Flipping Tables: Why Christians Think They Should Rule
Host: Monte Mader
Release Date: May 14, 2025
In the episode titled "Why Christians Think They Should Rule," Monte Mader delves deep into the ideological underpinnings of Christian nationalism, particularly focusing on Dominion Theology and the Seven Mountains Mandate. This comprehensive exploration traces the origins, key figures, and modern manifestations of these movements, highlighting their profound impact on American society and politics.
1. Introduction to Dominion Theology and the Seven Mountains Mandate
Monte begins by examining Dominion Theology, a belief system asserting that Christians are divinely mandated to control various societal spheres. She references Genesis 1:28 as the foundational scripture often cited by proponents:
"Genesis 1:28 says God blessed them and said to them, be fruitful and increase in number. Fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds in the sky, and over every living creature that moves on the ground."
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She critiques how this verse is misinterpreted to justify political and cultural dominance rather than its original context of stewardship over nature. Monte also introduces the Seven Mountains Mandate, which expands Dominion Theology into seven key areas of influence: religion, family, education, government, media, arts and entertainment, and business. She asserts:
"The Mandate is the idea that Christians are called to control the seven spheres or mountains of influence in the world."
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2. Historical Origins: The 1970s and Rushduni's Influence
Monte traces the formalization of Dominion Theology to the 1970s, highlighting the contributions of R.J. Rushduni, a pivotal figure in the Christian Reconstructionist movement. Rushduni's seminal work, The Institutes of Biblical Law (1973), advocated for a theocratic society governed strictly by biblical principles. Monte summarizes his core teachings:
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Biblical Law as Civil Law:
"Rush Juni argued that Old Testament law, including civil codes in Leviticus and Deuteronomy, should be the foundation of modern government."
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Theonomy and Dominion Theology:
"He was a pioneer of Dominion theology, the belief that Christians are mandated by God to rule over society."
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Post Millennialism:
"The belief that Christ will return after a golden age on earth, achieved through Christian dominion."
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Christian Education and Anti-Public Schools Stance:
"He despised public education, viewing it as a tool for secular indoctrination."
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Rejection of Democracy and Pluralism:
"Rush Juni believed that democracy was fundamentally flawed and favored a biblical republic."
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Monte emphasizes the extreme and theocratic nature of Rushduni's ideology, which laid the groundwork for modern Christian nationalist movements.
3. Key Figures: Bill Bright and Lauren Cunningham
Bill Bright
Monte introduces Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ (now Cru), as a significant influencer in popularizing Dominion Theology. Born in 1921 in Oklahoma, Bright transitioned from a successful businessman to a full-time evangelist after a personal conversion. Monte critiques his methods:
"Campus Crusade staff were required to raise their own salaries. So there was a lot of controversy over that."
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He highlights Bright's role in blending evangelicalism with political activism during the Cold War, reinforcing the notion of America as a Christian nation opposed to atheistic communism.
Lauren Cunningham
Lauren Cunningham, founder of Youth with a Mission (YWAM), is portrayed as another cornerstone in the Seven Mountains Mandate's formation. Born in 1935 in California, Cunningham's ministry emphasized aggressive evangelism and cultural infiltration:
"Youth with a mission quickly became one of the largest short term mission organizations in the world... Many ex-workers reported spiritual abuse and cult-like control tactics."
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Monte draws parallels between Cunningham's methods and historical religious colonialism, underscoring the long-standing patterns of cultural imperialism within these movements.
4. Evolution into the Seven Mountains Mandate
The Seven Mountains Mandate emerged in 1975 when Bill Bright and Lauren Cunningham independently claimed divine revelations to influence the seven societal spheres. Monte describes their vision as a strategic attempt to embed Christian principles deeply into American culture and governance.
"The seven mountains that Christians are supposed to rule are religion, family, education, government, media, arts and entertainment, and business."
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She highlights how this mandate transitioned from a spiritual vision to a political blueprint, especially during the Trump era, emphasizing figures like Lance Walnut who framed political engagement as spiritual warfare.
