The Deception Of Dominion Theology

Introduction

2008-07-18T21:05:00.005-04:00

All I could think of as I was doing the research for this study, was how much it resembles Islam. It's doubtful that Dominionism would ever use violence, although thinking about it raises in me uncomfortable thoughts about the Crusades. Nevertheless, the goal is the same, the subjugation of the entire world.

This is by no means an exhaustive study on the subject. There are many sources of in-depth study, but my purpose is to present information concisely for those who just want an overview. I've included a list of resources at the bottom for those who would like to pursue it further.

Basic Principles Of Dominionism

2008-07-17T21:10:00.008-04:00

What is Dominionism?

Dominion Theology, also called "Kingdom Now Theology," is a false teaching stating that man is commissioned to bring the entire world under the dominion of Christianity, by force if necessary, and then, hand over the Christianized world to Jesus when he comes.

Dominion Theology is predicated upon these basic beliefs:

God gave Adam dominion over the earth
Satan usurped man’s dominion over the earth through the fall of Adam and Eve
Jesus defeated Satan and took dominion back in his victory on the cross
He then gave dominion back to believers
The Church must gain control of the earth’s governmental and social institutions, and establish the Kingdom on earth
Then, and only then, can Jesus come

Reversal Of The Curse

2008-07-17T21:00:00.006-04:00

False Teaching:

In his death and resurrection, Jesus reversed the curse that took place from Adam's fall, and took back dominion, giving to believers the responsibility to restore all that was lost, defeat every enemry, and bring the entire world into the restored "Kingdom."

Truth:

The redemption Jesus accomplished on the Cross was complete and will surely result in the restoration of all that was lost. But he reversal of the effects of the curse haven’t been implemented yet. I haven’t seen wolves lying down peacefully with lambs yet, have you?

"The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb...
The nursing child shall play by the cobra's hole...
The weaned child shall put his hand in the viper's den...
They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain...
The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea..."
Isaiah 11:6-8

If the reversal of the effects of the curse were able to be implemented now, we would be able to overcome every facet of the curse, including death. OBVIOUSLY, that isn’t going to happen before He comes.

Although the Lord sometimes sovereignly brings healing, deliverance, and many other manifestations of His Spirit, as well as direct answers to prayer, the implementation of all Christ accomplished in his death and resurrection will be realized only when He comes.

Take The World By Force?

2008-07-17T20:50:00.004-04:00

False Teaching:

Dominionists teach the Kingdom of God as a literal and physical Kingdom to be advanced on earth in the present age. Some liken the New Testament Kingdom to the Old Testament Israel in ways that justify taking up the sword to war against enemies of their kingdom. They teach that men can and must be coerced or compelled to enter the kingdom.

Truth:

"Then Jesus said to him, 'Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.'"
Matthew 26:52

Jesus’s message was: “You must be born again.” John 3:7
The rebirth cannot come about by force.

After the resurrection of Christ, the Apostles did NOT try to establish the Kingdom through force, in fact most of them were martyred.

And finally, this bears repeating:

“My kingdom is not of this world.”
John 18:36

Power Evangelism?

2008-07-17T20:40:00.004-04:00

False Teaching:

“Liberation Theology,” a branch of Dominionism, teaches that we are to take over the Powers of Darkness; we are to take over the demons; and we are to dominate Satan. That's what they mean when they talk about "Power Evangelism" and "Power Healing."

Their buzz words: "Binding Satan," "Binding demons,” “Pleading the Blood against demons.”
Believers are taught they must take dominion over all of the institutions of the world, that are infiltrated and influenced by demons.

Truth:

The early church did not do this. The apostle Paul was followed by a girl with a spirit of divination, and for several days he ignored it. Finally he simply commanded it to leave her. This was defensive, not offensive. Nowhere do you see Paul or any of the Apostles binding demons or having anything to do with them, except to command them to leave.

On another occasion Paul asked God to deliver him from “a messenger of Satan” that was oppressing him. The Lord said no. That ended that.

