Dominion Theology
Within Christianity today there is a movement that is casting a bigger shadow than its size. This movement is known by many different names such as Reconstructionism, Kingdom theology, Theonomy, and Dominion theology. Within the movement there is a curious blending of Reformed and Calvinism Theology in some sections that has roots in the Charismatic beliefs but the movement is still primarily Arminian in its over all view. While you will find within the movement very few people who actually call themselves a Reconstructionist a number of the movement's ideas have infiltrated the thinking and beliefs of many of the believers, many times without them even realizing it.
This history of Dominion theology and its movement was started by such theologians as Rousas J. Rusdoony; Gary North; Ray Sutton; Greg Bahnsen; David Chiltion, and Earl Paulk a well known un-biblical Charismatic leader. One of the newest groups to follow Dominion theology is the New Apostolic Reformation a.k.a. Joel's Army. Throughout the years many non-reconstructionists such as Pat Robertson, John Whitehead, Franky Schaeffer, and even Jerry Farwell have been influenced by their ideas and teachings.
So what is Dominion theology’s belief system that is behind the Reconstructionist movement? The basic teaching of Dominion theology is that through the coming of Christ the believer has Dominion over every area of life. Much as in the teaching of similar movement, the heretical Vineyard movement, they believe that we are now in the kingdom of God and as a result of this we should be raining with Christ over the earth as stated in revelations 5:10. How does a Dominionist plan on establishing dominion here on earth? This will be accomplished not only through prayer and evangelism but through a process in which Dominion is conquered and taken over through social Reformation in seven key areas; this is known as the SEVEN MOUNTAIN MANDATE. This mandate is designed to take over at least seven of these areas; society, business, government, media, arts and entertainment, education, the family and religion. Dominion theology teaches that Christ will not return to earth until the seven areas are taken over and Dominion is established here on earth.
We can see that in the basic teachings and tenants of the Dominion Theology or reconstructionism the principles and goals against what is taught in the Bible in Matthew 24 starting at verse four. Jesus tells us that times will get worse before His return and that there will be birth pains, wars and rumors of war. This goes completely against what the Dominion or Reconstructionism teaches. We know from the teachings in the book of Revelations that society will not get better before the return of Christ but get worse. Our purpose as Christians is not to take Dominion over society or areas in life in order to have Christ return. What we are supposed to be doing as Christians is following the Great Commission and going out and preaching to all nations and all parts of the world. By us following what is written in the Bible and doing what Jesus commands us to do in the Great Commission we will be preparing and following what Christ has asked us to do for His return.
What are some of the basic doctrines that Dominion or Reconstructionism teach? Below I have listed and will explain some of the basic teachings and doctrines that Dominion theology teaches. Due to the size of their teachings I will follow up future articles on specific doctrines and teachings. This is just a overview of the foundational teachings of this unbiblical doctrine.
As one can see by the above list, Dominion theology or Reconstructionism teaches many un-biblical principles and doctrines that simply contradict what is actually taught in the Bible. The growth of Dominion theology or Reconstructionism can and will have many negative effects on today's churches if allowed to be taught from the pulpit. One of the negative affects of Reconstructionism is that it teaches that the mission of the church goes beyond the spiritual transformation of individuals into the mandating of changing society and political arenas. We know that this not what the Bible teaches. The mission of the church in the simplest terms is not to change these areas but to equip the believers and to worship God. By following the correct mission of the church we will influence those arenas when we transform people spiritually instead of socially. Another area of negative influence is the promotion of holy living. We should all be striving for sanctification within Christ as the Bible teaches. The Dominionist however, take this one step further in teaching that the return of Christ depends on our holy living plus reconstructing the society. This teaching therefore takes the influence of our sanctification off of Christ and puts it on what we can do. In reality it makes our sanctification a work instead of a gift from Christ. Thirdly, the teaching of being in the kingdom of God now by the Dominionist has led to what is known as the health and wealth prosperity preachers. This has lead many to believe that we should be having our best life now. We do not find this teaching in the bible anywhere. This movement if left unchecked can have a negative influence in the church structure today has led to many doctrinal errors in un-biblical practices. The teachings and doctrines of Dominionism are very dangerous and have been allowed to creep slowly into our churches to the point that many have been influenced by them without even knowing it.
This history of Dominion theology and its movement was started by such theologians as Rousas J. Rusdoony; Gary North; Ray Sutton; Greg Bahnsen; David Chiltion, and Earl Paulk a well known un-biblical Charismatic leader. One of the newest groups to follow Dominion theology is the New Apostolic Reformation a.k.a. Joel's Army. Throughout the years many non-reconstructionists such as Pat Robertson, John Whitehead, Franky Schaeffer, and even Jerry Farwell have been influenced by their ideas and teachings.
So what is Dominion theology’s belief system that is behind the Reconstructionist movement? The basic teaching of Dominion theology is that through the coming of Christ the believer has Dominion over every area of life. Much as in the teaching of similar movement, the heretical Vineyard movement, they believe that we are now in the kingdom of God and as a result of this we should be raining with Christ over the earth as stated in revelations 5:10. How does a Dominionist plan on establishing dominion here on earth? This will be accomplished not only through prayer and evangelism but through a process in which Dominion is conquered and taken over through social Reformation in seven key areas; this is known as the SEVEN MOUNTAIN MANDATE. This mandate is designed to take over at least seven of these areas; society, business, government, media, arts and entertainment, education, the family and religion. Dominion theology teaches that Christ will not return to earth until the seven areas are taken over and Dominion is established here on earth.
