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Jimmy Linville | PentecostalTheology.com
Several weeks ago it was brought to my attention, after me posting some daily devotions from Os Hillman, that he had sided up with some Dominion Theology people, I was given a site to check out. Mean while I stopped posting his teachings on this particular board, until I was finished checking the site and Os Hillman out. I have checked the site out and have checked out Mr Hillman. I not only read a bunch of Os Hillmans material, looking for what the article accused him of.
Other than me seeing where Os Hillman was tied into the 7 Cultural Mountains and what it stands for, I did not find any of his teachings where I felt like or believed he was into Dominion Theology, that said I thought it would be good if I ask him about this stuff. I called him got his answering machine, I left my name and phone number. It took him a couple of weeks but he did return my call. We spoke for close to an hour concerning his beliefs and the teachings.
I ask him point blank questions and he answered every question without hesitating. I promise you his answers were nothing like that article said. The only thing that was as the article said was he admitted he knew the men the article said. I ask him about being tied into NAR or New Age, he denied either, he said he didn’t know what NAR was all about and as to New Age he said he is totally against any part of it. I ask about dominion theology, He said he does not teach or believe in dominion theology, he said, first it’s unbiblical, while he said the bible does mention dominion, but because people have freewill’s it would be ridicules and wrong, to try and teach that anyone would or should believe in Dominion Theology.
I ask him about the men he was tied into with, he said he does not belong to any organization nor does he belong to any particular church as far as Peter Wagoner he hasn’t see him for years and the one man that did start with the dominion stuff he disfellowshiped with him years ago. He said because he does not believe in that. He did say the man has some strange beliefs that he couldn’t agree with. As to the other two men that started the 7 Mountains of culture he explain how that came about and said he doesn’t agree with everything they do but in all fairness that teaching has been totally misunderstood and said to be something that it’s not. He reiterated several answers to questioned asked on a Question answer site of his. You can go here and read it,
http://www.7culturalmountains.org/pages.asp?pageid=107994 also you can read his beliefs here as well.
I ask him about where I read that they don’t believe in the rapture or they believe that there will be no rapture until they have full control of the planet earth thus “Dominionism”. He said, well, I am not a theologian but I do believe in the rapture and it’s foolishness to say he doesn’t or that he has anything to do with trying to dominate the earth. He said he does not believe that nor teach it. He said he doesn’t teach the rapture because he’s thinks for many it leads them to escape mentality. He think they would do better to be taught to solving societal problems through love, compassion and service as following the example of Jesus Christ.
We discussed quite a bit of things, I am confident because of the much materials of HIS that I have read the pass few weeks and the conversation we had, there is no reason for me to believe he’s in to Dominion Theology, New age or anything thing like that. He said that he’s willing to come speak to any group and answer any questions that they might have about him and his ministry, he stated his calling was and is to the Market place. There is much more I could say but I think this should put fears to rest that this man is not into Dominion Theology or New Age ect. I believe the man was honest with me and I didn’t sense at anytime during our conversation that he was hiding or not willing to talk about anything I ask him.
I will continue posting his material on my Facebook until I see where he’s getting off base and getting into Dominion Theology, New Age or whatever. I won’t post his material in here anymore unless I have permission to do so by the owner of this board.
Lord Bless,
Jimmy
Joey Kelly
You’ve done your homework, at least.
BarbaraGail Brady
Jimmy Linville,Can and will you help me to have and be able to understand what you will be telling me to and get a CLEAR understanding of what “DOMINION THEOLOGY” ACTUALLY IS !
I just don’t know IF I know ANYTHING about WHAT IT IS ,but I DO want to know 🙂 !
Lonnie Dinius
Good for you Jimmy! Not many people would do what you did. I know that Dr. Walter Martin made a point to talk to people who were teaching false doctrine. Accusing someone of something that isn’t true is sin. I think I have mentioned in this group before that being in apologetics and addressing false doctrine and teachers we need to make sure that what we are passing on is true. I take this very seriously. The two things I hate personally more than anything is having my integrity challenged and being falsely accused of something.
Thanks for sharing this Jimmy. I think we should all take this to heart.
Jeff Rouff
I’m curious Jimmy. Why does he teach the 7 mountain stuff? It isn’t biblical and fits right into the dominion theology.
