Dominionism/Kingdom Now Theology

 

                     

Many Christians are getting caught up in Dominionism/Kingdom Now theology. It has been sold as Christian Patriotism and promoted by some big-name evangelical leaders and by some who consider themselves prophets. It sounds good but is not Biblical. The fact that so few, even within the Church, take time to be Bereans and research the Word is an indictment against those so easily deceived by anyone who has “snake-oil” to sell. I’m sure some do not recognize the danger of this theology. The best I can say is to listen closely for certain “flag words”.

Questions to Ponder

1. What is Dominionism?  

2. How can we recognize it?  

3. Who promotes it?  

4. Why is it a concern?  

5. Should Christians participate in the political process?  

6. What questions can help determine if your church teaches this?

                                                              What is it?

Dominionism is the theocratic idea that, regardless of theological view, means, or timetable, Christians are called by God to exercise dominion over every aspect of society by taking control of political and cultural institutions.

·         “According to his [Ted Cruz’s] father and [New Beginnings Pastor Larry] Huch, Ted Cruz is anointed by God to help Christians in their effort to “go to the marketplace and occupy the land … and take dominion” over it, Fea continued. “This ‘end-time transfer of wealth’ will relieve Christians of all financial woes, allowing true believers to ascend to a position of political and cultural power in which they can build a Christian civilization. When this Christian nation is in place (or back in place), Jesus will return.”

·         Unlike dispensationalism’s message of social deterioration that precedes Christ’s return, Christian dominionism is postmillennial rather than premillennial. It argues that Christians can and must reform society so that it becomes progressively better. Only then will Christ return. (Ladner, 2022)

·         First of all, not all right-wing Christians are Dominionists, but all Dominionists are right-wing Christians. (Povey, 2022)

·         Seven Mountains dominionism calls for believers to take control over seven leading aspects of culture: family, religion, education, media, entertainment, business, and government.

·         The name is derived from the biblical book of Isaiah 2:2 (New King James Version): “Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains.”

·         Dominion Theology also teaches that the Church replaces Israel, and that Christians are the ‘new Jews’. This demonic heresy is called Replacement Theology, and is in sharp opposition to Bible doctrine. But it is at the core of Dominionism. The principal goal, then, of dominion theology and Christian reconstructionism is political and religious domination of the world through the implementation of the moral laws, and subsequent punishments, of the Old Testament (the sacrificial and ceremonial laws having been fulfilled in the New Testament).  A Bible Believer Looks At The Christian Cult Of Dominion Theology • Now The End Begins

 Two Main Expressions of Dominionism.

·         Christian Reconstructionism advances the idea that Christians must not only dominate society but institute and enforce Old Testament biblical law.

·         The other main strain of contemporary dominionism (which in turn has also been deeply influenced by Reconstructionism) is 7M dominionism (7 mountain mandate), advocated by Pentecostals of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR)

·         The Latter Rain movement taught that there would be an outpouring of supernatural powers in the coming generation, allowing them to subdue or take dominion over nations. 

Who Do We Know in This Camp?

·         Sarah Palin (a longtime member of a NAR-affiliated church)

·         Michele Bachmann,

·         Rick Perry,

·         Mike Huckabee,

·         Newt Gingrich

·         Lance Wallanu

·         Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R-TX)

·         NAR (New Apostolic Reformation churches)

·         Ted Cruz (his father is a leader in the NAR)

·         Clay Clarke (the Take Back America movement)

·         Francis Shaeffer

 

·         C. Peter Wagner

·         Andrew Wommack

·         International House of Prayer in Kansas City, Missouri

·         Texas Governor Greg Abbott

·         Donald Trump, may not be a NAR devotee, but he has deep ties to the movement

·         Paula White is a NAR apostle (Donald Trump’s pastor)

·         Senator Josh Hawley

·         Mike Pence

·         Conservative media host Eric Metaxas

·         Bethel Church

·         Pat Robertson

·         James Dobson

The Role of Dominionism.

·         The role of dominionism is largely hidden in plain sight from those most affected, on all sides.¹⁰⁵ (Clarkson, 2016)

·         Dispensationalists and Dominionists share many political goals. Their differences present themselves in eschatological terms. The public-facing dispensationalists who formed the religious right were preparing America for the end of the world. Dominionists, on the other hand, seek to take over the world. (Ladner, 2022)

·         While the Tea Party itself was not necessarily Dominionist, the group espoused a political agenda that dovetails with Rushdoony’s (founder of Christian Reconstructionism/Dominionism)  vision of the reconstructed society. (Ladner, 2022)

·         The 7MM suggests that there are seven mountains of culture: religion and church, family, education, government, media, arts and entertainment, and business and economics. Historically, Wallnau said, Christians have focused on only the first mountain by building churches, to the neglect of the others. The new revelation for today is that they are to hold positions of leadership over all mountains of culture so that they can attain dominion over every aspect of society. (Ladner, 2022)

What Do They Teach?

·         One of the things they teach is the transfer of wealth (NESARA GESERA) It asserts that in the end times, wealth will pass from the unrighteous to the righteous so that they can take dominion and establish the kingdom of God on earth. (Ladner, 2022)

·         The Oak Initiative, which is associated with evangelistic prophet and election denier Rick Joyner, calls for raising effective leaders in the seven areas as part of  a “spiritual awakening that lays a foundation for course correction in the future of America.” (Hibbert, 2022)

·         Once at home solely within Reformed circles, dominion theology, and Christian reconstructionism are making an impact on the beliefs of many Charismatic churches in the form of Kingdom Now theology. (What is dominion theology?, 2022)

·         For his part, Jefferson appealed to history. Whenever government officials “have assumed dominion over the faith of others, setting up their own opinions and modes of thinking as the only true and infallible” (my emphasis), he wrote, they have ended up creating “false religions.” (Brockman, 2016)

Should Christians Be Involved in Politics?