We can see that in the basic teachings and tenants of the Dominion Theology or reconstructionism the principles and goals against what is taught in the Bible in Matthew 24 starting at verse four. Jesus tells us that times will get worse before His return and that there will be birth pains, wars and rumors of war. This goes completely against what the Dominion or Reconstructionism teaches. We know from the teachings in the book of Revelations that society will not get better before the return of Christ but get worse. Our purpose as Christians is not to take Dominion over society or areas in life in order to have Christ return. What we are supposed to be doing as Christians is following the Great Commission and going out and preaching to all nations and all parts of the world. By us following what is written in the Bible and doing what Jesus commands us to do in the Great Commission we will be preparing and following what Christ has asked us to do for His return.
What are some of the basic doctrines that Dominion or Reconstructionism teach? Below I have listed and will explain some of the basic teachings and doctrines that Dominion theology teaches. Due to the size of their teachings I will follow up future articles on specific doctrines and teachings. This is just a overview of the foundational teachings of this unbiblical doctrine.
- They teach that the Old Testament is our rule of life for today.
- They believe that we DO NOT have to keep the law for salvation.
- They believe in using Genesis 1:28 to advocate that God's law should rule society today. This view is known as Theonomy (or God's law). This view would mean that Christians would have to keep the Old Testament laws except in the cases where the New Testament cancels out those laws.
- A highlight in the teaching of Dominion theology is the use of covenant theology. As a result and makes no distinction between the church and Israel. The problem is that the Dominion theology goes beyond traditional covenant theological bounds. They teach that the church is to be governed by the same laws and subject to the same curses and his promise the same blessings as Israel. As we know this is not what we find taught in the Bible. Christ work on the cross canceled out the old laws that applied to Israel.
- Dominion theology teaches that Christians should have a high activity in social and political arenas, not that this is necessarily a bad thing as Christians we should be involved in this arena. The Dominionist however twisted pervert this to mean that we should be in these arenas not to just influence them but to take them over and change the mandate of those areas.
- Believers of the Dominion theology movement, like many Charismatic's, especially the Latter Rain Movement, hold to the belief that there will be a great and time revival in which masses will turn to Christ thus influencing and changing the Dominion of society. This plan will make a better place for Christians. This type of teaching promotes moral relativism instead of Christianity.
- Some Dominionist father teachings of George Ladd, and believe that we are now in the kingdom page in one sense but in another sense that the kingdom age is still yet to come. They believe that we are in the kingdom now and have authority over the kingdom, but on the other hand we are still ushering in the kingdom for Christ to return. They believe that Christ will return after a certain amount of Dominion is extent Bush here on earth, and away the advocate that there is a formula to make Christ returns.
- The teachings of Dominion theology follow a post-millennial view and usually fall into the line of Arminian theology. Many believe that you can lose yourself salvation.
- Dominion theology believes in extra biblical revelations such as prophecy and speaking in tongues. Even though the continuation of the gifts is taught in 2 Corinthians 14, the Dominionist goes beyond what is taught in the Bible on the use of these gifts. They hold the use of prophecy and tongues over and above the teaching of the Bible. They believe that prophecy and tongues spoken today our new revelations into the word of God that they hold the same level as the inspired original word of God.
- Dominionist use an allegorical hermeneutics approach to prophecy. They believe that the Great Tribulation took place at the fall of Israel in A.D. 70; the anti-Christ refers to the apostasy of the church prior to the fall of Jerusalem; the beast of Revelation was Nero and the Roman empire. This teaching is propagated by such teachers as Hank Hanegraaff and is known as Preterism. This teaching of course is not held to be the common eschatology of most Christians and is seen as a non-normaltive teaching.
As one can see by the above list, Dominion theology or Reconstructionism teaches many un-biblical principles and doctrines that simply contradict what is actually taught in the Bible. The growth of Dominion theology or Reconstructionism can and will have many negative effects on today's churches if allowed to be taught from the pulpit. One of the negative affects of Reconstructionism is that it teaches that the mission of the church goes beyond the spiritual transformation of individuals into the mandating of changing society and political arenas. We know that this not what the Bible teaches. The mission of the church in the simplest terms is not to change these areas but to equip the believers and to worship God. By following the correct mission of the church we will influence those arenas when we transform people spiritually instead of socially. Another area of negative influence is the promotion of holy living. We should all be striving for sanctification within Christ as the Bible teaches. The Dominionist however, take this one step further in teaching that the return of Christ depends on our holy living plus reconstructing the society. This teaching therefore takes the influence of our sanctification off of Christ and puts it on what we can do. In reality it makes our sanctification a work instead of a gift from Christ. Thirdly, the teaching of being in the kingdom of God now by the Dominionist has led to what is known as the health and wealth prosperity preachers. This has lead many to believe that we should be having our best life now. We do not find this teaching in the bible anywhere. This movement if left unchecked can have a negative influence in the church structure today has led to many doctrinal errors in un-biblical practices. The teachings and doctrines of Dominionism are very dangerous and have been allowed to creep slowly into our churches to the point that many have been influenced by them without even knowing it.