Jeff Rouff
One last thought. Where in Scripture are we called to serve the culture? This is what he believes. It’s on the link you provided.
Jeff Rouff
Once more, Jesus wasn’t concerned about changing the culture. He knew Satan was the god of this world. He focused on individual lives and the condition of their hearts. He was interested in people in spite of the culture they were living in. He did absolutely nothing to try and change the culture around him. He went after individual souls.
Jeff Rouff
With Jesus the culture was never even given a thought. It was always individual lives. The problem with the 7 mountain mandate is twofold. One it is not in Scripture. Two it is focused on the wrong thing. The origin of it was outside of the Bible. It came through a revelation to 3 men who received a “plan” that was not found in the Bible.
Jimmy Linville
Jeff Rouff I’m curious Jimmy. Why does he teach the 7 mountain stuff? It isn’t biblical and fits right into the dominion theology.
Answer,
Jeff you can call him with these question if you like, it would be better if you ask him. I thought the answers to the questions took care of that. (Q.A. on his page)
Jeff Rouff One last thought. Where in Scripture are we called to serve the culture? This is what he believes. It’s on the link you provided.
Answer,
I am not sure what your interpretation of Culture is Jeff.
Webster says this… the beliefs, customs, arts, etc., of a particular society, group, place, or time
: a particular society that has its own beliefs, ways of life, art, etc.
: a way of thinking, behaving, or working that exists in a place or organization (such as a business)
What he told me was in line with this definition, or what he reached out to the work area with, Christian beliefs.
You know, I owned and ran a Construction Company for nearly 15 years. Without me even knowing this Os Hillman or any of the people he knows, the Lord directed me to use the Company, as a tool to reach out to other construction company’s with Christian values in business, and that’s what I did. Believe me, in that culture the gospel is needed. It was the Christian company owners that was the most crooked. Some of the Contractors I subbed-out to went to the church I did, they were the worst to deal with, it was a though they separated their Christianity from the secular. If I reached them with running their business as a Christian and run a Christian business do you think it would change their surroundings and the people they dealt with, thus changing the culture they lived and worked in? Sure it would and that is exactly what my goal in sharing the word and how to live and run a Godly business was. Now, does that make me a Dominionist? No it doesn’t. That’s also what Os explained to me he was doing. He also said (believe I mentioned it) that what he’s doing has been totally misunderstood and that the word Dominion has been totally twisted to say something he is not teaching.
But again, you can call him if you would like, he will respond to you. If you want his number, message me and I will give you the one he used to call me.
Jeff Rouff Once more, Jesus wasn’t concerned about changing the culture. He knew Satan was the god of this world. He focused on individual lives and the condition of their hearts. He was interested in people in spite of the culture they were living in. He did absolutely nothing to try and change the culture around him. He went after individual souls.
answer,
I don’t believe anyone would say that telling the gospel and living for God and living Godly lives won’t change a culture. It would be ludicrous to think it won’t, because it does.
Jeff Rouff With Jesus the culture was never even given a thought. It was always individual lives. The problem with the 7 mountain mandate is twofold. One it is not in Scripture. Two it is focused on the wrong thing. The origin of it was outside of the Bible. It came through a revelation to 3 men who received a “plan” that was not found in the Bible.
Answer,
I think I explained he admits he knows these guys and I think it was one of them he pulled away from them, and he stated that he doesn’t believe everything they say.
