Since the 1970s, Christian leaders, such as James Dobson (Focus on the Family) and Bill Bright (Campus Crusade), have talked about how families and religious congregations (churches) can flourish in 7 cultural areas referred to as "7 mountains." More recently Charlie Kirk has promoted the 7 Mountain Mandate [1]. These efforts have been maligned as examples of Christian nationalism and dominionism. Such characterizations are unfair. In a land that protects religious liberty, people of all faiths can thrive on the "7 mountains" pictured here and increasingly depicted in campaign literature from conservative candidates.
While all faiths can flourish on the 7 mountains, the orthodox Protestants and Catholics have some of the best templates for building churches and families that have thrived across time. These templates are based on time-tested teachings about Scripture, the Gospel, doctrine and covenants. When there is a solid foundation for family and church relationships, these institutions can work together to promote successful relationships in the classroom, boardroom, courtroom, family room, etc. Strong relationships in these rooms can undergird healthy connections with God and one another on the 7 mountains.
While we hear much rhetoric about bringing Christ into culture, uniting Christians around the rhetoric requires union with Christ's holy and righteous teachings (1 Corinthians 1:30). Paul tells us in Romans that gospel reveals a righteousness that comes by faith (Romans 1:17). This is the righteousness to which the law and prophets testify (Romans 3:21).
Christians across the generations have united to emphasize Trinitarian leadership in the above 7 spheres. Ideally, the leaders of churches, families, governments and related mediating institutions all focus on the leading of the Spirit, the Lordship of Christ, and the love of God, the lawgiver. Mediating instution leaders come to know and reflect the character of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit through the means of grace: the Word, prayer, and sacraments. These means of grace have practical applications on the 7 mountains through preaching, prayer, and peacemaking; see, e.g., covenant.net/MeansOfGrace.
When church, family and governmental leaders promote fundamental rights, all faiths will have ample opportunities to build educational, religious, governmental (judicial), business, arts, media, and family institutions that honor God. Faiths without proven templates in these 7 areas will struggle and turn to the government for help with what the family and religious congregation can do best. Faiths with proven templates can show that there are familial and religious solutions to overcome the problems throughout culture. To learn more about these proven templates for strengthening relationships on the 7 mountains, see the following diagram, which explains how God (as He makes Himself known through the means of grace, doctrines of grace, and covenant of grace) undergirds the government, family, and church (www.covenant.net/3Institutions) as well as "rooms" where Godly people gather while affirming the Lordship of Christ. See, e.g. www.Covenant.net/5Rooms. For more information about how these 3 institutions and 5 rooms form a foundation for God-honoring culture, see www.Covenant.net/1000Points. To see how 7 Mountain theology differs from dominionism/nationalism, see the Venn diagram at the bottom of this page[2]. Please also see related content at the following links:
For more information, see:
- https://GAPmovement.com/seven-spheres
- http://covenant.net/GP
- http://covenant.net/7Spheres
- https://www.slideshare.net/oshillman/7m-cultureshaping-webinar
- https://www.Covenant.net/ChurchRenewalVision-Keller2022
Endnotes:
[1] Charlie Kirk's Endorsement of the Seven Mountain Mandate- Charlie Kirk, the founder of the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA, has publicly endorsed and referenced the "Seven Mountain Mandate," a dominionist Christian ideology that advocates for Christian influence over seven key areas of society. While not always using the exact phrase, Kirk's rhetoric and associations align with the movement's goals.
The Seven Mountain Mandate identifies the following "mountains" or spheres of societal influence that proponents believe Christians are called to shape:- Family
- Religion
- Education
- Media
- Arts and Entertainment
- Business
- Government
- In 2020, Kirk's connection to the ideology became more explicit. During this period, Turning Point USA began to align with pastors and figures who actively promote the Seven Mountain Mandate. Kirk himself has praised political figures for their perceived understanding of these spheres of cultural influence. While Kirk's early activism was framed in more secular conservative terms, his increasing emphasis on spiritual and cultural warfare reflects the principles of the Seven Mountain Mandate. His initiative, TPUSA Faith, further underscores this shift, aiming to mobilize Christians to be more politically active and to view societal issues through a spiritual lens. This approach is consistent with the mandate's objective of establishing Christian values at the forefront of American life and governance.
