LTRP Note:In a time when many Christians are extremely concerned, and rightfully so, over the political and moral condition of America,  confusion has arisen over how Christians can have an influence in our society (particularly politically) and yet maintain the integrity of  the true Christian message – the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In an interview this week between radio host Ingrid Schlueter of VCY America and columnist and researcher Sarah Leslie (from Discernment Ministries/Herescope), the two discuss a recent WorldNetDaily article condemning Discernment Ministries for reporting on the heretical and dangerous New Apostolic Reformation leaders and some evangelicals who are promoting them.   Click here to listen to the interview between Ingrid Schlueter and Sarah Leslie.  Click here for a partial transcript of the Schlueter/Leslie interview.

Sarah Leslie describes  Dominionism as the following:

The Gospel of Salvation is achieved by setting up the “Kingdom of God” as a literal and physical kingdom to be “advanced” on Earth in the present age. Some dominionists liken the New Testament Kingdom to the Old Testament Israel in ways that justify taking up the sword, or other methods of punitive judgment, to war against enemies of their kingdom. Dominionists teach that men can be coerced or compelled to enter the kingdom. They assign to the Church duties and rights that belong Scripturally only to Jesus Christ. This includes the esoteric belief that believers can “incarnate” Christ and function as His body on Earth to establish His kingdom rule. An inordinate emphasis is placed on man’s efforts; the doctrine of the sovereignty of God is diminished.1 

Leslie says: 

Throughout the 2000 year history of Christianity there has always been a vein of dominionism embedded in the strata of doctrines. This seam has ebbed and flowed for 20 centuries, sometimes submerged, sometimes exposed. Whenever out in the open, it has given rise to horrible abuses done in the name of Christ. In the early 21^st century, once again this vein is now showing and active. Keep in mind:

• Dominionism is always an aberration of true Christian theology.
• A remnant of believers has always opposed it, often suffering a martyr’s fate at the hands of intolerant dominionists.

Bottom line, while we believe that Christians should behave responsibly and actively (even at times with non-violent civil disobedience and resistance when governmental actions persecute certain groups of people – such as Hitler’s regime in Germany when many Christian resisters hid and protected Jewish people) with regard to government and politics, Christians should be able to recognize the difference between this and a dominionist-type mentality. We understand that this presents some confusion for many believers as to their roles in today’s world – and we pray that those who name the name of Jesus Christ will seek out His wisdom and guidance in this issue.  After you have read the piece below by Ingrid Schlueter of VCY America and hopefully listened to the interview,  please refer to some of our links below for Lighthouse Trails coverage on dominionism.

Worth noting, the evangelical church is absorbing the dominionist mindset through many avenues including the NAR, IHOP, the Purpose Driven, the emerging church, and the contemplative prayer movement. More to come on this in the future.

From VCY America/CrossTalk: 

“The Gospel is More Important than America: A Response to Janet Porter”

Sarah Leslie is an author and researcher, a member of the board of directors of Discernment Ministries and also a member of the Discernment Research Group.

On May 3, Crosstalk aired a program dealing with the May Day event held at the Lincoln Memorial. Ingrid and Sarah brought to listener attention a movement known as the New Apostolic Reformation. The program exposed teachers such as Dutch Sheets, Chuck Pierce, and false “prophetesses” Cindy Jacobs and Stacey Campbell whose teachings revolve around the New Apostolic Reformation. It’s a movement centered around a theology of dominionism that asks for a renewal of America based upon the idea that Christ’s work on the cross wasn’t finished.

Janet Porter of Faith 2 Action was a key organizer of this event. Recently she wrote a piece called, “Christians” for the Separation of Church and State?”where she criticized Discernment Ministries and their herescope blogsite; falsely criticizing them for being “highly critical of any Christian group that engages in any type of political or cultural activity.”

Sarah explains that Porter not only brought in mainstream Christian leaders, but also some of the deceptive leaders from the New Apostolic Reformation, giving them the mainstream recognition they’ve been seeking. Click here to listen to the interview between Ingrid Schlueter and Sarah Leslie. Click here for source and links to the WND articles. Click here for a partial transcript of the Schlueter/Leslie interview.

Lighthouse Trails Research Coverage on Dominionism:

Many Believers in South Africa are Jumping on the Bandwagon of Dominionism

A Utopian Kingdom and Global Healing?

Jesus Camp Film Reveals the Mystical and the Militant, Not Biblical Christianity

Is the Church the New Israel?

Kingdom Now Theology

Dominionism: The New Christian Fascism?