Easy Chair No. 146, May 14, 1987 — Book Reviews: Roots, Vision, and the Future Under God

Easy Chair No. 147, May 26, 1987 - The Tree of Hate, Dr. Philip Wayne Powell

In Easy Chair No. 147, R.J. Rushdoony and Otto Scott host Dr. Philip Wayne Powell to discuss his book The Tree of Hate, which exposes the historical myths and prejudices surrounding the Hispanic world, especially the Spanish Empire and Latin America. Powell explains how Northern European propaganda, dating from the 15th and 16th centuries, fostered widespread misconceptions about Spain’s colonization of the Americas, exaggerating violence and portraying Spaniards as barbaric. These distortions, combined with the “black legend,” have shaped modern perceptions in the United States and contributed to a general Hispanophobic bias. The discussion also covers U.S.-Latin American relations, emphasizing the ignorance and indifference of U.S. policymakers and citizens toward the region. Powell and Scott note that Americans often rely on superficial or ideologically biased information, leading to poor foreign policy and cultural misunderstandings. They highlight examples such as misguided diplomatic appointments, misinterpretations of Latin American history, and the undervaluing of Spain’s contributions to Christianity, education, and governance. Finally, the conversation explores broader themes, including the importance of historical accuracy, the influence of language on culture, and the value of Hispanic contributions to global history. Powell underscores the need to study Spain and Latin America carefully, noting that understanding the region is critical for current and future U.S. policy. He also stresses the role of language, particularly Castilian Spanish, in the formation and maintenance of the Spanish Empire, drawing parallels to the decline of English precision and cultural understanding today."

Easy Chair No. 146, May 14, 1987 — Book Reviews: Roots, Vision, and the Future Under God

In Easy Chair 146 (May 14, 1987), R.J. Rushdoony argues that a culture survives only when it honors both past and future: despising the past makes a people rootless, while losing a God-given vision for the future leaves only nostalgia—relics without meaning and prosperity without purpose. He warns that this same past-orientation infects churchmen who cling to “security” instead of obeying Scripture’s mandate to advance God’s Kingdom, using history as a cautionary tale: the medieval church allied with fading rural power while the city rose, helping set the stage for an urban Reformation; later, Protestantism resisted the Industrial Revolution and lost relevance to modern city life. Rushdoony then condemns Liberation Theology as Marxism baptized—replacing conversion and discipleship with revolution—and calls for a recovered biblical outlook marked by an eschatology of victory, where faith supplies both continuity with our fathers and confidence to build a future on God’s terms. Along the way, his reviews expose the moral confusion of sentimental liberal “compassion,” the shift from responsibility to blame in modern culture, the dangers of hyper-emotional “enthusiastic religion,” and the self-defeating absurdities of subsidy politics—each example reinforcing his central point: without Scripture’s authority, societies drift into fantasy, guilt-religions, and control schemes; with it, they regain meaning, mission, and direction. #EasyChair #Rushdoony #ChristianWorldview #HistoryAndFaith #PastAndFuture #EschatologyOfVictory #Discipleship #LiberationTheology

Easy Chair No. 145, May 6, 1987

In Easy Chair No. 145, R.J. Rushdoony and Joseph McAuliffe examine the state of Christian fundraising, highlighting widespread concern over unethical practices, misuse of funds, and the public’s declining trust in TV ministries. McAuliffe cites polls showing that both Christians and non-Christians view many fundraising methods as manipulative, commercialized, and spiritually dishonest. He contrasts this with biblical models, emphasizing that fundraising must align with God’s will, respect donors’ freedom, provide transparency in the use of funds, and uphold integrity. Using examples from the tabernacle, the temple, and the early church, he stresses that giving should support God-ordained projects, advance His covenant, and avoid debt, coercion, or vanity. Both Rushdoony and McAuliffe call for a shift from spectacle-driven “star” ministries to faithful, local church-based stewardship that glorifies God and strengthens the kingdom.

Easy Chair No. 144, April 16, 1987

In this broadcast, R.J. Rushdoony, Otto Scott, and R.E. McMaster discuss the moral and religious collapse of the Western world and its profound impact on economics, politics, and society. McMaster emphasizes that government and economics are extensions of religious ethics, noting stark contrasts between Protestant-influenced North America and Catholic/Latin cultures, particularly in terms of productivity, decentralization, and the long-term perspective. They critique the rise of short-term financial speculation, debt-driven economies, and government interference, illustrating how these undermine individual responsibility, long-term planning, and societal prosperity. The conversation also examines historical patterns, including the role of the Puritan work ethic in American capitalism, the global trade and industrial shifts involving Japan, Korea, and Latin America, and the use of debt as a tool of control. Rushdoony and the panel stress that declining faith and moral standards, coupled with monopolies in money, law, education, and health, erode societal stability. They warn that without a restoration of Christian ethics and a long-term outlook, economic and social collapse could intensify, potentially giving rise to radical movements if ordinary citizens are financially and socially imperiled. The discussion concludes by noting the Christian community’s limited engagement with economics and the political-economic sphere, emphasizing that meaningful cultural and economic reform must be rooted in faith, biblical law, and long-term stewardship of resources.

Easy Chair No. 143, April 10, 1987

R.J. Rushdoony reviews books illustrating moral, cultural, and societal trends. He highlights John Morgan’s Prince of Crime on Catholic dominance in urban politics and crime, A. Craig Copetas’ Metal Men on large-scale corporate corruption, and Major Henry Darley’s Slaves and Ivory on Africa’s moral and social challenges. He also notes cultural degeneration in 19th-century France, historical insights on Roman law, and celebrates entrepreneurial innovation in Donald Lambrou’s Land of Opportunity. Throughout, he emphasizes the need for Christian moral guidance and reconstruction in society.