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Restoring America One County at a Time
Restoring America One County at a Time is an action manual for anyone concerned about restoring individual freedom in our country. But it's much more than just an action manual. It boldly represents the type of iconoclastic history lessons, biblical studies, moral challenges, unpopular truths, and reformational remedies a restored Christian republic will require.This book is a training manual designed to empower your whole education and worldview. It is for the serious only. It will not do to content ourselves with lip service to patriotism, faith, and freedom. We must have real, substantial plans and real, practical action items. These must be clear and they must be broad, addressing every single area of life. Restoring America One County at a Time is an inspiring and practical vision of America based upon the Bible, covering ten major areas of Education, Welfare, Local Government, State Government, Taxation, Money and Banking, Free Markets, Courts, War and the Military, and Executive Power.Every four years, Americans line up at their local polling places to cast their ballots for President. Most of them believe this is the most important vote they make -- the very essence of their voice in American politics. Yet, while they haggle over which party’s middleman will sit in the White House, the civil government continues its unimpeded invasion into the personal lives of every citizen. Most Americans are unwittingly expanding the State's power simply by believing that real change begins at the national level. Restoring America One County at a Time shatters this misconception, exploring the destructive path government centralization has taken in ten crucial areas of American life. It also provides concrete advice on how families and individuals can reverse the national trends that threaten the life, liberty, and property of every American.National change need not happen at the national level. This well-researched analysis of American history establishes that real change cannot happen through coercive centralized controls, no matter how good one's intentions may be. Radical change at the national level must flow naturally from a careful return to biblical prescriptions at the local level. If you're tired of the right-wing, left-wing party see-saw that never seems to make any difference. If you're tired of the talk radio griping that never really offers any solutions. If you want to work for significant change now, find out how in this incisive book.
427 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
11 people are currently reading
110 people want to read
About the author
Joel McDurmon
42 books64 followersJoel McDurmon, Ph.D. in Theology from Pretoria University, is the Director of Research for American Vision. He has authored seven books and also serves as a lecturer and regular contributor to the American Vision website. He joined American Vision's staff in the June of 2008. Joel and his wife and four sons live in Dallas, Georgia.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
January 29, 2016
In this book Dr. Joel McDurmon gives a terrific analysis of key functions in American civil government and politics (whether or not the government should be involved in them). Each chapter is laid out in three sections:
The Biblical Norm for a Free Society
How We Lost our Freedom
How We Get our Freedom Back
While I really think the book could have been about 1/2 or a 1/3 of the length, it was still a treasure of how the Christian can actually accomplish Biblical change in our nation - starting with our very own counties.
That was another highlight for me: the relentless emphasis on local government and sovereignty.
While a little lengthy for an action plan, (and while I personally wasn't persuaded about everything in it) it's still absolutely worth the read. And if you prefer, Joel has made videos, that are basically the audio book, free and available here:
http://americanvision.org/countyrights
The chapters are as follows:
1. Education
2. Welfare
3. County Rights
4. States' Rights
5. Taxation
6. Money
7. Markets
8. Courts
9. Defense
10. The Executive
Epilogue
Appendix: Repeal the Seventeenth Amendment
--
Happy reading!
The Biblical Norm for a Free Society
How We Lost our Freedom
How We Get our Freedom Back
While I really think the book could have been about 1/2 or a 1/3 of the length, it was still a treasure of how the Christian can actually accomplish Biblical change in our nation - starting with our very own counties.
That was another highlight for me: the relentless emphasis on local government and sovereignty.
While a little lengthy for an action plan, (and while I personally wasn't persuaded about everything in it) it's still absolutely worth the read. And if you prefer, Joel has made videos, that are basically the audio book, free and available here:
http://americanvision.org/countyrights
The chapters are as follows:
1. Education
2. Welfare
3. County Rights
4. States' Rights
5. Taxation
6. Money
7. Markets
8. Courts
9. Defense
10. The Executive
Epilogue
Appendix: Repeal the Seventeenth Amendment
--
Happy reading!
