Emergent Monday: NAR Dominionism and the Presidential Race

I have some good news and some bad news. The good news is that in presidential politics the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) is a complete and utter failure. The bad news is that they don't realize this fact and are not stopping in their attempt to "retake the reins of our country"

I've covered the antics of the NAR in the past here, and here. and here, and here, and here, and here, and here, and here, and here, and here, and now we're back again for more. Do not get me wrong, I firmly believe that a man with a strong biblical background and a deep love for God will be an awesome president, but I do not believe a cult member or someone with ties to a dominionist cult could be anything more than the disaster we're trying to replace. The NAR is quickly becoming one of the most dangerous producers of false teachings that ever hid behind the banner of Christianity. I am not kidding when I say that the NAR is plotting an overthrow of the entire world world. They would rather rule the world than listen to the word of God when He said 

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2)

Back in 2009 it was revealed that Newt Gingrich had developed ties to the NAR appearing alongside the NAR's "apostle" Lew Engle at a "Rediscovering God In America" conference where Engle laid hands upon Gingrich and prayed for God's protection for him. But Newt's ties to dominion overthrow go further back than that, Back in 1994 Newt made it clear that he was committed to the "Third Way" which, of course, is another tentacle of the hydra that is the NAR.

Newt Gingrich eventually ran for president in 2012, an election where only a concerted effort of failure could cause any person to loose when running against the most incompetent president this country has ever had. Newt maintained his NAR ties during that faltering effort by visiting the "Holy Ghost Bartender" Rodney Howard Brown at Brown's River Church in Tampa, Florida. Why am I bringing this up about Newt? Mostly because recently he's become Donald Trump's top cheer leader, and now there's even talk about Newt becoming Trump's running mate.

Gingrich wasn't the NAR's only entry in the 2012 race, Rick Perry was actually the NAR's primary pony, and they invested a lot of effort in him. A LOT of effort in him. But as we know, he dropped out in 2012, and went down in flames again in 2015. So where does that leave the NAR in 2016?

It looks like the NAR is all in for Ted Cruz this year. To begin with Ted's father Rafael Bienvenido Cruz has been an evangelical preacher since 1975 but has never led a congregation. Cruz' ministry focuses on preaching to groups of pastors. In a sermon in 2012 at an Irving, Texas, megachurch that helped elect Ted Cruz to the United States Senate, Cruz' father Rafael Cruz indicated that his son was among the evangelical Christians who are anointed as "kings" to take control of all sectors of society.  During a 2012 sermon at New Beginnings Church in Bedford, Texas, Rafael Cruz described his son’s political campaign as a direct fulfillment of biblical prophecy.

Not one to disappoint, Ted Cruz has embraced dominionism, his goal is to lead a Christian occupation of the culture. He is part of the belief that Christians must take dominion over seven aspects of culture: family, religion, education, media, entertainment, business and government. This is called the Seven Mountains. His campaign is fueled by dominionism and it's truly hard to find good information on Ted Cruz' intentions, the left wing has thrown up a smoke screen of hate and hysteria that taints almost all information. So as Dianne Marshall at The Marshall Report says, 

This is not my trashing of Cruz, this  is my  WARNING to all who believe that his evangelical roots are the same as yours.  Always look at the roots, don’t be confused by the branches.  All trees have them.  Look at the roots. If you believe in these things, so be it. I can not follow anyone who has come to me with another doctrine than the one in the gospel.

And deep down at the root of of the matter is this - in late January Mike Bickle endorsed Ted Cruz for president, an endorsement that the Cruz campaign is proud of. Bickle is founder of the International House of Prayer, a cult that claims to be Christian in Kansas City MO. The Cruz campaign failed to mention that IHOP is a leading organisation in the NAR. Ted is no dummy, he's been in politics long enough to know that association with the NAR would be poisonous to his campaign. 

And while looking at the tangled roots you should know that just recently Mormon priest and syndicated radio show hypochondriac Glenn Beck announced that God let Antonin Scalia die so America will wake up and elect Cruz. Did the Cruz campaign address this nonsense? They should have but no, they were eerily silent. My guess is that the reason for their endorsement by silence is because David Barton, a frequent guest on the Glenn Beck show and friend of Glenn  runs “Keep the Promise,” a multimillion-dollar Cruz super-PAC.  He’s one of Cruz’s most trusted advisers. Back in 2011, Barton said that if Christians were going to successfully “take the culture” they would need to control these seven areas. “If you can have those seven areas, you can shape and control whatever takes place in nations, continents and even the world.” These seven areas are, of course, the Seven Mountains theology of the New Apostolic Reformation.

As children of God and adopted brothers of Christ we have a job to do, a great comission, so it is not our job to 'rule the world', that's God's job. GotQuestions.org says it more accurately than I ever could:

It is right and good to want to see justice done and biblical principles upheld (Psalm 33:5; Amos 5:15; Micah 6:8). And we are to do everything as unto the Lord (1 Corinthians 10:31). We are salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16), and it is perfectly reasonable for Christians to hold jobs in government and all other areas of society. But “bringing the kingdom of heaven to earth” is not our commission. Our commission is to tell people about the wonderful news that, despite the sick, sinful condition of our souls, God has provided salvation by sacrificing His own Son on our behalf (Romans 5:6-8).

By grace, through faith, we become citizens of a perfect world that will last eternally (Ephesians 2:8-9). Our job is to “rescue those who are perishing; to hold back those stumbling towards slaughter” (Proverbs 24:11). Christian Dominionism seeks to perfect this world by political clout, but it is the Spirit who must bring change (Zechariah 4:6). One day, Jesus will bring His kingdom to earth, in justice and true righteousness, and it will signify the end of this world’s system.