BPF - Christian Nationalism and the Seven Mountains Mandate Explained
- Mar 20
- 3 min read
Most Americans are familiar with the phrase Christian nationalism, but far fewer have heard of a concept called the Seven Mountains Mandate. Yet this idea has been circulating in some evangelical and charismatic Christian circles for decades and has increasingly intersected with American politics in recent years.
The basic premise of the Seven Mountains Mandate is simple but sweeping: Christians are called by God to gain influence over seven major areas of society in order to reshape culture according to biblical values.
Those seven “mountains” are:
Religion
Family
Education
Government
Media
Arts and entertainment
Business
The concept originated in the 1970s when two evangelical leaders — Loren Cunningham of Youth With A Mission and Bill Bright of Campus Crusade for Christ — both said they received similar visions about Christians influencing society’s major institutions. In later decades, the idea was expanded and promoted by charismatic leaders such as Lance Wallnau, who helped popularize the term “Seven Mountains.”
Supporters often describe the concept as a call for Christians to actively participate in shaping culture. Critics, however, argue that in practice it can move toward something closer to dominion theology — the belief that society should ultimately be governed according to biblical principles.
This is where the idea begins to intersect with politics.
During the 2016 United States presidential election, Wallnau promoted the argument that Donald Trump was a modern version of the biblical King Cyrus — a ruler used by God to protect Israel despite not being personally religious.
The comparison helped some religious voters interpret Trump’s presidency as part of a larger spiritual mission to restore Christian influence in American culture.
Around the same time, similar ideas appeared within networks sometimes associated with the New Apostolic Reformation, a loosely organized movement emphasizing modern-day prophets and apostles.
Following the 2020 United States presidential election, several figures connected to these networks promoted prophetic claims that Trump would remain president. Some of these messages appeared at political prayer rallies such as the Jericho March, where participants prayed around government buildings believing divine intervention could overturn the election results.
Researchers who study religion and politics often note that the Seven Mountains Mandate overlaps with broader trends in Christian nationalist ideology, particularly the belief that America has a special religious identity that should be reflected in public policy.
However, it’s important to emphasize that many Christians strongly reject this theology.
Critics within Christianity often point to passages in the New Testament where Jesus distinguishes between spiritual and political authority. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus says, “Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s.” In the Gospel of John, Jesus tells the Roman governor Pontius Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world.”
For many theologians, these passages suggest that Christianity is primarily a spiritual kingdom rather than a political one.
Another reason the Seven Mountains concept has drawn attention is its emphasis on institutional influence. Advocates often encourage believers to pursue leadership roles in areas such as education, media, and government. This focus on grassroots activism can appear in local politics, particularly school board races and state-level policy debates.
Supporters see this as an expression of religious freedom and civic participation.
Critics worry it risks blending religious authority with state power in ways that conflict with the United States’ tradition of religious pluralism.
The question one can not help but ask is this: Whose version of the Bible would be the one that society should be based on. The Bible I read has many rather large differences when compared to the one many Christian Nationalists seem to be using.
Regardless of where one stands politically or religiously, the Seven Mountains Mandate highlights an important debate happening inside American Christianity itself — a debate about the relationship between faith, power, and democracy.
Understanding that debate is increasingly important as religion continues to shape the nation’s political landscape.
Sources
Background on the Seven Mountains Mandate
NPR – “The Evangelicals Engaged in Spiritual Warfare” https://www.npr.org/2021/01/08/954454816
Religion News Service – “What Is the Seven Mountains Mandate?” https://religionnews.com/2021/01/21/seven-mountains-mandate/
Christian Nationalism & Politics
Pew Research Center – Christian Nationalism in the United States https://www.pewresearch.org
Brookings Institution – Christian Nationalism and American Politics https://www.brookings.edu
Trump and the Cyrus Narrative
Politico – “The Evangelicals Who Compare Trump to King Cyrus” https://www.politico.com
Jericho March & Election Prophecy Movement
Associated Press coverage of Jericho March events https://apnews.com
Academic Analysis
Andrew Whitehead & Samuel Perry, Taking America Back for God Oxford University Press
Biblical References
Matthew 22:21 – “Render unto Caesar”
John 18:36 – “My Kingdom Is Not of This World”
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