The Violent Take It by Force: The Christian Movement That Is Threatening Our Democracy

by Matthew D. Taylor

"Required reading for anyone seeking to understand Christian nationalism." —Kristin Kobes Du Mez, author of Jesus and John Wayne

A propulsive account of the network of charismatic Christians that consolidated support for Donald Trump and is reshaping religion and politics in the US.

Over the last decade, the Religious Right has evolved. Some of the more extreme beliefs of American evangelicalism have begun to take hold in the mainstream. Scholar Matthew D. Taylor pulls back the curtain on a little-known movement of evangelical Christians who see themselves waging spiritual battles on a massive scale. Known as the New Apostolic Reformation, this network of leaders and believers emerged only three decades ago but now yields colossal influence, galvanizing support for Trump and far-right leaders around the world. In this groundbreaking account, Taylor explores the New Apostolic Reformation from its inception in the work of a Fuller Seminary professor, to its immense networks of apostles and prophets, to its role in the January 6 riot. Charismatic faith provided righteous fuel to the fire that day, where symbols of spiritual warfare rioters blew shofars, worship music blared, and people knelt in prayer. This vision of charismatic Christianity now animates millions, lured by Spirit-filled revival and visions of Christian supremacy.

Taylor's unprecedented access to the movement's leaders, archives, internal conference calls, and correspondence gives us an insider account of the connection between charismatic evangelicalism and hard-right rhetoric. Taylor delves into prophetic memes like the Seven Mountains Mandate, the Appeal to Heaven flag, and the Cyrus Anointing; Trump's spiritual advisor Paula White's call for "angelic reinforcements"; and Sean Feucht and Bethel Music's titanic command of worship styles across America. Throughout, Taylor maps a movement of magnetic leaders and their uncompromising beliefs--and where it might be headed next. When people long to conquer a nation for God, democracy can be brought to the brink.

Genres: Politics, Religion, Nonfiction, History, Audiobook, Christianity, Christian

292 pages, Hardcover

Published October 1, 2024

About the author

Matthew D. Taylor is a religious studies scholar and expert in independent charismatic Christianity and Christian nationalism. He is the creator, writer, and narrator of the Charismatic Revival Fury audio-documentary series on the Straight White American Jesus podcast and author of Scripture People. Taylor holds a PhD in religious studies and Muslim-Christian relations from Georgetown University and an MA in theology from Fuller Theological Seminary. He has served on the faculty of Georgetown University and of George Washington University, and is currently a senior scholar at the Institute for Islamic, Christian, and Jewish Studies in Baltimore.

Reviews

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

During my middle school and high school years in the 1990s I went to an independent charismatic church that had reformed theology. I never attended a Sovereign Grace church but they have always sounded very similar, just for context. The gifts of the Spirit such as speaking in tongues, being “slain in the spirit,” holy laughter, and prophecy were on display. I remember when a prophet came to our youth group to prophesy over us. I also remember when people from the church visited the Toronto Blessing and “brought it back” to us. I remember when the pastor was praying for me and pushing on my forehead so I would fall down in the Spirit but I remained standing until he lost interest.

The pastor there claimed an “apostolic spirit” which means, essentially, that he had the same gifts as the Apostle Paul. (And you wonder why I have such beef with Paul.) I was told many years later that one of my guy friends in youth group was told a lot that he might also have that apostolic spirit, that it was kind of dangled in front of him as the pastors mentored him. This was obviously not something the girls were told.

There was a lot of language about spiritual warfare - resisting spirits of adultery and homosexuality. We were tearing down strongholds and enlarging God’s territory.

It is difficult to explain if you haven’t experienced it. And it’s not like I can just pull up evidence from the church website to prove my experiences - besides the fact that there was no internet, the church has definitely shinied up its image and all the leadership from those days now call themselves “mentors, authors, and church planters.” But I remember when they called themselves apostles.

In this book, Matthew Taylor talks about what happened in that movement after I found my way out of it in the late 1990s, who some of the leadership are, and how their spiritual warfare language and alignment with the GOP led to both the support of Donald Trump and DIRECTLY (while working with Trump) led to the events of January 6th. He calls them not Christian nationalists but Christian supremacists and that feels right to me. They want Christianity to rule everything. And they believe they are right to do so.

It isn’t an easy read because explaining a religious movement like this takes a lot of backstory but Taylor does a good job highlighting the main characters (most of whom you have never heard of and yet their videos get millions of views) and then showing how their actions fueled the rage we saw that day. It takes a lot of work to explain the coded language of a spiritual movement like this and Taylor does that work for us in this book.

Late in the book he does a particularly good job explaining the “An Appeal to Heaven” flag that Samuel Alito and his wife flew over their house. Yes, it is a flag flown during the American Revolution but there is a reason it was seen so much on January 6th and those reasons have nothing to do with the American Revolution. It has to do with a vision of the world where these churches are begging God for control of the world. I knew it was dangerous but after reading this book I am truly alarmed by Alito’s continued presence on the Court and his apparent alignment with the people in this book.

I’m very glad I read this - it helped me put some of my own religious history in a broader context. I know I have many friends who are scholars of American religious history who would also appreciate this important addition to a dangerous and broadly overlooked/misunderstood group that continues to believe that they must do whatever they have to do, including violence, to rule America.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the copy. Out in September.

[Jillian B · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really fascinating and detailed history of the intersection between charismatic forms of Christianity and Christian nationalism. If you, like me, are nerdy about theology and politics, you’ll want to check this one out.

[Robert D. Cornwall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christian nationalism is a topic of concern. It also comes in a variety of forms, some of which may be benign and others dangerous. The forms that become dangerous are the ones that seek power over a nation. One name name for this is dominionism. It also comes in different forms, but at the heart of dominionism is Christian supremacy. That supremacy can include the government, education, culture, and more.

The Violent Take It By Force, by Matthew D. Taylor focuses on the forms that emerged out of Independent Charismatic Christianity, with the most prominent version being the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR). This movement is the fast-growing religious movement across the globe. It is built on Charismatic theology and the creation of networks rather than denominations. There are numerous figures related to the movement, most of whom are obscure names. But, they have had a significant influence both on the spread of a specific form of Christianity and on the political and cultural life of the United States and elsewhere. The majority of these figures have aligned themselves with Donald Trump, believing he has been anointed by God, whether he's a Christian or not, to usher in a new apostolic era.

The author of this book, Matthew Taylor is a religious studies scholar and expert on independent charismatic Christianity and Christian nationalism. He holds a PhD in Christian-Muslim Relations from Georgetown University and an MA from my alma mater, Fuller Theological Seminary. He currently serves as a senior scholar at the Institute for Islamic, Christian, and Jewish Studies in Baltimore.

