It's a complicated subject to which I will give a brief and no doubt
oversimplified answer.
Christian reconstructionism is characterized by the following beliefs:
1. Postmillennial eschatology - they believe that the apocalypse in
Revelation occurred in 70 A.D. when Jerusalem was destroyed. Thus the
millennial kingdom exists *now*, on earth. It is thus the duty of believers
to Christianize (as opposed to evangelize) the world
2. Theonomy - they believe that the entire O.T. Law, except for the
sacrifices, is fully applicable today.
Any government that is not based on Biblical law is illegitimate, and it is
the duty of Christians to replace them, in preparation for Christ's return.
Therefore, obviously, they do not believe in religious pluralism or
democracy. They would also reinstitute the full range of OT civil law &
penalties.
Some of the more vocal proponents have been R.J. Rushdoony, Gary North and
Gary DeMar. Pat Robertson has shown some leanings in this direction, but
hasn't openly identified with the movement.
Reconstructionists on the list may think that my characterization is too
harsh. Maybe so; if it's not apparent, I disagree with the system
wholeheartedly.
Chuck
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Chuck Warman
cwarman@wf.net (Wichita Falls, TX)
"The abdication of Belief / makes the Behavior small."
----Emily Dickinson