Our Commission

2008-07-17T20:30:00.005-04:00

Are We To Change The World?

False Teaching:

“The Church must grow past the ‘Gospel of Salvation’ message and understand that it is only when we begin to implement the principles of the ‘Gospel of the kingdom’ that we will really begin to see change in lives and cities and nations. The Church has no understanding of this realm. . . The Church must grow up. . . . "
Dale Neill, president of ICCC, the International Christian Chamber of Commerce

Truth:

"My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight...''
John 18:36

No. The “great commission" is:
"Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature."
Mark 16:15

And when it is not received we are not to use coercion
"And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet."
Matthew 10:14

AND ...we are to beware of false prophets
"Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many...
But he who endures to the end shall be saved...
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.”
Matthew 24:14

We were not told to “take” the world. We were told only to preach the Gospel.
"Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”
Mark 16:15

Also, we were told most will not believe:
“ ...narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
Matthew 7:14

and the very next verse says:
v15: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.”

These “Dominionists” are the epitome of false prophets.

On WHOSE Shoulders?

2008-07-17T20:20:00.003-04:00

Dominionism teaches that an elite, new breed army of 'overcomers' will subdue all the enemies of Christ until they gain power and authority throughout the world. The governments of the nations will be upon their shoulders and when all the secular authorities and governments have finally submitted to them, Christ will return and they will present the Kingdom to Him.

What arrogance! No. The governments and nations will not be upon our shoulders. That is the role of Jesus, not us.

"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon HIS shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
Isaiah 9:6

HE, not we, overcomes all enemies:

"Then comes the end, when HE delivers the Kingdom to God the Father, when HE puts an end to ALL rule and all authority and power. For HE must reign till HE has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.
1st Corinthians 15:24-26

If the Dominionists want to be the ones who will do it, I might listen to them when they conquer death.

It was prophesied of Jesus:

"HE will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give HIM the Throne of His father David. And HE will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of HIS Kingdom there will be no end.''
Luke 1:32-33

When this was prophesied to Jesus’s mother Mary, there was no Throne of David. Israel was under Roman rule at the time. So this is future. JESUS will rule, from Jerusalem, over the restored house of Jacob – which, by the way, is in the process of being restored right now.

Does Jesus Come To A Conquered World?

2008-07-17T20:10:00.010-04:00

False Teaching:

Dominionism teaches that the authority of Jesus is given over to the Body of Christ on earth, and His functions as Shepherd and King are enacted by "apostles" on his behalf! Thus, it becomes the responsibility OF THE CHURCH to destroy the wicked and establish the Kingdom on earth.

Truth:

This is a pipe dream. Zechariah 14 describes the coming of the Lord, and it’s clear that it will not be to a subdued earth during a time of victorious peace, but rather at a time when evil has almost completely taken over and the nations have gathered to destroy Israel.

In his first coming, Christ came as a lamb. The next time, he comes as a lion. The first time as "the lamb of God." The next time as "the Lion of the Tribe of Judah."

v3. “Then the Lord will go forth and fight against those nations, as He fights in the day of battle.

v4. And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives..." (No, this hasn’t happened yet!)

To a subdued earth? No, it describes a nuclear war:

v12. "And this shall be the plague with which the Lord will strike all the people who fought against Jerusalem: Their flesh shall dissolve while they stand on their feet, their eyes shall dissolve in their sockets, and their tongues shall dissolve in their mouths."

v9. "And the Lord shall be King over all the earth. In that day it shall be "the Lord is one,'' and His name one."

For further confirmation, read the last chapters of the Book of Revelation which describe what’s going on when Jesus comes. He is not coming to a subdued and conquered earth. It is not a time of peace, it is a time of terrible tribulation. And it shows Jesus coming from heaven, WITH armies of believers, to an earth so corrupt and devastated that had he not come when he did, “no flesh would survive it.”
Matthew 24:22

Jesus "CAN'T" Come Until...???

