I am wondering what you all think about the current uptick in the Seven Mountians or Seven Pillars teaching that is popular in Charismatic circles right now? How can one compare and contrast this in a loving logical manner with what Jesus taught about the Kingdom of God? Are there any resources from the Kingdom Churches or Anabaptist sources you could recommend?
Thank you. I will look into this group. I appreciate the help in the journey. God bless.
I'm not familiar with it, but I looked into it briefly. Broadly speaking, it's entirely based on a misunderstanding of the Kingdom of God. John 18:36 comes to mind:
Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.”
Yet Seven Mountains Theology would have Christians take "dominion" over various areas in this world, including Government, Media, & Education. For what purpose? If Christians "invade" the Seven Mountains, is it not to "protect" Jesus & Christianity? This is not the kingdom Jesus introduced.
Don't know of any resources directly addressing this from Anabaptist/Kingdom perspective. However, if the groundwork of the true Kingdom of God, separation from the world, etc. is understood, Seven Mountains Theology falls flat; so resources related to that may be useful.
Thank you for the reply. It is a hard one for me to discuss as I get pushback with verses like we are told to occupy until He comes and the whole dominion idea--which I see as over the earth and animals not the governments, financial, etc...but they do not see it that way.
I will look back at the courses. I may need to review the two kingdoms teaching again.
I appreciate the guidance😇.
I think it's definitely important to lay the groundwork for a proper view the Kingdom of God; at the same time, we do need a direct answer to the proof-texts 7M/dominionists use to support their position.
Occupy!
I assume you were referring to Luke 19:13, which in the KJV reads:
And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.
This is a classic case of the meaning of the text being obscured due to the archaic language used by the KJV. Modern translations render the meaning more clearly:
"Occupy" has an obsolete meaning of: "To do business in; to busy oneself with." (source); it was in this sense the KJV used the word. Taking the correct sense of the word, combined with the context of the parable, the straightforward meaning of the verse is that we should use the things God has given us for his glory, and not bury/hide them. Nothing about "occupying mountains of government."
Dominion
You're correct in your understanding of dominion. In the context of Genesis 1, God was giving this command to Adam & Eve; at that time, they were the only humans on earth. It seems unreasonable to believe God was giving a present-tense command to have dominion over other humans and human systems, when none of those existed at that time.
Nevertheless, this is one of those passages that if someone is dead-set on twisting it to fit their preconceived ideas, no amount of arguing about the meaning of the verse is likely to convince them. What's needed is an honest look at the totality of scripture; God "is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" (Hebrews 11:6).
May God give you grace as you seek to "contend earnestly for the faith that was once and for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 3).
