What do you think of Dutch Sheets and the NAR movement?

[thebackyardpreacher]

Dutch Sheets recently preached at my church and I was rather disappointed. It was more of a political talk than anything else. He seems to be a proponent of dominion theology which I disagree with. I do not dislike the guy but it seems to be the path our church is taking as he was our new pastors professor at Christ for the Nations. I am a moderate and theologically open minded who desires to build up the Kingdom within, and help shepherd otherd in that direction. I do not worry so much about politics other than that it is fun to talk about. So what do you think of Dutch Sheets and this NAR movement? Should I be concerned?

 

[Girl on Fire for God]

I am not really sure what movements you are talking about but I love Dutch Sheets!
I have read several of his books and just recently had the pleasure of hearing him preach!
I was really impressed about how he wasn't really preaching much about politics but mainly on prayer and the power it has to change a nation!

I really like Dutch Sheets, but I guess its just my point of view!

 

[thebackyardpreacher]

Yea, I like the guy and his heart for America. I don't want to totally judge him based on one sermon. Although I do question his dominion theology. Maybe I am blowing the whole thing out of proportion. Our new pastor is great, he is just heavily influenced by the NAR movement. And while I know each person has different theologies I just don't want to see people hurt in our congregation.

 

[Biblicist]

Dutch Sheets recently preached at my church and I was rather disappointed. It was more of a political talk than anything else. He seems to be a proponent of dominion theology which I disagree with. I do not dislike the guy but it seems to be the path our church is taking as he was our new pastors professor at Christ for the Nations. I am a moderate and theologically open minded who desires to build up the Kingdom within, and help shepherd otherd in that direction. I do not worry so much about politics other than that it is fun to talk about. So what do you think of Dutch Sheets and this NAR movement? Should I be concerned?

The following paragraphs came from a reply that I gave in this particular forum (Eph 4:11) where I gave my opinion regarding the rise of the various false-apostles that are spreading their wares across the Body of Christ. The movement is certainly destructive and its dominionist bent should be enough to scare of any well informed Believer. Essentially the NARzie philosophies (its not a theology) should be shunned by all of us.

If you are referring to those who were commissioned by Christ, being the Twelve along with Paul, then you are spot on. Once these individuals passed away they were not replaced. There are many practitioners within the New Apostolic Renewal (NARzies), which itself is merely a rehash of the earlier Latter-Rain movement which started back in 1948, where these self-appointed contemporary apostles have attempted to falsley connect their 'ministries' with those who were commissioned by Christ as "Apostles-of-Christ", where their commissioning is vastly different to that of the congregational apostle who is appointed by the local congregation for the specific task of establishing new church plants.

These individuals certainly do not have an "annointing" (which in itself is a heavily abused term within Pentecostal circles), where they are appointed and not commissioned to this task by the local congregation and not Christ. As to their supposed authority, this does not go beyond that of the task that is appointed to them by their local congregation and the NARzie claim that the Scriptures point to the apostle as being the leader of a church or a region is nothing else but heresy, where we would have more chance to claim that before anyone can be of service within the church that they first need to obtain a certificate from MacDonalds which says that they are now approved to serve.

The contemporary apostle can be equated to anyone who is directly involved with establishing new church plants, be this within a suburban environment or within overseas regions. The Scriptures do not provide even a scant of evidence that the apostle is to have authority over a congregation or over a local region.

I am of the opinion that if we find ourselves residing in a congregation where the senior minister starts to declare that he is an apostle and that he is supposed to be the king-pin, then I think that if it is an option that we would all be well advised to consider walking out the door and find a church that is at least attempting to obey the Scriptures.​

 

[tturt]

Yahweh can always work on his attitude as He does with us all.

"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;" I Cor 4:11

The church title might be different but it continues.

Concerning Dutch Sheets, I enjoyed one of his books on intercessory prayer.

 

[dayhiker]

I don't know Dutch Sheets.
When I was much younger I was on the edge of some teaching about Dominion Theology. I spent some time thinking about it as it was outside the teaching I
was used to growing up. Later I learned about this theology and reflected back on my limited experience. It was one of the time I felt I was being pushed
toward legalism and there for one of the time I felt the Holy Spirit distancing himself from me. So I think I'd have some serious trouble of that was
the main direction a church I was attending was going.

 

[thebackyardpreacher]

I don't know Dutch Sheets.
When I was much younger I was on the edge of some teaching about Dominion Theology. I spent some time thinking about it as it was outside the teaching I
was used to growing up. Later I learned about this theology and reflected back on my limited experience. It was one of the time I felt I was being pushed
toward legalism and there for one of the time I felt the Holy Spirit distancing himself from me. So I think I'd have some serious trouble of that was
the main direction a church I was attending was going.

Yea I understand what your saying. It is almost like the Christian version of Sharia law. I am hoping that we don't go down some crazy path I really like my church family. Thanks.

 

[tturt]

What is your definition of dominion theology?

 

[thebackyardpreacher]

What is your definition of dominion theology?

Dominion theology is when a certain religious group believes it is their duty to take control of a system of government creating a theocracy. This is ideal under our Lord in his return but I find it disturbing under human rule when you have thousands of different groups who believe they know the will of God. While I can understand their motives it is not good.

 

[musicalpilgrim]

Concerning Dutch Sheets, I enjoyed one of his books on intercessory prayer.

I have recently bought Dutch Sheets book on intercessory prayer and have found it encouraging and motivating. There doesn't seem to be anything to be worried about, just testimony to the power of prayer and the encouragement to pray more.

 

[dayhiker]

Dominion theology is when a certain religious group believes it is their duty to take control of a system of government creating a theocracy. This is ideal under our Lord in his return but I find it disturbing under human rule when you have thousands of different groups who believe they know the will of God. While I can understand their motives it is not good.

And even worse if it is one person saying they know the will of God and expect everyone else to act accordingly.

 

[Pamelav]

What a disappointment. Not to make you mad, as I don't know you at all when I ask this. But, what are the things he said? Would you be able to get a recording on it in here somehow? About 15 years ago we were in a prayer group and God was using his book 'interccessory prayer.'