The earth does belong to the Lord because He created it. That does not mean that we have to figure out how to rule it for Him. Yes, He is the King but the kingdom is not of this earth, which Jesus specifically said. The Psalmist is referring to the overall notion of the fact that God is the ultimate King over His creation not that He is asking us to rule the nations or even influence them. Mattera's poor interpretation is founded on his heretical beliefs. I agree that the church shows the world the cross but that is achieved through the preaching of the gospel. The problem Mattera has is that preaching the gospel is hard, thankless work that does not usually amount to many trinkets and baubles from this world unless you preach heretically. Much easier to think that changing a law or electing a politician is somehow doing the Lord's will than actually preaching the gospel.
"2. The kingdom transforms individuals from within, while religion focuses on observing outward rituals. Jesus taught us that God requires truth in the inner man (Matt. 5-7, 23; Ps. 51:6). Hence, the kingdom focuses on inner transformation, while religion concentrates primarily on observing church rituals (Luke 17:21). Christ-centered spiritual disciplines help create proper habits of the heart that are conducive to growth in the knowledge and love of God." -- Joseph Mattera
By using buzzwords such as ritual Mattera hopes to smear the notion of organized church as it presently exists. Is he honestly suggesting people are not saved within the structure of church? If they are saved, how do they avoid internal transformation when that is exactly what salvation is! If you want to grow in the knowledge and love of God -- start by sticking to His word!
"3. The kingdom releases all believers to the work of the ministry, while religion merely releases professional clergy to minister. In the kingdom, all believers are both kings and priests (Rom. 5:17, 1 Pet. 2:8-9). In religion, only those trained in seminary and who are employed in church ministry are considered priests." -- Joseph Mattera
I assume the citation from Romans is an error since it literally has nothing to do with this topic. The Peter reference is simply about how we are a royal priesthood. I have seen this vision of Mattera in real life. Watch a Bethel prayer service and watch everyone thinking they are a prophet or preacher. It is demonic. God is a God of order. He established that order. He created the leadership positions within the church. I know Mattera fancies himself a king but there is only one.
"4. The kingdom sees the Spirit poured out upon all flesh. Religion sees the Spirit move only during Sunday services. The apostle Peter made it clear that the Resurrection inaugurated the kingdom age, which was seen when the Holy Spirit was poured out upon every culture, tribe, kindred, tongue and nation (Acts 2:17). Two of the results of the outpouring was that God was no longer restricted to the religious Jews, and His Spirit was not limited to the most holy place in their temple. Despite this, many in the body of Christ continue to restrict the Holy Spirit to moving only within the four walls of a building during mass or church services." -- Joseph Mattera
NAR dominionists love to abuse the Joel verse about the spirit being poured out. The notion that church only sees the spirit move on Sundays is absurd. Now, mega church purpose driven churches do only focus on Sunday but Mattera is not railing against that. he is railing against organized church structure.
"5. In the kingdom, the Scriptures have primary ecclesiastical authority. In religion, second-tier religious tradition has primary ecclesial authority. This second-tier religious tradition is an issue not only for the Roman Catholics, who put custom and canon law on equal terms with Scripture, but also for the Orthodox Church. Many people place the writings of the apostolic fathers on the same level as the Holy Scriptures. Many evangelical Protestant denominations, Pentecostal and non-Pentecostal churches also have second-tier traditions that they regard as primary authority as they relate to Christian practices." -- Joseph Mattera
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