Dominionism

by Mike James

Dominionism is a theological and political belief system that wants to establish Christian governance based on biblical principles. It emphasizes the idea that Christians should exercise authority over all aspects of life, including politics, culture, and society.

This view is based on a specific interpretation of Genesis 1:28. Here is what the scripture says: "And God blessed them, and God said unto them, '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 moveth upon the earth.'"

God was telling mankind before they sinned that they had control over the animal creatures on the earth and that we should multiply. This scripture is not dealing with getting involved in politics and controlling the culture on earth, but dominionist theologians use this scripture to promote their view that Christians should be more involved in controlling all aspects of culture.

Dominionism is also almost synonymous with Christian Nationalism. Christian nationalism is a form of religious nationalism that focuses on promoting the Christian views of its followers to achieve prominence or dominance in the political, cultural, and social life of a country.

The primary adherents of these ideas include Calvinist Christian reconstructionism, Charismatic and Pentecostal Kingdom Now theology, and the New Apostolic Reformation.

Kingdom Now theology states that although Satan has been in control of the world since the sin in the Garden of Eden, God is looking for people who will help Him take back control. Those who follow the authority of God's apostles and prophets will take control of the kingdoms of this world, being defined as all social institutions like education, science, the arts, etc.

C. Peter Wagner, the founder of the New Apostolic Reformation, writes: "The practical theology that best builds a foundation under social transformation is dominion theology, sometimes called 'Kingdom Now'. Its history can be traced back through R. J. Rushdoony and Abraham Kuyper to John Calvin."

In 2007, Wagner stated, "Our theological bedrock is what has been known as Dominion Theology. This means that our divine mandate is to do whatever is necessary, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to retake the dominion of God's creation, which Adam forfeited to Satan in the Garden of Eden. It is nothing less than seeing God's kingdom coming and His will being done here on earth as it is in heaven."

Seven Mountains Dominionism, also known as the Seven Mountains Mandate, has become a manifestation of Kingdom Now theology since the early 2010s. Bill Bright, Loren Cunningham, and Francis Schaeffer are often credited as starting this movement in American Christianity. The mandate proposes that there are seven "mountains" that Christians must control to establish a global Christian theocracy and prepare the world for Jesus' return: government, education, media, arts and entertainment, religion, family, and business.

After the tragic death of Charlie Kirk, I began to do a little research into his Turning Point USA organization and found that Charlie was involved over the past few years with individuals who are influencers for the Seven Mountain mandate. At the Conservative Political Action Conference of 2020, Mr. Kirk said of Donald Trump, "Finally, we have a president who understands the seven mountains of cultural influence."

Charlie started his organization as a more conservative secular organization. But as he progressed, he came under the influence of some pastors associated with Dominionism, and Charlie Kirk seemed to alter his views and become more influenced by this theology.

Some of these pastors include Lance Wallnau and Rob McCoy. Kirk said that over several conversations with McCoy, he was challenged to rethink his position separating politics and religion. In 2021, McCoy and Kirk started another organization under Turning Point USA called Turning Point Faith that targets pastors and their groups in becoming more politically active.

The goal of these groups is to take back the seven mountains of culture (education, government, religion, family, business, media, and entertainment) to prepare the world for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. In other words, they think that by taking dominion in these areas of culture, this will quicken the pace with which Christ returns. Once Christ sees Christians are doing (taking dominion) what God wants, He will come back.

This is a major problem I have with these people. I'm all for trying to put Christian values into the world. But when you begin trying to control culture through politics, you are asking for trouble. The story of the Bible tells me the world is not going to get better before Christ returns, but will be in a bad state until that time. It will also be a bad time for Christians (Matthew 24; Revelation 13). True Christianity will not be dominating the culture.

Dominionism, for the most part, rejects the idea of an apocalyptic end-time tribulation. It teaches that Christ will return after the church has established God's kingdom on the earth by Christianizing the world. Dominionists believe this will be accomplished through signs, wonders, and miracles from "the manifest sons of God" who will take control and rule the world.

This flies in the face of Scripture. Jesus said His kingdom is not of this world in John 18:36, because He is going to bring His kingdom to this earth by supernatural means (Daniel 2:40-45). Dominionism is not going to change the world; only God will!

Sources:

"Definition of Dominionism," AI Summary, https://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=mcafee&type=E210US105G0&p=definition+of+dominionism

"Dominion Theology," Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominion_theology

The Seven Mountains Mandate, by Matthew Boedy, (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2025).

"Christian Nationalism," Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_nationalism

Dominionism, Kingdom Now, 7-Mountain Mandate, and What Does the Bible Say? By Michael Oppenheimer, https://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/dominionism-kingdom-now-7-mountain/