Jeff Rouff
The Bible tells us that Satan is the god of this age. That is why the world which we see is falling apart all around us. The world, the culture, the people of this time worship Satan and are deceived by him. He has blinded their eyes and their belief in his deception is permeating and infiltrating every area of society. The seven mountain mandate causes people to focus their efforts on changing one of those spheres of influence by being an influence within that sphere to affect and change the rest of the society and culture. The goal is to ultimately change the culture in order to bring about a Christian era which reigns upon the earth. Why else would you try so hard to change the culture unless the goal was to bring about the kingdom of God upon the earth? I’ve read MUCH about this 7 mountain mandate as well as being involved with people who are heavily involved in it. It IS dominionism no matter how much they say to the contrary. When you focus so intently on these 7 spheres you end up losing perspective. You lose sight of the people and communities all around you. Jesus never tried to affect the Jewish establishment. He never tried to affect the Roman Empire. His sight was set upon individuals. They in turn affected many others but the culture was NEVER changed. Not the Jewish hierarchy. Not the Roman Empire. Not the society at large. While certain businesses such as yours may have achieved some success (praise God), this has never been the focus of Jesus’ teaching. He didn’t go and try to change the Jewish religion or the Roman government in order to affect and change the larger culture of the day. Changing the “Mountains of Influence” in order to change the society and culture is NOT seen in the way Jesus works. If on occasion it works then great and praise the Lord for it. However, Jesus did not tell us to go about it in that way. Those spheres outlined in the 7 mountain mandate are not what we are told to try and influence and change by going after them exclusively which is what is implied in their strategy. I know that it can look good and sound good on the surface. But if you get into it. Read the materials. Look and listen to the videos online. It’s nothing more than dominion theology repackaged for a new generation to be deceived by. In the book of Acts the disciples affected many in many spheres of influence. The culture or society was never changed as a result. The culture is not changed today either as a result of the gospel. Individual lives. One person at a time. One changed life at time. One family. One neighborhood. If people are changed it really doesn’t matter if culture or society is changed. I wish that all of society and culture would be changed. Unfortunately that will only be accomplished when Jesus returns. Our job is to preach the gospel. Make disciples. Get them ready to inherit His kingdom. Which they will when Jesus returns. Not change society. Jesus will take care of that when He returns. We are to make ready a people who are ready for the Lord when He comes.
Jimmy Linville
Jeff I am aware of what you posted here, I agree with you, that teaching is very dangerous, no argument with me. My things is that I have read and used Hillmans materials, nowhere in his material have I seen where he promotes Dominion Theology, so when I was told that he was tied into it, of course I wanted to check it out and him. I did, and I found no issues with Dominion Theology being taught in his teachings that I have read or posted. I spoke with him I posted what he said to me, I chose to believe he was being truthful. That said, I have posted his material in here for awhile and not one person read anything in his devotions that gave them any ideal he was teaching Dominion Theology, his devotions were overwhelming “Like” according to those who hit the like button, Why, again they either don’t know what Dominion Theology is (and that I don’t believe) or they just didn’t see any of his devotions teaching Dominion Theology. I would and have put his name at the end, (Not every time) but many times and nothing was said and rightfully so.
Tony Perry
http://www.marketplaceleaders.org/7-mountains-video-course/
Tony Perry
Jimmy I don’t believe you meant any harm or that you would bring in heresy lol!
But this is what I found, I believe you gave truth with what Os said on the phone, but something isn’t right with him if this link is true!
Check it out let me know what ya think!
Jeff you had some good info!
Jimmy Linville
Thanks Tony, but I didn’t see anything that hasn’t already been address.
Jeff Rouff
One thing Jimmy. Os promotes the 7 mountain mandate. And the 7 mountain mandate is Dominion theology. You cannot get around that. As for other teachings of his I cannot speak to. But as far as the 7 mountain mandate stuff, he is one of its chief backers.
Jeff Rouff
Another thought is this. Os may be sincere. He can also be sincerely wrong. He is obviously deceived if he can stand behind the 7 mountain mandate mess. And it is a mess. It is a heresy.
Jimmy Linville
Jeff this is a interesting read that comes from Os Hillman. I don’t know how he could be any plainer as to his belief concerning Dominion Theology….Theology of the 7 Mountains
Adam and Eve Were Given Dominion Over their World. Does that mean we can expect the same? No, not exactly.
By Os Hillman
In order to understand what the Bible says about culture and how Christians are to relate to the culture, we must start at the beginning. God’s original intent was for man to rule and reign over the earth, together with Him, by the authority entrusted to them. “The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s; but the earth He has given to the children of men.”1 God blessed them and said, “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.”2
God extended His ownership over everything He created and over the people who lived on the earth. “The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein.”3
This is why Jesus prayed that whatever was in heaven would be manifested on the earth. He was wanting to restore all that had been lost. His desire for His values and people to be represented
in every sphere of society, not because His people are better than others, but because He wants to reveal His love in every human being in every aspect of society. He told the people of Israel this in Deuteronomy 28:13-14:
And the Lord will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be
above only, and not be beneath, if you heed the commandments of
the Lord your God, which I command you today, and are careful to
observe them. So you shall not turn aside from any of the words which
I command you this day, to the right hand or to the left, to go after
other gods to serve them.