The focus is on the political dimensions of this Independent charismatic movement within Pentecostalism, and more specifically on the Apostolic and Prophetic Movement (or NAR). Taylor makes a distinction here between traditional denominational Pentecostalism and the independent charismatic movement. That is because this latter movement has few if any boundaries or overarching institutions. It is the realm of megachurches, televangelists, prophecy conferences, healing revivals, and the prosperity gospel. The movements under consideration here began to emerge in the 1970s and 1980s as some within this independent charismatic world discovered apostolic and prophetic dimensions of the church. More specifically, Taylor writes that this book "tells the story of how a cohort of respected NAR leaders embraced the candidacy of Donald Trump early on in the 2016 election cycle. By constructing creative theologies and biblical rationales for supporting a debauched real-estate mogul, they prodded and harnessed the latent power of a previously politically disjointed Independent Charismatic world" (p. 8). A central figure in this story is a former mission and church growth professor at Fuller Seminary, C. Peter Wagner. More about that later in the review.

The title of the book is taken from a verse from Matthew 11, where Jesus spoke of the kingdom of heaven suffering violence and "the violent take it by force." Wagner and others in his movement interpreted this in a very unique way such that it gave support to their vision of spiritual warfare, a vision that involved "spiritual violence" but may have spurred on physical violence, especially on January 6.

Taylor begins his story not with Peter Wagner and the NAR, but with Paula White, the prosperity-preaching televangelist who became Donald Trump's spiritual advisor. While not directly involved with the NAR, she served as a mediator between Trump and Independent Charismatic Apostles and Prophets. Trump was attracted to White's prosperity teaching. So, Taylor tells us something of White's story, including her ministry as a woman preacher, and her eventual entrance into Trump's world and his White House staff. The first chapter, "A Televangelist in the White House" introduces us to White and Independent Charismatic Christianity. This prepares the way for the coming together of the NAR and Donald Trump.

In Chapter 2, Taylor speaks of "The Genesis and the Genious of the New Apostolic Reformation. To do this he first introduces us to C. Peter Wagner, who grew up in New York City but studied agriculture in college because he came to love farming while visiting his grandmother and her small farming community. Later he met Doris Mueller, who introduced Peter to evangelical Christianity. Together they chose to become missionaries and did so in Bolivia. Peter would earn his master's degree at Fuller, where Taylor and I also studied. He would later earn a PhD at USC in sociology and take a faculty position in the School of World Mission. While the Wagners started as cessessionists (the spiritual gifts ended with the last of the apostles), they eventually encountered Pentecostals and were drawn in. A key figure early on was John Wimber of the Vineyard. Together they taught a class on Signs, Wonders, and Church Growth (MC510). I was a student at Fuller during those years, and I remember the stories that came of the class. I also remember when they began to limit access. Wagner would get caught up in this charismatic fervor, eventually discovering spiritual warfare, apostolic and prophetic governance, and more. Having spent time within Pentecostalism I was aware of elements of this movement, but Taylor reveals so much more about the creation and building of this movement he came to call the New Apostolic Reformation. It would be a movement marked by strategic spiritual warfare, apostolic and prophetic governance, and efforts to transform society. Thus, a form of dominionism emerged. Wagner wasn't necessarily the creative genius of the movement, but he was the organizational genius, setting up a network that centered on his relationships with other apostles and prophets. Eventually, he would come around, shortly before his death to embrace Donald Trump.

In Chapter 3, titled "Generals of Spiritual Warfare," Taylor introduces us to another central figure, Cindy Jacobs, who sensed a prophetic calling as a child and developed a vision of spiritual warfare that she would eventually introduce to Peter Wagner. Jacobs would become one of the key figures and partners with Wagner in the development of the different spheres of the NAR. In this chapter, we learn of not only Jacobs' ministry but Wagner's departure from Fuller and move to Colorado Springs, which became a center for the NAR. We also learn how Jacobs's vision of spiritual warfare played a role in energizing a certain element of evangelicalism to support Trump. We also get introduced to another future who remains prominent in the Trump orbit, Lance Wallnau.

Chapter 4 is titled "The Second Apostolic Age." Here we encounter the further development of this vision of a new apostolic age and its network of apostles, mostly affiliated with Wagner. Among them is a Korean American pastor who studied at Fuller with Wagner and started a Church in Pasadena - Harvest Rock Church -- that became the center of a huge global network of churches and ministries that stood under the authority of Che Ahn. Here we learn more about the governance of these churches, which are strongly top-down oligarchy. So, we learn about Che and his ministry as a model of this movement, and the other apostolic networks that emerged. Again we see politics enter the conversation as Che challenged the California pandemic restrictions to the Supreme Court. His vision was for all Christians and indeed the entire world to submit to this apostolic vision of authority.

As the movement expanded, new elements emerged, and among them the Seven Mountains (Chapter 5). This element was devised by Lance Wallnau, one of the Apostles connected to Wagner's movement. Again we learn something of this figure who remains important. But for our purposes here, the focus is on a social/political effort that envisioned Christian supremacy. Once again, Wagner bought into this vision and shared it with his networks. Wagner was attracted to dominion theology, and what Wallnau did was develop the framework for instituting this vision. The idea here is that there are seven spheres/mountains that shape nations and control minds. The goal is for Christians to gain control of them. While Donald Trump wasn't considered an evangelical Christian, Wallnau came up with the idea that Trump was Cyrus and that through Cyrus the Seven Mountain Mandate could be instituted, such that Christians could take leadership of government, education, business, media, and culture. Wallnau played an important role leading up to January 6th, offering theoretical guidance for what happened that day.

Chapter 6 introduces another element to this movement, and that is the theme of "Worship as a Weapon." In this chapter, Taylor introduces us to Sean Feucht, a young worship leader connected with NAR and other Apostolic networks, who used his worship leadership skills to challenge pandemic rules and also spread the message of the Apostolic and Prophetic movement. We also learn something of the network he was connected with in Redding California, the Bethel Church. Central to his message was the idea that evangelicals are being persecuted, and thus he urged his audiences to push back.

The next element is described in Chapter 7 "A Governmental War." This chapter focuses on the 2020 election, the response to Trump's loss, and January 6. Here the central figure is Dutch Sheets, an early adopter of the Apostolic and Prophetic idea. Sheets was by Taylor's account, living at the "nexus of all the dynamics we've looked at: modern prophecy, strategic-level spiritual warfare, apostolic governance fo the church, the Seven Mountain Mandate, and the utilization of charismatic worship experiences for right-wing political ends" (p. 206). He also believed he had a unique calling to use prayer and spiritual warfare to influence US elections. So, once again we learn of one of the key figures, and his role in the Trump world. He had gotten involved in such efforts as far back as 2000 and continued from there. He helped create prayer networks across the country in support of Republican efforts. He also introduced a key symbol to the struggle. That symbol is a flag that goes back to the Revolution. It is the Appeal to Heaven flag -- a pine tree with the words Appeal to Heaven heading it. That flag was prominent in the crowd that rioted on January 6th. It is Sheets who introduced it to the right-wing Christian political world. That flag has become connected to the Trump efforts to regain power. It has been flown over the houses of a Supreme Court Justice and on the walls outside the offices of Republican leaders, including Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, who has connections with NAR figures, including Lance Wallnau.

