Matthew Boedy on The Seven Mountains Mandate (Hemant Mehta, The Friendly Atheist podast #629)

Matthew Boedy is the author of multiple books and has written for many major publications. He’s a leader in faculty organizing as president of the Georgia conference of the American Association of University Professors. He’s formerly a high school teacher and currently a professor of rhetoric at the University of North Georgia.

His latest book, the one I spoke with him about, is called The Seven Mountains Mandate: Exposing the Dangerous Plan to Christianize America and Destroy Democracy.
Interview: 

https://friendlyatheistpodcast.com/2026/04/01/matthew-boedy-on-the-seven-mountains-mandate/

The Apostle Assassin (Conspirituality podcast episode #263)

“Dad went to war last night” read Vance Boelter's text to his family in the early hours of June 14. This was sent after his shooting rampage aimed at Democratic lawmakers, which left two dead and two critically wounded.

Turns out Boelter is an ordained pastor in a church associated with the New Apostolic Reformation, which sees the world as a spiritual battlefield and whose leaders have preached that political enemies are possessed by demons.

This is not some small fringe movement. Key figures in the Trump administration are adherents. We revisit this apocalyptic evangelical Christian cult and consider its political violence and religious extremism.
Interview: 

https://www.conspirituality.net/episodes/263-the-apostle-assassin

The Alleged Minnesota Assassin’s Connections to the New Apostolic Reformation (Bradley Onishi and Daniel Miller; Straight White American Jesus podcast)

In this emergency episode of ‘Straight White American, Jesus,’ host Brad Onishi discusses the assassination of Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband by a shooter impersonating a police officer. 

Brad provides details about the suspect, Vance Boelter, and his background, including his ties to Donald Trump, anti-abortion views, and Christian ministry. 

Scholar Matt Taylor explains Boelter’s connections to the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), diving into the history and influence of Christ for the Nations Institute, a significant institution in the independent charismatic Christian world. Their comments contextualize the violent act within the broader landscape of political violence and radicalization in the U.S., highlighting the dire implications of such events.

Interview: 

https://www.straightwhiteamericanjesus.com/episodes/the-alleged-minnesota-assassins-connections-to-the-new-apostolic-reformation/

Special Episode: Militias, Mama Bears, and the New Apostolic Reformation (Bradley Onishi and Daniel Miller; Straight White American Jesus podcast)

Brad discusses a recent rally/protest in Seattle over Memorial Day weekend. 

The event highlighted the merging of Christian nationalists, young believers, and violent militia groups. 

Guests Kate Burns and Matt Taylor explore the disturbing integration of multi-ethnic Christian supremacists with far-right extremist groups. They warn about the movement’s calculated attempts to provoke reactions and capitalize on media portrayal, especially as the nation heads towards the 2024 election. 

The discussion underscores the need for awareness and strategic countermeasures against these growing alliances.

Interview: 

https://www.straightwhiteamericanjesus.com/episodes/special-episode-militias-mama-bears-and-the-new-apostolic-reformation/

The Army of God Comes Out of the Shadows - The Atlantic

Tens of millions of American Christians are embracing a charismatic movement known as the New Apostolic Reformation, which seeks to destroy the secular state...

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2025/02/new-apostolic-reformation-christian-movement-trump/681092/ 

 

Is Trump’s Authoritarianism Apocalyptic? w/ Matt Taylor (Bradley Onishi and Daniel Miller; Straight White American Jesus podcast)

Matt Taylor, an expert on the New Apostolic Reformation and author of The Violent Took It By Force, joins this episode of SWAJ. 

Speaking at an event in San Diego, Taylor discusses the implications of MAGA—a populist authoritarian movement fueled by Christian nationalism—on America’s liberal democracy. The episode emphasizes the need to look beyond American history for comparisons and learn from global instances of populist regimes. 

Taylor elaborates on the societal divisions and the potential threats MAGA poses to democracy, while Brad encourages strategic resistance and community mobilization in anticipation of new political challenges.

