Since Ted Cruz's father, Rafael Cruz, is a preacher who espouses the fringe evangelical doctrine of Dominionism, the candidate may draw on faith for inspiration for his adamant positions on core issues, from Israel to ObamaCare.

As Religious New Service explains, the term "Dominionism" started being applied to conservative Christians who entered politics in the 1990s by scholars and journalists alike. Politicians who have been described as “Dominionists” include evangelical media personality Pat Robertson, former Governor of Alaska Sarah Palin, former Governor of Texas Rick Perry, and Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann.

Devotion to Dominionism

Adherents of Dominionism believe Christians have an obligation to take over the government in an effort to save it from wicked forces, explains The Daily Beast. The sect take their radical stance from a literal reading of the Bible.

The founder of the evangelical group, R.J. Rushdoony, sought to replace secular law with Biblical law. The group takes their scriptural cues from Isaiah 2:2, which, in the King James version of the Bible, reads, “And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.”

For a Dominionist, this passage means Christians have a God-given right to rule over all earthly institutions.

Prophecy in Politics

In his recently released book, “A Time for Action: Empowering the Faithful to Reclaim America,” Rafael Cruz explains his son has had a lifelong calling to shepherd the world.

“The Bible tells us that we are the salt of the earth and light of the world… Doesn’t that suggest that our influence should touch every area of society -- our families, the media, sports, arts and entertainment, education, business, and government?" the senior Cruz writes, as quoted in Right Wing Watch.

Rafael Cruz has also spoken of his son’s place in contemporary politics along providential lines.

In a recent interview with the Christian Broadcasting Network’s David Brody, Rafael Cruz recalled informing his son of his destiny at a young age, Right Wing Watch reports.

“You know, Ted, you have been gifted about any man that I know and God has destined you for greatness,” he told Ted Cruz as a boy.

Rather than discouraging his father from making such prophetic statements regarding his campaign, Cruz seems happy to use his father to appeal to evangelical voters who make up a crucial demographic for conservative candidates.

Government's Role During the Next Great Awakening

In a recent interview with Christian news site Charisma, Ted Cruz championed the work his father has done in explaining Dominionism to the masses.

“Our country's history has been intertwined with spiritual revival,” Cruz said. “My father today travels the country speaking to other pastors, and he has a real ministry reaching out to pastors and encouraging them to stand and lead and engage in the public arena.”

Cruz went on to say that when his father speaks he informs audiences that the American Revolution did not begin in the 1760s and the 1770s, but 40 years earlier, during a time he calls “the First Great Awakening.”

“If one looks at the Declaration of Independence, each of those grievances against England had been preached against in the pulpits for decades before that and it set the stage for a transformation, a new birth of freedom, as Lincoln put it, in this country that began with the Great Awakening,” Ted Cruz said.

The candidate added that his father’s message is tough for most religious leaders to handle.

“You know, when my father speaks at pastors' conferences, and he has spoken at hundreds of pastors' conferences, he delivers a message that's a hard message. A number of years ago, God really laid on his heart a message that nobody is more responsible for the condition of this country than the pastors,” he said.

Ted Cruz described contemporary America as being in a state of both spiritual and political awakening.

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