IPS-Eye-White

Section 7  - The Contemporary Church
IPS-Header


02White  The Contemporary Church   >  Doctrines of Demons   >     Index To Dominionism   >   Part I
 
Wolf-Sheeps-Clothing
01orange

Translate This Page
Click on link - copy and paste the URL then choose a language

Dominionism - Part I

 Understanding Dominionism - an umbrella term for a number of related groups whose audaciousness combined with an abysmal lack of Biblical knowledge can and will have dire consequences

Carol Brooks

Index To All Five Chapters

Also See The New Apostolic Reformation - Apostles Or Deluded Impostors

And

Prophets or Charlatans


 

ON THIS PAGE
Emphasis Mine In Bible Verses

Dominionism's Deplorable Consequences.
 

Why Is The Ideology So Widespread?
 



Introduction - Understanding Dominionism

Dominionism is the belief that Christians have a divine mandate to take dominion over or control all aspects of society including the government thus preparing the world for Christ's return. They actually believe that Christ will not, nay, cannot return to earth until this is accomplished. The 'kingdom' will then be handed to the returning Lord who apparently will only show up when it's all done and dusted.

The Dominionist's version of end time events relegate the return of our Lord to no more than a formality - the cherry on top of the man made cake. In which case I have to wonder why the New Testament so often tells us to not only eagerly anticipate His return, but to keep ourselves in a constant state of readiness.

    Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps lit. "Be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks. (Luke 12:35-36 NASB)

    Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.  (1 Peter 1:13 NASB)



The New Apostolic Reformation and the various organizations connected with it are based on several related doctrines that fall under the Dominionist umbrella including the Manifest Sons of God, Kingdom Now, Joel's Army, Latter Rain, Marketplace Ministry, Reconstructionism etc. And of course the the Seven Mountain Mandate (Details In Part II Below)


Although the teachings of the assorted groups differ from each other in detail they are similar enough to be classified under the broad banner of Dominion or Kingdom Theology. All these groups share a post-millennial vision in which Christians will cleanse the earth of evil and establish God's kingdom on earth by imposing a theocracy, the word derived from the Greek theos (God) and kratia (government). In other words, their goal is to see every area of life placed under God's law - every facet of the country governed by people who if not actually members of the clergy would be considered to be divinely guided. As an example Saudi Arabia is a Islamic theocracy. (The terms theonomy and theocracy are essentially synonymous).


The more moderate factions advocate political control, social action and the revising of laws, while others are far more militant, willing to use force if necessary. (See Joel's Army and their very skewed interpretation of many Biblical passages). Many Dominionists maintain that cleansing the earth of evil and establishing God's kingdom on earth will be accomplished by an elite group of believers called overcomers or Manifest Sons of God (Romans 8:19).



According to "prophet" Cindy Jacobs

    "...Not only did His death, burial and resurrection give us sonship by adoption into God's family, it gave us back the authority through the name of Jesus to reestablish dominion over the earth." [01]



She even claims that the Lord's Prayer supports Dominionism. Although the video is not longer available on You tube  Christian Research Network has posted a transcript of some relevant sections

    27 seconds into the video: "… and God showed me [The Lord’s Prayer] was a prayer and every part of the prayer is an element on how to reform and transform a nation.”

    53 seconds into the video: The Lord's Prayer " is the prayer of intercession that will help bring into manifestation the original Genesis Mandate to fill, subdue, multiply and have dominion in the earth.”

    1:24 seconds into the video: " This was our commission in the Garden and it never changed - because we didn't understand our commission sin came into the world and it began to deteriorate the ability we had to steward the earth."

    2:55 seconds into the video: "So we have authority to reverse the Genesis curse of poverty and death. Not only do we have the power to do so, we have the mandate. You have to understand this. [02] (More about her in Prophets Or Deluded Charlatans)

 
Did God Issue a ‘Mandate” in Genesis 1?



One could dismiss these beliefs as the ranting of an extremely deluded lunatic fringe except for the fact that this movement continues to make vast inroads into churches around the globe. In America Dominionism is propagated by quite a few very influential 'Religious Right' extremists, many of whom hold high-up government positions.


Which is why it is hugely important that we should be well aware that there isn't a single scrap of evidence for a theocracy in the Scripture. In fact, the pages of the Bible present us with several compelling and irrefutable reasons why a theocracy is NOT Biblical.


