Who Are The Promise Keepers?
Promise Keepers is a Christian organization for men. While it originated in the United States, independent branches are established in Canada and New Zealand. It is self-described as "a Christ-centered organization dedicated to introducing men to Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord, helping them to grow as Christians".[1]Promise Keepers is a non-profit organization, not affiliated with any Christian church or denomination. Their most widely publicized events tend to be mass rallies held at football stadiums and similar venues. They also sell a variety of promotional products to "help men keep their promises," including clothing, books, and music. Dr. Bruce Wilkinson developed the widely used video curriculum, Personal Holiness in Times of Temptation, as a part of "The Biblical Manhood" series for Promise Keepers.[Source: wikipedia.org]
This organization had a profound effect on the presidency of George Bush II. They introduced Bush II to a whole new philosophy of politics. A religious one not an economic one. One of those tenets where for men to take dominion over their wives. After Bush II, came John McCain. ( R-AZ) There have been times in McCain's past that people by and large considered him a sensible and reasonable person. With his appointment of Sarah Palin, a card-carrying dominionist to be his running mate in the 2008 presidential race shattered that perception. In fact, John McCain openly embraced and gathered dominionist around him. For example, Pastor John Hagee and Rob Parsley. What was transforming was the merging of the business right with the religious right. We have seen Republican Party governors like Rick Perry from Texas become closely aligned with Dominionists groups. In the case of Rick Perry he involved himself with one of the most radical Dominionist groups in the country. The New Apostolic Reformation. (NAR)
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| Rachel Tabachnick |
Respected political researcher Rachel Tabachnick wrote:
"Perry's endorsers are not just a random group of radical evangelists making outrageous statements. These are the 'apostles and prophets' of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), the biggest international religious movement you never heard of."
Forrest Wilder, an investigative reporter for the Texas Observer, wrote around this same period:
"The NAR's intellectual godfather, C. Peter Wagner, one of Perry's early endorsers, brags that NAR is the most significant change in how Christianity is practiced since the Protestant Reformation ... With hundreds of millions of followers worldwide, the NAR's stress on Godlike 'prophetic' and 'apostolic' powers, its revisions of end-time prophecies, its methodology of 'spiritual warfare,' and its agenda of theocratic dominion over all aspects of society are threatening to modern democracy."In this writer's view, it is paramount that we inform ourselves on this twisted theology called Dominionism. Dominionist advocates a doctrine that envisions a takeover of the world by a form of religious zealots as a fore-runner to the second-coming of Christ. This false religious viewpoint endorses a political/religious concept called the. " Seven Mountains Of Culture." These seven mountains are 1-business, 2-government, 3-media, 4-arts and entertainment, 5-education, 6-family, and 7-religion.
The Seven Mountains Of Culture Explained By A Dominionist.
There is an extreme downward slope into religious nonsense here. To ignore this progression into religious myth would be to do so at one's peril. Think about it for a second. For the most part, America is still reeling from the economic crisis of the Bush II administration. The confidence of the American people in our government is at an all time low and similar to that of Germany in the 1930's.[See Article] It was these type conditions that propelled the people of Germany in 1933 to take leave of their senses and vote Hitler into power.[See Article] During the 2012 Republican primary for president, no candidate exemplified what a dominionist president might look like than Rick Santorum. Rick Santorum is an extreme Roman Catholic dominionist. Santorum is also a member of a religious faction known as the Opus Dei.
Opus Dei is controversial, and many claim it to be a cult.
Alexander Cockburn writing for the Independent Investigative Journal Counterpunch, commented:
"Surely Rick Santorum is the most fanatical Christian to run for the Republican nomination in the modern era, maybe any era."Can you picture in your mind in these modern times or any time an Untied States president whipping himself in the White House? This connection of Santorum to Opus Dei coupled with the fact this guy was a Republican front-runner at some point in the 2012 presidential race sends shivers down this writer's back. What is an important factoid about Opus Dei is the religious groups philosophy has been embraced by many of the fascist governments over the last 100 years.
Opus Dei is " A Mafia Shrouded In White."
Opus Dei is very clear in its mission. Their goal is to influence society to direct itself [society] to the Catholic world-view. This world-view is a very radical right-wing one that inserts its members into key positions in government. Dominionism and Opus Dei are religious cousins. These spiritual philosophies work to advance their members at whatever the cost and with the goal of placing as many as they can at the highest levels of government. Many of these modern day radical spiritual doctrines came into existence with the emergence of socialism and communism. Many within these denominations view this as a death-struggle between good and evil, God and Satan.
