A student who studies American culture in graduate school is called an Americanist. After much thought, I have concluded that I am a kingdomist because I belong to the spiritual kingdom of God. It is my top priority, my entire life. I am also a gospel globalist. The gospel first. But this does not make me an enemy of the American republic. I want to influence it. Let me explain.
The NIV translation is used here. If you need to see more translations, please go to this website:
I often like to use an outline format for my own clarity.
Let’s begin.
I. Explaining My Terms
A.. What is the kingdom of God?
It is the domain over which God rules. Right now, it manifests itself partially through God’s interventions, like the gospel, salvations, rescues, signs and wonders and miracles. God worked those miracles. The kingdom itself did not. But the miracles demonstrate God’s rule over his kingdom and even over all worldly governments, but invisibly, except for those with eyes to see it. The kingdom of God is here in part. It will be visible to everyone in all of its full power and glory only at the Second Coming.
5 The Kingdom of God: Already Here, But Not Yet Fully
B. Who or what is a kingdomist?
The -ist suffix literally means “someone who believes in or adheres to” something. I believe in and adhere to the kingdom of God. So I attached this suffix (-ist) to “kingdom.” I am a kingdomist. As far as I know, this may be the first invention of this word, a neologism. So be it
C. How to enter the kingdom of God
John is clear in his Gospel on how to enter the kingdom: “Jesus replied, ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.'” (John 3:3)
So to enter or see (that is, experience) God’s kingdom, we must be born again. The Spirit causes this new birth.
Paul says that when we experience redemption and the forgiveness of sins through the Son, God transfers us from the kingdom of darkness to his beloved Son’s kingdom,.
13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Col. 1:13-14)
I have experienced all of those biblical truths. Therefore I belong to the kingdom of God. I study it or keep track of it when I read the Scriptures. Paul writes of three Jews who are his co-workers for the kingdom of God (Col. 4:10-11). I trust I can say the same about me, by God’s grace. I work for it, because I owe it my full efforts. So that makes me a kingdomist.
The kingdom of God is spreading around the globe by the Spirit-empowered gospel.
Here is a very long post in my Theology 101 series:
D. I am a gospel globalist.
I want the gospel of the kingdom to go around the globe, and it is, thank God.
Here is the famous Great Commission:
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matt. 28:18-20)
This is Luke’s version of the Great Commission:
46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. (Luke 24:46-48)
Luke also wrote the book of Acts:
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
Yes, I love my country and intend to influence it (see the next points), but I want the gospel to go around the globe. Therefore, I am a gospel globalist. Gospel first.
E. I am also an American citizen (and happy about it).
No need to show you my birth certificate.
And by the way, I am very conservative in my politics and on the social issues. I have never voted for a democrat. When I had the chance to vote either for left-of-center Bill Clinton or right-of-center Bob Dole in 1996, I voted for Dole.
To sum up so far, I am a citizen of two realms, in this order: (1) the kingdom of God and (2) the American Republic. I am also an Americanist. I support both, but I pledge my allegiance first and foremost to God and his kingdom. But this does not mean I am an enemy of the Republic. No. I offer my advice to its leaders, as seen below in the Application section.
F. The two realms are separate.
We need to distinguish the kingdom of God and all worldly societies. They are distinct, but not mutual enemies, in average, freer societies. Paul wrote that the church belonged to heaven: “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Phil. 3:20).
Jesus said to give back to Caesar the things that belong to him (taxes in this context), and render to God the things that belong to him (Matt. 22:21). He said his kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36). How does this work out in practical terms? Can its kingdom citizen’s influence—but not dominate—the civil government? I will argue just below that yes, we can.
Jesus says that his disciples are in the world, and he is sending them into it, to proclaim the gospel, which can bring about change through salvation. His word is truth.
14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. (John 17:14-18)
G. But do kingdomists ignore the worldly kingdoms?
Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 5:12-13:
What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13 God will judge those outside […] (1 Cor. 5:12-13).
The context is that the church should not judge the world, but this does not mean we should not influence it. We should not abandon the world to fend for itself, but to get involved. If you do not engage the world, then “in that case you would have to leave this world” (v. 10).
II. Four Defective Movements
A. Third Wayism is misguided now
The democrat party has gone so far to the left that I am surprised Christians would have even thought about voting for Kamala Harris in 2024 or for democrats in the 2026 mid-terms or especially the future democrat nominee in 2028 (assuming the party remains on the left, which looks more and more likely). At this time in American politics Christians can no longer advocate the Third Way, which says to take a little bit of ideas from the right and left. Or it says we should not take a strong stance on politics or the social issues. We might offend a segment of society we are trying to reach.
In reply, note how I did not refer to pastor Tim Keller (d. 2023). The issue is bigger than he. Those who want to correct my definition above and apply nuance should consider that Third Wayism seems inevitably to drift towards liberalism and then to leftism.