March 15, 2020
Exceptional work on our nation's history, where exactly we made provisions that directly led to the loss of individual freedoms, and how we gave the state back its power through public education, loss of jury nullification, neglect of the anti-federalist warnings and other points of interest that help us see the path to freedom once again. This is a must read for every American and every church that affirms liberty and the priesthood of all believers should walk through this book. Very libertarian leaning, but anything that builds a foundation on taking away the state's power will be. I really can't say anything bad about this work or anything I would add to it. This is the best book I've read in 2020 so far.
August 2, 2017
McDurmon is one of those lonely voices that speaks the truth, when few want to hear it--articulating what so many think deep-down, but are too jaded to actual believe when they ought to. He recognizes how wide the gap is between the way the nation was founded--biblical law and the way things have become. It is no surprise to anyone that America is declining in just about every way, and there have been many theories proposed to solve the puzzle.
McDurmon argues in this book, that we don't need to return to the Constitution, but to the Bible. Now, most conservatives would likely agree with that sentiment--but the devil is in the details, as they say. He lists ten different ways in which the way things are, are at great variance from they way they should be--and more often than not, the way they were at the founding.
But McDurmon doesn't argue that the founding began with the Constitution, but with the first feudal charters granted by the English crown long before even the Declaration of Independence. Much of the book then actually demonstrates that the Constitution itself, is the problem. It was planned and written in such a way that federalists such as Hamilton, Jay, and even (gasp!) Washington could legitimately seize power and exercise it in ways which were actually reasons behind the American Revolution itself.
McDurmon doesn't let the sacred cow of early founders be left standing--instead, toppling the idols of Washington, Franklin, Hamilton, Jay, Adams (both), and many more. He shows again and again the way that the Constitution was the very cause of the problem by loose language, bad ideas, and generic phrases open to wide interpretations which were exploited from the outset.
Generally speaking, I think he's right. The Constitution was an abomination in many ways. The anti-federalists knew it at the time, and anyone who reads them now will immediately recognize all their fears were justified. Yet, to label the Constitution as the problem lays the blame too comfortably in the lap of history. The real problem is bad people in every generation--sinners. Now, that probably sounds a bit smug, as a critique of a consistently reformed theologian such as McDurmon. But really, the Constitution, in the hands of faithful men would actually be a pretty good thing.
I cannot believe that ANY governing document written two hundred years ago would be able to stand up against the onslaught of lawless humanism, much better than the Constitution. Sure, we might not be quite so far down the road to ruin as we are now, but we would be eventually. This is kind of nitpicky, but it is one of my criticisms of the very good book.
The other criticism I'll level, is the lack of a consistent message to pastors and churches. The book is practical in a personal way, but mostly in the realm of civics--not the church. McDurmon would surely agree America is in the pickle its in because the churches are so utterly compromised and have lost their prophetic voice. But he doesn't really say much, or give many ideas on how churches, and church-goers can work to make their churches more faithful.
This is a good book, that most would find very profitable.
McDurmon argues in this book, that we don't need to return to the Constitution, but to the Bible. Now, most conservatives would likely agree with that sentiment--but the devil is in the details, as they say. He lists ten different ways in which the way things are, are at great variance from they way they should be--and more often than not, the way they were at the founding.
But McDurmon doesn't argue that the founding began with the Constitution, but with the first feudal charters granted by the English crown long before even the Declaration of Independence. Much of the book then actually demonstrates that the Constitution itself, is the problem. It was planned and written in such a way that federalists such as Hamilton, Jay, and even (gasp!) Washington could legitimately seize power and exercise it in ways which were actually reasons behind the American Revolution itself.
McDurmon doesn't let the sacred cow of early founders be left standing--instead, toppling the idols of Washington, Franklin, Hamilton, Jay, Adams (both), and many more. He shows again and again the way that the Constitution was the very cause of the problem by loose language, bad ideas, and generic phrases open to wide interpretations which were exploited from the outset.
Generally speaking, I think he's right. The Constitution was an abomination in many ways. The anti-federalists knew it at the time, and anyone who reads them now will immediately recognize all their fears were justified. Yet, to label the Constitution as the problem lays the blame too comfortably in the lap of history. The real problem is bad people in every generation--sinners. Now, that probably sounds a bit smug, as a critique of a consistently reformed theologian such as McDurmon. But really, the Constitution, in the hands of faithful men would actually be a pretty good thing.