The Christian Right in America has taken this presumption and made political hay with it. They have steadily tried to circumvent the separation of " church and state." clauses in the constitution. They claim the Christian West is under attack by secular-humanism and that self-indulgent forces are trying to destroy Christianity and drive God from the public sphere. Rick Santorum rode this donkey in his 2012 presidential bid.
Rick Santorum Satan Has His Sights On America Speech
Satan is attacking the great institutions of America! Using the vices of pride, vanity, and sensuality to destroy and break-down these so embedded great American traditions. Does the condition paranoia ring a bell? [Source: See Article]
A Rebuttal.
According to the Dominionist,the opening salvos against Christianity began in the late 1960's with what has become known as the Woodstock Generation. I was in my early teens during this period and remembered the conservative grown ups talking how these long-haired hippies were ruining our country.
The dominionist believes that America went to " hell in a hand basket," when the. ' love-generation' manifested itself. They [Dominionist] contend that this generation of people has become the Democratic Party. Democrats are the. ' party of Woodstock.'
Their contention is Democrats are all about primal lusts, [sex] and the whole abortion culture is not about life, but sexual freedom. That it's about Homosexuality and now, today, same-sex-marriage. According to Rick Santorum and other Opus Dei and Dominionist members Woodstock is America's new religion. Where does the president Barack Hussein Obama fit into this spiritual facade?
Millions of so-called Christians on the radical Christian Right agree.
"Many ... Evangelical Christians ... take it as an article of faith that President Obama is merely the public face of a secular conspiracy intent on altering their country beyond recognition." [Source: John Cassidy The New Yorker]These religious zealots point to the contraceptive mandates in Obamacare as an example and we saw the Hobby Lobby insanity play out this year in the highest court in the land. This writer makes no bones or apologizes in my contention that following the path these Christian zealots, and the political crackpots they influence like Rick Santorum would lead us down a dark path.
Are the Dominionist and Christian Right, Right?
To truly answer this question with a sense of fairness, we must do what any empirical research entails a look at the history concerning the matter. We begin the study with the introduction of probably the first real American historian Charles Thomson.
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| Charles Thomson |
Thomson was the man who made the final decision on the " Great Seal," of the Untied States. During the American Revolution, Thomson kept a detailed account of the events of the day. By doing so, he was privy to all the behind the scenes activities pertaining to some of our countries most celebrated figures. Many factions during his lifetime compelled him to publish this history Thomson refused.
" No...I ought not, for I should contradict all the histories of the great events of the Revolution."[The Hidden Faith of the Founding Fathers]
Thomson went on in his explanation:
" Let the world admire the supposed wisdom and valor of our great men."
Thomson ultimate position was that he would not take part in what he felt would undeceive future generations. As a result, Thomson destroyed the manuscript. This action created a lost of what may have been the truest account of the American Revolution.[See Source] The larger question here is what did Thomson mean by his statement that he would not be responsible for undeceiving future generations? Moreover, we are that generation and I for one want to know what was Thomson hiding. To the point, the founding fathers of our country are some of the most famous people to walk this earth. They set up a new form of government never before practiced on earth. This state system has by in large been the marvel of the modern age. But the real question that is at issue here was America founded as a Christian nation. In an article recently published here at the House of Public Discourse, we pose the question;[ Is America Really A Christian Nation] today.
It is evident today that many factions in this country Dominionist being one that co-mingle patriotism with a form of patriotic Christianity. Patriotic Christianity is the idea that America was founded as a Christian nation. So, with this assumption radical Christian dogma's like Dominionism and their followers feel compelled to push this agenda based on the perception that the founding fathers were Christian men. This belief has led their leaders to advance this agenda in the political arena. It is men like David Barton and others who want to spring-board this idea throughout the electorate and convince everyone that its the Republican Party and the Christian Right that are ones favorable to God and to vote for the Democrats is to vote for the party of Woodstock. The dominionist justifies their involvement in political activism for this theory and their so-called patriotic Christianity.
What is very troubling is that these spiritual organizations are indoctrinating their children with these set of values and conceptions and in affect brainwashing these souls from birth. The known racist Libertarian Ron Paul has jumped into the home-schooling business to bring up good-little Libertarian boys and girls.[See Article] Also, what is happening is these children are being taught that our founding fathers Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Franklin and others were all good Christian men.
Were The Founding Fathers Good Christian Men?
