Is Christian dominionism biblical?

Christian dominionism is a theological and political belief that Christians are called to take control over society, governing according to biblical laws. Proponents argue that believers should exert influence over all spheres of life, including politics, culture, and economics, to establish God’s kingdom on earth.

However, a careful examination of Scripture reveals that this ideology lacks biblical support. Instead, the Bible teaches that the kingdom of God is not of this world, and Christians are called to be ambassadors of Christ, not political rulers imposing a theocratic system.

The Nature of God’s Kingdom

Jesus Christ made it clear that His kingdom is not of this world. When standing before Pilate, He stated:

“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'” (John 18:36).

This passage contradicts the dominionist view that Christians must establish a theocratic rule. Jesus did not instruct His followers to seek political power but rather to preach the gospel and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20). The kingdom of God is spiritual, not political or territorial.

Additionally, Jesus consistently emphasized the spiritual nature of His mission. In Luke 17:20-21, He responded to the Pharisees’ question about the coming of the kingdom of God by saying:

“Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, ‘The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, “See here!” or “See there!” For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.'”

This clearly shows that God’s kingdom is not something physically established by human governments but is instead a spiritual reality in the hearts of believers.

The Old Testament and the New Testament: A Change in Governmental Rule

In the Old Testament, God ruled directly over Israel as their King. The nation of Israel was a theocracy, where God provided laws and guidance through prophets, judges, and eventually kings who were meant to rule under His authority.

However, in the New Testament, there is a shift in how governance is structured. Worldly governments rule, and Christians are instructed to be subject to them unless such obedience conflicts with God’s commandments.

Paul writes:

“Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves” (Romans 13:1-2).

Unlike Israel, which was directly ruled by God under the old covenant, the New Testament shows believers living under various earthly governments. Christians are not commanded to overthrow these governments or establish a theocracy but to live in obedience to the laws of the land while remaining faithful to God.

The civil law given to Israel was specific to their covenant with God and was never intended to be imposed on all nations that do not believe in Him. Therefore, the New Testament Church operates under the world governments.

The Great Commission: Preaching, Not Political Control

Before ascending to heaven, Jesus gave His followers the Great Commission:

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20).

The mission of the church is not to dominate governments but to spread the gospel. Nowhere in Scripture does Jesus command His followers to seize political control. Instead, He calls them to be witnesses to the truth (Acts 1:8) and to be salt and light in the world (Matthew 5:13-16).

Paul reinforced this when he wrote to Timothy:

“Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching” (2 Timothy 4:2).

The role of Christians is to be spiritual leaders and to spread the message of Christ, not to establish earthly rule through political power.

The Role of Christians in Society

Christians are called to live peaceably within society and to obey governing authorities unless such obedience contradicts God’s law. Paul writes:

Paul does not instruct believers to overthrow governments or impose Christian rule. Instead, Christians are encouraged to live in a way that reflects God’s righteousness, influencing society through godly living rather than political force.

At the same time, Christians are called to be discerning. When governing authorities command something contrary to God’s law, obedience to God takes precedence. This is evident in Acts 5:29, where Peter and the apostles declared:

“But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: ‘We ought to obey God rather than men.'”

Thus, while believers should respect authorities, their ultimate allegiance is to God, and they should stand firm in their faith rather than seeking to impose Christianity through political means.

Understanding Christian Dominionism

Christian dominionism often stems from a misunderstanding of the biblical mandate to exercise stewardship over the earth. While Genesis 1:28 states, “Then God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth,'” this command is about stewardship and care for creation, not about political domination.

True dominion reflects God’s character, which is rooted in love, justice, and mercy. It is about serving others and fostering a community that reflects God’s values rather than seeking control or power. The call to dominion should inspire believers to engage positively in society, promoting justice and compassion, rather than seeking to impose their beliefs through force.

Conclusion

Christian dominionism is not biblical. The teachings of Jesus and the apostles emphasize spiritual transformation rather than political control. The Great Commission calls believers to make disciples, not to impose a theocratic rule. The early church did not seek to govern nations but focused on evangelism and living in righteousness.

While Christians are encouraged to be a positive influence in society, their primary mission is to share the gospel and live in obedience to Christ. The kingdom of God is not of this world, and true change comes through the power of the Holy Spirit, not through human governance. Therefore, Christian dominionism is not aligned with the teachings of Scripture.