other works, not quite as aggressive. It just seems like he'll throw stuff out there without elaboration a lot of the time though. I did like parts of this book.
July 15, 2017
Rush doing what Rush does best.
January 27, 2018
A solid Rush title
June 8, 2018
Excelente!
February 16, 2019
Esse é o melhor livro cristão sobre o Estado. É uma leitura indispensável, de profundidade bíblica e extenso conteúdo histórico.
March 28, 2019
Muito bom!
October 31, 2020
Rush é bão.
Read
November 2, 2022Excellent analysis and comparison of a Christian worldview vs a humanistic approach to statecraft and politics.
May 10, 2024
The book seemed very repetitive, he makes the same argument multiple times in slightly different ways. I agree with what he says, he does make sense. But, the book could have been shorter.
November 26, 2022
Just some really good material here. Rushdoony follows the origin of the Christian Church as it lives under and beside the state government of its time and traces it to modern times. Many Christians think of the state and Christianity as two weights on either side of lady justice, swinging the pendulum one way or the other throughout history. Others see them as king and queen, working together with alternating roles in history. But as rushdoony shows, neither are correct. The state is the enemy of the church and the Church is the enemy of the state. They have two distinct goals, one fighting for the crown rights of Christ the King, and the other fighting for the crown rights of Charles the 1st, Henry the 8th, the president of United States, and every other ruler of the time.
Rushdoony looks at, scripture, the patriarchs, the historical church documents, the Puritans, and reformed faith to support his claims and does so tremendously. One can not serve two masters. The temporary king of the land you live on and the eternal king of the universe each call for your allegiance, but you must choose only one.
Rushdoony looks at, scripture, the patriarchs, the historical church documents, the Puritans, and reformed faith to support his claims and does so tremendously. One can not serve two masters. The temporary king of the land you live on and the eternal king of the universe each call for your allegiance, but you must choose only one.
December 21, 2015
A good look at what can happen if the state tries to become ultimate.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews