The spiritual warfare movement seeking to reclaim the seven mountains of society
In short: It is described as a massive, invisible shift in modern Christianity. Moving beyond individual prayer, the New Apostolic Reformation uses a strategy of spiritual warfare to pursue political dominion, aiming to transform everything from government to media through a network of apostles and prophets.
The New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) is not a formal denomination with membership lists, but rather a loose, global movement operating through informal networks and 'prophetic memes'. Rooted in Pentecostal and Charismatic traditions, it draws from the 1940s Latter Rain movement and the 1970s Shepherding movement. While many associated with the movement may not even recognize the name, its influence is vast, with some 2020 estimates suggesting up to 33 million adherents in the United States, though this figure is disputed.
At the heart of the NAR is 'dominion theology' and the Seven Mountain Mandate. This doctrine asserts that Christians have a divine mandate to retake control of seven key societal 'mountains': family, religion, education, media, arts, business, and government [S1:ping, S1:p34]. Unlike traditional premillennialism, which anticipates a period of tribulation before Christ's return, the NAR is postmillennialist, believing an optimistic era of God's kingdom can be established on earth through the actions of obedient believers.
The movement's modern trajectory was heavily shaped by C. Peter Wagner, a 'church growth guru' who coined the term. Following his 2008 book, *Dominion!*, the movement shifted focus toward gaining political influence through 'spiritual warfare'. This includes the concept of 'territorial spirits'—demons controlling specific geographic regions. Critics, including scholars like André Gagné, argue this is inherently political and threatens democracy. The movement's prominence has grown alongside the political rise of figures like Donald Trump and the influence of leaders like Paula White-Cain.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: New Apostolic Reformation
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