Take climate change. Are you all for electric vehicles? Living on small farms? Trashing the economy to stop the oceans from warming up 2-3 degrees Celsius over the next 50-100 years (as if this would really happen, and as if predictions so far into the future are always right)? In reply, click on “World Climate Declaration.” Note how over 2000 real scientists and science adjacent types (not just concerned citizens) declare: THERE IS NO CLIMATE CRISIS. Many people don’t know about this recent declaration because the leftwing media do not report it. It does not fit the narrative, which is that leftwing solutions are always and obviously right. No. They are always and obviously wrong.
What about mass migration, to the tune of millions in four years? (Legal immigration, yes. But not this.) Sojourners magazine or the organization, to cite only this one example, is all about rescuing immigrants from oppressive ICE because for this leftwing religious organization, this is justice. No doubt the Feds have made mistakes, but they have also deported real-life criminals. And it’s a sure thing that Sojourners (and other lefty religious organizations) has started looking for 300,000 kids that have been lost in the darkness during the mass migration. I imagine the kids are not living the American dream. ICE raided a marijuana farm in central California, where children were working, and there were at least two adult pedophiles in the group. Sojourners celebrates the rescue, right? The fact is that Mexico has the 12th largest economy in the world and 120 million citizens. They should be able to handle no- or low-skilled workers in their own nation. Mexico has a leftwing president, and for the left sending government checks to such workers is the answer. Apparently not, however. The government allowed millions of them to crash our gates and migrate up here. Now they are our problem. The Biden administration orchestrated this cynical ploy to change the vote towards its own party, in the near future. (No doubt the leftwing Mexican politicians high-fived each other in private, as they witnessed the massive walking caravans going up north, al norte). It was an American democrat power grab, as the left is prone to do. It was never about economic justice and compassion.
We no longer live in the 1980s or 1990s when many democrat politicians were gentlemen or shared certain common values (see below for the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, supported by democrats and Bill Clinton). Third Way-ism, as it is actually implemented nowadays, as distinguished from the theory or formal definitions, must be abandoned because it seems to always drift leftward. Far from negotiating with the left (I distinguish liberals from leftists) the left must be stopped because their “solutions” are destructive or foolish or unworkable or extreme.
The Earliest Disciples Did Not Practice Modern Communism or Socialism
Socialism Is Wrong for Society
For clarity, I repeat: So, in today’s political climate, Third Wayism is now obsolete and void of promise and solutions. Let’s abandon it.
B. Dominionism
I am a kingdomist and an Americanist, but I say no to Dominionism.
The point about participation in government needs a little more explanation. Dominionism is not God’s plan for his church and civil government, for this religious political philosophy imposes on unbelievers religious law, such as those found in the Torah, like capital crimes for personal sins.
Dominionism takes us back to the Torah, when God has moved past the Sinai covenant into the New Covenant.
6 But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises. 7 For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another. […]
13 By calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear. (Heb. 8:6-7, 13)
The Torah has thee main components: (1) ceremonial or ritual law; (2) civil law; (3) and moral law. We can bring forward the moral law into the New Covenant, like the Ten Commandments (Sabbath keeping is optional) and the sexual prohibitions in Leviticus 18. But civil law, with its severe restrictions and capital punishments for private sins? No.
Disciples Keep the Ten Commandments (Only One Is Optional)
Unlawful Sexual Relations in Leviticus 18 from a NT Perspective
What Does the New Covenant Retain from the Old?
Dominionism is very much like Islamic sharia. And this is bad for society. I admit, however, that if we are not imposing a “Christian sharia,” then being a morally overbearing schoolmarm can also repel people from the gospel of the kingdom. It is difficult (for me at least) to know where to draw the line between counseling people towards morality, passing laws that compel people to live morally, or allowing people their liberty even to live immorally, as long as it does no harm to others (e.g. private sexual habits or smoking cannabis at home). I say we should not go back to the heavy-handed moralism of Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson of the 1980s.
This is why I prefer to proclaim the gospel of the kingdom and get people saved and in church, so that God can guide them towards sanctified living. We transform society one redeemed soul at a time.
C. The Seven Mountain Mandate
I further do not believe in the Seven-Mountain Mandate, which says Christians are to take over seven areas of society: family, religion, education, media, arts & entertainment, business, and government.
I wonder where medicine is on the list. And how do “arts & entertainment” become one unit? So we see there is already a problem even with forming this list in the first place. Maybe the number seven was chosen because of its biblical significance. That’s possibly why the visionary leader or leaders linked “arts and entertainment” as one unit and skipped medicine. Wonky and needless.
There is no need to follow a mandate, an idea concocted by even more visionary leaders. And no, Matthew 28:18, which says to make disciples of all nations, does not mean to take over entire nations by some quixotic quest.
