This Independent Republic

This Independent Republic examines the religious and philosophical foundations of American constitutionalism and government. The text analyzes how Biblical principles and Protestant theology shaped early American political thought and institutions. Rushdoony traces the development of American liberty through historical documents, court decisions, and writings of the founding era. His research connects concepts of individual rights, separation of powers, and limited government to their theological origins. The book covers key topics including education, property rights, taxation, and the relationship between church and state in early America. Rushdoony demonstrates how these civic elements emerged from specific religious convictions held by the colonists and founders. The work presents a counter-narrative to secular interpretations of American history, arguing that Christian thought was central to the formation of American political philosophy. Through this lens, the book explores tensions between religious liberty and state authority that continue to influence modern political discourse.

Readers describe This Independent Republic as a detailed examination of America's Christian foundations and legal heritage. Reviews focus on Rushdoony's analysis of historical documents and early American political thought. Positive reviews highlight: - Historical documentation connecting Christian theology to American governance - Analysis of state constitutions and colonial charters - Explanations of biblical principles in American law Critical reviews mention: - Dense academic writing style that can be difficult to follow - Views considered too extreme or theocratic by some readers - Limited citations for certain historical claims Ratings: Amazon: 4.6/5 (21 reviews) Goodreads: 4.3/5 (23 ratings) One reader noted: "Rushdoony backs up his arguments with extensive primary sources." Another commented: "The book makes bold claims about America's religious roots but doesn't fully substantiate all of them." Most reviews come from readers already familiar with Rushdoony's other works or Christian Reconstructionism.

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Constitutional Government and Free Enterprise by Clarence B. Carson A historical analysis of the American founding documents' relationship to free market economics and limited government.

The Christian Life and Character of the Civil Institutions of the United States by Benjamin F. Morris A compilation of primary source documents demonstrating the Christian foundations of American civil government and law.

The Theme is Freedom: Religion, Politics, and the American Tradition by M. Stanton Evans An investigation of the religious and philosophical roots of American liberty and constitutionalism.

Christianity and the Constitution by John Eidsmoe A study of the Biblical worldviews and religious convictions of America's founding fathers and their influence on constitutional principles.

🔷 Rousas John Rushdoony, born in 1916 to Armenian immigrants who fled the genocide, brought this firsthand experience of religious persecution into his writings about American liberty and Christian foundations. 🔷 The book, published in 1964, was one of the first comprehensive works to argue that American constitutional government was deliberately based on Biblical law rather than secular Enlightenment principles. 🔷 This Independent Republic helped launch the Christian Reconstructionist movement, which advocates for applying Biblical law to modern society and influenced parts of the modern homeschooling movement. 🔷 The author drew extensively from primary sources of America's founding era, including personal letters and sermons from colonial ministers, to support his argument that early American law was based on Puritan and Reformed theology. 🔷 Though controversial among historians, the book's emphasis on the religious foundations of American liberty influenced later conservative Christian political thought and the modern religious right movement.