Dominionism
Dominionism or Dominion Theology believes that Biblical
Christianity will rule in all areas of society; at personal,
corporate, national and global levels.
The beliefs of Dominionism are based on:
Genesis 1:28
Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful
and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion
over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every
living thing that moves on the earth.”
This verse is taken
and embraced by some Christians
as a divine
mandate from heaven to claim dominion over the earth; physically,
spiritually and politically.
However, this verse is about multiplying, populating and expanding
over the face of the earth instead of staying put in one corner of
the earth. It is also about keeping and taking good care of all
other living things. And this verse apply to all mankind and not
just some Christians. And therein are no political references. There
is also nothing written about subduing and taking over other people!
This Dominion Theology goes even further, leading to two new
philosophies:
- Christian Reconstructionism
- Kingdom Now Theology
Christian Reconstructionism is a very high-minded worldview. It
sounds good and feels good for a little while. Basically, it
believes that dominion can be achieved by each Christian excelling
in his or her individual field of work such as Christian businessmen
taking dominion over their business world; Christian artists taking
dominion over their arts world; Christian musicians taking dominion
over their music world and etc., until all spheres and fields are
subdued or taken over by Christians!
Those Christians who follow this mandate believe that in order for
Christ to return to earth, the Church must take full control of all
of the major spheres of influence in society such as:
- Education
- Religion
- Family
- Business
- Government / Military
- Arts / Entertainment
- Media
When all of these spheres are being controlled by the Church,
Jesus will return and rule the world. The mandate also encourages
Christians to move into top positions of these spheres in order to
occupy and rule over the nations, invade the cultures of the
peoples, and transform or reconstruct their societies.
By twisting Genesis 1:28, a reformation was in place, and a mandate
was given for Christians to control civil and political affairs, and
all other aspects of society. This was done by some modern day
apostles and prophets, through conferences and more conferences,
shared their supernatural dreams, visions and revelations,
recruiting and challenging people to take up the call of the
mandate.
The Kingdom Now Theology is about taking dominion of the earth
through spiritual warfare.
The Kingdom Now people believe that long ago in the beginning of
mankind, Satan stole the keys of spiritual dominion from Adam and
Eve after deceiving them to sin against God. But Christ came and
gave the keys of the kingdom of heaven to Peter in Matthew 16:19.
The Kingdom Now people believe that God has also given them the keys
to the kingdom of God, and dominion has now returned back to the Church.
Now it is our job to take back what is rightfully ours. To claim
dominion over the earth, and to subdue it spiritually for the glory
of Christ. But are we Simon Bar-Jonah? Jesus had given the keys of
the kingdom of heaven to Peter, and not to any of His other
disciples or apostles, or anyone else!
Matthew 16:17-19
17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon
Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to
you, but My Father who is in heaven.
18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will
build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against
it.
19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven,
and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever
you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
Without any Biblical basis, the Kingdom Now people believe that
they could regain dominion by placing Christians in political
offices through waging spiritual warfare against principalities,
against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, and
against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. It is
often done by the manifestations of signs, wonders and miracles.
However, we are exhorted to stand and not subdue after putting on
the whole armor of God.
And this armor is a priestly one and not a military one!
Ephesians 6:10-13
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of
His might.
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to
stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against
principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness
of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly
places.
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to
withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
We are exhorted to stand still where we are, watch and see
the wonderful things our awesome God will do. The Lord will fight
for us, and we don’t even have to lift a finger! The battle belongs
to the Lord. And we just need to stand still!
Exodus 14:13-14
13 And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand
still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish
for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you
shall see again no more forever.
14 The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your
peace.”
But some of these spiritual warfare people do not know how to
stand still. Some of us go ahead and do things that are not Biblical. And
very often, doing things that are pagan, New Age or even
occultic.
Some of us do not have the mind and character of Christ.
Some of us are not transformed into the likeness of Christ, but
into the likeness of our apostolic and prophetic teachers and
leaders who do not come after Christ, deny themselves, take their
cross daily and follow Christ! Some of us often dress, speak, pray,
prophesy, behave, act and do exactly like our leaders and teachers! Some of us are very domineering, high-minded and arrogant!
Often asserting our values and imposing our ways on others!
Jude 8-11
8 Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject
authority, and speak evil of dignitaries.
9 Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil,
when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not
bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, “The Lord rebuke
you!”
10 But these speak evil of whatever they do not know; and
whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in
these things they corrupt themselves.