2008-07-17T20:00:00.008-04:00

False Teaching:

Dominionism claims that Jesus CANNOT return until all His enemies have been put under the feet of the Church.

The Truth:

”Then comes the end, when HE delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when HE puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. For HE must reign till HE has put all enemies under HIS feet.”
1 Corinthians 15:24-25

And not at an appointed time ...???

False Teaching:

His coming is not at an appointed time ordained by God, but he must wait for the subduing of the world by the Church.

Truth:

He IS coming at an appointed time:

"Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, 'Lord, will YOU at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?' And He said to them, 'It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.'" (Not ours!)
Acts 1:6-7

There is a set time for Christ to come and restore all. That time hasn't come yet:

"...that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things..."
Acts 3:20-21

Without Spot Or Wrinkle

2008-07-17T19:50:00.005-04:00

Scripture tells us that Christ will come for a "glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle." And Dominionism teaches that we have to make it that way. Things will just get better and better, they say, as “we” subdue the world and overcome all, until we’re all “without spot or wrinkle.”

No. As long as we are in these fallen, mortal bodies, we will ALWAYS be with spot and wrinkle. If we waited till all believers overcame all to the point of being “without spot or wrinkle” in themselves, eternity wouldn’t be enough time to accomplish that.

It's nor our righteousness but HIS.

“...that HE (Christ) might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word, that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Ephesians 5:26-27

The only way the Bride of Christ is going to be without spot or wrinkle, is by the righteousness of Christ imparted to her, and by Christ cleansing us with his Word. HIS action, not ours.

"You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you.”
John 15:3-4

Preterism

2008-07-17T19:40:00.007-04:00

Preterism is the false teaching that "last days" Bible prophecy has already been fulfilled, which is absurd to anyone who is familiar with the Biblical texts on the subject.

Yet from that position, Dominionists discount the Rapture altogether. They reject pre-millennialism completely. Their view is post-millennial if at all.

For a thorough treatment of the pre-tribulation Rapture:

The Doctrine Of The Rapture

Replacement Theology

2008-07-17T19:30:00.006-04:00

False Teaching:

Replacement Theology states that Israel has no further place in God's plans, and that when Israel came into judgment for rejecting the Messiah, they were cut off forever and the promises that had been made to her then came to belong to the Church.

From this position, Dominionists teach that the church has replaced Israel, indeed has become "spiritual Israel." They teach that the church is to be governed by the same laws, is subject to the same curses, and is promised the same blessings as Israel once was.

Truth:

God is surely not through with Israel. They have been under parental discipline, but never to be cast off.

The restoration of the nation of Israel speaks for itself:

In spite of being dispersed throughout the earth for 2,000 years, not assimilated but preserved as a people throughout that world-wide diaspora, and after living through nearly constant persecutions, pograms, crusades, and even the Holocaust in which Satan tried to prevent the possibility of the nation of Israel even being born, the fact that Israel survived all that and today is a reborn nation in the very place from which they were driven two millenia ago, is a miracle in our day as great as any miracle ever performed.

God’s preservation of Israel throughout the time of her dispersion is nothing less than the demonstration of his faithfulness. When was the last time you saw an “Amalekite,” or a “Girgashite,” or a “Hivite” or any of the other “ites” contemporary with ancient Israel? They’re all gone. But the children of Israel remain, awaiting their redemption which will most certainly will take place, as the prophecies of their restoration to their land have taken place.

Since the nation of Israel was created in 1948, she has been attacked several times by the combined forces of Muslim nations surrounding her, yet Israel remains. There is no word other than “miraculous” that can describe the survival of Israel.

Genesis 15 shows God making an unconditional covenant with Abraham, and later confirmed to his son Isaac and later again to Isaac's son Jacob as an everlasting covenant.