I cannot believe that ANY governing document written two hundred years ago would be able to stand up against the onslaught of lawless humanism, much better than the Constitution. Sure, we might not be quite so far down the road to ruin as we are now, but we would be eventually. This is kind of nitpicky, but it is one of my criticisms of the very good book.
The other criticism I'll level, is the lack of a consistent message to pastors and churches. The book is practical in a personal way, but mostly in the realm of civics--not the church. McDurmon would surely agree America is in the pickle its in because the churches are so utterly compromised and have lost their prophetic voice. But he doesn't really say much, or give many ideas on how churches, and church-goers can work to make their churches more faithful.
This is a good book, that most would find very profitable.
September 1, 2016
I'm still relatively new to thinking through a biblical view of government, but Restoring America definitely got the wheels going. McDurmon utilizes an extensive understanding and knowledge of America's history to establish his case in every chapter. Laying out what life looked like in a more free America was crucial in order for him to demonstrate how to win freedoms back. Though explicitly and unashamedly drawing principles from Scripture, McDurmon never drowns you in a sea of proof texts, but uses large chunks of scripture, giving you a fuller context to work with. Never getting hung up on peripheral issues, every chapter got straight to the point.
To be fair, though, not having a firm understanding of American history going into the book, I definitely felt overwhelmed at times as McDurmon would drop a name or an Act that I had never heard of. He assumes a certain level of historical literacy, and if you're not up to par you may struggle keeping up. There were also a handful of typos that could have easily been caught with one or two read throughs of an editor or two.
Definitely plan on coming back in the near future and with a better understanding of American history.
To be fair, though, not having a firm understanding of American history going into the book, I definitely felt overwhelmed at times as McDurmon would drop a name or an Act that I had never heard of. He assumes a certain level of historical literacy, and if you're not up to par you may struggle keeping up. There were also a handful of typos that could have easily been caught with one or two read throughs of an editor or two.
Definitely plan on coming back in the near future and with a better understanding of American history.
January 30, 2013
Although I don't agree with every proposal of McDurmon's, this book is exactly what it claims to be: a biblical blueprint for Restoring America. I really appreciated the fact that this book does not attempt to "Americanize" the rest of the world. His focus is simply upon restoring America, and nothing else.
February 27, 2019
This is a very well thought out and masterfully presented long term plan for restoring any country but has very interesting and helpful history of the United States of America. This is a very timely and needed book. I highly recommend it.
March 16, 2019
Here is dominion's most recent strategy - having failed to effect change at the national level, they turn to the state, county, and city level, then use their influence there to move the country toward their agenda.
October 30, 2017
Excellent.
October 17, 2015
Man, what a book. I felt like I just read a 50yr action plan for America...and it all starts with me. Well researched, very politically intelligent, and Scripturally rock solid. While I would need time to digest a number of points he made, his adherence to the Bible and how it relates to any political position is faithfully refreshing. Although not mentioned, Joel is a Theonomist; I believe he writes from that presupposition, and with the points he's made here, you can ONLY be Theonomic. Some points WILL be hard to swallow, some I found asking "man, could that really look like that one day?" Personal application is even more difficult. Regardless, Joel does a great job of explaining what a Biblical society and functioning government could (I believe will) look like fully submitted to the Word of God. Well done Joel.
January 1, 2023
McDurmon does a great job of showing how freedom has been lost in American and how to restore it. Much of what McDurmon advocates (localism, decentralization, sound money, just war theory, fiscal and social conservatism) I'm on board with. I'm very hesitant to not go beyond scripture and bind the conscience of other Christians by saying these policies and actions must be endorsed though.
April 20, 2016
Wonderful. I've been interested in the libertarian movement, but finally getting to read something with a Biblical foundation has been encouraging and exciting. I enjoyed every minute of reading this one!
August 17, 2016
Informative, encouraging and convicting. I probably would have given this book five stars if I had a more political/government/etc. influenced mind. Because this was my first book on government that I have ever read, I have nothing to compare it to.
May 14, 2014
Excellent piece of work. Highly recommended.
December 31, 2014
If you're looking for a book about positive political action that is extremely well researched and historically informed then look no further!
March 2, 2016
If I wasn't for the overt theonomic bent, I would have given this a better rating. Lots of wise advice in here that all Christians would do well to take heed.
September 8, 2013
Excellent, thought provoking and practical!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews