Is Reconstructionism Merging with "Kingdom Now? CRI

Is a marriage of *Reconstructionism* and *"Kingdom Now"* underway? Yes, says pastor *David Baird* of the *Victory Christian Center* in Fairfax, Virginia.

He organized and hosted the *"Symposium on Kingdom and Covenant"* to help do just that at his church in September.

The August issue of _Charisma_ magazine contained a full-page advertisement inviting 200 pastors and church leaders to the symposium. Pictured in the ad, along with the question, "What will these spokesmen for the kingdom of God be doing September 15-17?", were *Earl Paulk, Dennis Peacocke, Gary DeMar, David Chilton, George Grant, Don Meares, Charles Nestor,* and *Ern Baxter.*

"It was an attempt to merge Reconstructionism with 'Kingdom Now' theology, and it was successful," said Baird, a former *Assemblies of God* minister turned Reconstructionist, in a telephone interview. "The result is still yet to emerge, but will become clear in the next couple of years," he added.

"Kingdom Now" is a movement spearheaded by Paulk, *Bishop John Meares,* and others who believe that the church, as a manifestation of the kingdom of God, will eventually take over society. Only when the church is in a position of power will Christ return to rule, Paulk and other leaders teach. Paulk is bishop of the 10,000-member Chapel Hill Harvester Church near Atlanta.

Reconstructionism is a postmillennial movement which originated within the *Reformed* or *Calvinistic* tradition in America. Reconstructionists speaking at the symposium were *Gary North,* DeMar, Chilton, and Grant.

Baxter and Peacocke were leaders of the controversial *"shepherding movement"* which taught that individual believers must submit themselves to a "covering" or chain of command before making many decisions. Although the movement has fragmented in recent years, many of its teachers and teachings have merged into the "Kingdom Now" or *dominion movement.* Baird said Baxter worked hard behind the scenes to pull together the two camps.

The reason he and others have been seeking to unite the two movements is because "the charismatic movement has grossly failed," Baird said. "I feel we have been too loose in our theology. And this is also Paulk's concern."

He added that the Reconstructionists have some difficulties with some of Paulk's theological positions "such as his understanding of the office of prophet." But, on the other hand, "Reconstructionists would agree with the five-fold ministry (as taught by Paulk and many charismatic teachers) as a historic reality in the church."

Baird said the camps have decided to begin a new publication called _The Basileian_ ("kingdom" in Greek) _Journal_ containing articles from both "Kingdom Now" and Reconstructionist writers.

A merger of the two camps has long been predicted -- sought after by some. In a widely circulated letter to Peter Lalonde, editor of _The Omega Letter,_ North wrote that increasing criticism of kingdom (dominion) leaders will result in "pressuring the dominion people into the Reconstructionist camp" -- which he welcomes. "We were shepherds without sheep. No longer."

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CRJ0094A.TXT (original CRI file name),
"News Watch"
release A, May 10, 1994
R. Poll, CRI

"News Watch" (a column from the Christian Research Journal, Fall 1988, page 5) by William M. Alnor, except where otherwise indicated. The Editor-in-Chief of the Christian Research Journal is Elliot Miller.

Copyright 1994 by the Christian Research Institute, P.O. Box 500-TC, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92693.

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