"Then God said: 'No, Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his descendants after him."
Genesis 17:19

"He is the Lord our God; His judgments are in all the earth. Remember His covenant always, the word which He commanded, for a thousand generations, the covenant which He made with Abraham, and His oath to Isaac, and confirmed it to Jacob for a statute, to Israel for an everlasting covenant, saying, 'To you I will give the land of Canaan as the allotment of your inheritance...'"
Genesis 16:14-18

The Three Sects Of Dominionism

2008-07-17T16:40:00.006-04:00

1. MISSION AS TRANSFORMATION MOVEMENT:

The Dominionist’s focus is not traditional one-on-one evangelism. One-on-one evangelism is replaced with “kingdom building,” corporate activities for cities, regions and nations.

The Dominionist’s “kingdom” must of necessity gain control of business corporations, government agencies, and social and Church institutions. They are forming partnerships within each of these interests in order to implement dominion.

Peter Drucker, the management guru, was instrumental in overseeing the implementation of this agenda – to create a three-legged “healthy society” globally – via Rick Warren of purpose-driven fame. Warren was mentored by Drucker.

2. SPIRITUAL WARFARE PRAYER MOVEMENT:

The Kingdom of God must be advanced on Earth through hyper-spiritual “warfare” activities against the devil using prayer techniques such as chanting, walks, and marches. Believers are told their prayer power creates spiritual “canopies” over regions, preparing the way for “revival.”

Recently the Contemplative Prayer movement – which includes meditation, fasting, labyrinths, etc, has been brought into the spiritual warfare prayer “arsenal.” Promoting these prayer warfare activities are hyper-charismatics from the “signs and wonders” movement, which include self-anointed, self-appointed “apostles” and “prophets” who are preparing to govern the world through their “New Apostolic Reformation,” fostering an urgency of “strategic level” prayer warfare rhetoric.

3. PATRIOTIC AMERICAN MOVEMENT:

Patriotic Dominionists teach that the church must advance the kingdom of God in America through political action. The Coalition On Revival, or COR, managed to successfully bring together key leaders from all three Dominionist sects, including Reconstructionists, to promote the most ruthless doctrines of Dominionism.

Patriotic Dominionist leaders have long-standing ties with the Rev. Sun Myung Moon, who has his own messianic kingdom ambitions.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Data

The sects utilize massive statistical data-banking resources such as the “World Prayer Center” in Colorado Springs. They use sophisticated psycho-social group manipulations to forge kingdom “transformation.”

Leadership

2008-07-17T16:30:00.004-04:00

Dominionists are being urged to take a full part in all areas of the world system in order to change it from within. This can’t be done without the obedience of all its followers, so a system of leadership [discipleship] must be introduced to ensure every Christian is under authority and unable to err from the teaching.

This leadership model is the New Apostolic Reformation headed by the International Coalition of Apostles under head "apostle" C. Peter Wagner.

It excludes from the 'one world kingdom' all those who disagree with Dominionism teaching. In effect, it disinherits all other Christians from the Body of Christ. Some Dominionist fellowships teach that their Church is the only valid one, that the door to salvation is through the Church, (not Jesus Christ the Savior!) and that everyone outside of the system is outside of the Kingdom of God.

In addition to being clearly unscriptural, it leads to human arrogance and rivalry, and replaces obedience to God with submission to men.

An empire-building, self-seeking arrogance pervades much of the Dominionism leadership, and they have proven themselves closed to correction. Greed, corruption, immorality and spiritual abuses have thrived in this climate - and the teaching which focuses so much on the earth as our inheritance has led many to become so in love with this present world as to adopt most all its values.

The New Apostolic Reformation

2008-07-17T16:20:00.006-04:00

The doctrines of the New Apostolic Reformation have been promulgated by C. Peter Wagner, Cindy Jacobs, Chuck Pierce, Bill Hamon, a group known as the “Kansas City Prophets,” the Vineyard Fellowship, and many others.

At the highest echelons these organizations all have interlocking boards of directors. Two noteworthy internal venues for disseminating false prophecies and new doctrines include The Elijah List and Joel News.