Just weeks ago while doing some research I came across one Thomas Paine. Much to my surprise, I was fascinated that this moderate and some - what unsuccessful man finally found his passion in life. Thomas Paine went on to write one of the most read literary works of all time, Common Sense. I was so interested in his story that I wrote an article about him.[See Article] He[Paine] and his work Common Sense has been credited as being one of the jump-starts to the American Revolution. In fact, the writings of Thomas Paine in Common Sense created the model for which sculpted the Declaration of Independence.
Thomas Paine wrote in Common Sense.
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| Thomas Paine |
What is so interesting is at the time of his writing this pamphlet Thomas Paine was an immigrant. He was not an American citizen. He was an Englishmen, who Benjamin Franklin sponsored to America. The reason I identify with Paine cause he was a writer but a " jack of all trades," who until he was able to write he was a lost man. He had failed at just about every endeavor he undertook. However, Ben Franklin, who was a printer, loved Paine's writing style and encouraged him to write Common Sense. Putting things into perspective from a literary standpoint Thomas Paine contribution to the American Revolution was equal to that of George Washington. It was Thomas Paine who coined the phrase " Untied States of America." So, with all this said, why has American history marginalized Thomas Paine? The short answer, after the revolution Thomas Paine, published his feeling about Christianity and the Bible.
In Paine's literary work, " Age of Reason," he wrote:
" When I see through the greater parts of this book[The Bible] scarcely anything but a history of the grossest vices... and collection of the most paltry and contemptible tales..."
Many historians and people of the time's claimed Thomas Paine was an atheist, but; his defenders say he believed in a God but not the one in the King James translation of the Bible. What is painful and powerful here is that Thomas Paine, a champion of the American Revolution. That many of the founding fathers themselves give equal credit for the success thereof would not be considered a Christian by the likes of modern day politicians like Rick Santorum and Texas Governor Rick Perry.
Thomas Paine went on to write that he did not believe in the creed professed by any church that he knew. According to Thomas Paine, his mind was his church.[See Source] Furthermore, Thomas Paine made it clear that he detested the Bible. In fact, Thomas Paine utterly denounced Christianity. He [Paine] called Christianity a " fable and fraud." This publication the 'Age of Reason,' sold thousands of copies. And, clearly shows that one of America's founding fathers was not a good Christian man.
The Success of The Age of Reason Sparked Further Questions.
With the now well-distributed text of the Age of Reason by a well-read author of his day Thomas Paine, the people of America started to ask questions in the town square for lack of term. Paine, who was close with Washington, Jefferson, Adams,and Franklin and this is what Paine believes and advocates what do these American icons believe? With this conundrum being the case, the public began to question the viewpoints of these aforementioned men. Contrary to modern- day Christian dogma's like dominionism the founding fathers were carried by a sense of reason as opposed to theology.
John Adams wrote:
" When philosophical reason is clear and certain by intuition or necessary induction ... no subsequent revelation supported by prophecies or miracles can supersede it."
When you break Adams statement down and put it in context, what is Adams saying. When making important decisions your sense of reason [common sense] and intuition [ gut feelings], and induction of scientific study should always supersede the fable and fairy tales of prophecies and reliance on miracles. In a nut- shell, John Adams is voicing the nature of human reasoning should override the word of God that speaks of things in a prophetic nature and is determinate of some freak miracle. This attitude today would land one of our main-stay founding father way left of center with the now radical Christian Right. And, moreover, if any modern-day politician proclaimed this sentiment he would most definitely not be considered a good Christian man.
It was this factor of human reasoning that led Thomas Jefferson to write in the Declaration of Independence :
" We hold these truths to be self evident..." My research has led me to conclude. That these word were specially engineered to reject any idea that revelation or Biblical prophecy were to have any authority whatsoever in this new government that has been a marvel to the world. Instead, this new government was to be guided only by the philosophic understanding which is self-evident in the minds of men.
For the Christian, this is an important issue cause the Bible warned in Colossians 2:8.
In my exhaustive study of the Bible, I can say without pause I left no stone uncovered. I don't think there was one verse that I did not check commentary on and cross check it with another. I can say with all conviction that three different commentaries from three different translators no matter what era could have three different viewpoints on any given verse. But, one constant theme among Christians is that the. " wisdom of God is greater than man." What is important to point out here is that in the Bible, the inspired writers we speaking of spiritual things not what man's wisdom teaches. The Bible teaches what the Holy Spirit teaches comparing only spiritual things with what is spiritual. See, according to God's word the natural man cannot receive what is spirit cause what is spirit is foolishness to man. As a writer of politics and a past study of the Bible, I am adamant that this reality explains more vividly what Jefferson's self-evident comment was all about. Our founding fathers shaped this country on human reasoning and where entirely implicit on leaving religion out of the equation. The Bible tells use that ' man rules man to his on injury,' and that we should in fact, separate ourselves from the world. Jesus at no point in his earthly ministry conveys a sentiment of political involvement by the church. For the most part, our founding fathers were adherent to the enlighten thinkers of the time. Unlike Thomas Paine, who let it all out and had no transparency in his views on Christianity the other founding fathers were more discreet and less transparent than Paine.