Interview: 

https://www.straightwhiteamericanjesus.com/episodes/is-trumps-authoritarianism-apocalyptic-w-matt-taylor/

This Just in From Heaven - The Atlantic

Within that world, FlashPoint has emerged as the premier outlet for the most trusted prophets with the largest followings, and a venue for politicians eager to reach that audience. By now, Bailey has interviewed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and Trump himself. Most important, the show has become a kind of command center for the people Trump refers to as "my Christians." In a sense, FlashPoint is where God's memo goes out, which makes it all the more noteworthy that, in recent weeks, the prophecies have become more apocalyptic… 

Bailey brought on a pastor who cast himself as a reporter, who said that he had "confirmed that the FBI had a busload of antifa people come in and infiltrate the rally." The host tossed to a prophet named Mario Murillo, who said, "I know that there is a spirit in the land that wants to take away our Christian rights and our freedoms and that today we demonstrated to them we are not going to let this happen—and anyone who thinks this ends tonight is totally mistaken." Wallnau Zoomed in from Trump International Hotel in Washington. He described the march to the Capitol as a "giant Disney parade," and said the violence had been carried out not by "our people" but by antifa and Black Lives Matter, calling them "the devil's people." Bailey turned to Kunneman: "What's God showing you?" Kunneman videoed in from Omaha, calling the violence "a smokescreen from the Devil." "Remember," he continued. "Big God, little devil. Big God, little corrupt Democrat rat. Big God, little Republican pathetic person that cannot stand for their democracy." People clapped…

https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2024/11/flashpoint-new-apostolic-reformation/680478/

Weekly Roundup: Trump’s Bizarre Town Hall Mental Breakdown (Bradley Onishi and Daniel Miller; Straight White American Jesus podcast)

In this episode of the weekly roundup, 

• Brad and Dan analyze Donald Trump’s unconventional town hall in Pennsylvania and his ties to the New Apostolic Reformation. 
• They explore the emotional and nostalgic appeal of Christian Trumpism, including Trump’s influence on reproductive rights issues within the GOP. 
• The discussion includes Kamala Harris’s media strategy, the public’s reaction to Trump’s behavior, and the complexities of emotional manipulation in political and religious contexts. 
• the Million Woman March, 
• Trump’s self-proclamation as the ‘father of IVF,’ and 
• recent judicial decisions on voting regulations.

Interview: 

https://www.straightwhiteamericanjesus.com/episodes/weekly-roundup-trumps-bizarre-town-hall-mental-breakdown/

JD Vance's Connections to a Christian Nationalist Movement

Christian nationalists dream of taking over America. This movement is actually doing it.

This is the New Apostolic Reformation, a charismatic evangelical Christian movement led by a loose network of self-appointed­ prophets and apostles, who claim that God speaks directly to them, often in dreams. And they believe that Christians are called to wage a spiritual battle for control of the US.

In the vanguard of an ascendant Christian nationalist movement, they seek an explicitly Christian command of public schools, social policy, and all levels of the government, including the courts. Some scholars claim that NAR is the fastest-growing spiritual movement in the US. Evangelical writer C. Peter Wagner described it as the most significant shake-up in Protestantism since the Reformation. Its laser focus on starting a spiritual war to Christianize America has led the Southern Poverty Law Center to call NAR “the greatest threat to US democracy that you have never heard of.”

Estimates of Christians influenced by NAR vary widely, from 3 million to 33 million. But the number of adherents isn’t the extent of its influence; its main tenets have moved beyond the confines of churches and into the political mainstream, largely thanks to traveling apostles and prophets who preach at evangelical churches worldwide.

Donald Trump’s former national security adviser Mike Flynn has hosted NAR leaders on his “ReAwaken America” tour, and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has worked with its apostles.

And just in the last two weeks, GOP vice presidential hopeful Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) appeared in Pennsylvania at an event hosted by Lance Wallnau, a Texas business strategist-turned-NAR superstar. Wallnau, who has called Kamala Harris a “Jezebel” and speculated that people on the political left may be controlled by demons, helped develop Project 19, a right-wing political initiative to win 19 key counties in swing states for Trump.

Since 2016, many NAR prophesies have concerned Trump, whom adherents see as having been divinely chosen to lead the country. And now Vance is joining in the fray.
Interview: 

https://youtu.be/TrNHPigBTQk?si=TWHGjQPZqLuduZiw

NAR Watch Episode 3: They Want to Hold Religious Tribunals (Bradley Onishi and Daniel Miller; Straight White American Jesus podcast)

In this third episode of NARWATCH, Brad sits down with Matt Taylor to discuss the increasingly concerning influence of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) as the 2024 election approaches. They delve into the dangerous concept of tribunals being used as para-government forces by NAR leaders and its troubling traction among militias. The conversation also explores how NAR has become a significant accelerationist force on the American right, paralleling radical far-right militias, and examines the potential electoral outcomes and their implications for the U.S. government structure and societal stability. The episode concludes with a preview of Matt Taylor’s upcoming essay, ‘The Colonized God,’ addressing the distortions of Christian nationalism.