Notice that God said they would have greater influence as a result of their obedience to His commands. It was a fruit of obedience not a goal to be achieved. The context of this verse was in Israel’s relationship to other nations. Israel had a problem with adopting the idols of other nations. God said, “Be faithful to Me, and you will be blessed above all nations.”
However, read such words publicly in a pluralistic modern society as today and you might just incite a riot.
I do not believe God’s intent is for Christians to rule the earth;
rather, I believe the New Testament calls us to serve the culture.
How do we reconcile these words with the Bible today? Do these words apply today? What is God’s intent for man and his relationship to culture? I believe a literal interpretation of the Old Testament account is not God’s intent for today. I do not believe God’s intent is for Christians to rule the earth; rather, I believe the New Testament calls us to serve the culture. God determines the fruit of our obedience to love Him and others in the culture. We should not make culture change a goal; it can only be fruit. Jesus never tried to use His authority; instead, He served people by solving their problems. He only exercised His authority over demons and principalities that sought to destroy people. Jesus loved all people, even when He disagreed with them.
An important understanding and distinction must be stated at this point. Dominion, or perhaps a better word to use is influence, is a result of our love and obedience to God, not a goal to be achieved. It is a result of serving those in all aspects of culture. It is the fruit of our obedience. Otherwise we begin to use fleshly strategies to exploit and subjugate others to our way of thinking.
Jesus never sought to have dominion; rather,
He encouraged others to love and obey God.
It is better that we avoid the word dominion in our culture today due to the connotation that comes with this word of control and manipulation of others. It also reminds people of a flawed movement in the body of Christ called dominion theology that caused great harm to many.
On August 19th during a CNN Situation Room broadcast with Wolf Blitzer, Jack Cafferty attempted to tie Michelle Bachman and Rick Perry to dominionsim theology. He took their words out of context, yet the very word “dominion” brought out the worst in the secular media for fear that Christians want to rule the world through a right wing political agenda.
In 1975, Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade, and Loren Cunningham, founder of Youth With a Mission, had lunch together in Colorado. God simultaneously gave each of these change agents a message to give to the other. During that same time frame Francis Schaeffer was given a similar message. That message was that if we are to impact any nation for Jesus Christ, then we would have to affect the seven spheres, or mountains of society that are the pillars of any society.
These seven mountains are business, government, media, arts and entertainment, education, the family and religion. There are many subgroups under these main categories. About a month later the Lord showed Francis Schaeffer the same thing. In essence, God was telling these three change agents where the battlefield was. It was here where culture would be won or lost. Their assignment was to raise up change agents to scale the mountains and to help a new generation of change agents understand the larger story.
The seven mountains initiative is not an initiative to establish dominion over all the earth or in governments. It is not an initiative that does not love and serve all people on the earth nor does it seek to alleviate other faith expressions. As followers of Christ, we believe we are called to love all people, regardless of faith, lifestyle or gender orientation. God loves all people. He provides guidelines for living as found in the Holy Scriptures and we support those guidelines as a people called to love and obey His calling upon our lives. Jesus invites all people into this destiny, but not all will come. We are called to model what Christ taught when He prayed that what was in heaven would be manifested on earth through a people known for their love of one another and others. That means His love and grace would be extended to all people.
When we operate from love and service, we will be attractive to the world.
They will desire to follow. We become solution providers to the issues of mankind.
Jesus solved people’s problems, which resulted in greater influence in people’s
lives. Loren Cunningham once said correctly, “Use your authority and you will lose your influence; use your influence and you will gain authority.”
The world is looking for solutions to problems in society. Christians should be about solving problems. Christ’s message was to give liberty to the captives, not through control or manipulation, but through a self-less non-condemning love the world had never seen or experienced.
Gabe Lyons explains: “Christ’s death and Resurrection were not only
meant to save people from something. He wanted to save Christians to something.
God longs to restore his image in them, and let them loose, freeing them
to pursue his original dreams for the entire world. Here, now, today, tomorrow.
