Deuteronomy: Commentaries on the Pentateuch

Commentaries on the Pentateuch #5

by Rousas John Rushdoony

As the last installment of R.J Rushdoony's commentary series on the Pentateuch, it stands as one of the more dynamic expositions in the series in that is addresses God's demands upon man, family, church, and state. In short, Deuteronomy is the defining volume on theocracy, and could easily stand alongside Rushdoony's Institutes of Biblical Law in its equally comprehensive application of Biblical law. If you desire to understand the core of Rushdoony's thinking, this commentary on Deuteronomy is one volume you must read. The covenantal structure of this last book of Moses, its detailed listing of both blessings and curses, and its strong presentation of godly theocracy provided Rushdoony with a solid foundation from which to summarize the central tenets of a truly Biblical worldview-one that is solidly established upon Biblical Law, and one that is assured to shape the future. This is why the book of Deuteronomy is central to a gospel of victory in time and eternity. The redemptive power of Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit are the enabling forces for a people to once again live faithful to God's covenant-and Deuteronomy provides the details for that covenant. Rushdoony's study of Deuteronomy represents a sizable deposit into securing the obedience of the church.

Genres: Theology

549 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

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

[Evan Þ. · Rating 2 out of 5]

A friend got me Rushdoony's commentary on Deuteronomy. It's a work of loving detail, as much homelitic as expositional, emphasizing how God's wisdom shown in points of the Law is still very applicable today. There's much here where I can bask in that illumination of God's wisdom.

But Rushdoony sadly goes farther than that - and falls into the Judaizing heresy. He argues that the Law of Moses is still applicable today in most if not all details; that Christ saves us so that we can be perfected by the Law. He even praises the food laws! This makes me read his criticism of modern secular governments with a more skeptical eye - there's much I can criticize about it too, but does he wish to install a theocracy like ancient Israel had? And that makes me side-eye much more of what he says.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another very helpful commentary to understand and deepen the riches of Deuteronomy. Easy to read. Valuable.

[Isaac · Rating 4 out of 5]

This commentary (and all five in this series) are very valuable as accompanying commentaries in your studies on the books of the Pentateuch. You won't find thorough exegetical handling of the texts (which is bread and butter for commentaries), but you will find insight and commentary which pushes your thinking outside of the box and allows you to see some things that you wouldn't otherwise see. Thought provoking and useful. You won't agree with everything Rushdoony says, but you'll never get bored with him that's for sure. I always consult Rushdoony when I'm studying or preaching from books in the Pentateuch.