The church of Jesus Christ is the most important institution in the world. The assembly of the redeemed, the company of the saints, the children of God are more significant in world history than any other group, organization, or nation. The United States of America compares to the church of Jesus Christ like a speck of dust compares to the sun. The drama of international relations compares to the mission of the church like a kindergarten riddle compares to Hamlet or King Lear. And all pomp of May Day in Red Square and the pageantry of New Year’s in Pasadena fade into a formless grey against the splendor of the bride of Christ. [i] – John Piper: The Cosmic Church
Amen! Indeed the Church will outlive the world system and all of it’s corruption. I mean the Church as an organism not an organization. As the bride of Christ, the redeemed body of believers, not a building, denomination or institution. But I am concerned because the Church, while in the world but is not supposed to be of the world . I believe we have a serious problem in the Church. Let me be clear that I affirm that it is not only appropriate to pray for our country and leaders it is a biblical mandate (1 Timothy 2:1-2). However, politics should never supersede the welfare of the Church. Enter May Day 2010 in Washington, D.C. where mainstream evangelicalism meets dominionism.
I am deeply troubled that respected evangelical leaders like Dr. James Dobson and Tim Wildmon are (perhaps unwittingly) associating with heretical dominionists for political expediency. Here is a apt encapsulation of the problem at Herescope. I also suggest listening to Derek and Sharon Gilbert’s take on it at PID Radio. Sharon brilliantly observed the parallel between the seven mountains of influence in dominionist theology and the seven hills on which the whore of Babylon sits in Revelation 17:9. It may not be hyperbole, the Bible warns of an end time politicized counterfeit religion. The May Day event included the New Apostolic Reformation which is the freshly revamped Latter Rain cult of Todd Bently infamy right alongside of main stream evangelicals.[ii] When high profile evangelical leaders rubber stamp events associated with cults and rub shoulders with dominionists aren’t they lending credibility to a false socio-political gospel?
“If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. ” (John 15:19) We are not supposed to reclaim the world through political influence.
“Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” (John 18:36)
There will be a glorious day when Christ comes to institute the Millennial kingdom. But it is His alone to take back, not ours. We are to preach the gospel, make disciples and watch for his return. Satan took dominion from Adam when he sinned and only Jesus can take it back. Are you so bold to usurp Jesus’ job description? When Satan took Jesus up on the mountain to tempt him he offered him the kingdoms of the world in exchange for worship. Satan said “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” (Luke 4:6–7, ESV) Notice that it is Satan who gives political authority to whom he wills. Jesus didn’t deny that Satan indeed had that authority. In fact, it would not have been a temptation for Jesus otherwise. Instead Jesus refused to worship him. In other words, Jesus refused to make an idol out of political power. Let us be imitators of Jesus.
[i]Piper,John.http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Sermons/ByDate/1981/289_The_Cosmic_Church/(accessed 05/03/2010).
[ii]Discernment Research Group. http://herescope.blogspot.com/ (accessed 05/03/2010).
Also see: http://hearkenthewatchmen.com/article.asp?id=181
About Cris Putnam
I think “dominionism” is a bogeyman invented by people on the left who do not like nor what conservative Christians to have a voice in the world. It’s really just one big conspiracy theory.
Jinx,
Thanks for your comment. No one is saying we don’t get a voice. Just that that voice should be the Gospel and not empire building. It’s not a theory. The dominionists openly teach that believers are to bring the physical Kingdom of heaven on earth by political means and enforce the dominion legally. They think Jesus will return when we build the kingdom.
My Bible reads that there will be a falling away. “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, ” (2 Timothy 3:1–2) Things will get worse, a false political religion will be enforced (cough cough) and then there will be the great Tribulation. Only after all of that does Jesus return to establish a political millennial kingdom.
I believe that all through-out history people like to be an active part of the Trinity! God has a plan for the redemption of humanity and it seems like the pride of man leads us to make more of ourselves then we should leading to unforeseen consequences! God is in control, the church is to spread the good news about what Christ did on the cross and there after disciple one another to become more like Jesus. Thanks for posting, its good to be informed of such happenings!!
Thanks Shelley! I hate having to accuse other Christians because my passion is defending the faith against atheists and pagans. They even used Francis Schaeffer’s name at the beginning of that 7 mountains video and I almost didn’t post it because he was such an awesome thinker. But I do not believe he wouldn’t approve of they are doing. It’s sad. It really is part of the apostasy, many are confusing conservative politics with Christianity and also I guess many have grown impatient waiting for the Lord… but Jesus is coming!
