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

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

I asked an evangelical historian about that language and whether he thinks that Pence is a true believer, in terms of Christian Dominionism and Reconstructionism.

From Salon • Oct. 6, 2019

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 a more recent splinter of post-millennialism is "Reconstructionism," founded by Rousas John Rushdoony.

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