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In the Garden, God blessed man and gave him all he needed and told him that he would have dominion over it all.  That’s good.  Then man fell - that’s bad.  God established Israel, in the Hebrew Scriptures, or Old Testament as we Christians say - to show what a nation looked like when she followed God.  Israel was also a picture of what a nation faced when she rejected God.  All the domains/sectors/spheres of a society were blessed when it happened.  Classic urbanologists or sociologists would say there are as few as 3 domains/sectors/spheres: economics, government, and civil society.  World Vision would say there are 27.  I would say 8 - because my goal is for people to be salt and light in every sphere/domain/sector of society and to see healthy cities grow and I use a human resource map that most people would use in finding a job.  The 8 which I identify are: education, economics, civil society, health, governance, agriculture, communication, and science & technology. 

In the New Testament - or Christian Scriptures - the theocracy of a single nation is done away with and the kingdom of God is established in the hearts of people.  This is what David and Jeremiah wrote about, that the law would be written in our hearts - not on tables of stone and law.  Neither would it be limited to a single nation - but every nation could be blessed as people followed Jesus and lived the truth he taught.  The entire life and model of Jesus was one for all nations living truth.  His government document or manifesto was/is the Sermon on the Mount.  It was through purity of character and seeking God, that men would see who Jesus was.  So God would now be exhibited, not primarily by a single nation - but by people of every tongue, tribe, and nation(s) having a similar character.  These people would as taught by Paul in 2 Corinthians 5 - and the book of Colossians as well as other places in the New Testament - would be concerned about reconciling people and “all things” to God. 

So, this is what we learned and how we have worked in Vietnam and other places in the world, as everyday followers of Jesus, serving humanity using their jobs, reconciling people and structures to God for a blessing.  We have taught our members, we serve not to convert - but because we are converted.  Our love and sacrifice cannot, should not, must not ever be a bribe or inducement for following Jesus.  A heart cannot be bought by human money or favor - only what Jesus did on the cross - and in a willful and voluntary way can a man or woman follow Jesus.  Only the Spirit can draw, and only God can save.  You can make a man religious - but not necessarily know God.  I am not shy about sharing my faith - I would love the whole world to be Christian - or Jesus followers if that makes you feel better!  But I would never force, coerce, or sell Jesus like a bar of soap - a man must come to God because he is God, not because he is a magic genie.

So why would I dislike “dominion” theology if I believe God wants to reconcile all people and all things to himself? 

First, it uses the tactics of the world to get its way and agenda promoted.  The Old Testament teaches us that the law would be written on our hearts, not tables of stone.  When we have to resort to worldly tactics to fulfill kingdom objectives - we have lost.  The Christian right has caused many people to define Christianity in a way that most evangelicals would disagree with. 

Second, it seriously underestimates the Holy Spirit and the power of God.  Not even Israel could keep herself from idols and she was God’s choice nation in the Old Testament.  Why are we going to try to do in the flesh what has already been done and didn’t work?  Is the Holy Spirit God?  Yes.  Is the Holy Spirit powerful?  Yes.  Then let the Spirit blow as the Spirit will. 

Third, it undermines the Sovereignty of God.  You can’t thwart God, God’s will shall be done.  It needs no human force or agency to accomplish it - God really is God.  God doesn’t need our help.  I’m excited - God wins - with our without me!!!  He’s God.  God is at work, everywhere, at every moment in this world - he doesn’t start because I show up - he showed up long ago!

Fourth, transformation will not be total and complete until Jesus comes and establishes his eternal kingdom.  We are meant to be salt and light, living as PILGRIMS - as Hebrews 11 teaches us.  THIS EARTH IS NOT OUR HOME!!!!!!  We are to show what it looks like to follow Jesus even when it’s tough.  We must stop trying to live as if what we see in the temporary and physical is what will be forever.  There is a new heaven, and a new earth that God will establish one day and until that is done, we must love all peoples, and serve all of humanity, and be concerned about the reconciliation of all things - FACING PERSECUTION - HARDSHIP - TRIALS - YOU NAME IT!  The Christian life was meant to be lived in a fallen world with a Sovereign Triune God bringing glory to him by living by kingdom principles in the midst of fallenness!!! 

Fifth - religion is not competition.  Many Christians say Shariah wants to take over the world and so we Christians have to do the same.  WRONG - if God is God, his will shall be done!  I should live the Sermon on the Mount.  I should be filled with the Spirit.  I should share the Good News of Jesus Christ to every person I meet.  I should stand up for righteousness and injustice.  I should vote for people that have integrity.  BUT MY AGENDA IS NOT AND SHOULD NEVER BE TO TAKE OVER - GOD HAS ALREADY DONE THAT. 

At the end of the day - I’m convinced - Christians who live for Dominion Theology and Islamic Fundamentalist who would force Sharia upon everyone - really are of the same religion.  Neither believes in the power of the Holy Spirit.  Neither believes in the Sovereignty of God.  Neither is in a very good mood - but generally grouchy and mean spirited.  Would to God, we could let him rule our hearts first - if we did that - I doubt we would rule men the same.