This is a fascinating story, but also a rather scary one. This is a religious movement that largely flies under the radar but has created networks that influence political efforts across the country. Abortion is one of the central issues, but it's not the only one. According to Taylor, this is also a Christian problem because it has taken root in the Christian world. While the leaders condiment the violence of January 6th, many of them were there and encouraged their followers to join the crowd. One of the key conclusions here is that Christian nationalism takes different forms and some forms are dangerous, especially if they have designs of Christian supremacy. Another element of this is that Independent Charismatic Christian movements are growing faster than any other Christian movement. So, while the country is becoming less Christian, these movements are taking up a greater share of the Christian world.

This is an extremely important book, perhaps one of the most important ones I've read when it comes to Christian nationalism. Personally, there is an unsettling dimension, and that is the connection that Wagner had with Fuller Seminary. As one of my former professors lamented, Fuller will never be able to separate itself from Wagner and his legacy. It would behoove Christians to read this book before the coming election.

[Efox · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book, this book is the book I've needed. I have struggled, hard, with trying to understand what has happened within American Christianity and its hard turn to Trump in 2016. I've read a lot of books trying to figure out how the faith I grew up in could suddenly embrace someone, who in my opinion, is the antithesis of the message of Christ. Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation was super helpful, as was The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism, and Democracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America, and even Dark Money: The Hidden History of the Billionaires Behind the Rise of the Radical Right have all helped me to piece together a better understanding of what the heck is going on in America, but this book really, really helped me to better understand, in a way none of the other books had, what is going on - and it was not what I expected, but it was absolutely the book I needed to explain things to me.

Taylor, who I think reacted exactly the same way to January 6 as I did, with horror and revulsion at seeing people kneeling in prayer and waving Christian flags during an anti-democracy assault on the heart of the Capitol, set out to try and understand why there were so many obvious Christian symbols along side so much violence. And he did. By tracing the ideas back through the New Apostolic Reformation movement of charismatic Christians, Taylor is able to clarify how evangelical charismatic churches and prophets are shaping American Evangelicalism outside of the traditional bounds of what we conceive of as evangelicals (the Baptist and Pentecostal denominations and their institutions which have been dominant since the Moral Majority days). He traces the leaders of these fringe Christian ideas have become more mainstream, buoyed through the independent mega churches, the internet, and this extremely interesting New Apostolic Reformation network. He also dispels the conventional idea that this is just about Christian Nationalism. Instead he believes, and makes the case that the central idea that supports Trump and the willingness to overthrow democracy stems from their beliefs in Christian supremacy and the practice of spiritual warfare. It's not that God wants us to be a Christian America, it's really a very global movement that promotes the idea that God wants to install christians, or in Trump's case a non-believer but who will work to put Christians, into power in different spheres of influence to bring about Christian revival. There's a great explanation of prophetic memes that have taken hold in these circles as well as a good explanation of the theology built around spiritual warfare, revival, and prophecy.

These preachers and evangelical celebrities are people who are completely unknown to me, in my extremely denominational world of American Christianity, but having Taylor walk through what is an obviously carefully researched and deep investigation into what is happening, was really helpful to me in trying to make sense of our current place in history. It was also really scary. The Victory Network YouTube channel that he discussed - and I happened to attempt to watch but would never have stumbled on it before - is just a wild trip down a rabbit hole into a completely upside down universe where Christianity and Republican conservative ideas blend seamlessly. This book has helped me make sense of some of the weirder theories that I've heard from republican relatives and friends and the way that those overlap with some of the things they find baffling I don't just understand as a Christian.

I'm extremely extremely thankful for Taylor's faith centered call to action. This is not a problem that is going to be solved by ignoring it, and it's a problem for people of Christian faith to step in and solve. Highly, highly recommend this book.

(Audiobook note: this book was only available in Audiobook format from my library and it is one of the worst books I've listened to. I know it listed a reader at the end, but honesty it sounded like it was AI read the whole time and it was painful. If I wasn't so interested in the content it would have been virtually impossible to get through. This book deserves a much better audio version.)

[Arianna Kae · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5
This book was such an essential insight into the NAR, Christian Nationalism, Charismatic Christian Evangelical circles, and the absolute insanity that is our country. Spiritual leaders can misguide and be corrupt, and this book so effortlessly points out the issues with blindly following, supporting extremism, christian masculinity, and elevating people to a prophetic title to influence. Required reading. This book gave me words and thoughts to put along with my feelings of explaining how weird and wrong the sector of charismatic christianity is and I’m so grateful for that.

[Joshua Jipp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this book down, despite the fact that is remarkably disturbing. There are enough good reviews of the book already. I'll just say here that someone should write a study on the (ab)use of the Bible among evangelicals during the Trump years. One of the most fascinating aspects of the book (and there are many) is the prevalent use of biblical slogans/stories to justify political supremacy and violence amongst the NAR: Jericho Marches, Nehemiah and the walls, Esther and Mordecai, the anointed David hiding in the cave, on and on it goes. Fascinating and disturving that many of the biblical images draw upon are violent ones.

[Alan Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The following is a brief summary of this recently published book, which was authored by a person raised in the Christian evangelical community. Although Jesus famously said “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36) and although mainstream Christianity has long taken the position that revelation ceased with the original apostolic age, a new grassroots evangelical movement has evolved, against the initial opposition of established evangelical leaders, to claim direct and current revelation from God and to tout Donald J. Trump as the new “Cyrus” (the pagan king referenced in Hebrew scriptures) who will, notwithstanding his obvious immorality and scriptural ignorance, be the force that will establish a Christian kingdom to replace the government of the United States. This new movement is profoundly undemocratic and entirely contrary to the principles of the United States Constitution. Its leaders are principal religious advisers to Trump and to leading far-right figures in the U.S. Congress and elsewhere. I recommend reading this book, which is based on the author’s deep knowledge obtained by reading the religious tracts, listening to the oral presentations, and conducting interviews with the architects and currently popular “apostles” and “prophets” of this revolutionary movement Their leaders (though not entering the Capitol building) were present on January 6, 2021, to wage what they call “spiritual warfare” by praying and encouraging those who did break into the Capitol and injure more than one hundred defending police officers.

[Chris Sosa · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Violent Take It By Force" is an essential read for those unfamiliar with the cultural changing of the guard that's occured within Evangelical Christianity. Matthew Taylor provides an excellent overview of the key players and events surrounding a growing, extreme sector of Christianity with global influence. I appreciated that this was not a rehash of widely-publicized information or polemic in its presentation. I'm not generally a fan of "calls to action" in books that are written in a journalistic style, as they don't trust the reader to make sense of the content. But it's a small complaint for what will be among the best books you read on the subject of this emergent independent charismatic movement in Evangelicalism.