However, if you dig in your research and see what the majority of the founding fathers wrote and what their viewpoints were you would find that most of them were in the same mindset as Paine. Thomas Paine and many of the founding fathers were members of the secret societies of the day. It was undoubtably from these clandestine organizations that much of this enlighten doctrines spun forth. These theories and realities can be overwhelming. But the major point is that our founding fathers were not good Christian men as the Christian Right, and Dominionist would have us to believe. And it is clear this nation was not founded on Christianity. And, that is why we have a church and state doctrine within our Constitution.
The Counterfeit Promise Of Dominionism Doctrine
The main reason for the look back to the intentions of our founding fathers was to point out the central counterfeit promise of dominionism. That the founding fathers were good Christian men whose intent was to form our government based on Christianity. Let us examine this in our present time. There is no doubt that dominionism is growing in the religious right ranks. These self- proclaimed apostles and prophets are drastically changing the structure of many churches. In fact, it is in the Bible that the church is warned of just this very thing.
"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them" (Matt. 7:15-20).
The major factor of this spiritual movement is the insistence on taking dominion over government and society, This insistence is, in fact, unbiblical.
Pilate replied: “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What did you do?” 36 Jesus answered:+ “My Kingdom is no part of this world.+ If my Kingdom were part of this world, my attendants would have fought that I should not be handed over to the Jews.+ But as it is, my Kingdom is not from this source.” [John 18: 36]
"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them" (Matt. 7:15-20).
The major factor of this spiritual movement is the insistence on taking dominion over government and society, This insistence is, in fact, unbiblical.
Pilate replied: “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What did you do?” 36 Jesus answered:+ “My Kingdom is no part of this world.+ If my Kingdom were part of this world, my attendants would have fought that I should not be handed over to the Jews.+ But as it is, my Kingdom is not from this source.” [John 18: 36]
These dominionist religious crackpots advocate they must take dominion over our government so that Jesus will be free to return. There has always been the end- time watchers in our society. How many times have we the public been subjected to these last-days scenario? As previously stated in this article, the dominionist have created this doctrine of the Seven Mountains. Nowhere and I mean nowhere is this principle mentioned, explained, taught, or anything else, in the Bible.
For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.[Matthew 24: 24]
In America, these drastic religious doctrines have exploded in the last 40 years. My research has suggested the reason. The emergence of the Christina Right and its influence within the Republican Party. Dominionism is the end product of these drastic new theologies all wrapped up in one. It's, " the false doctrine super-pill." What makes dominionism so dangerous is its conception that it must place key members in key societal positions to manifest it control over all of us so Jesus will be free to return. In short, "these people are batty."
In closing, it would do us all an excellent service to take a deep inhale of breath here, and focus on the realities that history teaches us. (1) The governmental guidelines established by our fore-fathers were based on human reasoning, not religious doctrine. (2) The Bible, the inspired word of God, left for us as God's way of communicating his will clearly instructs us that God's way and percepts and his kingdom are not of this world. " It's Written In The Red Writing."
Moreover, the Bible warns us of these false so-called religious organizations that would present themselves as a light, but, in fact, be forces of the dark. And, one must remember that these organizations are people. And, the Bible gave us a clear indication and a stern warning about the overall nature of man throughout the generations. Few would argue that man is worst now than at any other time in his history. The point is debatable, but the actions we see played out in front of us every day now are undisputable.
For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.[Matthew 24: 24]
In America, these drastic religious doctrines have exploded in the last 40 years. My research has suggested the reason. The emergence of the Christina Right and its influence within the Republican Party. Dominionism is the end product of these drastic new theologies all wrapped up in one. It's, " the false doctrine super-pill." What makes dominionism so dangerous is its conception that it must place key members in key societal positions to manifest it control over all of us so Jesus will be free to return. In short, "these people are batty."
Moreover, the Bible warns us of these false so-called religious organizations that would present themselves as a light, but, in fact, be forces of the dark. And, one must remember that these organizations are people. And, the Bible gave us a clear indication and a stern warning about the overall nature of man throughout the generations. Few would argue that man is worst now than at any other time in his history. The point is debatable, but the actions we see played out in front of us every day now are undisputable.
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