 |
| Dominionism! available HERE |
Reviewed by Sarah H. Leslie
Dominionism!
How Unbiblical Action Can Change The Churches
A book authored by Dr. Orrel Steinkamp and Sandy Simpson
Dominionism is the idea of building a paradise on earth. It is zealously espoused by both the political Right and the political Left, and each side agitates with a religious fervor for their versions of the cause. Dominionism claims to save the earth, not individual souls in need of redemption by Jesus Christ. In order to achieve its utopian goals, Dominionism believes that the ends justify the means. Dominionist leaders are intent on transforming political, social, religious and cultural institutions in order to foment their revolution. They champion new and old forms of totalitarianism to attain results. Their final solution is planetary transformation. Various Christian and New Age versions of Dominionism include the idea of mankind achieving godhood, thus perfecting the planet, and they've shown they are willing to work together, converging their politics. But in the process you will have to give up your rights and freedoms.
Given the significant increase in Dominionism as a religious force for transformation in society, the recent book Dominionism! published by Sandy Simpson at Deception in the Church is timely and needed.
Full disclosure: There are several chapters in this book Dominionism! that were authored by me. Also I was supposed to have assisted in the editing of this book; however family life circumstances the past few years kept me from being able to work on this project. Furthermore, Dr. Steinkamp and I originally intended to publish our six-part article series, either as 6 more chapters in this manuscript or as its own book(let). These six articles remain published as posts on Herescope and they supplement the information contained in the book Dominionism!:
Part 1: The PASSION of the PRESENCE & the Purpose of the Passion:
Part 2: “Presence” Eschatology
Part 3: Bridal Eschatology
Part 4: The Perfectly Obedient Bride
Part 5: The 2nd Coming of the “Presence”
Part 6: The Battled Bride
 |
| C. Peter Wagner letter, August 20, 2007 |
Dominionism! Described
The Preface of Dominionism! states that "the title and cover art of this work are a play off of the book by C. Peter Wagner," the chief "apostle" who set up the New Apostolic Reformation movement (NAR) several decades ago. In 2008 Wagner published his book with its audacious and aggressive dominion agenda for the Christian church aptly titled Dominion! How Kingdom Action Can Change the World. Wagner spelled out a radical political, religious and social transformation agenda. His landmark book set up the blueprint for a unique form of Church Dominionism he called "building the 7 Mountains" (see graphic above) that described the Church taking over "7 spheres" of culture. This agenda that would go on to shape the evangelical church world with its potent leaven for the next decade.
Incredibly, in retrospect we note that C. Peter Wagner got a free pass from the Christian media, the mainstream media, and so-called conservative church leaders in the evangelical world who all should have opposed him. Rather, by the time Wagner published his book Dominion! most of evangelicaldom was already being seduced by the doctrines and practices of Dominionism. Who wrote about C. Peter Wagner, warning about his agenda? A handful of Leftists who were concerned about his overt political agenda, and a handful of online discernment ministries such as DITC. That's it!
 |
| Wagner's book |
During that time we were all observing the formative years of the New Apostolic Reformation. C. Peter Wagner had just connected the "Kansas City Prophets" with John Wimber. Promise Keepers and the Toronto and Brownsville laughing phenomena were all taking off. These groups were coalescing and spinning new theologies. There was a flagrant exuberance as the old Pentecostals crossed over to become full-fledged adherents to the Charismatic movement, complete with its "signs and wonders" and claims of health and wealth. Ordinary evangelical church folks began succumbing to many of these teachings, especially via the indoctrination of the evangelical media and music industry. Calling this larger movement "the River," the stated goal of its leaders was to flood their heresies into every denomination and church group, thereby "breaking down the walls." Musical lyrics took on Dominionist themes and pretty soon young people were singing new doctrines. Bethel became a household word. This dissemination of corrupt theology is how the leaven of the New Apostolic Reformation infiltrated most of the church world. It was wildly successful.
The history of this movement is important. Dominionism! explains both the roots and the fruits of the modern-day Dominionism. As the book notes,
many churches have already been changed by accepting the false teachings that constitute Dominionism.... Dominionism is one of the "footholds" the enemy has in the churches today.... Churches need to be made aware that the precepts of Dominionism have made their way into every gateway left unguarded by Christian leaders. Those gateways include much worship music, many Bible study programs, a number of online sermon notes, many women's meeting study guides, some available youth programs, magazines put out by Word of Faith and New Apostolic sources, ecumenical prayer efforts, and of course "Christian" TV.
 |
| (Deception in the Church website) |
To compile this book Sandy Simpson carefully selected key writings that he and Dr. Steinkamp authored during the time period that the dominion agenda unfolded. These articles have been turned into chapters for Dominionism! The chapters represent both describe the heresy and contrast it to biblical doctrine. Key concepts such as Kingdom Now, spiritual warfare, the Word-Faith connection, eschatology, and signs and wonders are explained and refuted.
Dominionism! serves as a handy overview. The concerned reader who really wants to get to the historical meat of the matter will want to use this book as a research tool to delve into the many Internet articles and posts that are cited. Unfortunately, the hyperlinks don't carry over, but it is possible to search out the referenced material and footnotes to find more reading. Most of these chapters have been previously published online which makes this process easier.
The Truth:
Sandy Simpson sums up the crux of the problem in his Conclusion:
The true work of world evangelism is basically over, having occurred from the mid 1850's through the mid 1950's. What has been happening since then is a apostatizing of Biblical truth accompanied by a shoveling in of all kinds of heresies to fill the void. When an organization takes the Gospel out of the equation, it will, as has been observed, try to fill that void with programs and ideas of saving the planet and taking over everything for Christ.
"And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven,
having the everlasting Gospel
to preach unto them that dwell on the earth,
and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.
Saying with a loud voice,
'Fear God, and give glory to Him;
for the hour of His judgment is come:
and worship Him that made heaven, and earth,
and the sea, and the fountains of waters.'"
(Revelation 14:6-7)
having the everlasting Gospel
to preach unto them that dwell on the earth,
and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.
Saying with a loud voice,
'Fear God, and give glory to Him;
for the hour of His judgment is come:
and worship Him that made heaven, and earth,
and the sea, and the fountains of waters.'"
(Revelation 14:6-7)
The book Dominionism! can be acquired HERE.
For further reading see the key article "7 Mountain Politics and Theology" and follow the many article links.