By
Kelleigh Nelson
March 11, 2016
NewsWithViews.com
"Why stoning? There are many reasons. First, the implements of execution are available to everyone at virtually no cost." Thrift and ubiquity aside, "executions are community projects--not with spectators who watch a professional executioner do `his' duty, but rather with actual participants. That modern Christians never consider the possibility of the reintroduction of stoning for capital crimes, indicates how thoroughly humanistic concepts of punishment have influenced the thinking of Christians." ~Gary North, Reconstruction leader
Dominionists provide the most enthusiastic constituency for stoning since the Taliban seized Kabul.
He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. ... John 8:7
No matter how simplified I try to keep the definition of Dominionism, it is such a huge topic, that it’s difficult to make it concise, or even use the K.I.S.S. method. I constantly receive emails from people asking me to explain this aberrant doctrine in Christianity. Despite my previous efforts, many still do not understand. There are wonderful researchers who I’ll link to for your perusal, hoping this will help. It is really of the utmost importance because one of the candidates is steeped in this false doctrine, as are his close supporters, Glenn Beck, David Barton, and Ted’s father, Rafael Cruz, Sr.
What is Dominionism?
There are three basic tenets to Dominionism
• Dominionist wants a theocracy (government) of their form of Christians leading the country.
• Dominionists wants a theonomy (Old Testament Law) in this theocracy, which means, their beliefs are based on Old Testament Mosaic laws, minus a few dietary restrictions, which will govern/rule the society.
• Dominionists want to use Old Testament law, including “stoning” to rid the country of sinners such as homosexuals, adulterers, disobedient children, those who take the Lord’s name in vain, etc., although not all Dominionists subscribe to this tenet of the doctrine.
Dominionists believe that we (mankind) have a mandate to build the “kingdom of God” on earth, restoring paradise, by progressively and supernaturally transforming ourselves and all societal institutions, through subduing and ruling the earth by whatever means possible, including using technology, science and psycho-social engineering; and then and only then will a “Christ” manifest his presence on earth.
Al Dager in his book VENGEANCE IS OURS: The Church In Dominion (Sword 1990) lists two further definitions of Dominionism:
A basic premise of dominion theology is that when Adam sinned, not only did man lose dominion over the earth, but God also lost control of the earth to Satan. Since that time, some say, God has been on the outside looking in, searching for a “covenant people” who will be His “extension” or “expression” in the earth to take dominion back from Satan. According to the dominionist interpretation, this is the meaning of the Great Commission.
Some teach that this is to be accomplished through certain “overcomers” who, by yielding themselves to the authority of latter-day apostles and prophets, will take control of the kingdoms of this world. These kingdoms are defined as the various social institutions, such as the “kingdom” of education, the “kingdom” of science, the “kingdom” of the arts, and so on. Most especially there is the “kingdom” of politics and government. (Dager, p. 44)
Dominion theology is predicated upon three basic beliefs:
1) Satan usurped man’s dominion over the earth through the temptation of Adam and Eve;
2) The Church is God’s instrument to take dominion back from Satan;
3) Jesus cannot or will not return until the Church has taken dominion by gaining control of the earth’s government and social institutions. (Dager, p. 87)
Dominionism Popularized
The term “Dominionism” was first popularized in the 1990s by researchers, including Chip Berlet, scholar Sara Diamond, and Fred Clarkson, who needed a term to describe the political aspirations of Christian Rightists who believed that they have a biblical mandate to control all earthly institutions –including government – until the second coming of Jesus. But the idea of conservative Christians gaining political power sufficient to take dominion over society predated their use of the term by decades.
The two main schools of Dominionist thought include Christian Reconstructionism, founded by the late R.J. Rushdoony, which advances the idea not only of the need for Christians (of the right sort) to dominate society, but institute and apply Old Testament “Biblical Law.” Again, a theocracy (ruled by Dominionist Christians only), will be on Old Testament law, (a theonomy) and this includes all 613 Mosaic laws, other than a few dietary laws. Those hardcore Dominionist leaders, like Gary North, believe in stoning sinners in the street.
