Democracy or Dominion?

In the first creation story found in Genesis, God is recorded as having given humankind “dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.”  (Genesis 1:28b)  Exactly what that means for the relationship between humans and other creatures has been and continues to be a matter of intense debate.  Some read it to mean that God intends the creatures of earth to be merely of use to humankind, with no value beyond the utilitarian.  Others understand the passage to indicate a more mutual relationship, one in which humanity is held responsible for good stewardship and protection of the lives and well-being of the creatures with which we share life on this planet.  The Rev. John Bell, speaking at a workshop which he recently led at Kirkridge Retreat and Conference Center, took this latter position, making a distinction between “dominion,” which he viewed as responsible exercise of authority, and “domination,” described as unjust and oppressive relationship.

In recent decades the term “dominion” has been adopted by a particular strand of independent, charismatic Christians to describe their intention to control most aspects of our civil life together.  In this reading “dominion” includes not just other creatures but humanity as well. This Dominionist theology is the hallmark of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), about which I wrote in my November column.  And it incorporates an understanding of the End Times and Christ’s Second Coming which is substantially at odds with the Millenarian teaching which I described in February.