11 Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have
run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and
perished in the rebellion of Korah.
Some of us are like these dreamers who carelessly go on living their evil and
immoral lives, degrading their bodies and laughing at those in
authority over them. They even scoff and jeer at spiritual powers
and principalities. Yet Michael, one of the mightiest angels, when
he was arguing with Satan about the body of Moses, did not dare to accuse
even Satan, or jeer at him, but simply said, “The Lord rebuke you.”
But these dreamers mock and curse at anything they do not understand, and
like animals, they do whatever they feel like, thereby ruining their
own souls. They will do anything for money. In doing so, they have
disobeyed God!
As Christians, we should be concerned
about the moral decays, chaos, wrongdoings and disorders in our
society. But wanting to take full control of the culture and steer
it back towards sanity is not a Biblical option. We should
take it to the Lord in prayers!
Some of us are not being transformed into
the likeness of Christ. Our minds are not renewed by the Word of
God. And we still conform and cling to our worldly standards and ways! Only
God can transform us by His Holy Spirit! If we are not being
transformed into the likeness of Christ, how can we ask others to
follow us and be like us? We can only transform
others to become like us! And what have we transformed others to
become?
Christ loved His Church and gave Himself for her. Only Christ
Himself can make His Church holy and clean with the washing of water
by the Word of God! Only Christ Himself can present His Church to
Himself as a glorious Church without a single spot or wrinkle or any
other blemish, being holy and without a single fault.
Ephesians 5:25-27
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church
and gave Himself for her,
26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water
by the word,
27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not
having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be
holy and without blemish.
The disciples of Jesus also had a “Kingdom Now” mentality. They
thought that Jesus was going to usher in the kingdom of God
immediately, and wipe out the Romans from ruling over Israel.
Luke 19:11
Now as they heard these things, He spoke another parable, because He
was near Jerusalem and because they thought the kingdom of
God would appear immediately.
But that wasn’t in the plans of God. Just as Jesus didn't do so
then, He is not about to do so now. Till He returns, we are exhorted
to pray:
Matthew 6:10
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
The kingdom of God is not of this world. We are commanded not to
love the world or the things in the world as the world is passing
away.
John 18:36
Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world.
If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I
should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is
not from here.”
1 John 2:15-17
15 Do not love the world or the things in the
world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is
not in him.
16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the
lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the
Father but is of the world.
17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of
it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
We should set our minds on things above, and not spend our time
worrying about things down here. When Christ returns, we will also
appear with Him in glory!
Colossians 3:2-5
2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear
with Him in glory.
5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the
earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and
covetousness, which is idolatry.
It is commendable and good for us to do justly, and to uphold
Biblical principles both at home and at work. We are to do
everything as unto the Lord.
1 Corinthians 10:31
Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do
all to the glory of God.
We are called to be the salt and light of the earth. As such, we
should maintain our godly values and preserve life wherever we are.
We should shine for Jesus so that others may see our good works and
glorify our Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:13-16
13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt
loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for
nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is
set on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a
lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see
your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
It is perfectly okay for Christians to hold jobs in government
sectors and all other areas of society. But to bring the kingdom of
heaven to earth is not our commission. Our commission is to tell
others about the wonderful gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ!
Remember Daniel. He was strong in the LORD as he knew Him. He was
able to do great things for the LORD even in pagan nations. He didn't
change the Babylonian and Persian ways and systems of government! He
didn't subdue or dominate over others! He did not flatter with those
who hated the things of God. He was able to stand still and see the
salvation of the LORD even in lions' dens and in the midst of fiery
and false accusations!
Daniel 11:32
Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with
flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong,
and carry out great exploits.
One day, Jesus will bring His kingdom to earth, in true justice
and righteousness. Then and only then, all the worldly systems will come
to an end!
Revelation 11:15
Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in
heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the
kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever
and ever!”
Finally, things will get worse before they get better when
Jesus returns!
2 Timothy 3:1-7
1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will
come:
2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money,
boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents,
unthankful, unholy,
3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal,
despisers of good,
4 traitors, headstrong, haughty,
lovers of pleasure rather
than lovers of God,
5 having a form of godliness but denying its power.
And from such people turn away!
6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and
make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led
away by various lusts,
7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of
the truth.
As we are now living in perilous times, let us be aware of
perilous men and women, and turn away from them. Let us not be gullible anymore, and come to
the knowledge of the truth as soon as possible!
Written on: 4 April 2018