Discipling nations ≠ Taking over nations.
D. Christian Nationalism
I’m patriotic (= grateful) about living in my home country, but I don’t need the movement called Christian Nationalism to express my gratitude. Those two terms don’t belong together. They are a distraction. The goal of the kingdom and the church, which is created by the kingdom, is to go global. We can participate in the government, but not turn our patriotism into idolatry, nor Trump into a messiah, We are Christian citizens of the kingdom of God first, American citizens second.
I am a Christian ‘Kingdomist,’ Not a Christian Nationalist
E. Why they are defective
There is flaw: novelty. Busy, over-active American Christian leaders fish around for new and exciting things, which lead them to wildly misinterpret the Bible. American church leaders, especially of the charismatic variety, look for the Next Big Thing. Innovation and dreaming big and experimenting with the church are leading all of us astray. Let’s return to the well-trodden paths and gospel simplicity and standard interpretations of Scripture. I prefer biblical exegetes over visionary leaders with their new ideas and big dreams.
Another flaw: Dominionism makes the kingdom of God more manifest than God has willed at this time. It artificially imposes his kingdom on people, and it can become oppressive, because it is man’s efforts. It is mistimed. This is why it can be over-realized eschatology. Instead it is best to wait for the Second Coming, when God will sort things out and send the unrighteous to their place of separation from his presence. Then kingdom righteousness will prevail, and kingdom citizens will be happy and live in peace in the new creation.
The Kingdom Starts Small and Grows Big (but only at the Second Coming will it be fully realized)
But kindomists do not withdraw from the world. We influence it, as the next major section shows.
III. Application: How to Influence Society
A. Brief intro.
We do not have to fall into the traps of those four defective movements. If we are not called to leave society but to influence it, how should kingdomists do this?
B. We are to pray for our leaders
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. (1 Tim. 2:1-2)
C. We are salt and light.
This speaks of influence and truth (light).
13 You are the salt of the earth. If salt becomes unsalty, by what will it be salty? It is good for nothing now, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by people.
14 You are the light of the world. A town sitting above, on a mountain, cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do they light a lamp and place it under a container, but on a lampstand, and it shines on everyone in the house. 16 In this way, let your light shine before people, so that they see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven. (Matt. 5:13-16)
The last verse says we kingdomists are to do good works for the kingdom, in society. Why? So people can glorify our heavenly Father. This makes it easier to shine the light of the gospel, the truth.
D. Persuasion and counsel
We kindomists can counsel the government leaders and attempt to persuade them from their unjust polices. Our proclamation of the gospel of the kingdom changes the world, when we and the message are Spirit empowered. Peter was filled with the Spirit three times, in a short amount of time (Acts 2:1-4; 4:8, 31). Then he was empowered to proclaim the gospel. He is our example.
How far do we expand the message of the kingdom to go beyond the simple gospel? Do we talk about no abortions? No trans-surgeries and chemical castrations? Do we talk about limited government and low taxes, to maximize personal liberty? Do we denounce the movement to defund the police?
The answer is yes to all of the next current issues, which are only samples. We should counsel the government to stop all those awful practices and to maximize liberty.
E. Biblical examples of persuasion and counsel
1.. Moses and Aaron
Moses and Aaron try to influence the Pharaoh:
Afterward Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Let my people go, so that they may hold a festival to me in the wilderness.’” (Exod. 5:1)
Moses proclaimed the right policy–liberty–to the state, the Pharaoh. We should follow his lead and proclaim better policies, in addition to liberty, to today’s politicians.
2.. Old Testament prophets and kings and queens
Too many examples to cite here, but many of them told the kings and queens of Israel in the north and Judah in the south to repent and get back to the Ten Commandments and the covenant of Moses. The prophets were covenant enforcers.
3. John the Baptist and Herod.
He rebuked a government official.
3 Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, 4 for John had been saying to him: “It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5 Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered John a prophet. (Matt. 14:3-5)
Herod ended up executing him, but John obeyed God first and foremost.
4. Paul and the Roman government
Paul used his Roman citizenship to scold the local leaders for flogging him (Acts 16:37-38). He demanded his legal rights (Acts 22:24-26).
Paul is shown to be preaching to Felix about righteousness, self-control, and judgment to come (Acts 24:25). Then he proclaimed his testimony before Festus and King Agrippa (Acts 26). He appealed to Caesar, and they sent him on to Rome. This passage is so clarifying, I have to quote it in full:
24 At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.”
25 “I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable. 26 The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.”
28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”
29 Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.” (Acts 26:24-29)
Paul tried to persuade earthly rulers. He appealed to Caesar, and to Caesar he was sent. “Agrippa said to Festus, ‘This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar'” (Acts 26:32). He defended himself because he was innocent. And no doubt he preached the gospel in his speech.
