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| NAR "apostle" Cindy Jacobs telling "apostle" Samuel Rodriguez that "we are in the birth canal for a great awakening." (Source) |
For years, we have marveled that Samuel Rodriguez, president of National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, has managed to maintain a reputation as some sort of a moderate conservative evangelical leader while, at the same time, regularly partnering with some of the most extreme voices within the Religious Right.
Perhaps
nothing better demonstrates his ties to even the outermost fringes of
the movement like the praise he heaped upon Cindy Jacobs when she
appeared on his TBN program "The Lamb's Agenda" last month.[1]
Just when you thought this election cycle couldn't get any crazier. . . A report has just been issued regarding the latest activities of NAR "apostle" Samuel Rodriguez. He is now openly fraternizing with "apostlette" Cindy Jacobs.[2] Rodriguez has an extensive history of morphing himself into a mainstream leadership role despite his open association with C. Peter Wagner's dominionist New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) and its many offshoots and entities. For example, in 2014 Rodriguez was a featured speaker on a panel at the Southern Baptist Convention.
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| Southern Baptist Convention 2014, "Religious Freedom Is the New Civil Rights Issue, Samuel Rodriguez and Rick Warren Say" (Source) |
In an Oct. 7 article by J.D. Hall titled "SBC Speaker Affirms Prophetess Cindy Jacob’s 'Prophetic Ministry'" can be found some amazing video footage of Rodriguez "affirming the prophetic ministry of arch-Apostle, Cindy Jacobs, from just last week." You have to see the video to believe it. Click HERE and scroll halfway down the article to view the embedded video:
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| (Source) |
Why is this so significant? Cindy Jacobs is a premier "apostle" of the NAR. She has been described by Wagner as the "national apostle" appointed over the United States:
Cindy Jacobs, who has been called a “prophet to the nations” is identified by C. Peter Wagner as “the U.S. national apostle” in his 2002 book Spheres of Authority: Apostles in Today’s Church. This book is one of the earlier attempts to describe his “New Apostolic Age” in which he calls the “New Apostolic Reformation” (NAR) – “the most radical change in the way of doing church since the Protestant Reformation back in the 16th Century.” In this book, he lays out the principle that his newly conceived “apostles” will be in charge of designated “spheres of authority” for “the task of implementing what God wants done on earth.” Wagner endows these “apostles” with supernatural gifting to hear new revelation directly from God...[3]
Rodriguez has been a member of C. Peter Wagner's International Coalition of Apostles, a network of apostles "convened by C. Peter Wagner with the stated goal of taking Christian dominion over society and government."[4] Rodriguez, along with Cindy Jacobs, has also been associated with Rick Joyner's Oak Initiative which he marketed as a "social Justice movement."[5]
The Oak Initiative list of strategy and objectives includes:
"to raise up effective leaders for all of the dominant areas of influence in the culture, including: government, business, education, arts and entertainment, family services, media, and the church."
This is a reference to the "Reclaiming the Seven Mountains" campaign promoted by the NAR in order to take control over arts and entertainment, business, education, family, government, media, and religion. They are supposedly being reclaimed from the demonic forces which the NAR leaders say have taken control over these mountains of culture.[6]
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| Rodriguez and Rick Joyner's The Oak Initiative summit, archived HERE |
In the opening remarks on the Rodriguez show Cindy Jacobs repeats a frequent NAR theme that "God has a dream for us." This "God's Dream" reference is off-repeated, particularly whenever there is a "social justice" agenda looming. This is no accident. Rodriguez has been associated with Lou Engle of The Call,[5] who set up a "God's Dream" youth rally on the Washington D.C. Mall in 2008. Here is the sort of "social justice" that Engle was planning:
“[a] dream of launching massive solemn assemblies of fasting and prayer” [that] will “release justice over the earth” and start prayer cells (called “prayer FURNACES”) that “will transform cities, finish the task of the Great Commission and prepare a way for Jesus to return to the planet to establish his kingdom forever and ever....”[7]
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| Rodriguez agreeing with Cindy Jacobs saying, "It is a dream and not a nightmare." |
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| Rodriguez: "We believe we are standing at the precipice of a new awakening" |
The two "apostles" above are referencing a "new awakening," which is another NAR theme song for Dominion.[8] Rodriguez then openly gushes over Cindy Jacobs, telling his audience she is a "legitimate instrument of God." He even says he calls her "Momma Cindy."