 See Is A Theocracy Biblical?
The short answer being "No! Absolutely not!" - Not only is there is absolutely no evidence for a theocracy in the Scriptures but there are compelling and irrefutable reasons why a theocracy is NOT Biblical



Before getting swept away on a wave of Dominionist rhetoric it would be very wise. I take that back. It is imperative that you stop and ask yourself whether any of this is Biblical.

If you examine the Bible verses usually cited in defense of this doctrine with a VERY open mind, you will find that verses are either twisted beyond recognition or wrenched from their context. Passages that clearly contradict their beliefs are completely ignored, and repeated warnings are disregarded. In summary not only are their beliefs and teachings not found anywhere in the Bible but, in many cases they flatly contradict God's word.


For example, their core belief is that they have to reestablish dominion. Yet...
 

Dominion over the earth and the kingdom has already been given to Christ by the Ancient of Days. HERE


 See Dominionism Vs. The Bible Part I   And   Dominionism Vs. The Bible Part II. 
for many more discrepancies between Dominionism theology and the Scriptures.



Dominionism's Deplorable Consequences.
 Dominionism's twisting of Biblical Christian beliefs can do untold damage to the believer. It...


    Changes The Focus Of Christians
    Christ's second advent should be the single most important event on the Christian calendar however, Dominionism is far more focused on man's role - what part he has to play and what he has to do,


    Diminishes Christ And Glorifies Man
    Dominionism makes Christ's future reign completely dependent on man's accomplishments. The doctrine has replaced the sinner redeemed by grace by the hero who has the power and authority to change the world and will triumphantly bring in the kingdom. Note that in some versions of this doctrine, Christ does not even return to earth but lives and rules through the hearts of the saints. 


    Exalts Signs And Wonders Above God's Word.
    See one of the four most dangerous mistakes any Christian can make is to attribute every personal testimony, unexplained phenomena, miracle, etc. to God. HERE


    Ignores Everything The Bible Says About The Antichrist
    The Bible is very clear that the antichristos, empowered by Satan himself, will be a real live person - a clever counterfeit of God's Messiah who will seek to deceive mankind.

      NOTE: English speakers usually take the word 'anti' to mean 'opposed to'. However, in Greek, the word can also mean 'instead of'. Therefore antichristos does not necessarily means someone who is opposed to Christ, but can mean 'instead of' Christ - one who seeks to 'take the place of' Christ.


    In 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 Paul called him "the man of lawlessness" and "the son of destruction" who would exalt himself to the point he would seat himself in God's own temple - making himself out to be the Almighty.

    Yet Dominionism says little or nothing about this counterfeit Christ for which I believe there is very good reason. Dominionists who see the antichrist solely as a spirit already at work in the world will not realize the truth even if one of their own rises to power - something that is entirely possible, even probable. See Joel’s Army Part II



But none of the above should be at all surprising considering that Dominionism was born of the occult


Source

The movement can be traced back to William Branham (1909 – 1965) an American Christian minister (well known for his restorationist ideas and to the Latter Rain movement born in 1948 in the Sharon Orphanage and School in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada.


Branham claimed mystical experiences including a 'voice' that told him his message would serve as a herald for Christ's second coming just as John the Baptist was sent as the messenger who preceded His first coming.


Even today, many believe William Branham to be the greatest prophet of this final age - this in spite of his bizarre doctrines, his false prophecy, the many lies he told, his very undesirable relationships and MOST IMPORTANTLY the fact that he was not only visited many times but was controlled by an unearthly spirit that most certainly did not come from God. See Chapter II - History and Spread of Dominionism.




Why Is The Ideology So Widespread?

The question is why, in spite of all the Scriptural evidence to the contrary, do so many embrace this doctrine?

In spite of loud declarations to the contrary Christianity is not alive and well. Traditional churches don't seek God simply because they are wholly convinced that they have already arrived. The truth is that all too many of them seem to go through the motions without any evidence of God's presence.  01orange See Why The Fire Hasn’t Fallen



It is very possible that Dominionism appeals to the many who like the idea of taking an active part in end time events rather than waiting around for God to do something. It probably gives believers stuck in the rut of Churchianity (the high point of which is probably a 15-20 minute sermon once a week) a new sense of purpose. Changing the world and
preparing it for Christ is probably a very heady notion.