[Steve Peifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are puzzled and appalled as to why a reprobate like Donald Trump would be so throughly embraced by the evangelical community, this is a good place to start. Trying to piece together the many different theological thoughts that created the patchwork that enabled evangelicals to support Trump is astonishing. It is an equal indictment of Christians and Trump. At the end of the book, my question to my fellow Christians is this: Does the end justify the means?

The fact that most of this occurred under the radar should encourage us to look in new places.

It’s very scary and very well written.

[Matthijs · Rating 5 out of 5]

De charismatische revival furie en de bestorming van het Capitol
Matthew D. Taylor over de democratie bedreigd wordt door Dominion Theology, New Apostolic Reformation en de Seven Mountains Mandate

De bestorming van het Capitool in Washington op 6 januari 2021 door aanhangers van president Trump schokte veel Amerikanen. Voor godsdienstwetenschapper Matthew D. Taylor was de schok extra groot, toen hij ontdekte dat bij die Capitol Riots diverse vooraanstaande voorgangers uit de charismatische pinksterbeweging betrokken waren. Taylor herkende ook diverse symbolen die de bestormers met zich meedroegen, zoals de “Appeal to Heaven”-vlaggen en sjofars.

Taylor besloot te onderzoeken hoe bepaalde evangelicale stromingen en ideeën, zoals de New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) en de Seven Mountains Mandate bijdroegen van het Capitool. Taylor ontdekte dat diverse ingrediënten in met name de charismatisch-pentecostale tak van het evangelicalisme ervoor zorgen dat deze stroming een gevaar kan worden voor de democratie.

Taylor beschrijft hoe er onder Amerikaanse evangelicals vanaf de jaren-’70 steeds meer ideeën opkwamen om de VS weer christelijk te maken. Deze ideeën werden steeds politieker, omdat degenen die deze ideeën uitwerkten steeds nadrukkelijker gingen stellen dat de VS via politieke macht en maatschappelijke invloed terug gebracht moest worden naar de conservatieve christelijke normen en waarden. Het was niet genoeg om individuele Amerikanen tot bekering te brengen. Er moest een maatschappelijke en politieke elite ontstaan, die hun positie en invloed gebruiken om in heel de VS die christelijke normen en waarden weer terug te brengen.
Taylor beschrijft hoe met name de structuur van de Independent Charismatics (de niet aan een denominatie verbonden charismatische pinkstergelovigen) bijdroeg aan een klimaat om het Capitool te bestormen. De Independent Charismatics zijn niet via een denominatie aan elkaar verbonden, maar wel via allerlei netwerken. Taylor beschrijft hoe deze variant van de pinksterbeweging een spirituele oligarchie kent: een geestelijke elite die zich door de Geest vervuld weet. Door deze structuur kent de beweging geen interne democratie, zoals dat wel is bij gemeenten die aangesloten zijn bij een denominatie. Degenen die tot deze geestelijke elite behoren zijn vaak voorgangers in megakerken en kennen elkaar vaak persoonlijk. Via deze netwerken is een idee als de Seven Mountains Mandate (7MM) in de afgelopen jaren vrij snel onder Amerikaanse evangelicals verspreid. Een eerdere variant van de 7MM is de Dominion Theology.

Binnen de onafhankelijke charismatisch-pentecostale gemeenten is het idee ontstaan dat denominaties de groei van het christendom tegenhouden. De allereerste christenen behoorden ook niet tot een denominatie. Deze onafhankelijke charismatische pinkstergelovigen zien zich zelf als voortzetting van de eerste christenen. De voorgangers gaan zichzelf dan ook presenteren als apostelen en profeten. Ze geloven in een maatschappijbreed réveil: een New Apostolic Reformation. Het aandeel van de charismatisch-pentecostale beweging binnen het Amerikaanse evangelicalisme is in de laatste jaren snel toegenomen.
Binnen deze charismatisch-pentecostale netwerken kon een idee, dat Amerika via politieke macht en maatschappelijke invloed weer tot een christelijk land moet worden omgevormd, snel verspreiden. Een van de eersten die hiermee kwam was C. Peter Wagner, zelf betrokken bij de ChurchGrowthMovement.

Hij bouwde zelf diverse netwerken, waardoor apostelen en profeten elkaar konden vinden en waardoor hij zijn ideeën kon verspreiden. Degenen die bij zijn netwerken en organisaties betrokken waren, bouwden hun gemeenten vaak uit tot megakerken met hun eigen opleiding. Via die megakerken en die opleidingen konden die ideeën worden verspreid onder de Amerikaanse christenen.
In de afgelopen decennia is door met name de charismatische pinkstergeloven een specifieke visie op geestelijke strijd gepropageerd. Zij geloven dat demonen zich op bepaalde locaties vestigen. Het is daarom van belang op de belangrijkste posten in de samenleving personen te hebben die bereid zijn de christenen te bevoorrechten en de conservatieve christelijke waarden en normen te bevoorrechten. Bijvoorbeeld via politiek en wetgeving.

Het idee ontstond dat er 7 bergen zijn, die staan voor maatschappelijke en politieke macht en invloed: godsdienst, gezin, onderwijs, overheid, media en kunst. Zolang deze posten niet door christenen bezet zijn, kunnen demonen hun invloed op de Amerikaanse samenleving uitoefenen. Via strategisch bidden en Jericho-marsen probeert men die demonen uit te drijven.
Namen die in het boek een belangrijke rol spelen zijn verder oa: Paula White, Cindy Jacobs, Ché Ahn, Sean Feucht, Dutch Sheets.

Kenmerk van de charismatische pinksterbeweging is ook dat de gelovigen intens bezig zijn met een opwekking, een reveil. Ze verlangen niet alleen naar een réveil, ze geloven ook dat een réveil binnen handbereik is. Dit intense geloof en verlangen leidde in de jaren-’90 tot het drama van de Toronto Blessing. Deze Toronto Blessing leidde tot een scheur in het charismatische netwerk. Maar het intense geloof en verlangen naar een opwekking bleef. In het boek beschrijft hoe dit intense verlangen naar een opwekking gecombineerd wordt met het geloof dat de belangrijke posities door christenen moeten worden bezet. De energie waarmee het gepaard gaat noemt Taylor een charismatic revival fury.
In 2016 begonnen deze Independent Charismatics achter de kandidatuur van Trump te scharen. Dat Trump geen gelovige was, was geen probleem.

