The Dominion
TimeWatch Editorial
June 17, 2016
On June 14, 2016, we began to take a look at a belief system called Christian Reconstructionism. We made the point that Rousas John Rushdoony, the author of the book, The Institutes of Biblical Law, creates the basis for this philosophical approach. We also looked at some of the thoughts expressed by Gary North, another writer who details this system of Christian control. But Christian Reconstructionism is a part of something called “Dominion Theology.” What we propose to do today is to take a look at some of the fundamental beliefs embraced and promulgated by these people.
Dominion Theology is a belief system that embraces the basic ideology that the true believers have been commissioned by God to bring the entire world under the dominion of Christianity. This task must be accomplished at any cost, including by force if necessary. Once this work is completed, then the finished product is to be handed over to Jesus when he comes. In other words, The Church must gain control of the earth’s governmental and social institutions, and establish the Kingdom on earth before Jesus returns.
Because Dominionists teach the Kingdom of God is a literal and physical Kingdom to be advanced on earth in the present age, they insist that the taking up the literal sword to war against enemies of their kingdom as a legitimate and necessary act. They teach that men can and must be coerced or compelled to enter the kingdom. They also teach that they are to take dominion over satan. “Liberation Theology,” which is another branch of Dominionism, teaches that it is our responsibility to take control over the Powers of Darkness. This teaching insists that we are to obtain control over the demons. So when you hear them speak concerning "Power Evangelism" and "Power Healing," they are referring to this "Binding Satan," "Binding demons,” “Pleading the Blood against demons.”
As I have said they proclaim that they must take dominion over all of the institutions of the world that are infiltrated or for that matter influenced by evil spirits. They teach that a select few, an army of 'overcomers' will subdue all the enemies of Christ. When they have completed this task, they will then 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. Thus, it has been identified as being the responsibility of the church to destroy the wicked and establish the Kingdom on earth.
Allen Clifton in an article published on March 14, 2015 on Forward Progressives Website entitled: the “Comparing Republican “Christian Values” To Islamic Fundamentalism: says:
“Let’s also not forget that both right-wing evangelicals and Islamic fundamentalists believe that a nation should be ruled by religion, also known as a theocratic form of government. Both groups believe their rights are given to them by God (or Allah), not the government. And while many Islamic nations on this planet are indeed ruled by religion, it is our secularist Constitution which has prevented Christian radicals here from ruling this nation as the theocracy they’d love for it to be.” Allen Clifton, “Comparing Republican “Christian Values” To Islamic Fundamentalism, March 14, 2015.
It is also ironic and somewhat prophetic, considering some of the more recent comments made during the past months that Mr. Clifton continues to say the following:
“Then there’s always intolerance of other religions. A nation such as Saudi Arabia has no tolerance for any other religions besides Islam. And I can’t help but think that, if many conservatives had their way, this nation would also ban other religions – especially Islam.
But when you get right down to it, isn’t the goal of both right-wing Christian evangelicals and Islamic fundamentalists essentially the same – to build nations based upon theocracies and religious rule? While Islam might be more restrictive in a lot of ways, mainly because our Constitution (and Western culture in general) has mostly kept religious radicals from taking over, these groups are very similar in many of the instances where human rights are concerned – especially when it comes to women’s rights and equality for homosexuals.” Allen Clifton, “Comparing Republican “Christian Values” To Islamic Fundamentalism, March 14, 2015.
Finally listen to Chip Berlet’s published article entitled “Inside the Christian Right Dominionists Movement That's Undermining Democracy” on September 1, 2011:
“Over the past 20 years the leading proponents of Reconstructionism have included founder Rousas John (R.J.) Rushdoony, Gary North, Greg Bahnsen, David Chilton, Gary DeMar, and Andrew Sandlin. Kingdom Now theology emerged from the Latter Rain Pentecostal movement and the concept of Spiritual Warfare against the literal demonic forces of Satan. It has been promoted by founder Earl Paulk as well as C. Peter Wagner, founder of the New Apostolic Reformation movement. For many, President Obama and the Democratic Party are among these “demonic forces.” This has real world consequences. In 2006 former Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris told thousands of cheering Christian Right activists that beating the Democrats in the upcoming elections was a battle against “principalities and powers,” which many in the audience would hear as a Biblical reference to the struggle with the demonic agents of Satan.” Chip Berlet, “Inside the Christian Right Dominionists Movement That's Undermining Democracy” September 1, 2011
Hopefully, the seriousness of this kind of thinking will awaken us to the fact that the prophetic pronouncements are being fulfilled.
Cameron A. Bowen
