Dominion Theology

Most of us have often wondered where the press and others get the idea that Christians want to take over the country and run it in a biblical manner. The answer is Dominion theology, which is a growing error in the church. Dominionism is also called Christian Reconstructionism. It is the seizure of worldwide power by the church, and they teach that it is the only means that the world can be rescued. Christians are to create a worldwide kingdom patterned after the Old Testament Mosaic law. After the world has been rescued, Christ can then return to rule and reign. Most Dominionists have discounted the possibility of a rapture, having rejected pre-millennialism, mid-tribulation and the post-tribulation rapture of the church. This, then, is the post-millennialism of the Catholic church as well as many protestant churches.

Dominion theology says that when Adam sinned mankind lost dominion over the earth, but God also lost control over the earth to Satan. Since that time God has been looking for a covenant people who will be His extension or expression in the earth to take it back from Satan. So it is the church that God will use to take dominion back from Satan. Dominionists say this is what the Great Commission means. Dominion of the earth will be taken control of by believers yielding themselves to the authority of latter-day apostles and prophets. They will eventually control society, church, politics and the governments of the world. This world would then be based on biblical principles and would also result in a New World Order and one world church.
The truth is that the Bible no where tells us to take anything from Satan. The great commission means exactly what it says, Mark 16:15-16, And he said unto them, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." Nothing is said in the great commission about us taking back dominion of the world from Satan. When Jesus comes at the second coming, He is the one who will put Satan in his place, Revelation 20:2-3. Dominionists are looking at Genesis 1:26 wrong. It is the natural world that mankind is given authority over. That is the dominion that was lost when Adam fell into sin. God was the one ruling over mankind at that time and he will once again rule over mankind when Jesus returns at the second coming and establishes His millennial kingdom. In the first four books of the New Testament Christ always preached the gospel of the kingdom, His coming kingdom, which the Jews rejected but He will establish this kingdom at His second coming.

Here is a partial list of groups that incorporate dominion theology in various ways. The Kingdom Now, The New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) which claims God is restoring the offices of Prophet and Apostle to church governance, Third Wave, Latter Rain, Joel’s Army, Manifest Sons of God, Charismatic Renewal, Charismania.

Dominion theology declares that the Kingdom of God is literal and physical and is to be advanced on earth today. It is taught that men can and must be coerced or compelled to enter the kingdom.
The truth is that we have to be born again to enter the kingdom and none of us can force anyone to be saved. Salvation is an individual choice and comes only by grace through faith, Ephesians 2:8-9. God no where asks us to coerce and/or compel anyone to be saved. Christians are to preach the gospel of salvation to the world and wait for the return of Jesus who will rescue all Christians from the wrath of God. We are simply told to preach the gospel to the world, warning others about the judgment to come, 1 Thessalonians 1:10.

Dominionism also teaches that the Church must grow past the Gospel of Salvation and begin to implement the principles of the Gospel of the kingdom. Then we will begin to see a change in lives, cities, and nations.
The truth is that God has never asked Christians to implement the gospel of the kingdom. Christ came preaching the Gospel of the kingdom to the Jews to whom it was promised and they rejected him, Mark 8:31. Jesus will come to the Jews again during the tribulation and at the end they will all be saved and then Jesus Himself will set up the kingdom (Millennial kingdom) that He preached to the Jews in the four Gospels.
Jesus also said that His kingdom was not of this world and if it were His servants would fight, John 18:36. Instead He gave the great commission which is to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature, Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20. When He sent the disciples out to witness for Him He said for to depart from that house or city that would not receive nor hear their words and never mentioned anything about coercing or compelling one into the kingdom of God, Matthew 10:14. We are only asked to preach the gospel of salvation and nothing is said about taking the world over, Mark 16:15.

Dominion theology tells us that when we have taken over the world then Christ will return.
The truth is that this isn't possible since in Matthew 7:14 we are told that straight is the gate and narrow is the way and there are few that find it. This means that we can not see the world taken over by Christians since there will be few that enter into the kingdom. On the other hand He said that the gate is wide and broad is the road that leads to destruction in Matthew 7:13. Then in Matthew 7:15 He says to beware of false prophets that come to us in sheep's clothing but inwardly they are ravening wolves which is the position of those of dominion theology. God did not tell us to take over the world for Him but to set our minds on the things above, Colossians 3:1-2, and wait for the second coming of Jesus, Philippians 3:20.

Dominion theology teaches that Jesus, because of His death and resurrection, reversed the curse that took place from Adam's fall, gaining dominion which he gave back to believers, with the responsibility to restore all that was lost in order to defeat every enemy and bring the whole world into the restored Kingdom.
The truth is that nothing could be farther from the truth. A reversal of the curse has not been seen to this day and will not be seen until Jesus comes back at the second coming. After the second coming Jesus Himself will set up His Kingdom. If we had a reversal of the curse today we could overcome death and everything else and that isn't happening.

Dominion theology teaches that God is giving new instructions to the church today, even new Scripture.
The truth is that God's word is forever fixed and can not be added to or taken away from, Revelation 22:18-19.

Liberation Theology, which is a branch of Dominionism, says that we are to take over the powers of darkness, to take over demons and dominate Satan. They use words like binding Satan, binding demons, and pleading the blood against demons.
The truth is the Bible does not teach this. When we are given the armor of God in Ephesians 6:10-19 we are told to stand and it says nothing about advancing against the powers of darkness or binding of anything or anyone. None of the Apostles were seen binding Satan, demons nor pleading the blood against demons. The only thing they did with demons is command them to leave. Those teaching dominion theology teach that the church is go establish the kingdom of God on earth and then Jesus will return. This is a false teaching since Jesus will establish the kingdom at His second coming. When Jesus comes at his second coming He will take care of Satan, Revelation 20:2-3. As one can see from Revelation 11:15 it is only after Jesus returns that the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdom of our Lord.

Generally speaking, those who use a form of Dominionism also practice Replacement theology. These see the church as having replaced Israel and that God has no further use for Israel. The truth is that they fail to recognize that God isn't through with Israel. For the truth about Israel and the Church see our article on Israel and the Church and the other one on The Church and Anti-Semitism.

This is a short look at Dominionism and much more could be added. This is enough to see that it rests upon a completely distorted view of God's Word. God never commanded the Church to take over the world but He did command Christians to spread the gospel of salvation, Matthew 28:19-20. Jesus Christ at His second coming will implement the worldwide reform. Dominion theolgy is a dangerous teaching and one to be avoided. Even so, Dominion theology and Christian Reconstructionism is spreading.