Trump was als de Bijbelse koning Kores, die door God gebruikt werd om het Amerikaanse volk te leiden. De 45e president zou een Jesaja-45-president worden. Trump werd inderdaad president. In de verkiezingen van 2020 werd Trump echter verslagen door Biden. Ondanks alle visioenen van apostelen en profetieën van profeten. Deze charismatische pinkstergelovigen gingen geloven dat de verkiezingen gestolen waren. Het was een demonische invloed waardoor Trump niet gekozen werd. In aanloop naar de inauguratie van Biden ontstonden er diverse bijeenkomsten met charismatische pinkstervoorgangers. Er ontstond contact met medewerkers van het Witte Huis om de beëdiging van Biden tegen te gaan. Diverse pinkstergelovigen en zelfs ook pinkstervoorgangers raakten betrokken bij de bestorming van het Capitool.

Tegelijkertijd moet ook aangegeven worden dat een aantal toonaangevende voorgangers zich afzijdig hielden. Terugkijkend vindt Taylor het opvallend dat de bijdrage van de ‘charismatische revival fury’ compleet door de mainstream media is gemist. Daardoor is het minder duidelijk wat de betrokkenheid van diverse charismatisch-pentecostale gelovigen en voorgangers was bij de Capitol Riots.

Taylor schreef zijn boek uit bezorgdheid. Hij is niet zozeer bezorgd om de charismatische pinksterbeweging als zodanig. Die beweging is volgens hem een legitieme christelijke stroming. Hij maakt zich zorgen over de politieke componenten in deze beweging, die leiden tot een anti-democratische houding: het gaat deze beweging om overheersing van de maatschappij en de politiek. Vaak wordt er onder het mom van te strijden voor godsdienstvrijheid een extreme politieke visie uitgedragen. Het is geen vorm van theocratie, omdat de heersers zelf geen christen hoeven te zijn. Het volstaat wanneer zij de christelijke normen en waarden verplicht stellen. In deze visie op politiek en maatschappij is er geen oog voor de godsdienstige pluraliteit van de Amerikaanse samenleving. Terwijl volgens Taylor de Amerikaanse democratie toch gebaseerd is op deze godsdienstige pluraliteit. Het vraagt om een intern gesprek binnen de kerken, en dan helemaal binnen de Independent Charismatics, om de democratie veilig te stellen. Zijn evangelicale christenen in staat om een godsdienstig plurale samenleving te accepteren? Is er een vorm van patriottisme mogelijk zonder te vervallen in christelijk nationalisme?

Toen ik tijdens het lezen van het boek over de inhoud berichtte, kreeg ik de vraag wat wij er in de Nederlandse situatie van kunnen leren. De charismatisch-pentecostale beweging is niet alleen op de VS gericht. Het is een wereldwijde beweging. Ook in Nederland dringen deze ideeën door. Boeken worden vertaald, ideeën over een geestelijke strijd tegen demonen die maatschappelijk actief zouden zijn neemt steeds meer toe, liederen uit deze charismatisch-pentecostale beweging worden ook in Nederland geluisterd en gezongen.
Het grote gevaar is dat er vanwege de behoefte te strijden voor conservatieve christelijke waarden een monsterverbond gesloten wordt met radicaalrechtse politieke partijen. Daarbij begrijp ik de behoefte om tegengas te geven en te strijden voor het behoud van conservatieve waarden en normen. De vraag is echter of een krampachtige poging via maatschappelijke en politieke macht en invloed een samenleving echt herkerstend wordt. De vraag daarbij of het aansluiten bij radicaalrechtse partijen niet te te grote aanslag is op de democratie en de maatschappelijk relevante instituties.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciated this book’s explanatory power for why Evangelical Christians supported President Trump and were part of the January 6th riot. Taylor points to Paula White as an early connection between President Trump and the independent/non-denominational Charismatic/Pentecostal world. Meanwhile, a confluence of ideas surrounding prophecy, spiritual warfare, and dominion theology (worked out and shared by the NAR) worked together to convince these Charismatics/Pentecostals and the greater Evangelical base that Trump’s Presidency January 6th were pivotal in the fight between good and evil.

I did not grow up in the circles that Taylor discusses, but I am familiar with some of the ideas brought up re: spiritual warfare and dominion theology. As far as Taylor talked about moments I was familiar with, the information and thoughts tracked.

Do give this book a read and tell me what you think. I would enjoy continued discussion regarding the connection between Trump’s administration and Christian supporters.

[David Rawls · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is helpful in so many ways personally to me. The connection between C. Peter Wagner and the events of January 6th I found very fascinating. I read many of Wagner's works as I had interest in the church growth movement in the 90's. I also have family and friends who are confused by the seven mountain mandates that this book highlights. Unfortunately I am afraid that regardless of what happens in the 2024 election Christian nationalism is not going away anytime soon.

[canary · Rating 5 out of 5]

a succinct rundown of the New Apolstolic Reformation and its role in contemporary politics!

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unfortunately, this incredibly riveting and depressing book is an absolute must-read in 2025 America. If only January 6 had been the wake up call that it could have been.

[Ryan Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Woah. While I was aware of the curious connection between charismatic and prosperity preachers and radical right-wing ideology, I never realized just how deep and influential these ties run. The book shines a light on key figures who wield significant influence in these spheres yet often remain overlooked by mainstream media.

By delving into the theology of these speakers and exposing how they conflate political power with the will of God, the book reveals the profound dangers this poses to democracy. Reading it felt like watching a surreal episode of Black Mirror—except it’s all real.

[Ellen Hargrave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helped me understand one of the biggest mysteries of our time.

[Glenn Harden · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the troubling account of how independent charismatic Christians came to support the falsehoods and violence at the Capitol on January 6th, 2021. While I consider myself fairly knowledgeable of the American Christian landscape, I must confess I began reading this book almost entirely ignorant of independent charismatic Christianity in America. Taylor argues that, contrary to the popular and scholarly understanding, "Christian nationalism" has various sources, and it is problematic to equate all of them. Mainstream media and scholars have almost completely overlooked the contribution of charismatic Christians to this theological and political movement.

Independent charismatic Christians are part of a broader societal trend away from trust in institutions. And charismatic Christianity offers people a great deal of hope and meaning for our lives--that God loves us and is actively at work in our lives, and that our lives may substantially contribute to countering the work of the Devil (evil) in the world. So far, so good. This isn't so different from most Christians. And yet, I am continually perplexed how so many Christians can get turned around and embrace lies and violence.

But many of these charismatic Christians have gone beyond finding meaning in life by trying to do good and resist evil. The New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), a network of charismatic Christians, has romanticized violence and provided theological justification for it through the "seven mountains mandate" (in which Christians should seize control from the top of seven cultural authorities, including government, the media, and education and then enforce their values on society). Moreover, these Christian leaders network together and thereby reinforce their ideas while dismissing other Christian opposition or accountability as not of God, or even of the devil. (Frequently, the believe that their "enemies"--including Christians like Joe Biden or Nancy Pelosi--are deeply compromised by or controlled by demons. And how does one compromise with the demonic?) Because they can hear directly from God and appoint themselves prophets and apostles, how can one oppose them? In the end, they are simply embracing the celebrity culture that has eclipsed institutional authority in our country.