Additionally Christians who may never have seen any display of God's power are often deceived by the 'Signs and Wonders' so common in the charismatic movement. The problem being that too many believers are not only Biblically ignorant but also seemingly unaware of to what extent the occult has infiltrated the church. This  aggressive incursion nowhere more evident than the demonic practice of being "Slain In The Spirit".



See ‘Slain’? By What Spirit?
Especially Part IV that compares the supposedly 'Christian' phenomenon of 'Slain In The Spirit' with the ancient Hindu tradition of awakening' Kundalini - a concentrated life force associated with the goddess Shakti.

 
Also See Other Literal Doctrines of Demons in The Modern Church


Moreover, the sheer arrogance of this man centered doctrine is staggering.




Unbelievable Conceit and Pretentiousness

C. Peter Wagner was leader of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) movement) founding president of Global Harvest Ministries and founder and chancellor emeritus of the Wagner Leadership Institute who in tandem with John Wimber and Bill Hamon was one of the primary movers and shakers behind the Dominionist movement See Chapter II - History and Spread of Dominionism.


The inflated opinion that these so called "prophets" and "apostles" have of themselves and their anticipated accomplishments is exemplified by something Wagner once wrote (Emphasis Mine)

    God's will being accomplished on earth as it is in heaven depends on His people becoming empowered by the Holy Spirit and moving into action. [03]



It is incredibly conceited to believe that God is waiting around for man to act - that His will being accomplished on earth depends on His Spirit empowered people taking action and that they will present this world to Christ when they have established a universal theocracy.


Rick Joyner and Earl Paulk
Here are a few more examples of their unbelievably exaggerated opinion of themselves. The two quotes below are by Rick Joyner and Earl Paulk respectively (All emphasis mine)

    It was said of the Apostle Paul that he was turning the world upside down; it will be said of the apostles soon to be anointed that they have turned an upside down world right side up. Nations will tremble at the mention of their name. [04]

    We are on earth as extensions of God to finish the work He began. We are the essence of God, His on-going incarnation in the world. [05].



Robert Henderson
Founder and leader of multiple apostolic networks including Global Apostolic Network is the author of Operating in the Courts of Heaven: Granting God the Legal Rights to Fulfill His Passion and Answer Our Prayers (a title that personifies Henderson's egotism, vanity, and arrogance).

    We are recognizing that it is the job of us individually but also as the corporate people of God (Ecclesia) to grant God as Judge the legal right to fulfill His purpose in the earth. [06]



Dr. Jerry Brandt
Founder/President of Kingdom Life University (KLU). Under Kingdom World Vision he says

    "I believe the Gospel of the Kingdom is the End-time message of authority and power. In Matt 24:14, Jesus said, "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come." I also believe this could be the generation that completes the Harvest, fulfilling the Great Commission of Matthew 28:18-20.  [07]


It is beyond comprehension as to how ANYONE can believe we can grant the one who spoke this universe into existence the legal right to do anything. That we control whether or not God "fulfills His passion" and whether or not He can answer our prayers.


Anyone who swallows this manure seems to have completely missed the fact that the sovereignty of the Alpha and Omega means supreme and unrestricted power to command, decide, rule, or judge. That the Father waits on no one is something that the Old Testament prophets were well aware of, clearly telling us over and over again that the Lord does whatever He pleases

     But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases.  (Psalms 115:3 NASB)

     Whatever the Lord pleases, He does, In heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps. (Psalms 135:6 NASB

     Many plans are in a man's heart, But the counsel of the Lord will stand.  (Proverbs 19:21 NASB)

    Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, 'My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure';  (Isaiah 46:10 NASB)

     The Lord of hosts has sworn saying, "Surely, just as I have intended so it has happened, and just as I have planned so it will stand - For the Lord of hosts has planned, and who can frustrate it? And as for His stretched-out hand, who can turn it back?"   (Isaiah 14:24, 27 NASB)
     



PART II - TWO CORE BELIEFS


The Seven Mountain Mandate

Seven Mountains?