False prophets regularly pump out new “prophecies” and “decrees” to shore up the kingdom mandate. These “prophecies” are a major avenue for communicating “God’s plan” for the next step in kingdom-building. False apostles have been anointed, appointed as leaders of regions around the globe, and charged with wielding the King’s authority.

Global And Ecumenical

2008-07-17T16:10:00.005-04:00

...fitting in closely with the global, One-World ecumenical thrust, working with all religions.

The plan for World Evangelization entails an overthrowing of doctrinal differences to allow Mormons, Roman Catholics, and the various sects to join together in “Christianizing” the world. Since the late 1970s there has been a closeted fraternization between Dominionists and Theosophists.

They mean to find common ground for the future, even to borrowing doctrinal terminologies from one another. Both groups seek to bring in a “Christ” figure to solve the world’s problems. Both groups have grand utopian plans to create “peace” on earth.

Militaristic

2008-07-17T16:05:00.002-04:00

There is a disturbing rise of actual military activity for “kingdom-building” purposes in all three major Dominionist sects. Dominionist cult leader Bill Gothard has set up paramilitary training camps for Dominionist children. Christian Right leader Michael Farris, connected with Coalition on Revival (COR), is recruiting home-schoolers for CIA-type training at his Patrick Henry College.

The Major Players

2008-07-17T16:00:00.007-04:00

John Wimber

Dominion Theology was espoused by John Wimber, who was networked through a group of churches called "The Vineyard Churches." Wimber's teaching was, in his words, "As believers, we are to take power over Satan and demons, we are to exercise dominion over them."

John Wimber, who died in 1997, coined the name “Joel’s Army,” defined as those who will overcome all opposition to the gospel and eventually subdue the nations.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

C. Peter Wagner

Promoting prayer warfare activities are hyper-charismatics from the “signs and wonders” movement, which include self-anointed, self-appointed “apostles” and “prophets” who are preparing to govern the world through their “New Apostolic Reformation.”

This dominionist sect is a direct offshoot of the Latter Rain cult, also known as Joel’s Army or Manifest Sons of God. Chief architect of this movement for the past two decades is C. Peter Wagner, of Fuller Theological Seminary and President of Global Harvest Ministries and Chancellor of the Wagner Leadership Institute. Wagner was mentored by John Wimber.

His spiritual warfare teachings have been widely disseminated through mission networks such as AD 2000, which was closely associated with the Lausanne Movement. A prominent individual connected to this sect was Ted Haggard, the fallen head of the National Association of Evangelicals.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Rick Warren

Rick Warren has single-handedly accomplished more to bring about a joining of the three sects of Dominionism than any other individual. Warren received his doctorate from Fuller Theological Seminary under the tutelage of his advisor, C. Peter Wagner of the spiritual warfare Dominionists. He is presently embarking on an aggressive marketing campaign to set up a model of Peter Drucker’s “Healthy Society” in Rwanda, ostensibly under the banner of missionary and charitable endeavors.

Rick Warren has launched a grandiose plan to “transform” Africa – to “cure AIDS,” “end poverty,” and “fulfill the Great Commission.”

He easily moves in internationalist circles and aligns himself with rock stars, such as Bono. Warren has audaciously called for a “Second Reformation” based upon his global P.E.A.C.E. Plan, which is a study in Dominionism.

Warren’s charitable activities in AIDS relief may cloud the more serious Dominionist ramifications of his overall global plan. Warren intends to amass the world’s largest "volunteer army” of “one billion foot soldiers” to implement his global P.E.A.C.E. Plan.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Others:

Ern Baxter, Latter Rain
Chuck Colson
Francis Frangipane, Latter Rain
Kenneth Hagin, Word of Faith, deceased
Bill Hamon, Latter Rain, Prophetic Movement
Cindy Jacobs, militant Spiritual Warfare
Rick Joyner, Latter Rain, Kansas City Prophets
Gary North, Reconstructionist
Earl Paulk, Manifest Sons of God
Fred Price, Word of Faith
Vinson Synan, Reconstructionist
Tommy Tenney, Anti-trinitarian