One interesting aspect of this movement is their hunger for "revival". Now, many Christians, including within my own tradition, long for "revival" and mean different things by that. In this case, they seem to desire a revival that will counter Christianity's demographic decline, convert many souls, and promote a right-wing politics infused with Christian supremacism. It strikes me however that this hunger for revival reveals a deep immaturity. The kingdom is like a seed which grows slowly over time, and growing into maturity is slow, patient work.

One final theme revealed in this book is the lack of humility of these charismatic leaders. While many come from troubled backgrounds, they are so certain that they are right that they cannot admit they might be wrong. Many have wrapped the meaning of their lives into a story of Christian conquest of American government and culture that they can no longer read the scripture against themselves. They've got turned around and, without humility, how can they find their way back?

Recommended.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been building out my understanding of the historical Christian movements in America, and this one is not to be ignored. I had no idea this independent charismatic version of Christianity had so much power in the US. I was raised in the Dobson/MacArthur/etc. bubble and had always assumed they and their peers were the major players in political power.
This is important information. I think everyone should know that a major world leader has a flock of faithful advisors pouring prophesies of his own greatness in his ears.

[Meg Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you wondered why there was fervent worship, prophecies, prayer and Jericho marches at the Capitol insurrection on January 6? Wondered about the famous pics of Trump being prayed & prophesied over? About the convergence of Independent Charismatics with extreme right politics? About the increasingly violent rhetoric & war imagery you hear from Charismatic leaders? About the Apostolic & Prophetic movement? Seven Mountain Mandate? Dominion (Kingdom Now) theology? Spiritual Authority? Spiritual Warfare? NAR? Bethel? And the list goes on…This is the book for you!!!!

[McKenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got a little too dark to finish what with the reelection and all.

[Carol Kearns · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want a deeper understanding into the January 6th 2021 riot—it’s lead up and events then this is the book for you.

[Ellen Keener · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoughtful well researched.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly researched, non-sensationalized account of what led to January 6. It’s a scary read, but good to be aware of what millions of people believe.

[Robin]

An important book to understand some of the forces behind the current political situation in the US. Highly recommend.

[Rachel Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most important books available about the moment America is currently in.

[Dan Bouchelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly insightful. Essential read.

[Jono Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

In The Violent Take It by Force: The Christian Movement That Is Threatening Our Democracy, Matthew D. Taylor offers a meticulously researched and compelling exploration of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), a loosely knit yet potent Christian movement. Through interviews with leaders of this movement—many of whom I am acquainted with personally and so can attest to at least some of its veracity—Taylor argues that the NAR’s theological and political ambitions pose a significant threat to democratic principles. While I find some of these conclusions a touch heavy-handed, the book excels in its precision and insight, making it an essential read for understanding this movement.

Defining the New Apostolic Reformation

Taylor delivers what I regard as the most accurate definition of the NAR to date, identifying a movement marked by enough theological and organizational consistency promoted through its independent oligarchic leadership to warrant a distinct label - consistency, I had previously dismissed, but Taylor provides a compelling case. Coined by C. Peter Wagner in the mid-1990s, the term “New Apostolic Reformation” has often been a lightning rod, misused as a catch-all slur against charismatic Christianity. I’ve balked at its broad application myself, as have others wary of its pejorative sting. Scholars like Holly Pivec and Doug Geivett have framed it as a network of apostolic and prophetic leaders, entrepreneurial in spirit, tied to hubs like Bethel Church, IHOPKC, the Toronto Blessing, Morningstar Ministries, and YWAM. They highlight its autocratic “Culture of Honor” ethos and postmillennial drive to “bring heaven to earth”—Pivec focusses predominantly on Bethel (while Taylor considers Bethel adjacent to, but not precisely NAR), though her own story lies closer to Che Ahn’s Harvest International Ministry (HIM). This and other scholars like Flory and Christensen (who alternatively used the term Independently Networked Charismatics) have in my opinion provided valid points, but nothing that I recognized as fully valid.

Taylor however focuses his definitions in a way that has the ring of truth. The NAR name once proudly embraced by Wagner, has according to Taylor died a death by a thousand paper cuts (and if Wagner was still with us Taylor insists he would change the name in much the same way that he had previously pivoted from Post Denominational - interestingly Taylor doesn’t examine Wagner’s other widely used term “Third Wave”). Yet he insists the movement endures, pulsing through Wagner’s post-Fuller teachings and the leaders who revere him as a “spiritual father.” Spotlighting figures like Cindy Jacobs, Che Ahn, Dutch Sheets, Lance Wallnau, and Sean Feucht, Taylor traces their influence, culminating in their ties to Donald Trump via Paula White and the broader conservative establishment. This focus on Wagner’s legacy—particularly the Dominion Mandate embodied in Wallnau’s Seven Mountain meme and bolstered by Kingdom Now eschatology—sharpens the NAR’s contours and political stakes.

Although the book is itself a powerful critique, the majority of the text is simply descriptive in nature, letting the events and the characters of the story be humanized. Understanding the humanity of the individuals rather than vilifying them is actually very helpful.

Theological Pillars of the NAR

Taylor distills the NAR’s unifying doctrines into a vivid worldview:

Strategic-Level Spiritual Warfare: Beyond individual exorcisms, NAR intercessors wage cosmic battles against regional strongholds, deploying “boots on the ground” prayer to alter history’s course. Taylor ties this to Openness Theology, distinguishing it from the Reformed leanings of 1980s Reconstructionists.

Apostolic and Prophetic Leadership: Self-anointed leaders wield entrepreneurial and spiritual authority in non-denominational contexts. Taylor situates this group as the fastest-growing segment of American and global Christianity, mapping it against three other distinct church categories.

Prophetic Memes: Coined by Taylor, this term captures mobilizing narratives—like Wallnau’s Seven Mountain Mandate or Trump as a Cyrus (or lately, a violent Jehu)—that ignite charismatic fervor.

The Seven Mountain Mandate: A Divisive Vision

Taylor’s puts a focus on Lance Wallnau’s Seven Mountain Mandate—a meme to conquer society’s seven peaks for the Kingdom of God (religion, family, education, government, media, arts, business). It is this prophetic meme that I wish to assess for a moment as it has infected much of the Evangelical firmament, beyond simply the NAR

As Taylor explains, while Wallnau may be the main proponent of this idea, the legendary story of the “Seven Spheres” of society began with a Colorodo meeting of YWAM founder Loren Cunningham of YWAM meeting with Bill Bright of Cru in 1976 with a new perspective shared by both how to “disciple nations” in accordance with the Great Commission. I was troubled by the domionist language employed by Wallnau and so I devoted a TV program to explore what Cunningham and others understood by the seven spheres. In my interview with Cunningham and others like Os Hillman, I discovered that (in their language at least), they did not espouse a view of needing people of influence at the top of each mountain of influence. Rather their language was about service in each area of society and becoming salt and light outside the four walls of the church. To this I could agree. When I took my concerns to Wallnau however, my concerns were not assuaged. The thrust was about getting people of influence to rule from the top of each mountain of influence.

