Watchman Series: What is False? (Part 1)
In this series, I will investigate the false doctrines and teachers invading the church over several articles. Let’s understand why it’s important to be aware of this before we investigate the topic of Dominionism.
What we are up against
False teaching is everywhere. The New Testament not only warns us that it will be imminent, but it teaches us what it entails and even how we are to identify it. The entire New Testament lays this foundation for our greater understanding and how to discern through it. This is huge. The Apostles Peter, Paul, John and certainly the founder of our faith, Jesus, wouldn’t have taught on this subject if it wasn’t going to be a worldwide problem until the 2nd Advent (return) of our Lord.
However, the topic of false teacher’s is something that Christians don’t particularly like talking about. We live in a culture where followers of Christ believe that we cannot offend. And that propagates a misunderstanding that we can’t be critical of anyone, in fear of appearing judgmental.
It is often referenced by those who are sympathetic to this “non-judgmental” approach that we are to be a “light” to the world (Matthew 5:13-16), and somehow by being a light, we must never offend. Pastor Voddie Baucham says that Christians suffer from adhering to the 11th commandment, “Thou shall be nice,” in our modern culture. Couldn’t agree more.
Two huge problems arise from this mentality.
First of all, true believers know that the gospel message “is” offensive, because the message of Christ offends the flesh; and secondly, when on earth did, we forget that Jesus said the world would hate Him, therefore it would hate us when we deliver His message?
John 15:18 – “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.”
But we cannot achieve this by compromising the gospel.
Do you see how this can be such a merry-go-round’ that we have to talk through? Because honestly, it can be maddening. However, it shouldn’t be if we just understand that we have to be defenders of our faith – not ministers of niceness in an effort that our tenderness will somehow “win” people to Christ. No, you and your softness won’t win anyone to Christ… the gospel message is what will transform them. However, your tone, approach and attitude will help the unbeliever to see Christ through you.
The Apostle Peter tells us something important in 1 Peter 3:15, but I want you to read the verse before it and the two verses after it.
1 Peter 3:14-17 – “But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.”
The entire purpose for giving unregenerate ears the good news of the gospel is to “fish” for those who might repent and believe. The manner in which we are to do this is with “gentleness and respect”, and the end result is so that we are slandered, our “good behavior” in Christ will make them feel like fools (or they may be put to shame). It’s never to be nice in some feeble effort to make Christ look better and you to narrowly avoid confrontation. That’s not what it says. And that’s not what we talk about. By being transformed by the true gospel, we become more Christ-like and our fruit will be on display. Then we, by natural transformation of our own lives, shine outwardly to people around us who are lost and suffer from the same flesh problems that we suffered from before we became regenerate, or born-again. This then allows us to teach the listening, inquiring ear, of the gospel according to Christ. And this is what will transform them as well.
In this short series, I will focus on some of the false teachings and false doctrines that are being manifested by “Christians” so that you can better understand what is out there in the world.
Dominionism
Dominionism is a term coined by social scientists and popularized by journalists to refer to a subset of American Christianity that is conservative, politically active, and believes that Christians should, and eventually will, take control of the government. This all started in the early 1970s with a goal of “taking dominion” of the earth. The term is sometimes used as a “catch-all” by some to describe any politically active Christian, but not every conservative, politically minded Christian is a Dominionist. These folks believe that God desires Christians to rise to power through civil systems so that His Word might then govern the nation. This theology is based on Genesis 1:28 - “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.”
If we are to take encouragement from this passage, then it could encourage humanity to multiply and expand over the face of the earth instead of staying in one place and to keep and take care of all other living things. This text was for Adam and Eve and their “dominion” over what God had given them. They did this… and then they sinned against God and were cast out of the garden. In spite of that, the Dominionist takes liberty with this text, which only says to have dominion over the creatures of earth, and to “subdue” the earth. There were no political entities in Genesis 1.
