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How is the theocratic Seven Mountain Mandate animating the Christian Right in the U.S.? [1]
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Date: 2025-07-13
A dyamic religious movement once (incorrectly) viewed as fringe has become a major factor in Amercan politics. It has not been much recognized by the broad Center/Left. That used to be the case with the media as well. But the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) has been increasingly reported on, and reported on increasingly well in the past year or two. There has yet to be a major news story in The New York Times about it — even though The Washington Post beat them to it years ago. Still, the quality of reporting has often been uneven, which is why a colleague and I wrote A Reporter’s Guide to the New Apostolic Reformation. But recent stories in The Atlantic and National Public Radio are examples of how far we have come.
NAR was a major factor in the January 6 insurrection and has a history of praying for God to smite perceived opponents, including government officials and federal judges. It is arguably as revolutionary a movement as we have ever seen.
Nevertheless, there are politicians and elected officials in both parties (but mostly Republicans) who are part of or influenced by NAR.
Very briefly , NAR is a broad movement within Pentecostal and Charismatic Christianity that is seeking to overturn 2000 years of Christian institutions, offices and doctrines — and wants to start fresh from their vision of what First Century Christianity was like, or was intended to be. The movement seeks religious and political dominion over the U.S. and in the world. Many of its leaders see themselves in a biblically prophsized End Times religious war.
A forerunner to the NAR of today was the 1988 presidental campaign of Pat Robertson. It was led by deeply politicized charismatic and Pentecostal Christians, who then became the core of the Christian Coalition. The NAR movement existed long before it was named by the late thought leader, C. Peter Wagner and his close colleagues in the mid-90s. Wagner and his colleagues didn’t just name the movement, but they sought to lead and shape it.
One of the movement’s singular features has been a theological marketing campain, called the Seven Mountain Mandate. 7M has a vision of seven areas of society overwhich Christians are to take power and infuence: religion, goverment, family, education, business, media, and arts & entertainment
Admittedly, its unusual and complicated stuff for most of us. What’s more, the movement keeps evolving — always remember that it is a movement not a denomination — which is one reason why we need to pay close attention. It also has factions and disagreements.
Below is a brief overview of the history and core beliefs of the Seven Mountain Mandate which was published recently by The Conversation — a publication that features popularly written articles by academics, which in turn are syndicated by the Associated Press, and so therefore has reach that is broad and deep.
A friend if mine tracked (as best he could via Google) where this story has appeared. He found 54 pick-ups of consequence, which are listed below. This is strong evidence that mainstream media is increasingly recognizing the significance of NAR and the need for citizens to know about this influential and profoundly anti-democratic movement.
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