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| Rodriguez: "One of the most anointed prophetic voices in the kingdom of God, Dr. Cindy Jacobs" |
Rodriguez then tells his audience to text their friends to watch his show because they are about to hear a "women of God" who has the "anointing of God" speak.
Watch this shocking video for yourself. It is archived in its entirety HERE.
The New Face of Social Justice
Why is all of this significant? Because Samuel Rodriguez is highly influential in American political circles, especially in his role as a Hispanic leader. He has also been able to mainstream himself into prominent evangelical leadership positions. On April 8, 2010 we published an article on this blog warning that that NAR was shifting into politics, boldly attempting to mainstream itself: "The Coalescing of the Christian Right with Apostolic Dominionism." In that article Dr. Orrel Steinkamp, a longtime expert on the NAR, observed:
Samuel Rodriguez is an apostle who is also a passionate speaker/orator. He heads Wagner's National Christian Hispanic Leadership Council and has also been invited to the Freedom Federation Summit at Liberty University April 15. Speaking earlier at a Rick Joyner's Oak Initiative gathering at Fort Mill, with great emphasis, Rodriguez rallied the crowd asserting that the Oak Initiative, Joyner's political action group, is "the New Jerusalem and also Washington DC. We will mobilize for cultural reformation, not just engagement. We will not be held hostage by a donkey or an elephant."
Dr. Steinkamp also wrote an editorial on September 17, 2012 titled "NAR in the Political Limelight: A Theocratic Dominion Apostle Gains Political Exposure at the RNC" in which he documented Rodriguez's longtime association with the NAR as well the many other hats that he wears.
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| "At RNC, Samuel Rodriguez Prays for Holy Spirit Outpouring" |
And now it gets worse. J.D. Hall's article states that Rodriguez, an ordained Assemblies of God minister, was recently a
keynote speaker at Russell Moore’s 2015 ERLC national conference last August. Rodriguez spoke on a panel for the 2014 SBC annual convention, with Russell Moore, David Platt and others (he was there by Moore’s invitation). Rodriguez co-wrote an article with Russell Moore in the Wall Street Journal on how evangelicals can win the Hispanic vote by lightening up on illegal immigration (which they so predictably call “immigrant bashing”). You might notice that Russell Moore is a recurring theme when it comes to Rodriguez’ platform among Southern Baptists.
Hall refers his readers to a 6/12/15 article by Jeff Maples titled "Russell Moore partnering with New Apostolic Reformation to advance the 'Social Gospel.'" This article explains the common ground that Rodriguez is sharing with Southern Baptist leaders in advancing "Dominionism Lite," a term we coined to describe a toned down Dominionist stance not unlike the old Social Gospel. We described it as "a cultural renewal, social gospel, eclectic cocktail that appeals to the the type of evangelical elite who aren't off doing the wacky signs and wonders." In other words, "Social Justice." So Rodriguez is working with both the hard core and soft core Dominionists. Note: none of this is about the Gospel of Salvation.
Maples explained the significance of Rodriguez's association with the Southern Baptists:
Russell Moore, president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) for the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), has been at this for quite some time. He is known for using his high ranking positions in the Church to promote his social justice causes.... All of these causes diminish the importance of personal responsibility for one’s actions–personal responsibility, of which is a prerequisite to salvation in the Gospel.
Now, in the latest show of his positional authority, and intent to advance and propagate his cause through the Church, he has teamed up with social justice advocate and political activist, president of The National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC), Samuel Rodriguez....
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| Charisma magazine interview with Rodriguez, who politically plays both Left and Right[9] |
Joining the Christianity of Martin Luther King Jr. and Billy Graham. The Lamb’s Agenda reveals the crucial connection between biblical social justice and spiritual righteousness.
Maples' article takes note of Rodriguez's use of Martin Luther King's "Dream" speech which has also been hijacked by the other "God's Dream" proponents of the NAR as a motif for their aberrant views on "Social Justice."[10] The definition of "Social Justice" that Rodriguez and Jacobs are bringing to the table is a radical Dominionism. One writer described it quite accurately:
The Apostles' Brand of Social Justice
The goal of these faith-based "social justice" initiatives is clearly spelled out in the writings and media of the movement. They teach that the cure for societal ills - poverty, corruption, crime, and even environmental degradation - is the expulsion of demons from society, mass evangelization, and Christian dominion. They believe that prayer events..., which bring together large numbers of people at one time for "corporate repentance," supernaturally advances their agenda.[11]
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| Rodriguez and 7 mountains architect Lance Wallnau with other NAR leaders, TheElijahList advertisement, 7/25/09[12] |
The Truth:
In his excellent article, Maples effectually refutes Rodriguez and his Southern Baptist friends' call for "Social Justice":
Our Lord Jesus Christ did not come to make the world a better place, and provide justice and equality to all people. He came to save people from their own sin, through repentance and trust in Him alone....