The Christian Dominionist, however, uses this verse as a divine mandate to claim dominion over the earth, physically, spiritually, and politically. And they have heavily influenced the start of what is called the seven-mountain mandate. This, at the very least, is an anti-biblical and damaging movement that has gained a following in some Charismatic and Pentecostal churches. Those who follow the seven-mountain mandate believe that, in order for Christ to return to earth, the church must take control of the seven major spheres of influence in society for the glory of Christ. Once the world has been made subject to the kingdom of God, Jesus will return and rule the world.
These seven mountains are: Education, Religion, Family, Business, Government and Military; Arts and Entertainment and finally… Media.
These seven sectors of society are thought to mold the way everyone thinks and behaves. So, to tackle societal change, these seven “mountains” must be transformed. The mountains are also referred to as “pillars”. Those who follow this mandate speak of “occupying” the mountains. They do this by invading the culture, and “transforming” society. Can’t make this stuff up.
The principal goal of dominion theology and the seven-mountain mandate is political and religious domination of the world through the implementation of the moral laws—and subsequent punishments—of the Old Testament. The New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), with its self-appointed prophets and apostles, has also influenced the seven-mountain movement, lending dreams and visions and other extra-biblical revelations to the mandate. They believer the duty of all Christians is to create a worldwide kingdom for the glory of Christ. Teachers in the movement use Isaiah 2:2, which mentions mountains, in an attempt to support their view: “In the last days the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it.”
While many well-meaning Christians are attracted to these philosophies, Christian Dominionism and its offshoots are unbiblical. Although these systems of thought are nominally based on biblical principles, both Christian Reconstructionism and Kingdom Now theology veer away from the heart and message of the gospel. It is understandable that Christians, troubled by abortion and the general moral chaos of a relativistic society, want to take control of the culture and steer it back towards sanity. But holding to Dominionism is not a biblically viable option. In a way, the disciples were of a “kingdom now” mindset. They thought that Jesus was going to immediately usher in the kingdom and wipe out Roman rule.
Luke 19:11 – “As they heard these things, he proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately.”
But that wasn’t what Jesus was about then, and it isn’t what He is about now. We belong to a heavenly kingdom that is not of this world.
John 8:23 – “He said to them, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.”
We are seeking another home, a city “with foundations” according to Hebrews 11:10 and 13:14. The world we presently live in is passing away…
1 Corinthians 7:31b – “For the present form of this world is passing away.”
1 John 2:17 – “And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”
Colossians 3:2-5 – “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”
I could add more and more… but you get the point. Now, this isn’t to say that we aren’t to care about those things we are involved in. If a true believer is elected into an office, whether that is governmental, school or community-related, then we should be praying for that person. But this doesn’t mean that we must “dominate” the climate in some attempt or valiant effort to “rule” the world.
Jesus already has rule, supremacy and authority. He doesn’t need fallible mankind to “own” any areas of societal climates or culture in an effort to usher His return. We don’t find this in the Word of God, because it doesn’t exist. Nowhere.
It is right and good to want to see justice done and biblical principles upheld. But “bringing the kingdom of heaven to earth” is not our commission. Our commission is to tell people about the wonderful news of Jesus Christ. And despite the sick and sinful condition of our souls and the world around us, God has provided salvation by sacrificing His own Son on our behalf. This is told to us in this passage:
Romans 5:6-8 – “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die - but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
And by grace, through faith, we become citizens of a perfect world that will last eternally…
Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
Our job is to “rescue those who are perishing; to hold back those stumbling towards slaughter” according to Proverbs 24.
This Christian Dominionism seeks to perfect this world by political clout, but it is the Spirit who must bring change. One day, Jesus will bring His kingdom to earth, in justice and true righteousness, and it will signify the end of this world’s system. And all of this world around us will be 100% under His rule and there will be not evil and sadness. There will be no abuse nor neglect. There will be none of it. For we are reminded by Jesus this time-tested passage of Matthew 24:35 - “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”
When Jesus returns, that’s a wrap folks. And all of this secularism and all of this false teaching… well, they will all be judged.
Jesus reigns supreme. Forever. No question.
Maranatha Lord Jesus… Come Quickly!
Pastor Patrick D. Garlock