Interview:

https://www.straightwhiteamericanjesus.com/episodes/nar-watch-episode-3-they-want-to-hold-religious-tribunals/

NAR Watch Ep 4: They Are Already Stealing the Election (Bradley Onishi and Daniel Miller; Straight White American Jesus podcast)

In NAR Watch Episode 4, the discussion centers around a strategic plan aimed at mobilizing Christians as election workers to influence outcomes in swing states. 

Dr. Matthew Taylor shares insights from the Courage Tour and its links to election denial and conspiracy theories, spotlighting figures like Lance Wallnau and the Lion of Judah’s Joshua Caleb Standifer. 

The conversation also touches on controversial funding, the role of notable political organizations, and potential legal breaches, all contributing to the broader agenda leading up to the 2024 elections.

Interview: 

https://www.straightwhiteamericanjesus.com/episodes/nar-watch-ep-4-they-are-already-stealing-the-election/

N.A.R. and Christian Nationalism

This is about the evangelical movement that believes they are new apostles with new revelation, with a mission from God to take over everything. The Bible and Constitution are null and void, superseded by what god tells them personally — to be in control forever. They are the drivers of Christian nationalism and Project 2025.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLCZKRTnR9Q

NAR Watch Episode 3: They Want to Hold Religious Tribunals (Bradley Onishi and Daniel Miller; Straight White American Jesus podcast)

In this third episode of NARWATCH, Brad sits down with Matt Taylor to discuss the increasingly concerning influence of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) as the 2024 election approaches. They delve into the dangerous concept of tribunals being used as para-government forces by NAR leaders and its troubling traction among militias. 

The conversation also explores how NAR has become a significant accelerationist force on the American right, paralleling radical far-right militias, and examines the potential electoral outcomes and their implications for the U.S. government structure and societal stability. 

The episode concludes with a preview of Matt Taylor’s upcoming essay, ‘The Colonized God,’ addressing the distortions of Christian nationalism.

Interview: 

https://www.straightwhiteamericanjesus.com/episodes/nar-watch-episode-3-they-want-to-hold-religious-tribunals/

Mike Johnson Has Ties to a Christian Movement That Played a Key Role in Spreading Trump’s Big Lie – Mother Jones

"NAR adherents share goals with other conservative Christians—outlawing abortion, fighting marriage equality—and were especially instrumental in the movement to keep a defeated Trump in power. …15 charismatic leaders met with high-level Trump administration officials in the lead-up to January 6 to discuss "spiritual warfare strategies"; of the six protest permits issued that day, four went to NAR-affiliated charismatic church groups…"

https://www.motherjones.com/mojo-wire/2023/11/mike-johnson-big-lie-trump-election-denial-new-apostolic-reformation/

Surviving IHOPKC (International House of Prayer) (Bradley Onishi and Daniel Miller; Straight White American Jesus podcast)

Brad speaks to two survivors of IHOP-KC about the abuse they endured there, the dynamics of the community, and healing with others.

This week allegations emerged about Mike Bickle, founder of IHOP-KC, a central hub in charismatic Christianity located in Kansas City. Bob Smietana at RNS describes Bickle this way:

“Bickle is one of the most influential charismatic Christians in the United States and a leading figure in the so-called New Apostolic Reformation, which seeks to make prophecy and the leadership of apostles a major part of modern evangelical practice.

A former pastor in the Vineyard church movement, Bickle led his Kansas City-based congregation to break away from that denomination in the 1990s after conflicts with other leaders.”

Jo and Gracia tell their stories and give insight about IHOP-KC then and now.
Interview: 

https://www.straightwhiteamericanjesus.com/episodes/surviving-ihopkc/

Mike Johnson and the New Apostolic Reformation (Bradley Onishi and Daniel Miller; Straight White American Jesus podcast)

Brad speaks with Dr. Matt Taylor, a foremost scholar on the New Apostolic Reformation. Matt takes Brad through all of the connections new Speaker of the House Mike Johnson has to the New Apostolic Reformation – an independent charismatic movement that is growing rapidly in the United States. One of the key points Matt makes is that the NAR teachers/pastors that Mike Johnson is connected to advocate for a colonizer theology – they want to colonize the United States as Christians bent on dominating government, media, education, and every other sector of society.

Interview: 

https://www.straightwhiteamericanjesus.com/episodes/mike-johnson-and-the-new-apostolic-reformation/

Happy Hour With the Christian Right at ‘Angelic’ Trump Hotel

The New Apostolic Reformation is a conservative Christian group that believes in prophecy, angels and demons, and that Donald Trump is “God’s candidate.” Here’s how they party.....
https://www.thedailybeast.com/happy-hour-with-the-christian-right-at-angelic-trump-hotel