This intertwining of social justice and Christianity is a total abuse of the Holy Spirit and God’s Word. As if it isn’t enough to take the Gospel to the lost, calling them to repentance and salvation, and teaching them personal responsibility; Rodriguez believes it is the commission of the church to solve the social problems of the world. The root of the social problems in the world is sin (Galatians 5:19-21, Romans 3:23, Jeremiah 17:9, etc.). And that problem has already been solved, on the sacrificial death, burial and resurrection of Jesus (1 Peter 3:21). And the solution is the Gospel–the Great Commission.
Endnotes:
1. Kyle Mantyla, "Samuel Rodriguez Hails Cindy Jacobs As 'A Legitimate Prophet Of God'," 10/8/15, links removed. http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/samuel-rodriguez-hails-cindy-jacobs-legitimate-prophet-god Note that the Left is making this observation.
2. We couldn't resist using the satirical term that the late Pastor Ken Silva coined for describing Cindy Jacobs and her outrageously wacky performances. See: http://apprising.org/2013/01/24/new-apostolic-reformation-apostlette-cindy-jacobs/ and http://apprising.org/2011/09/14/nar-apostlette-cindy-jacobs/ Note: If you google Cindy Jacobs on YouTube you will see some of her most notorious prophetic outbursts.
3. Rachel Tabachnick, "Samuel Rodriguez and the Oak Initiative - Marketing Religious Supremacism as Social Justice," 9/2/11, http://www.talk2action.org/story/2011/9/2/133338/8422/Front_Page/Samuel_Rodriguez_and_the_Oak_Initiative_Marketing_Religious_Supremacism_as_Social_Justice Note that Rodriguez attempted to deny his association with the ICA. Tabachnik set the record straight in her 9/24/11 article "Samuel Rodriguez, the New Apostolic Reformation, and Apostolic Government of the Church." http://www.talk2action.org/story/2011/9/24/155523/590
4. Ibid.
5. Ibid.
6. Bruce Wilson, in his article "Rise of the Charismatic Leaders Council," Dec. 8. 2008, wrote: "Rodriguez claims to preside, as an apostle, over his own international apostolic Five Fold ministry network. But Rodriguez also, as the head of the National Hispanic Leadership Council (NHLC), represents up to ten million Hispanic protestant evangelicals and up to five million charismatic Catholics. Rodriguez and other top NHLC leaders are currently listed as advisory board members to Lou Engle's The Call." http://www.talk2action.org/story/2008/12/8/162939/009 See also Bruce Wilson's 9/16/11 article "Rick Perry's 'The Response' Boasted How Many Wagner Apostles? Let's Count" http://www.talk2action.org/story/2011/9/16/144354/102/
7. "God's Dream? A KINGDOM BUILDING DREAM" http://herescope.blogspot.com/2008/07/gods-dream.html
8. See our post "A Political Platform": http://herescope.blogspot.com/2010/09/next-great-awakening.html
9. http://www.charismanews.com/politics/32148-samuel-rodriguez-says-obama-meeting-was-like-conversation-amongst-believers Read: "NAR in the Political Limelight: A Theocratic Dominion Apostle Gains Political Exposure at the RNC" by Dr. Orrel Steinkamp: http://herescope.blogspot.com/2012/09/nar-in-political-limelight.html
10. See our 6-part article series "The Next Great Awakening. . . Or Great Deadening?" detailing the New Apostolic Reformation's involvement in attempting to create a "new awakening."
Part 1: Rallying Around the Seven Mountains
Part 2: A Political Platform
Part 3: Building the 7 Mountains
Part 4: Concocting A Great Awakening
Part 5: The EMERGENT BLUEPRINT
Part 6: "The Emerging Order"
11. Tabachnik, "Samuel Rodriguez and the Oak Initiative," Ibid.
12. See "Mainstreaming Dominionism," http://herescope.blogspot.com/2010/05/mainstreaming-dominionism.html