This is seen now clearly in Wallau’s view on Trump (even though Wallnau questions Trump’s personal faith), the mandate to install “their man” in the White House, was completed in Trump and now, amongst other outcomes we must see religious revival from the top. Taylor captures the challenges of this dominionist vision and warns his readers of the dangers that this can result in is actual physical violence, the type seen on January 6th. I think at times this may go a little too far, but history is replete with examples of individuals applying the teachings of religious leaders literally, resulting in unbelievable violence. This is a warning that certainly needs heeding

Worship as Political Weapon

Taylor dissects how Sean Feucht transforms worship into a rallying cry for political activism. Feucht’s high-energy, music-driven events blur the sacred and the partisan, a tactic Taylor frames as a powerful mobilization tool. This fusion amplifies the NAR’s reach, merging praise with a broader agenda. However I think this focus on Feucht highlights a broader theme that is threaded throughout the book. That of religious leaders, using emotive religious language to mobilize an audience to action. I was always a little confused by the terms of spiritual abuse. I was annoyed when religious leaders would use religious language to squelch any debate, how can one argue against “thus says the Lord”. And yet here we see wrong theological ideas married with emotive experiences and religious leaders wed to politics and fame and I think what results is the epitome of spiritually abusive language.

Why It Matters

The book’s strength lies in linking these theological currents to tangible consequences—namely, the NAR’s alignment with Trump and its potential to undermine democratic norms. Taylor’s prose is scholarly yet approachable, blending insider familiarity with critical distance. His evidence, drawn from primary sources and firsthand accounts, lends weight to his sobering narrative, even if the subtitle’s alarmism may spark debate. For me, having crossed paths with many of these leaders, his insights ring true: the NAR is a movement of deep conviction, but its methods and aims invite serious scrutiny.

Final Thoughts

The Violent Take It by Force is a must-read for anyone seeking to grasp the NAR’s ascent and its entanglement with American politics. Taylor clarifies a sprawling movement while prompting reflection on faith, power, and democracy. Though I question some of his broader conclusions, his work remains a vital contribution—both a mirror to the NAR’s ambitions and a call to weigh their cost.

[Drew Brads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a surprisingly engrossing and eye-opening read. Matthew Taylor examines nondenominational charismatic evangelicalism, giving special attention to the loosely-organized movement called the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), and he does so with the aim of explaining the Christian elements of the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol building. Taylor's thesis is relatively modest: he is not claiming that the NAR was solely responsible for the riots, or that all other varieties of Christian are innocent regarding this attack on democracy. He merely seeks to show that many of the elements of Christian piety on display on Jan. 6th (blowing shofars, praying against territorial spirits, using worship music to conduct spiritual warfare, conducting Jericho marches, carrying "appeal to heaven" flags) reflect the beliefs and practices of NAR-associated Christians, as opposed to other varieties. In light of this, Taylor sets out to show the historical and doctrinal developments that led to such a fervent, borderline-violent support of President Donald Trump among nondenominational charismatic evangelicals.

Taylor makes his case through a series of mini-biographies, following an eclectic cast of characters ranging from Fuller professor C. Peter Wagner, to charismatic worship leader Sean Feucht, to White House spiritual advisor and televangelist Paula White. Here, Taylor's ability to combine careful research and analysis with good story-telling shines brightly. He identifies C. Peter Wagner as the primary intellectual source and organizing force behind the NAR, and so he carefully tracks the development of his doctrinal beliefs. Wagner, a missionary turned Fuller Seminary professor, became charismatic, then developed a sophisticated view of spiritual warfare as occurring at the "territorial" and not merely the personal level. He then organized a movement that was free from denominational structures and instead functioned under the oligarchical leadership of modern-day prophets and apostles, many of whom he personally mentored. Under Wagner's leadership, the movement was dubbed the "New Apostolic Reformation." Churches in this nondenominational, charismatic vein are now growing rapidly worldwide, and in the US they represent the only major segment of evangelicalism that is still growing.

Taylor further shows how this burgeoning movement cross-pollinated with reformed reconstructionism and so obtained a political theology most commonly summarized under the "seven-mountain mandate," a concept popularized by Lance Wallnau (Taylor calls Wallnau the most significant political theologian of this century). Thus NAR Christians came to believe that Christians should lead society in seven spheres of influence in society, including arts, education, religion, and crucially, government. However, in Taylor's telling, the movement was not overly political and certainly not tied to a single candidate, until the 2016 election. At this point, the influence of Paula White, who had long been a personal pastor to Donald Trump, became crucial. She forged a link between Trump and the celebrity (which is to say, apostolic) class of the NAR. The initial evangelical support for Trump came through this "D-list" of evangelical leaders, rather than the more traditional elite evangelical leaders and institutions (think Christianity Today). It was only once Trump won the primary that these more traditional leaders were forced to go, hat in hand, to charismatic televangelist Paula White in order to have a hearing with the president. In this way, a group of evangelicals that were perceived as quirky and unserious became a very powerful political force behind the candidacy of Donald Trump.

Of course, the charismatic beliefs and practices of this group also play into their support of Donald Trump: he is not just a preferred candidate, he is the nation's prophesied leader, who has a "Cyrus anointing" and will allow Christians to take their rightful place at the top of the seven mountains. However, An element of NAR belief that I was unaware of qualifies Trump's prophetic status. The influence of open theism on this movement means that prophecies do not necessarily come true: they are revelations of God's will, but God's people must carry out powerful spiritual warfare, lest God's purpose be thwarted. In the view of the NAR, it is genuinely possible that God could lose.

All of this political and theological tension was erupted at the Capitol on Jan. 6. From the perspective of the NAR, God's prophetically chosen candidate was threatened by the territorial spirits, the principalities and powers at work in the Capitol building, and the demonic influence of the Democratic party. Apart from the intervention of the prophets, apostles, and other spiritual warriors, God's plan was at risk of failing. And so, while NAR leaders condemned violence and lawlessness, they spent the day waging intense spiritual warfare at the site of the spiritual battle: praying, prophesying, worshipping, Jericho-marching, shofar-blowing, and generally stirring up a spiritual frenzy. The result was a riot with a revivalist tinge.

One of the best elements of Taylor's work is his ability to humanize the NAR leaders. While he condemns them as dangerous and misguided, he himself has some experience with this movement, and he depicts these leaders as sincere, representing a plausible interpretation of Christianity, and holding to a fairly coherent worldview. Taylor never comes across as if he's trying to get a cheap shot in against evangelicals. While the NAR is easily mocked, Taylor carefully portrays them as dangerous rather than ridiculous. Another insightful analysis from Taylor is that the NAR is among the most diverse and egalitarian segments of evangelicalism, and their ideology is not aptly described as patriarchal white Christian nationalism. He prefers the term, "Christian supremacist" to describe the NAR's more extreme political theology.

