To Be As God: A Study of Modern Thought Since The Marquis de Sade

by Rousas John Rushdoony

To Be As God traces the arrogant trends of modern thought since the Enlightenment's deliberate return to Greek humanism. Beginning with the Marquis de Sade, a forerunner of modern thought, Rousas John Rushdoony examines the tenets of modern poetry, philosophy, and theology and the influence of Darwinism, Romanticism, and Marxism, to name but a few.

Genres: Philosophy, Theology, Christian, History

264 pages, Paperback

First published July 30, 2003

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

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Following Rushdoony through this tour of thinkers who've left a great toxic footprint on modern thought was quite a ride. It was very enlightening as Rushdoony contrasted these men and their beliefs with a Christian worldview. I only wish he could have completed this work. :) I'll give this book two thumbs up, it's one I definitely hope to reread!

[Aurora Grace · Rating 1 out of 5]

The third in Rushdoony's trilogy on philosophy.

[Travis Daggett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Typical Rush.

[Christian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rushdoony's most basic premise of To Be As God is that the infamous Marquis de Sade was the most self-consciously consistent humanist rebelling against God in the modern era. Rushdoony continually uses Proverbs 8:35-36 to describe the nature of man and culture. The importance of To Be As God is how Rushdoony recognized and explains the fact that fallen man is actively at war with God to usurp Him; the chief biblical example being in Genesis 11 at the Tower of Babel. The Enlightenment was the seed that revived Greek humanism and naturalism, which led to de Sade's war on Christianity and God.

Though unable to finish writing To Be As God before his death, Rushdoony clearly lays out the principle that active and explicit proclamation of the Word of God, the Kingdom of Christ, and the Sovereignty of God over all areas of life is the strongest weapon against humanism and de Sade's philosophical decedents. Christianity must stand in direct opposition to humanism since humanism stands in active warfare against God.

“The point of this book is that men must stand for the antithesis of modern naturalistic thought, for life in God rather than the love of death.” ~ Pastor Mark Rushdoony, “Foreword” (2003), To Be As God

My favorite chapters were Rushdoony's analysis on Persona and Non-Persons.

Well worth your time to read.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since Adam and Eve mans biggest problem has been its desire to be as God is. God's word does not change, even though man does. Science has its place and has given us many great things, humanism has not. With the absence of God's grace and law these two particulars (science and humanism) are but an empty shell that offer despair.

Rushdoony takes examples from the lives of 9 men and discusses ideas that these men lived by and how they are an afront to God's law, and the ramifications for these views on themselves and society.

Rushdoony has some interesting takes on these men, you may or may not agree with every supposition but it will make you think and for that you are ahead of the game. Read Rush I always say, its time well spent for the Christian.