C. Peter Wagner, leader of the New Apostolic Reformation and Rick Warren’s advisor, has done it again. He’s concocted another new kind of apostle — the philanthropic apostle. This new creature is obviously not a Scriptural term. But this role is an essential feature of the new kingdom dominionism/transformation agenda.
What in the world is a philanthropic apostle? C. Peter Wagner refers to them as “Agents of Kingdom Philanthropy” in his latest missive from his Global Harvest Ministries. Their purpose will be for the “distribution of kingdom wealth” when it begins to pour in. In other words, as the dominionism agenda gains momentum around the world, these transformative agents will be in charge of the disbursement of the funds. Wagner explains the rationale:
“We live in extraordinary times. The 21st Century is already shaping up to be a quantum leap from the 20th Century around the globe. We now live in the Second Apostolic Age in which the biblical government of the church has come alive once again. The Holy Spirit has begun speaking to the churches about taking dominion of God’s creation as God originally intended us to do. Our 20th Century goal of saving souls and multiplying churches has been expanded to aim for nothing less than transforming our society.
“Along with all of these mega-changes is the impending fulfillment of God’s promises through His prophets for the great transfer of wealth. My sense is that we are looking at unbelievable quantities of wealth moving from the control of the kingdom of darkness to the control of the kingdom of God. I know that it may be an exaggeration, but I have both faith and hope that it will be on the order of the wealth in Solomon’s kingdom. . . .”
” . . . . I’m directing these thoughts on philanthropy mostly to those to whom God has given positions of leadership, primarily apostles (see 1 Cor, 12:28). I think it is quite obvious that most new kingdom philanthropists will be apostles, both apostles in the nuclear church and apostles in the workplace.” [emphases added]
In C. Peter Wagner’s recently released book, The Church in the Workplace: How God’s People Can Transform Society (Regal Books, 2006), he expounds upon this topic in much greater detail. In order to justify these new agents of global dominion, Wagner must radically alter fundamental biblical doctrine. Wagner lays the groundwork with:
1. An open admission that “What I’m teaching is, in fact, Dominion Theology,” with a brief exposition about how this is now the correct doctrine for the church. (pp. 38-39)
2. A call for “success” in social transformation to be “measured,” including by “sociologically verifiable transformation” methods. (pp. 43-44)
3. A thorough description of his aberrant eschatology, which does not include the defeat of Satan at the cross of Christ, but leaves that up to the Church to accomplish (pp. 45-47)
4. A call for a new “dominion paradigm.” (pp. 47-48)
5. A call for Apostolic Leadership to take Social Transformation. This is complete with a diagram in which Social Transformation is accomplished by the Workplace Apostles (described elsewhere in Herescope). These “Workplace Apostles” link the “Church in the Workplace” to “The Transfer of Wealth.” (p. 51)
Reality Check:
Philanthropy has been used as a method of social transformation for over a hundred years. It was particularly used by the great tycoons such as John D. Rockefeller, J.P. Morgan and Andrew Carnegie at the turn of the last century. Their charitable endeavors endeared them to the public, but also furthered the expansion of their corporate empires. Like C. Peter Wagner’s diagram, the “social transformation” was accomplished by linking their corporate agendas to social agendas.
John D. Rockefeller financed religious and secular activities that furthered his economic goals, particularly the expansion of his oil interests in Central and South America. Later, Nelson Rockefeller was also able to change governments through his intelligence work. The activities of the Rockefeller family are described in-depth in a landmark book Thy Will Be Done: The Conquest of the Amazon: Nelson Rockefeller and Evangelism in the Age of Oil by Gerard Colby and Charlotte Dennett (HarperCollins, 1995).
This ingenious networking of Corporate with State and Church (what Peter Drucker termed the 3-legged stool of Society) was most effectively accomplished by the use of philanthropic funds. Here is how it works:
Marketplace (Corporate) expansion increases profits $$$$—–>
…Which are channeled into private foundation monies $$$$ —–>
……These $$$$ then are given to Charities and Mission agencies (Church), who in turn are expected to be “accountable” for how the $$$$ are used; i.e. fulfill Corporate goals—–>
………Which are turned back into Corporate profits $$$$ due to increased labor productivity, better health and sanitation, and religiously indoctrinated people groups—–>
…………And these Corporate $$$$ are turned into political action monies $$$$—–>
……………Which in turn finance $$$$ political candidates, the media, and changes of governments—–>
………………Who in turn grease $$$$ the way for new Corporate market expansion $$$$ —–>
And the cycle goes around and around. In recent decades philanthropic organizations (as well as political entities) have “pooled” their resources. PACs combine their $$$$ efforts, which makes it easier to make or break a candidate. Organizations such the Philanthropic Roundtable combine their $$$$ efforts to make or break ministries, charities and missions. (For more information on these points, see www.mediatransparency.org or Secret Records Revealed by Dr. Dennis L. Cuddy [800-837-0544].)
When C. Peter Wagner discusses measuring this new philanthropy by “socially verifiable transformation” he is really talking about setting up standards, criteria, and accountability structures. This “system” is purpose-driven and outcome-based.
It is important to note that this marketplace/philanthropic expansion model is precisely what is happening on the continent of Africa right now. Corporate expansion is working hand in hand with charitable, mission and philanthropic foundations to further dominionist “transformation” goals.
The Truth:
“Moreover they that work in fine flax, and they that weave networks shall be confounded. And they shall be broken in the purposes thereof, all that make sluices and ponds for fish.” (Isaiah 19:9-10)