Chuck Darwin<p>Vance <a href="https://c.im/tags/Boelter" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>Boelter</span></a>, who shot Democratic Minnesota state representative Melissa <a href="https://c.im/tags/Hortman" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>Hortman</span></a> and her husband, Mark <a href="https://c.im/tags/Hortman" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>Hortman</span></a>, on June 14, 2025, <br>studied at "Christ for the Nations Institute" in Dallas. </p><p>The group is a Bible school linked to the New Apostolic Reformation, or NAR. </p><p>The NAR is a loosely organized but influential charismatic Christian movement that shares similarities with Pentecostalism -- especially in its belief that God actively communicates with believers through the Holy Spirit. </p><p>Unlike traditional Pentecostalism, however, the organization emphasizes modern-day apostles and prophets as <br>💥authoritative leaders tasked with transforming society and ushering in God’s kingdom on Earth. </p><p>Prayer, prophecy and worship are defined not only as acts of devotion but as strategic tools for advancing believers’ vision of government and society. </p><p>After the shooting, the "Christ for the Nations Institute" issued a statement “unequivocally” denouncing “any and all forms of violence and extremism.” </p><p>It stated: “Our organization’s mission is to educate and equip students to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ through compassion, love, prayer, service, worship, and value for human life.” </p><p>But the shooting has drawn attention to the school and the larger Christian movement it belongs to. </p><p>One of the most important aspects of NAR teachings today is what is called <br>“the Seven Mountain Mandate.”<br>🔥The Seven Mountain Mandate calls on Christians to gain influence, or “take dominion,” over seven key areas of culture: <br> religion, family, education, government, media, business and the arts.</p><p>The Seven Mountains concept was originally proposed in 1975 <br>by evangelical leader Bill <a href="https://c.im/tags/Bright" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>Bright</span></a>, <br>the founder of "Campus Crusade for Christ". </p><p>Now known as “Cru,” the "Campus Crusade for Christ" was founded as a global ministry in 1951 to promote Christian evangelism, <br>especially on college campuses.</p><p>United by a shared vision to influence society through Christian values, <br>Bright partnered with Loren <a href="https://c.im/tags/Cunningham" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>Cunningham</span></a>, the founder of "Youth With A Mission", <br>a major international missionary training and outreach organization, <br>in the 1970s.</p><p>The Seven Mountains Mandate was popularized by theologian Francis <a href="https://c.im/tags/Schaeffer" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>Schaeffer</span></a>, <br>who linked it to a larger critique of secularism and liberal culture. Over time, it evolved.</p><p>C. Peter <a href="https://c.im/tags/Wagner" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>Wagner</span></a>, a former seminary professor who helped organize and name the New Apostolic Reformation, <br>is often regarded as the theological architect of the group. </p><p>He developed it into a call for dominion. </p><p>In his 2008 book “Dominion! How Kingdom Action Can Change the World,” <br>he urged Christians to take authoritative control of cultural institutions.</p><p>For Wagner, “dominion theology” – the idea that Christians should have control over all aspects of society – was a call to spiritual warfare, so that God’s kingdom would be “manifested here on earth as it is in heaven.”</p><p><a href="https://theconversation.com/what-is-the-seven-mountains-mandate-and-how-is-it-linked-to-political-extremism-in-the-us-260034" rel="nofollow noopener" translate="no" target="_blank"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">theconversation.com/what-is-th</span><span class="invisible">e-seven-mountains-mandate-and-how-is-it-linked-to-political-extremism-in-the-us-260034</span></a></p>