Taylor's book ends with a kind of call to action: he argues that evangelicals (and journalists and evangelical journalists) are not paying enough attention to the enormous influence of the NAR and the detrimental effects of their teaching on our nation's democratic system. Here his work is less complete: in this volume he is not countering the theology of the NAR. His task is mostly descriptive. From a pastoral perspective (speaking as an anti-MAGA conservative baptist), this book is an important exposition of a major theological threat to the average evangelical. We may not be preaching a coherent and compelling theology that encompasses and explains Christian activity in the political realm, but the NAR surely is! Whereas my community tends to be hyper-alert to political and theological threats from the left, we must keep a close eye on this very compelling threat from the right. Taylor expertly describes this threat without coming across as someone who simply has it out for evangelicals, and for this reason I would highly recommend this work!

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crazy is as Crazy Does

The book details the history of religiosity specifically as it relates to the ascendency of Trump, culminating originally in his first election to the American presidency, later in the attempted putsch of Jan. 6, and then again to his reelection in 2024, although with the book published in October — less than a month before the election — this outcome was as yet unknown to the author.

Of course we’re not done yet.

On some level I suppose it’s interesting to know the details, the lineage of thought creating this chain of events — although the word ‘thought’ with regards to the people being talked about is stretching the spirit if not the letter of that particular word. When one hears ‘thought’ one imagines rationality, contemplation, when in fact what’s on display in the pages of this book are people (charitably) attempting to think, and failing to do so. The results of abandoning rationality in favor of religious feeling have been evident throughout the history of humanity. At no point in the narrative was there revelation, of newness or new understanding brought to this age-old problem. Crazy is as crazy does. The phrase popped into my head early on and kept chiming away, page after numbing page.

Witness (from the book):

The Toronto experience was, for those who embraced it, an encounter of joyous liberation and catharsis. They believed that the Holy Spirit was unleashing these new rapturous manifestations, which not only included holy laughter but also what people described as being “drunk in the Spirit,” jumping up and down (“pogo-ing”), and occasionally even barking like dogs, roaring like lions, or squawking like chickens. In Toronto, the revival-driven charismatic energy was off the chain. Randy Clark and the Arnotts became charismatic heroes at the heart of the new outpouring. But the practices of the Toronto Blessing—the holy laughter and other manifestations—also rapidly spread to thousands of other North American churches as charismatic pilgrims brought testimonies and infectious excitement back with them.

It’s not the author’s fault, though to perfectly candid I’m not sure he falls far from the crazy tree either.

Reflecting back on this campaign, Cindy Jacobs would comment that it was “an urgent Pentecostal type of prayer” that, in effect, got Trump into office: “There is no way he could have been elected if it weren’t supernatural.” Whether or not that is true …

Whether or not that is true?

The story he’s telling is equal parts infuriating and tedious, and no amount of authorial talent was going to save it.

What’s to understand here? It feels like we’re trying to discern sane religion from the insane, when the true and only conclusion on offer is that religion itself is insane. Arguing over degrees of insanity seems silly at best and maybe just a little fiddling why Rome burns. Maybe it’s time to wake up. Modern Christianity has reached the inevitable point that all religions reach, whereby it becomes cancerous, theocratic, anti-democratic, embracing ignorance and stupidity, trending toward violence. An effective response at this point could maybe avoid all out violence, but just. How long before actual violence is the only effective response to the insanity? What then?

In the words of the author, a self-described charismatic himself:

If your political opponents are, literally, inspired by demons, then there’s no negotiating with them. Demons are not meant to be negotiated with; they are meant to be battled, exorcised, and expelled. As we saw on January 6, this rhetoric of spiritual violence stokes real-world violence. You can only proclaim that a group of people or a political party is filled with demons for so long before someone decides that those demonic vessels must actually be physically attacked.

What Holy War awaits us?

[Karen Jekel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Matthew D. Taylor’s The Violent Take It by Force is a wake up call to all who belong to Christ. Meticulously researched and clearly written, it blends investigative depth with biblical discernment to expose the rise of the New Apostolic Reformation or NAR, a loosely connected charismatic movement that has become a powerful network of self appointed apostles and prophets infiltrating churches, shaping culture, and influencing policy in Donald Trump’s government. Taylor’s writing is sharp, the narrative compelling, and the evidence undeniable. His conclusion is stark: this movement is a clear and present danger to the witness of Christ.

The NAR promotes dominionist strategies and political conquest that stand in direct opposition to the nature of Christ’s kingdom, which is not of this world (John 18:36). Its leaders reject the biblical model of servant leadership in favor of authoritarian control, embodying the very false apostles Scripture warns against. Scripture commands us to test the spirits (1 John 4:1), reject all teaching and leadership that fails to align with God’s Word, and expose the unfruitful works of darkness (Ephesians 5:11). The faithful must be bold, vigilant, and uncompromising while openly naming the counterfeit apostles operating today including Dutch Sheets, Lance Wallnau, Paula White, C. Peter Wagner, Cindy Jacobs, Che Ahn, Sean Feucht, and Becca Greenwood. We are commanded in Romans 16:17 to avoid them. This warning extends to NAR-aligned institutions like Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry, Christ for the Nations Institute, and Global Harvest Ministries. These centers promote unbiblical ideas like self-appointed apostolic authority, the Seven Mountains mandate, guaranteed healing on demand, and extra biblical revelation treated as equal to Scripture. Such teachings distort the gospel, replacing Christlike humility and gospel proclamation with political conquest, supernatural showmanship, and spiritual authoritarianism. The biblical mandate is clear: reject these places entirely, warn others, and remain steadfast in God’s truth. If we remain silent, this distortion will spread. If we speak with truth and courage, we will stand as watchmen, protecting the flock.

The NAR has caused deep harm not only to Christians who have called out its deception, often facing slander and isolation, but also to the nation’s perception of Christianity, twisting the faith into a political weapon instead of the life-giving gospel of Jesus Christ. Taylor’s dive into how this extremist Christian network influenced the Jan 6 riots should move every Christian to examine these teachings in the light of Scripture, reject all forms of counterfeit gospel, and stand boldly for the truth of Christ no matter the cost.

As believers, we must evaluate self proclaimed Christians by their fruits (Matthew 7:16–20), not by the showmanship and political victories prized by the NAR, but by the biblical fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control (Galatians 5:22–23).

This book should be required reading in every seminary and Christian affiliated institution across the globe. Its warnings are urgent and essential. Far too many self professing Christians cannot recognize false prophets because they neglect to study and meditate on God’s Word, leaving themselves open to deception. Let every reader remember the sobering words of Jesus: Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven… then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness’ (Matthew 7:21–23).

I am deeply grateful to Matthew D. Taylor for standing as a faithful watchman, sounding the alarm with clarity and courage. I stand with you.