    They believe that "God has mandated humans to prepare the world for Christ's return by "christianizing" the "7 mountains" of society: government, family, media, education, religion, entertainment/arts, and business. They seek to do this by installing only Christians (specifically, dominionist evangelicals) into the top echelons of each of these seven "mountains" who will then work on changing them". One of the tasks of the people mandated to transform the "government" mountain is replacing the Constitution with Old Testament biblical (Mosaic) law. [08]


These "mountains" or "spheres" are thought to be major determining factors that affect individual tendencies and characteristics. Most Dominionists believe that the world will only be a fit place for Christ to return to when Christians take control of all these areas.



Lance Wallnau is one of the doctrines most vocal proponents. He along with Bill Johnson wrote Invading Babylon: The 7 Mountain Mandate. (All Emphasis Added)

    Before church was established as a place that people "came to," Jesus instituted it as an army that brought transformation to society, starting with salvation and continuing with seven spheres of influence: Church, family, education, government, media, arts, and commerce. [09]



In the first place, Scripture neither says nor implies that it is man's job to take charge, revamp society and make it ready for Christ to return to. The apostles (who can hardly be described as "an Army") preached the Gospel message but nowhere does in the New Testament is there any indication that they tried to influence the government, media, arts, etc. Their primary concern was not to influence culture but to see people saved from it.

This should be our primary concern as well.



In any case Paul plainly warned that the world will get progressively worse prior to the coming of Christ. 


According to Scripture What Conditions Exist Just Prior to Christ's Return?
 



And then there is what is known as 'Marketplace Ministry' - a term that comes from Paul's practice of preaching the Gospel wherever he went. Except that it didn't stay that simple.



Marketplace Ministry

Used increasingly frequently the term 'marketplace ministry' comes from Paul's practice of preaching the Gospel wherever he went (See for example Acts 17:17). Thus the term simply means being a witness for Christ in whatever circumstances we find ourselves in - the places we live, work and play etc. which we should all be a part of to the best of our ability


The problem being that this simple concept has been transformed into something far more complicated.


According to Kingdom Business Community Rich Marshall, author of the foundational work God@Work book says marketplace apostles manifest the following 7 characteristics:

                
    1. Performs signs and wonders
    2. Exhibits spiritual authority
    3. Breaks bondages
    4. Transfers wealth
    5. Hears the voice of God
    6. Functions as biblical entrepreneurs
    7. Reaches nations [10]


And the Scriptural manipulation continues.


Logos University

In an article entitled Equipping For Marketplace Ministry on the Logos University web site Dr. David Robinson who, among other titles, is on the board Board of Regents for the University.

    "His desire has always been a Divine partnership for Kingdom expansion, which is made clear in Ephesians. Ephesians 4:1 declares all Christians are called to full-time service as New Testament priests, regardless of where that service takes place. Church leaders are given clear instructions - they must equip their marketplace ministers for the "work of the ministry,”" not just in the church building, but more so in the marketplace where God has called them. [11]



I have no idea how what Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:1 can be interpreted as declaring “all Christians are called to full-time service as New Testament priests ". 

    Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, (Ephesians 4:1 NASB)


The verse opens with the word "therefore" which means for that reason and is used to introduce a logical conclusion. In this case Paul’s conclusion is based based on the previous three chapters in which he explained in detail what God has freely done for us "therefore" he was entreating the Ephesians to live worthy of their calling.


Calling:

The Greek word rendered calling literally means an invitation as made clear in the following examples

    For consider your calling, brothers and sisters, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble;  (1 Corinthians 1:26 NASB)

    I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,  (Ephesians 1:18 NASB)

    To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will consider you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power, (2 Thessalonians 1:11 NASB)



Work Of The Ministry

So what "work of the ministry" was Paul referring to and did it have anything to do with a 'Market place ministry?

Not if you read it in context.

    (11) And He gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, some as pastors and teachers,  (12)  for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ;  (13)  until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. (14) As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of people, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; (Ephesians 4:11-14. NASB)


The various gifts mentioned bring believers to a unity based on a common faith, equips the saints and brings them to maturity, and gives them stability so that they are no longer tossed about by every false and deceitful doctrine that comes along.


But of course the Dominionists take the proverbial cake



Che Ahn and Marketplace Apostles

 In a 2011 video Che Ahn (the International Chancellor of Wagner Leadership Institute - now Wagner University. said the ones that really bring about transformation in society are the "marketplace apostles" whom God has given "tremendous authority". He claimed S. Korea President Lee Myung-Bak (former CEO of Hyundai motors) was an Apostle, then added (Emphasis added)
IPS-Back

Index To Dominionism