The vision of the subject video is distorted. The question is posed: “If we redistribute to the needy what they need . . .” This statement is a socialist ideal. Only the individual with a true charitable heart can achieve this goal. There is no institution qualified to render such service. The image of the “mountain of the family,” is influenced by the present day, humanist demographic. If the family is to be secured for the glory of the One, True God, then we must recall the mandate to “multiply and be fruitful.” The image of twelve children as oppossed to two would seem more appropriate. The limits place on family size are a lie. No modern economy can thrive without a growing population. The limitation on family size is a tribute to human greed (parents wanting prosperity over children) and media distortion. The so called “population explosion” was never a result of childbirth, rather the growing population (necessary for a thriving economy) was a result of improved medical technology resulting in prolonged life. Modern media is corrupt and beyond recovery. It is imperative that the individual turn off the media and turn their hearts toward home. Self education is the only means of overcoming the lies of the corrupt media. I could go on.
Really insightful comment Muscleangel. You are a rare gem in our materialist culture.
Cris,
You are preaching to the choir now. Sad that its so desperately needed. Nice Job.
I have posted in the past that Jesus is not here to make the ride (life) better but to save us.
Also, when people start enacting God’s will they will fail because they are mere fallible humans. Speaking of the church, and something to ponder, is to ask who was the Rich man?
Blessings Cris,
Dan
Hello Mr. Putnam-
I’ve read enough of your stuff to know I don’t need to explain historical terms – so here’s my comment. From your description of dominionism, it sounds like a version of the theology called postmillennialism that was made popular in the first Great Awakening and picked up speed in the second Great Awakening. It was a theology that said God would use men to impose His rule on earth for 1,000 years (or less) before Christ would return. It was the dominant millennial view of evangelicals in America in the nineteenth century. At the end of the nineteenth century, Spurgeon fought the Downgrade of theology which questioned the authority of the Bible and even doubted if Christ would ever return. I believe Spurgeon recognized postmillennialism had morphed into a justification for not believing in a conquering Christ coming in the clouds. Here’s what he said about it: “Some think that this descent of the Lord will be post-millennial —that is, after the thousand years of his reign. I cannot think so. I conceive that the advent will be pre- millennial; that he will come first; and then will come the millennium as the result of his personal reign on earth.” I say all this to show that there’s nothing new under the sun – Dan 12:10 says “Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.” God Bless you. Patrick
You are reading my mind Patrick. I was planning a follow up on the eschatological error connected with this.
As Christians we should be getting people saved,it’s good to expose the enemy but those that are trying to change the world by making friends with the world are doing satan’s will,not Gods!We are definately in end times and the devil is using a lot of proffessing Christians to confuse people,that’s why I chose to let the Holy Spirit teach me[Bible study with the Spirits guidance and prayer] not man!The Bible says that we are not to argue with false Christians and I got no time for that,too busy doing street,jail and hospital ministry and defending and feeding the poor and downtrodden.God Bless!Pastor Don.I also spend little time on here as I am too busy for this!
I am not too educated on this new movement. Is it the same as the Joel’s Army thing that is coming out.
The thing that scares me with this type of movement is that we will have some radical people, who know very little of the Bible, going out and gathering together some sort of “army” to conquer the unbelieving world – by force. Many young people today are not grounded in the Word of God. They would go out and hurt others and think they are doing God service. The next thing you know is that all “Christians” would be labelled as terrorists and many of our freedoms today would be elliminated alot more than they already are.
Jesus is the ONLY WAY and He alone can bring peace to this troubled world. We have to get into HIS Word and get to really know Him and then help others to get to know Him as well.
Dallas, yes the Joel’s army people are part of this disturbing trend. That link to herescope in my post breaks down the usual suspects. Thanks for your post!
I gives me the creeps when I hear vain religious men lift up the Church and not Christ.
This is the same Satanic bondage I escaped long ago when i turned my back on the Church of Rome.
The political whoredom of the evangelival Church has been going on a long time when the blind and deceive ran after the phony Christian George Wicked Bush. God already knows our hearts and He is just bringing whats in them out to the light. The church is poor,naked and miserable without salt and has no spiritual power and this is why it whores itself out in dead end political pursuits.
To follow these phony shepherds who vainly work to save what God is set to destroy is to fight against God. They serve another kingdom and this is why they are desperate to save it.
God has sent a strong delusion to those who love not the truth so that they might be deceived and damned.
