The 'Father of American Dominionism' and the theology of spiritual warfare

Wars & Conflicts · Published 17 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: For Lance Wallnau, politics is not just a civic duty; it is a battlefield for the soul of civilization. As a leading figure in the New Apostolic Reformation, he has spent decades teaching followers to conquer society’s key institutions through a framework known as the Seven Mountain Mandate.

Wallnau's influence stems from the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), a neo-Charismatic movement that emphasizes 'dominionism.' Central to this is the Seven Mountain Mandate, a concept Wallnau began teaching in 2001 after meeting mentor C. Peter Wagner. This doctrine asserts that Christians must seize control of seven specific spheres: family, religion, education, media, entertainment, business, and government.

A key pillar of Wallnau's theology is the 'Cyrus archetype.' He identifies Donald Trump as a modern-day biblical King Cyrus—a secular leader anointed by God to protect believers without necessarily sharing their faith. Wallnau argues that figures like Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher served similar roles in previous eras. This framework allows for the sanctification of secular political power, framing it as a divine tool for 'rechristianization' and stability.

This theology translates into aggressive 'spiritual warfare.' Wallnau characterizes political opponents not merely as rivals, but as demonic entities; notably, he has labeled Kamala Harris as a 'Jezebel spirit' sent by the Devil. Critics, including religion scholars like Matthew D. Taylor and Arne Helgen Teigen, have linked this rhetoric to anti-democratic traits and 'stochastic terrorism.'

Wallnau’s influence reached a peak during the Trump administration, where he was frequently welcomed at the White House and Mar-a-Lago. Following the 2020 election, his refusal to condemn the January 6 Capitol attack—which he defended as an 'election fraud intervention' rather than an insurrection—solidified his role as a primary mobilizer for Christian nationalism.

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