The other, closely related form of Dominionism is advocated by the Pentecostal New Apostolic Reformation, which exuberantly advocates for Christians to “reclaim the seven mountains of culture”: government, religion, media, family, business, education, and arts and entertainment. [Link]
Yet, both forms cross over into each other’s territory. In the 1980s, the Reconstructionist leaders—despite their pretensions of theological integrity, worked compatibly alongside Charismatic leaders in the Coalition on Revival (COR) for political action, spelling out how they planned to rule over 17 “spheres” of society in America. These 17 spheres are a direct precursor to the 7 mountains taught by C. Peter Wagner and his group of “apostles” who claim they will reign as “kings.” (See KINGS and PRIESTS) Rafael Cruz’s sermons have spoken of the “seven mountains and kings and priests.”
Seven Mountains Mandate
Sarah Leslie, has just completed research on these doctrines in dominionism, and written an article on the Seven Mountains Mandate with Dr. Orrel Steinkamp. It is titled, 7 Mountain Politics and Theology. It is an in-depth overview and is important in understanding the entire culture of this apostasy in the church today. The Herescope website states:
Herescope has published many articles about the 7 mountain theology. Our critical perspective is distinctly biblical, and thus distinguishable from the criticism of the seven mountains coming from the political Left, although we do share some of their concerns about this radical agenda for the church to transform society and/or government(s) into a church-state via cultural, political and/or “warfare” activism. In our articles, we clearly articulate our theological differences with this 7 mountains teaching.
I urge readers to delve into this article in order to understand the full ramifications of this heretical doctrine. Sarah Leslie is one of the finest researchers on aberrant doctrines in today’s church, and I cherish her friendship and her work.
Dominionists Who Support Ted Cruz
Pastor Kevin Swanson - Colorado pastor Kevin Swanson was the keynote speaker at the National Religious Liberties Conference in Des Moines, Iowa. In his speech, the infamous “Kill the homosexuals” pastor called for the murder of homosexuals saying, “They are worthy of death.”
Swanson then introduces Ted Cruz as the next president of the United States after his diatribe against homosexuals. In addition to Ted Cruz, Mike Huckabee and Bobby Jindal were also at this conference as speakers.
Swanson actually said he would give some time for homosexuals to repent, but he didn’t say how long before the executions would begin.
Cruz claims he doesn’t know what Swanson has said or not said, but he certainly didn’t take time to find out about this very controversial pastor. Neither did Huckabee nor Jindal. Swanson’s supporters also distributed “death to gays” pamphlets at the event.
Swanson bragged on his radio show about the “amazingly successfully” National Religious Liberties Conference held in Iowa in early November, during which he declared he was “not kidding” when he said he’d spread excrement all over himself if his son ever married another man.
“I’d spread it all over my body,” he preached. “That’s what I would do and I’m not kidding! I’m not laughing!”
Cruz’s Rally for Religious Liberty
After appearing at the Kevin Swanson Iowa rally last November, candidate Cruz hosted his own anti-LGBT hate fest in South Carolina.
Cruz’s “Rally for Religious Liberty” was held at Greenville’s Bob Jones University, which once famously argued that its racist policies were protected under the First Amendment.
Among the speakers at Cruz’s event were Dominionist Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, would-be reality TV stars the Benham brothers, also Dominionists, and anti-gay Houston activist and Dominionist, Dave Welch. Perkins is also a United Nations Non-Governmental Organization member.
Other Dominionists Endorse Cruz
Phillip “Flip” Benham, another Dominionist pastor, once arrested and prosecuted for stalking the judge who heard Kim Davis’s case, is also endorsing Ted Cruz.
And, Senator Ted Cruz, isn’t backing away from the endorsement of Mike Bickle, a controversial evangelical pastor who once characterized Hitler as “a hunter” sent by God to go after Jews who don’t to convert to Christianity. [Link]
Despite calls from Jewish groups to denounce Bickle’s interpretation of scripture, a senior advisor to Cruz instead welcomed the pastor’s support in a statement published in the Jewish Journal.
Cruz trumpeted Bickle’s endorsement in a post on his website. Sadly, Christians do not do any investigation into these endorsements.
Bickle’s IHOP/New Apostolic Reform
Here is a brief synopsis of the IHOP/NAR history from Herescope.com:
• IHOP is just one arm of a multi-faceted group (with many names, entities and offshoots) known as the "Kansas City Prophets" that has been around since the mid-1980s.