The problem with the proud deceived Church in America is that they are loaded up with idols and they love compromise more than the truth.
And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins,
and that ye receive not of her plagues.
Revelation 18:4
Hey first time here ,i don’t agree with THE “dominionism” theology myself , As i can not find any biblical scripture for it. But i really enjoyed the read of all 3 front page story’s . God bless
Cris, Somehow your recent video showed up on my hotmail account and I watched it – everything lines up with scripture so then I went to your website. I am just asking a question, where do you feel the Holy Spirit fits into the lives of us, believers, today? What is the power behind the word? I am asking the Lord, if what you are teaching is legalistic which spells religion or truth flowing out of the leading of the Holy Spirit…just a thought??? Seriously, I am very open and know God uses others to stretch us out of our comfort zone ~ “…as iron sharpeth iron…”
Be Blessed!
Angie
This world will crumble under the wickedness. Spreading chrisitianity through business will corrupt the christian. Bad manners corrupt good character. This is another trick of satan to lure Gods children in his world. This is nothing new there are many christian casualties who tried this. We should watch the world crumble while we preach repentance and the kingdom so all that belongs to our Father will be saved. Thank you and God bless
‘Spreading chrisitianity through business will corrupt the christian’
Yesterday before you wrote this I was thinking the same thing and thinking about Elijah and business.
He turned down money even though he could have used it,
Where do you hear of such a thing in the polluted world of Americanized Christianity ?
He wouldn’t waste time with the Dobson,Myers style Corporate entities.
With all these Christian busine$$ corporations and books for bucks hustlers.
Christians in this last generation are very,very easily deceived.
All a politician has to say to get elected is ‘born again’ hold up a bible and quote a verse with a sincere downcast look and they’re in.
Palin is raking in her millions with the Christian idol worshipers chasing behind.
Like Carter,Clinton and Bush the dumb sheep fall for it every time.This week Obamanation told Frankiln Graham and papa Graham that he is a ‘Christian’ and Frankie believed him.
What ever happened to by their fruits you shall know them ? We’re too afraid,too fearful to offend the wicked and so we tolerat evil.
Thats not of God and all of this hokey Christianity is going to fall when the price for following Jesus gets too expensive for the hokey,Kumbaya,lovey ones.
Here is the Biblical mandate from Christ from one Gospel writer.
Mark 16:11-20 (KJV)
16:11 And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.
12 After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.
13 And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them.
14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
The Lord Jesus had to rebuke His disciples for their unbelief even as it related to His resurrection, even though He had prophesied its occurrence to them personally. I believe the same spirit of unbelief is at work in the hearts of the Dominionists. They are not satisfied with the Lord’s commands in Mark 16:15-18. No. They have invented 7 additional “mandates” from the illusions of their unbelief to distract true disciples from the Lord’s requirements.
When we as believers get caught up in cultural warfare, souls continue to perish from our failure to declare the Gospel to them. In this instance, Satan is using the alluring and spiritually enticing trappings of “religion” to keep the Lord’s servants from the task at hand, which is fulfilling the Great Commission.
Furthermore…..
Never in the holy text are we commanded to drive out spirits of cultural influence, territorial spirits, or principalities. Never was it done by the Lord, His apostles or even hinted at in the Word of God.
Remember Michael the Archangel
Jude 1:8-11 (KJV)
1:8 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.
9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
Author’s comment—> Please note, Michael did not personally bring an accusation against Satan, but stood on the authority of the Lord Christ as the One rebuking Satan. This passage is a stern warning to the false teacher to repent and stay in his lane so to speak. If one of God’s arch angel’s would not presume to over step his authority, mortal man must indeed refrain from engaging in such foolishness.
See also Colossians 1:16 and Colossians 2:15 – This is Christ’s business!
Jude 10-11
10 But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.
11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
At the core of this teaching is a major grab for power, status and wealth!!!!!! Greed, plain and simple. These are all of the things Satan used to try to entice Christ in the desert! Christ resisted, so must we!
This practice is indeed a false teaching that has crept into the church which needs to be exposed through one simplistic challenge to its proponents:
Ask the 7 Mountains false teacher to show you in Scripture where we as Christians are commanded or “mandated” to take dominion over these “7 mountains.” Their Scriptural proof should meet at least 3 ironclad Biblical tests for soundness of doctrine which include:
Test – 1) Provide the command from Christ telling His disciples to do so
If you will recall, several of the Jews reported to Christ the injustices of the Roman government against Galilaens in Luke 13:1-5. In the account Christ also cited the deaths of 18 whom the tower of Siloam had fallen as an example of horrifying human suffering. These were recent cultural events which had perplexed the people. Jesus did not command His disciples to go out and take over the Roman government as a means of halting such things. He warned them that the only means of salvation from such tragedies is repentance!
