The seven mountain mandate is a teaching that Christians should seek influence over the seven main areas or “mountains” of culture: religion, family, education, government, media, arts and entertainment, and business. The goal is to bring these areas under the “lordship of Christ” and advance God’s kingdom on earth.
This teaching developed in the 1970s from a book called The Reclaiming of the Seven Mountains of Culture by Bill Bright, Loren Cunningham, and David Yonggi Cho. It gained popularity in the 2000s through ministries like Os Hillman’s Reclaiming the Seven Mountains website. Some key evangelical leaders have promoted it, including Pat Robertson and the late Jerry Falwell.
The seven mountains teaching is based on the belief that culture shapes society, and societal change requires cultural change. If Christians want to transform nations, they need to guide these key cultural spheres. Proponents often point to the Great Commission telling believers to disciple nations and teach obedience to all Jesus commanded (Matthew 28:19-20).
However, there are diverging views on the legitimacy and interpretation of this mandate.
Arguments for the seven mountain mandate
Those who support the seven mountain mandate make several arguments:
- Jesus calls believers to be salt and light in the world (Matthew 5:13-16). This requires engagement with all areas of society.
- The cultural mandate in Genesis 1:28 gives humans dominion to rule over creation, including social institutions.
- Examples like Joseph, Daniel, and Nehemiah show godly influence in high positions.
- The Great Commission expects disciples in all nations, implying reaching all societal groups.
- The Lord’s Prayer petitions for God’s kingdom to come on earth (Matthew 6:10).
- Jesus’ parables suggest His reign progressively advances and permeates the world (Matthew 13:31-33).
In essence, proponents argue that Christians should actively pursue positions of power and influence in key cultural spheres. If enough godly men and women lead these mountains, society as a whole can be transformed.
Criticisms and concerns about the mandate
Some Christians raise cautions or objections to the seven mountain mandate:
- It goes beyond the Great Commission. While we are called to make disciples of all nations, Jesus does not command taking over society.
- It resembles the triumphalist Dominion Theology movement, which seeks to establish Christ’s kingdom before His return.
- Secular areas like arts, media, and business are not “mountains” requiring conquest for God.
- It focuses too much on top-down change rather than bottom-up discipleship.
- It encourages power grabbing rather than humble service, sacrificial love, and suffering as Jesus modeled.
- Only transforming hearts through the gospel can truly change culture.
- Attempts at “Christianizing” society have historically resulted in compromise, corruption, and coercion.
- It gives believers an inflated sense of responsibility for establishing God’s kingdom on earth.
Some warn the seven mountain mandate puts too much emphasis on political solutions for spiritual problems. They argue believers should focus less on gaining power and more on displaying Christ through godly character and good works.
What does the Bible teach about cultural influence?
There are a few key biblical principles that relate to the mandate debate:
- Light dispels darkness. Followers of Christ are called to be salt and light amidst cultural decay (Matthew 5:13-16). The gospel transforms hearts and lives, impacting society.
- The kingdom advances gradually. Jesus used parables of seeds and yeast to show God’s reign growing over time in the world (Mark 4:26-32). Change happens through steady faithfulness.
- Be in the world, not of it. While Christians should engage culture, they must guard against compromise (John 17:14-18; 1 John 2:15-17). The world’s methods are not always appropriate.
- Focus on the heart. Outward behavior changes most meaningfully when the inner person is renewed by the Holy Spirit (Ezekiel 36:26-27).
- Live peaceably under governing authorities. Though flawed, secular leaders are still established by God for order (Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-17).
- Avoid idolizing human kingdoms. Earthly societies and institutions are temporary. Our ultimate citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20).
In summary, the Bible calls believers to honor Christ through righteous living, Spirit-empowered love, gospel witness, and whatever vocations God places them in. Cultural change is a natural byproduct of authentic faith, not an end goal in itself.
Evaluating the seven mountain mandate
When evaluating the merits and potential problems of the seven mountain mandate, some key questions arise:
- Are cultural institutions treated as neutral “mountains” to be conquered, or as God’s domains where we lovingly serve (1 Peter 4:10)?