5. Modern Influences and Key Proponents
Monte identifies contemporary leaders who have propelled the Seven Mountains Mandate into mainstream politics:
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Lance Walnut:
A business consultant turned charismatic preacher, Walnut has been instrumental in merging the mandate with political strategy. He authored God's Chaos Candidate (2016), positioning Donald Trump as a divinely appointed leader."He popularized this in modern culture... He prophesied that Trump's second term... but when it didn't happen, he reframed it as a spiritual role."
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Peter Wagner and Greg Bonson:
Wagner's emphasis on apostles and prophets governing society, combined with Bonson's presuppositional apologetics, have fortified the movement's intellectual and theological foundations.
Monte criticizes their approaches, particularly noting how Bonson's arguments undermine secular morality by tying it exclusively to divine authority.
6. Manifestations in American Politics and Society
Monte details how the Seven Mountains Mandate infiltrates various aspects of American life:
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Education:
Advocates push for school vouchers and Christian-controlled curricula, aiming to undermine public education."School vouchers are taking hold... They oppose evolution, LGBTQ rights, and racial history."
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Media and Entertainment:
Efforts to create alternative Christian media outlets and influence mainstream media narratives are highlighted."They are building alternative media empires from Christian films like God's Not Dead to social media platforms like Truth Social."
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Government and Business:
Influencing political appointments and promoting Christian values within corporate leadership structures."They seek to establish a theocratic republic where biblical law is the legal foundation."
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Monte underscores the movement's strategic focus on gaining control over key societal institutions to enforce their ideological agenda.
7. Criticisms and Dangers to Democracy
Monte warns of the inherent threats posed by Dominion Theology and the Seven Mountains Mandate:
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Erosion of Religious Liberty:
The movement rejects the separation of church and state, aiming to make Christianity the state religion."They do not believe in religious freedom... anything that does not give Christianity power is seen as persecution."
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Undermining Equality:
Opposition to gender equality, LGBTQ rights, and racial equality is central, with proponents advocating for rigid traditional roles and even endorsing extreme measures like capital punishment for perceived moral offenses."They believe that women should have as many babies as possible and should be subordinate to men."
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Promotion of White Supremacy:
The movement intertwines with white nationalist ideologies, advocating for white Christian supremacy."They do not support human rights because they don't believe everyone has them."
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Monte highlights how these beliefs manifest in policies aimed at restricting civil rights and promoting discriminatory practices.
8. Call to Action: Knowledge and Awareness
Concluding the episode, Monte emphasizes the necessity of educating oneself to combat the pervasive influence of Christian nationalism:
"Knowledge is your most valuable weapon and time is your most important resource. Do not lose track of those."
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She urges listeners to build personal libraries, engage in critical thinking, and remain vigilant against the movement's attempts to consolidate power through misinformation and propaganda.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
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Dominion Theology Introduction:
"The Mandate is the idea that Christians are called to control the seven spheres or mountains of influence in the world."
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Critique of Genesis 1:28 Interpretation:
"Genesis is fiction... We've been fruitful, we've multiplied, we've filled the earth. It does not mean that we have to do that in perpetuity."
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Impact of Rushduni's Teachings:
"His vision was for a theocratic society governed by Christian principles... which is why it's so dangerous today."
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Bill Bright's Controversies:
"Campus Crusade staff were required to raise their own salaries. So where did that money go?"
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Seven Mountains Mandate's Goals:
"Their belief is that once Christians have established dominion over all seven areas of society, they will be able to establish the kingdom of God on earth."
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Conclusion
Monte Mader's "Why Christians Think They Should Rule" offers a thorough analysis of the theological and political strategies employed by Christian nationalist movements. By tracing their historical roots, examining key figures, and outlining their modern-day influence, she provides listeners with a critical understanding of how these ideologies threaten democratic principles and societal equality. The episode serves as a clarion call for awareness, urging individuals to arm themselves with knowledge to resist the encroachment of theocratic ambitions in American governance and culture.