They no longer feel bound to wait for heaven or spend all of their time telling
people what they should believe. Instead, they are participating with God in his
restoration project for the whole world. They recognize that Christ’s redemptive
work is not the end or even the goal of our stories; redemption is the beginning
of our participation in God’s work of restoration in our lives and in the world.
Understanding that one idea literally changes everything.”5
Influence without humility and relationship (with Jesus and others)
means we operate from our individual personal agendas, which is what the evangelical church has done in many instances. Christianity has been guilty of trying to control and manipulate people and culture by many or the same ungodly methods of other groups. Jesus modeled influence while he was on earth by building relationship and solving people’s problems by serving them. Jesus said that if you want to be great, you must be servant of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).
The Samaritan woman is a good case in point. Jesus talked to her. The disciples questioned why Jesus talked to her. Samaritan’s were off limits culturally (not the right political party). She was also a woman, another reason for him not to talk to her. However, Jesus spoke into her life. He built a relationship with her. She was deeply impacted by His words. She went into the city to share her experience. Those in the city came to see Jesus and He spent several days in the city as a result. “And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because or the word of the woman who testified,” He told me all that I ever did'” (JN 4:39).
Notice that culture did not change through a boycott, a political campaign, or a law requiring a certain belief. The truth is, any group that require you to believe the way they believe is a dominionist. That includes Democrats, Republicans, gay activists, environmentalists, a church denomination, etc. The seven mountain strategy is merely a way to be salt and light among a sphere of influence which most defines values and beliefs in the culture.
Darla Stone Smith
An interesting read until the lengthy response. Smh
Jimmy Linville
Sorry, some things can’t be made clear with a few sentences, If I cut some of it out it wouldn’t make sense. 🙂
Jeff Rouff
Don’t have time to comment now Jimmy. All I can say for now (And I will comment more tomorrow) is after reading that, he is talking out of both sides of his mouth. I’ll have to explain more tomorrow. I am sorry that you cannot hear the duplicity in which he speaks. Talk more tomorrow.
Jimmy Linville
Jeff if there was duplicity going on with his speech I think I would have seen it long before this post. He would have to be going at great lengths to conceal his deception. In all his teachings, and stuff he has wrote about, on his site, one would think his trickery would have shown up.The man has said numerous times he does not believe nor teach Dominion Theology. He has put it in writing, verbally to me on the phone and I can only assume verbally to hundred if not thousands. I don’t know what else he could do if anything to convince people who are trapped up in conspiracy theory against him. No matter what the man says, they have it in their head he’s out to deceive people so he can’t even defend his self. I have said my peace, there is a phone number on his site if anyone wants to talk to him call him and share your concerns with him. He would welcome their call, I am sure.
Jeff Rouff
Jimmy, there is duplicity going on with what he said in what you posted above. I will point it out tomorrow.
Todd Davis
Jimmy Linville some people believe everything they read on the internet. Who else has spoken to him that is commenting on this thread except you? No one. I’ll side with you.
Jeff Rouff
Jimmy,
FIRST: I do not believe God’s intent is for Christians to rule the earth;
rather, I believe the New Testament calls us to serve the culture.
Where does it say this in the bible? Where do we see ANYBODY in the scriptures serving the culture in any way?
SECOND: I do not believe God’s intent is for Christians to rule the earth; rather, I believe the New Testament calls us to serve the culture. God determines the fruit of our obedience to love Him and others in the culture. We should not make culture change a goal; it can only be fruit.
This is confusing at best. Like I said above the bible never instructs us to serve the culture. We are to serve one another . Meaning we serve people not the culture. When he says that we should not make culture change a goal but rather a fruit, this means the end desire is for the culture to be changed. This is double talk. And even though he says he does not believe God wants Christians to rule the earth , then, what is the goal of changing the culture at all? The goal would be that the culture is ruled by Christianity. He is talking out of both sides of his mouth in these statements. He is obviously deceived.
THIRD:
An important understanding and distinction must be stated at this point. Dominion, or perhaps a better word to use is influence, is a result of our love and obedience to God, not a goal to be achieved. It is a result of serving those in all aspects of culture. It is the fruit of our obedience. Otherwise we begin to use fleshly strategies to exploit and subjugate others to our way of thinking.