• These Kansas City "prophets" are leaders who track a direct lineage back to the old Latter Rain cult.
• John Wimber became an overseer of the KC group in the late 1980s when their cult excesses became public and controversial, and set them up under his Vineyard denomination.
• John Wimber was a mentor to C. Peter Wagner and vice versa, and the two of them have a history that tracks back into the mid 1970s at Fuller Theological Seminary where they concocted doctrines together.
• C. Peter Wagner's "Third Wave" movement, the predecessor to the NAR, was founded on Wimber's signs and wonders mysticism.
• C. Peter Wagner's "New Apostolic Reformation" was founded on the convergence of the mystical streams of John Wimber, the Kansas City group, and Fuller Theological Seminary.
Be sure to click on this link:
In January, 1990, Ernie Gruen, a Charismatic pastor in Kansas City for 27 years released a 233-page document listing erroneous prophecies, statements, doctrines and incidents involving the Kansas City Prophets. Gruen’s shocking report on the Kansas City Prophets, “Documentation of the Aberrant Practices and Teachings of the Kansas City Fellowship (Grace Ministries),” is filled with evidences of spiritual abuse and theological excesses of Bickel, et al.
Conclusion
In several previous articles, I’ve exposed the Dominionist teachings of Rafael Cruz Sr., David Barton, and now, even Glenn Beck who seems to have joined the Dominionist ranks. Ted Cruz masquerades as a Christian, yet his actions speak otherwise. Cruz has openly lied about other candidates, he’s used tactics via Jeff Roe, his campaign manager, that are deceitful and dangerous.
Cruz lied about Dr. Carson dropping out during the caucus in Iowa, and then lied again about Rubio dropping out in the latest Hawaii vote. His actions speak louder than his words and his public prayers. The Lord tells us to judge them by their fruits, yet today’s Christians seems to swallow the hollow words and accept everything as gospel. The lack of discernment is telling.
The doctrine of Dominionism is heretical according to God’s Word. Like Islam, they want a theocracy, based on their form of theonomy, with stoning still in practice. Surely we all know folks who have led lives that were unchristian, only to later come to realize the error of their ways. Repentance and salvation can come any time up to your very last breath, and it is faith alone that saves. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 We are all sinners, just saved by grace.
Take the story of Pastor Jack Morlan. He was radically saved out of a homosexual lifestyle by Jesus Christ. He and his wife, and their two sons boldly proclaim a Gospel of Salvation. Jack’s ministry was treated very badly during the 1990s by the Christian Right leaders, who told him frankly that they found much more enjoyment in bashing gays, and that they made much more money attacking gays in their fundraisers. They informed Jack that they didn’t WANT to share the Gospel with homosexuals. Pointing a finger and screaming “SINNER,” wins no one to Christ and salvation.
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With Dominionist theology, there is no grace, and the opportunity to change would be cut short with their punishment. When Ted Cruz said as a teenager that he wanted to rule the world, people found it humorous and the silly statements of youth. But, his form of aberrant doctrine truly believes he should rule the world.
WHERE IS THE REAL GOSPEL, TED? This isn’t the Gospel of Salvation!
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© 2016 Kelleigh Nelson - All Rights Reserved
Kelleigh Nelson has been researching the Christian right and their connections to the left, the new age, and cults since 1975. Formerly an executive producer for three different national radio talk show hosts, she was adept at finding and scheduling a variety of wonderful guests for her radio hosts. She and her husband live in Knoxville, TN, and she has owned her own wholesale commercial bakery since 1990. Prior to moving to Tennessee, Kelleigh was marketing communications and advertising manager for a fortune 100 company in Ohio. Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, she was a Goldwater girl with high school classmate, Hillary Rodham, in Park Ridge, Illinois. Kelleigh is well acquainted with Chicago politics and was working in downtown Chicago during the 1968 Democratic convention riots. Kelleigh is presently the secretary for Rocky Top Freedom Campaign, a strong freedom advocate group.
Website: www.rockytopfreedom.com
Blog: http://exposingmodernmugwumps.com/
E-Mail: Proverbs133@bellsouth.net