We cannot offer leadership and influence as a means of salvation when Christ has specifically stated that the way to halt evil in society is through the personal conversion of a repentant sinner from evil works unto good! Salvation in Christ through repentance will indeed influence men to advance the Kingdom of Heaven and go about doing good just like our Savior did.
Test – 2) Provide Biblical reference where this practice was performed by one of Christ’s disciples, preferably as a New Testament practice.
Test – 3) Provide more than one Scriptural instance where the method is used and is based on solid Biblical principle with supporting Scripture.
If the practice does not at a minimum survive this type of scrutiny, it is to be considered at the very least “suspect” or rejected totally as unsound.
Finally, I would like to share an experience I had with fellow believer during a meeting for prayer we had scheduled.
She began sharing the doctrine of dominionism, and how we are supposed to actively working to reclaim the 7 mountains of culture. As she was speaking, I turned in my Bible to Mark 16 and Matthew 28:16-20 and referred her to Mark 6: 7 and Mark 6:12-13 —>
6:12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent.
13 And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.
I asked her if she could show me in the Bible anywhere Christ commanded His disciples to reclaim the 7 mountains. She began to flip through her Bible and state that she had just read a passage recently, but could not find it in my presence. I then stated that when she found it, to send all the Biblical references to me.
I then asked her where she had learned this doctrine. She could only name the authors of the books she had read as sources. I then encouraged my sister to be cautious and make sure that she faithfully teach the pure doctrine of the Bible based on its interpretation alone and not that of man’s imagination or “special revelation”.
She of course became very defensive and argumentative. I refused to speak further on the matter, and fell down on my knees and asked this dear misled sister to join me in prayer.
The angry spirit soon left, and her calmness restored. Yet, we both knew we would no longer share intimate fellowship as before this false teaching was confronted in her life. I have had sparing contact with her since that occasion, but I continue to pray for her spiritual enlightenment.
There is a strong unbelief in the simplistic process of proclaiming the Gospel and leading men to repentance as the only way to influence the world. After all, we do have the account in Acts as our target:
Acts 17:5-6 (KJV)
17:5 But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.
6 And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;
Thank you for this opportunity to share my experience with your readers.
Your Fellow Servant in Christ
PrinceJohn757
Errant theology has been around since the day Lucipher, one of God’s heavenly angels, the chief songleader in fact, was cast out of the heavenlies. IMSNHO, that fact predates man’s existence on planet earth.
God is still in control, and his Son Jesus Christ is still the heir of ALL THINGS. No carnal man will EVER bring God’s dominion to this earth. Only God will do thusly; and He will do so on His timetable!
Too many Christians in the US have idols in their hearts and they will fall when their idol falls.
Their faith is in Uncle Sam ,not the Father and the Son.
If they truly believed God they would understand that the US is about to be cut in pieces,severely wounded as he has promised in Zechariah 12:3
Our arrogance in meddling with His Israel has a big price tag and payment is due in full.
Great Read by the way thought I commented on this one earlier but i guess not….may we as the Body of Christ be more reaching out to others and not being so much about our own business and reaching out as the Arms, Hands of Jesus and into Broken lives for God’s Glory! God Bless!,
Bearkiller777/Mitch
Hi, I watched the video you posted. While I don’t think that we will as people bring the thousand years of peace that is talked about in Revelation. I don’t really see a big problem with the 7 mountain concept other than that I hate it when peaople are using an analogy and then try to take one area and make it rule all others. I don’t think that Business controals all areas of our lives for example.
There are areas of influence in our society today that unfortunately the church seems to have left; Arts being one area, or business being another. It’s not an evil thing to have money or be invovled in arts…in fact we should encourage those who have a desire in those areas, to honour God.
Missions has for many years used comppasion and charity to show the practical care of God for people. The Holy spirit has often used this to soften people’s hearts towards the gospel.
I’ll say again that I’m not about a physical ‘Christian kingdom/government’, What I do believe is that we really need to get out of our Church walls and actually interact with others in all areas of our lives, whether we dissect these areas and define them as mountains or spheres or not define them at all but just get on with it.
Peace,
Pilgrimstanding
I think dominists are unwittingly trying to make the image to the beast