Reconstructionism

American  

[ree-kuhn-struhk-shuh-niz-uhm] / ˌri kənˈstrʌk ʃəˌnɪz əm /

noun

1. a 20th-century movement among U.S. Jews, founded by Rabbi Mordecai M. Kaplan, advocating that Judaism, being a culture and way of life as well as a religion, is in sum a religious civilization requiring constant adaptation to contemporary conditions so that Jews can identify more readily and meaningfully with the Jewish community.

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Etymology

Origin of Reconstructionism

1940–45; reconstruction ( def. ) + -ism

Example Sentences

There are two major forms of dominionism in America today: Christian Reconstructionism and the New Apostolic Reformation.

From Salon • May 26, 2024

Reconstructionism is based on a foundational belief in multiracial democracy and in the tools we have to enforce the federal government’s promise of equality: voting, protesting, boycotting and other types of civic action.

From Washington Post • Nov. 2, 2022

Herb Titus, the lawyer converted by Christian Reconstructionism who was instrumental in its launch, describes his mission in developing a Christian law school as a fulfillment of a "dominion mandate."

From Salon • Aug. 21, 2011

And his conception of Judaism has grown into a thriving movement: Reconstructionism.

From Time Magazine Archive

Rushdoony is the founder and chairman of the board of the Chalcedon foundation, the parent organization of Reconstructionism.

From Time Magazine Archive