Again, double talk. We love God, to serve culture, to influence culture, to change culture, not to exercise dominion over it. REALLY. This makes sense??? We love God in order to serve culture to change culture but we are not trying to subjugate others to our way of thinking. Come on. Who are we trying to fool here?!
FOURTH:
Jesus never sought to have dominion; rather,
He encouraged others to love and obey God.
This is about the ONLY true thing he has stated at all.
FIFTH:
It is better that we avoid the word dominion in our culture today due to the connotation that comes with this word of control and manipulation of others. It also reminds people of a flawed movement in the body of Christ called dominion theology that caused great harm to many.
Of course he wants to avoid the use of the word dominion. He would rather use the word influence BUT mean the same thing as dominion.
SIXTH: In 1975, Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade, and Loren Cunningham, founder of Youth With a Mission, had lunch together in Colorado. God simultaneously gave each of these change agents a message to give to the other. During that same time frame Francis Schaeffer was given a similar message. That message was that if we are to impact any nation for Jesus Christ, then we would have to affect the seven spheres, or mountains of society that are the pillars of any society.
These seven mountains are business, government, media, arts and entertainment, education, the family and religion. There are many subgroups under these main categories. About a month later the Lord showed Francis Schaeffer the same thing. In essence, God was telling these three change agents where the battlefield was. It was here where culture would be won or lost. Their assignment was to raise up change agents to scale the mountains and to help a new generation of change agents understand the larger story.
The seven mountains initiative is not an initiative to establish dominion over all the earth or in governments. It is not an initiative that does not love and serve all people on the earth nor does it seek to alleviate other faith expressions. As followers of Christ, we believe we are called to love all people, regardless of faith, lifestyle or gender orientation. God loves all people. He provides guidelines for living as found in the Holy Scriptures and we support those guidelines as a people called to love and obey His calling upon our lives. Jesus invites all people into this destiny, but not all will come. We are called to model what Christ taught when He prayed that what was in heaven would be manifested on earth through a people known for their love of one another and others. That means His love and grace would be extended to all people.
When we operate from love and service, we will be attractive to the world.
They will desire to follow. We become solution providers to the issues of mankind.
Jesus solved people’s problems, which resulted in greater influence in people’s
lives. Loren Cunningham once said correctly, “Use your authority and you will lose your influence; use your influence and you will gain authority.”
This is such a MESS! We don’t want dominion. We don’t want to control. We just want to love, serve, change and gain authority. Over what? The seven spheres or mountains. Why? To have authority to bring change. Is this not dominion? Again, where in scripture do we see Jesus or any of the disciples trying to influence or change culture or society? We DON’T. We see them touching individual lives to prepare them for the Lord and His coming.
SEVENTH: The Samaritan woman is a good case in point. Jesus talked to her. The disciples questioned why Jesus talked to her. Samaritan’s were off limits culturally (not the right political party). She was also a woman, another reason for him not to talk to her. However, Jesus spoke into her life. He built a relationship with her. She was deeply impacted by His words. She went into the city to share her experience. Those in the city came to see Jesus and He spent several days in the city as a result. “And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because or the word of the woman who testified,” He told me all that I ever did'” (JN 4:39).
Notice that culture did not change through a boycott, a political campaign, or a law requiring a certain belief. The truth is, any group that require you to believe the way they believe is a dominionist. That includes Democrats, Republicans, gay activists, environmentalists, a church denomination, etc. The seven mountain strategy is merely a way to be salt and light among a sphere of influence which most defines values and beliefs in the culture.
He says we ought to notice that culture did not change through a boycott…etc. CULTURE DID NOT CHANGE AT ALL. Individual lives changed but culture and society did not. He says that being a dominionist is one that REQUIRES someone to believe a certain way. FALSE! One who is a dominionist gains dominion through any possible means in order to achieve their goal of change or influence hence dominion.
Now if someone cannot see the double talk and duplicity in all this then something is terribly wrong. The goal of the 7 mountain mandate is dominion no matter what other words they may use. If dominion was not the goal then why go after those Spheres of Influence at all? Gaining influence and authority of those spheres is in fact gaining dominion. What is the sense of bothering with those 7 mountains other than for the sake of dominion?