·         This is not to say that Christians should not be involved in the political process. However, they must rid themselves of the notion that they are destined to assume control of other people and governments and rule the world. The legitimate use of power does not include using it to impose one's will upon others. The believer's claim must not, therefore, be for absolute power but for equality of access to society's marketplace of ideas where true Christianity, and the worldview that springs from it, can more than hold its own. (Whitehead, 2006)

No matter what Dominionists believe, the present spiritual problems we face will not be changed through the political system. Therefore, unless there is a spiritual reformation, there will be little alteration in the present course of society. If the hearts of people are not changed, then further moral, and thus cultural and societal, decay is to be expected.

 

Video

ECUMENICAL QUEST - The rise of modern dominionism

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAnM-hqFdYI&list=PLffNHSzpyt4BKCsWTvi1kVV5YDJ_3pr7m  (26 min.)

Things to Watch For

There are words and things to watch for to recognize occurrences of this theology:

·         The NAR (New Apostolic Reformation Church) teaches Dominionism.

·         The Reawaken America movement leaders and speakers are heavily into Dominionism, and if you listen closely, you will also hear New Age and Theosophy presented. These leaders are wrapping their deceit in patriotic paper.

Questions to Ask

1.        Belief in Christian Supremacy: Does the individual or group believe that Christianity should be the dominant religion in society and that its values and laws should be enforced on non-Christians?

2.    Political Activism: Is the individual or group actively involved in politics, seeking to influence government policies and laws to reflect their Christian beliefs?

3.      Theonomy: Do they believe that biblical law should be applied to modern society and that government should be based on biblical principles?

4.     Seven Mountain Mandate: Do they subscribe to the idea that Christians should take control of seven key areas of society: family, education, media, arts and entertainment, government, business, and religion?

5.     View on Non-Christians: How do they view non-Christians in a Dominionist society? Would they be allowed to practice their religion freely, or would there be restrictions or persecution?

6.    Definition of a Theocracy: How do they define a theocracy, and do they believe that the United States should become one?

7.    Genesis 1:28 Interpretation: How do they interpret the biblical verse “Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moves upon the earth”? Do they see it as a divine mandate for Christians to claim dominion over the earth, including politics and government?

8.     Alignment with Christian Reconstructionism: Do they align with Christian Reconstructionist theology, which seeks to establish a theocratic society based on biblical law?

9.    Attitude towards Secularism: Do they view secularism as a threat to Christianity, and would they seek to eliminate it from public life in a Dominionist society?

10.    Vision for Society: What is their vision for society under a Dominionist government? Would they prioritize social justice, equality, and human rights, or would they focus on enforcing Christian values and laws?

By asking these questions, you can gain insight into whether an individual or group subscribes to Dominionist beliefs and values.

 

Why is Dominionism Unbiblical?

1.        It insists that particular Old Testament laws persist unless they are specifically abrogated by the New Testament.

2.        It does not account for the fact that Gentile nations are not and never were under the Old Covenant.

3.        It doesn’t properly account for the fact that the Old Covenant as a whole, together with all of its laws, has been abolished.

4.        It is believed that God gave the judicial law of Israel as a universal norm of societal justice for all nations.

5.        It sees the Church as the replacement for Israel (Replacement Theology).

6.        It interprets Genesis 1:28, not as us being stewards of the earth, but as a divine mandate for Christians to claim dominion over the earth, including politics and government.

7.        It teaches that once Christians establish dominion over all the earth, Jesus can come back, but not until then. Unlike dispensationalism’s message of social deterioration that precedes Christ’s return, Christian dominionism is postmillennial rather than premillennial. It argues that Christians can and must reform society so that it becomes progressively better. Only then will Christ return.

8.        It seeks to replace secular government and the U.S. Constitution with a system based on Old Testament law.

In the words of George Grant, a Dominionist who wrote The Changing of the Guard: Biblical Principles for

Political Action:

It is dominion we are after. Not just a voice. It is dominion we are after. Not just influence. It is dominion we are after. Not just equal time. It is dominion we are after. World conquest. That’s what Christ has commissioned us to accomplish.

Works Cited

• Brockman, D. R. (2016, June 22). COULD MAKE RELIGIOUS FREEDOM A THING OF THE PAST. Retrieved from Texas

Observer: https://www.texasobserver.org/dominion-theology/

• Clarkson, F. (2016, August 18). Dominionism Rising. Retrieved from Political Research Associates: https://

politicalresearch.org/2016/08/18/dominionism-rising-a-theocratic-movement-hiding-in-plain-sight

• Hibbert, C. M. (2022, November 15). Who are the Dominionists backing conservative candidates? Retrieved from Northeast Global

News: https://news.northeastern.edu/2022/11/15/dominionism-republican-candidate/

• Ladner, K. (2022, November). The quiet rise of Christian dominionism. Retrieved from The Christian Century: https://

www.christiancentury.org/article/features/quiet-rise-christian-dominionism

• Povey, J. R. (2022, May 4). What is Christian Dominionism — and Why Should Even Christians Fear It? Retrieved from Medium:

https://jenniferrpovey.medium.com/what-is-christian-dominionism-and-why-should-even-christians-fear-it-836d45d28f36

• What is dominion theology? (2022, January 4). Retrieved from Got Questions: https://www.gotquestions.org/dominion-

theology.html

• Whitehead, J. W. (2006, July/August). The Rise of Dominionism and the Christian Right. Retrieved from Liberty: https://

www.libertymagazine.org/article/the-rise-of-dominionism-and-the-christian-right