- Is this a human-centered, power-focused agenda or Spirit-led obedience to make disciples?
- Does it encourage compromise with unbiblical values to access positions of influence?
- Does it create unrealistic expectations to transform all societies before Christ’s return?
- Does it distract from the local church’s discipleship mission and place undue burden on individual believers?
- Is it ignorant of actual structural injustices that require deeper reforms?
- Does it lead people to place faith in political solutions over proclaiming the gospel?
The answers to these questions will determine if this mandate veers into unbiblical thinking about building God’s kingdom on earth.
What cultural influence is beneficial?
Seeking cultural influence has potential benefits when:
- It stems from a genuine desire to serve others and honor God.
- It aims to be a moral conscience and advocate for righteousness and justice.
- It creates opportunities to unconditionally demonstrate God’s love.
- It offers a platform to share truth and hope in Christ with many people.
- It works for beneficial reforms within political and social systems.
- It brings more believers into fields where they can add light.
However, these opportunities for good should not be forced. Biblically, those called to positions of high influence appear to be providentially placed there by God rather than aggressively pursuing power for an agenda.
Dangers of tying Christianity to politics
One potential downside to the seven mountains teaching is that it easily blends Christianity with politics in troubling ways, such as:
- Implying nations must be “Christianized” to fulfill the Great Commission.
- Equating certain politics, policies, and parties with “kingdom values.”
- Prioritizing power grabbing over principles of justice, ethics, stewardship.
- Forging unhealthy alliances between churches and political lobbies.
- Letting pragmatic ends justify means, even if unethical or unloving.
- Becoming known more for a political agenda than gospel message.
When churches start pursuing political clout more than moral character, theological integrity and gospel purity often suffer. Maintaining a prophetic distance from secular politics can help believers avoid compromising biblical truth.
Individual action steps outside of politics
Rather than fixating on top-down political solutions, everyday Christians can make a cultural impact through actions like:
- Starting non-profit groups that address local needs with Christ-like compassion.
- Creating social enterprises that seek both financial and social/spiritual returns.
- Reforming business, education, media, etc. with ethical practices and moral courage.
- Befriending and serving marginalized groups with empathy and no strings attached.
- Being faithful parents, employees, citizens – letting light shine in everyday roles.
- Pursuing academic/artistic excellence with humility and higher purpose.
- Speaking truth about moral issues compassionately yet unapologetically.
Simple acts of spiritual and social renewal “from below” may do more to transform culture than campaigns for power “from above.” The seven spheres are shaped more by decentralized actions than top-down control.
Cautions for the institutional church
While believers can influence culture in various ways, churches as organizations must be cautious. Attempting to Christianize culture through political alliances has proven historically problematic. The institutional church is best served by focusing on its unique mission – making disciples through teaching, preaching, baptizing, training, sending, and modeling the way of Christ (Matthew 28:19-20).
Some potential dangers for churches include:
- Shifting focus from spiritual ministry to political activism.
- Letting government funding or agenda dictate church operations.
- Becoming divided over partisan politics rather than united in Christ.
- Associating the eternal gospel with fleeting human ideologies.
- Putting social/political activism above nurturing believers in truth.
The church as an organization is called to advance God’s kingdom but should be wary of “power-over” methods. Its authority comes from speaking truth to culture while modeling righteousness, not from imposing values through political control.
Kingdom significance comes through faithfulness
In conclusion, believers are called to engage culture, but with a different notion of what constitutes true impact. Biblically, cultural influence that matters most is:
- Faithfulness in small things more than large platforms.
- Service motivated by humility not domination.
- Wisdom and character that earn respect on merits not manipulation.
- Courage to speak truth with love not fear of consequences.
- Devotion to God’s purposes above selfish ambition.
- Integrity that maintains righteousness despite pressure.
Attempting to force top-down cultural change often compromises these virtues. When believers live out the spirit of Christ in their own spheres of influence, transformation happens organically. As salt seasons and leaven permeates, so the gospel renews hearts, lives, and ultimately culture.