Our biblical focus is on people. On individual lives. On seeing hearts and lives changed. Not mountains. Not spheres. Not culture. PEOPLE. This entire 7 mountains of influence as put forth by Os Hillman is nothing but a DECEPTION FROM HELL. And this man by his very own words is badly deceived.
Wayne Sims
Well, well, well. I would comment further on what Hillman has said, but I don’t think that I could add anything else that Jeff hasn’t already uncovered. Hillman, through his conversation with Jimmy has in fact showed us a textbook example of duplicity. This is the same thing that Rick Warren does all the time, and I’m puzzled as to why people have trouble spotting this well-used ruse.
John Earp
Every time I read something that says the church should aim to impact, change, or control *the culture*, I am reminded especially of the ‘Kingdom Now’ teaching from the 1980s, which was itself just a renewed form of postmillenialism, the idea that the church’s job was to establish the kingdom of God throughout the earth, and *then* Christ would return. It may not be heresy (Jonathan Edwards, the Puritans, and even the great revivalists of the 2nd Great Awakening were postmillenialists), but in my view it simply has no basis in the New Testament, and it certainly gets us majorly off track. The task of the church is the Great Commission and the duty of the believer is always to love God supremely and one’s neighbor as oneself. Whenever I read or hear stuff like the seven mountains mandate, etc., I am also quite thankful to have been raised to believe what the early church prior to Augustine believed eschatologically; i.e., premillenialism. We absolutely waste our time trying to change our culture through anything other than pursuit of the Great Commission. Yes, we of course ought to live holy and righteous lives so that men will see our good works and glorify the Father. But to make changing the culture our focus by any means other than revival of the church (calling the church back to normal NT Spirit-filled Christianity), and evangelization of the lost is as wrongheaded as getting the proverbial cart before the horse.
Jeff Rouff
AMEN!!!
Cor Leonis Johnson
I am not sure how we can be the “salt of the earth” if we do not change the culture? I thought the Gospel that we preach was supposed to change men which ultimately changes the culture…
Cor Leonis Johnson
All I know is I want more of Jesus! More of YOU, Lord! More of YOU!
Jeff Rouff
We can be salt and light without ever changing the culture. Jesus was certainly salt and light and NONE of the culture changed around Him. Not the Jewish nation. Not the Roman Empire. Many individuals were changed but NOT the culture. Sometimes some of the culture may change. Praise God if and when that happens. But it doesn’t always. Most of the time it doesn’t. The culture is ruled by the devil. This is what the Bible says. We are NEVER told to focus on, take authority over, influence, or have any concern for the culture. We are to proclaim the gospel, make disciples, and prepare a people for the Lord. This is what we are commanded to do. The culture is God’s problem. And Jesus will change the culture and rule over it when He returns. We are to prepare a people who will inhabit and rule within the culture which the Lord will establish.
Wayne Sims
The culture around us may or may not change. Changing the culture isn’t part of the Christian’s mandate; indeed, our role is clearly and narrowly defined. We are to preach the gospel and make disciples. Those that have a cultural mandate are forgetting the point that the Kingdom of God is not without, the Kingdom of God is within us, and that’s the way that God has designed it to be until He returns to this earth. Some may call it semantics, but the need to somehow affect a cultural change is largely the foundational reason that much of the church is in the plight that we see today.
Lonnie Dinius
If the Church was doing their job and fulfilling the Great Commission in their lives everywhere they go, the culture would change in many instances, but our goal is to be soul winners. If we are successful a godly culture change could be one of the fruits that come out of it. I believe this nation can still turn back to God. And it’s not going to come through the government. With that being said, I’ve seen non believers being good on the outside with their lives better than some Christians or professing Christians that I know. I would rather have them in charge than some of these Christians that I know. Just because Christians take leadership in important places doesn’t mean that they will be good at running things!
I have a friend of mine who is currently running for a US senate seat. I know him well and would never vote for him. I love him but he’s got huge mental and emotional problems. And in recent months I’ve found out he’s stalking lusty women on FB! He’s one of these guys that grew up in an AG church and most people would call him extremely legalistic! If only they knew.
Polly Glot
“When we operate from love and service, we will be attractive to the world. They will desire to follow.” ? Jesus was so “attractive” that they crucified Him. {shrugs}
Varnel Watson
Os Hillman, had sided up with some Dominion Theology