And so Paul was not a passive citizen of Rome. He demanded his rights, and he got them. Evidently church history says he may have indeed appeared before Caesar’s court in Rome, if not the emperor himself. Apparently they freed him, because he probably went to Spain.
F. Modern examples of persuasion and counsel
1.. Business and government
The government should keep taxes low and regulations few. Then businesses can grow and hire people. When they slow down, they fire people.
Please remember these rhyming formulas for businesses (the arrow means “leads to”):
Slow → Fire
Grow → Hire
Government control or restrictions on business leads to the first formula. Government liberty for businesses can lead to the second one.
And so it is an injustice if the government imposes a heavy hand on business, past some basic laws of fairness, like contract law.
The Biblical Case for Low Taxes and Limited Government
2.. Same-sex marriage.
The Supreme Court’s decision Obergefell (2015) said that prohibiting two men or two women from getting married violates their constitutional right. Then the Respect for Marriage Act (2022) codified into law same-sex marriage. It also repealed the Defense of Marriage Act (1996) that had said marriage is between a man and a woman. Many democrats voted for it and Bill Clinton signed it into law. How is the church to respond now, given this new reality?
If a Christian organization can reverse same sex marriage by law or another Supreme Court decision that hands the issue back to the states, similar to what Dobbs (2022) did for abortion, then the organization should try. It will be a difficult challenge because society has moved on and allows two consenting adults to get married. And POMA will make the Supreme Court reluctant to overturn Obergefell. (This is different from abortion where the preborn child is not a consenting adult.)
At the very least, Christian organizations can submit amicus briefs to the Supreme Court, if a case ever reaches it.
Update: on November 10, 2025, the Supreme Court has declined to hear a case opposing same-sex marriage.
Supreme Court rejects appeal from county clerk who sought to overturn same-sex marriage decision. Things could change in the future, however.
However, let’s not impose a Christian version of sharia–by a toxic mixture of civil and religious laws–on consenting adults. The church should still proclaim the gospel to the same-sex couples and their children and keep proclaiming it when the (possibly maladjusted) kids grow up. God can rescue these deceived married couples and their children through new birth, daily living in the Spirit, and discipleship.
3. Transitioning is wrong for adults and egregiously evil for children
Do I need to spend a long time here? No. We need to use God’s power and grace to stop this. We should alert the moms and especially the dads to rise up and denounce it at the schools. We can try to get legislation to pass and repeal the bad legislation. Some parents in a few states are suing hospitals for performing the surgery on kids. Organizations seek to prevent men who believe they are women from competing in biological women’s sports.
Well done.
But for Caitlyn Jenner, a full adult formerly known as Bruce Jenner, the winner in the decathlon at the Olympics in 1976, I would not want to pass a law that would force him to detransition. I would use only persuasion built on the gospel. Repent and be saved. Then, if he were to convert, we should pray and counsel him, in God’s timing and his sanctifying power, to help him detransition. God can work miracles in a person’s mind and heart.
G. Participation in government
Another way to be salt and light and to do public good works to persuade society is to vote. That is the least Christians can do. We can vote out the crooks and vote in good conservative people.
An even stronger way to influence government is for true members of the invisible, universal church to run for political office. Then they can pursue policies that benefit the maximum number of people, not just the church. And the policies have to also conform to justice. I like to believe that when we pass righteous laws for the good of the larger society and that favor justice, everyone benefits.
H. Best way
We should keep things simple and tell Christians to follow the pure gospel and to be good witnesses. When we instruct the people in our churches on salvation and evangelism and righteousness, society will gradually change, one soul at a time. And so The best way to influence society for righteousness is to build up the churches and evangelize the lost, so that they come to church. As I heard many years ago, “Healthy sheep reproduce.”
I. Difficult challenges needing wisdom
We are kingdomists, but we do not withdraw from the world. We are salt and light for it. We need the proverbial wisdom of Solomon, so we can figure out when we push the kingdom too far, so we lurch over into Dominionism, and when we do not go far enough, so we abandon society.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. (James 1:5-8)
Let’s pray for wisdom without doubting but with single-minded, undivided faith! And then we act.
RELATED
Begin a long series on sharia at this post:
1 Introduction to a Series on Islamic Sharia Law
And go here for a long article on Dominionism, Christian Nationalism, and the Seven-Mountain Mandate.
Observations on New Apostolic Reformation and Christian Nationalism
An Evil Counterfeit to the Jesus Revolution
One Hundred Accomplishments the West Can Be Proud of
Will Breaking Moral Law Break America?
How to Rescue America with These Images
I borrowed heavily from my own post here:
13 The Church and Civil Government
Dr. Jim's Essential Bible Teaching 