Defying Tyrants: Following Jesus in a World of Christian Antichrists

by Matthew D. Taylor

"Quite simply, Defying Tyrants is a book every Christian should read." --Kristin Kobes Du Mez, author of Jesus and John Wayne

\ Christian antichrists \(noun): Those who use power to harm others in the name of Jesus

In this powerhouse book, an expert on Christian extremism issues a profound and biblical rebuke to all who would claim the name of Jesus but disdain his way.

Christian fixation with political power is the theological emergency of our time, and in Defying Tyrants, Matthew D. Taylor, author of The Violent Take It by Force, traces the origins of Christian supremacy. Jesus directed his followers away from the race for power, but somewhere along the way, many Christians turned Jesus into a mascot for imperial domination. Where did it all go so wrong?

A trenchant reckoning with the murder, mayhem, and monsters of Christianity--from the early church and the Crusades to colonialism, slavery, and the Holocaust--Defying Tyrants demonstrates how imperialism has infected the body of Christ. With cogent argument and moral precision, Taylor excavates scriptural texts and unpacks the notion of Christian antichrists. When the term antichrist occurs in the Bible, it's frequently plural--not "The Antichrist" who populated the nightmares of fundamentalism's young people. Antichrists originate within the church and abuse people in the name of Christ. Christian antichrists justify harm and vengeance theologically, pointing people away from the God who entered humanity as a colonized peasant in the hinterlands of the Roman empire.

Both searing polemic and lyrical meditation, Defying Tyrants challenges us to put steel in the spine of Christian resistance to tyrants and reprimands the Christian leaders who bless them. It also spotlights a countertradition of Christians who have lived generous lives of sacrifice and stood up to authoritarians through the centuries. The gospel of Jesus pulls the rug out from under all human hierarchies, Taylor argues. In this brilliantly conceived and scrappy quarrel with Christian supremacy, he calls us to find in the teachings of Jesus and the witness of the early church a model of rebellion against tyrants of all kinds. Because if Jesus is Lord, Caesar isn't.

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

257 pages, Hardcover

Published October 6, 2026

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

[Dominic Muresan · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

(Book Club #4)
Did not need to be pushed even further towards Christian Anarchism, but uhm... Yea, thank you Mr. Author!

This book is an effort to redefine the idea of "antichrist" not in the classical, misinformed, eschatological way, but as a dislocation of Christ's message.

Matthew Taylor sees the way of Christ as a radical surrender of power - which makes antichrists of those figures that marry christianity with power, those who argue for Christendom instead of sacrificial love.

While I wholeheartedly agree with the book, I can't help but find it a little bit thin. This is perhaps because I'm familiar with these kinds of projects and perhaps a little bit saturated - which means that anything on the popular level would sound kind of the same.

But, if you've had enough of power-hungry Christianity and want to start somewhere, this could be ate place

[Richard Propes · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are very few things I remember positively about being raised a Jehovah's Witness, a cultish denomination at best that skewed my theological journey for years before I was mercifully shunned after they made assumptions about my sexuality. However, one of the things I do remember, at least somewhat fondly even if they didn't particularly live into it well, was that shying away from any authority but God. As a JW, we didn't vote. We didn't really express political opinions. In fact, once I got in trouble for making a one sentence political remark in a message I delivered. Of course, their practice was tainted by their lived theology and by hypocrisies galore but there was a core of anti-power with which I really resonated.

Fast forward to this world and fast forward to Matthew D. Taylor's excellent and enlightening and more than a little courageous "Defying Tyrants: Following Jesus in a world of Antichrists," and I begin to add needed theological foundations to my lifelong discomfort with a Christianity that seeks power and authority rather than Christ. I've long been uncomfortable with Christians treating Christ as more of a theological mascot than a foundation of faith.

To be clear, I am now what would be considered a lifelong activist. I'm a wheelchair-using paraplegic/double amputee who uses my voice to seek justice and to at least try to live more and more like Christ. I am not perfect. Far from it. I do vote. I've even run for office once. I've worked my entire life within the "system" trying to make it more fair for everyone (and mostly failing). Along the way, I went to seminary. I served in ministry positions. lived in the set-apart world for a few years, but I grew disillusioned with structures not designed for me, a wheelchair user, and structures that seemed increasingly built for control rather than compassion. So, my ministry became more of a living ministry.

And this is where I exist now.

And yet, the truth remains and Taylor names it beautifully - American Christianity is immersed in what can only be called a "theological emergency," a precise term Taylor uses that immediately resonated with me. "Defying Tyrants" crafts this discussion powerfully and, at times, even frighteningly.

Christianity has been weaponized, quite effectively, and Christianity has been twisted into what it exists today. The hope, I suppose, is that many do recognize this and are willing to defy tyrants and to contest the theology that abuses Christ or is, quite simply, Antichrist.

This is how I would ultimately summarize "Defying Tyrants" - a literary calling out that much of what is now called American Christianity has gotten even the basics of the faith incorrect. Jesus is no more than a mascot (my language, not Taylor's) in the thirst for power and control.

Taylor dives into this word antichrist, focusing on the only places in the Bible where it actually occurs of 1 and 2 John - to show us Antichrists are plural and appear from within the church. There is more here, of course, and more I'd love to discuss but as many of you have yet to read "Defying Tyrants" I'll save these discussions for a later time.

Taylor doesn't just dive into the current scene. In fact, one of the things I love about "Defying Tyrants" is that it rests itself within Christian history and largely avoids current political discussions. There's a rich history here and Taylor knows it.

Now, if it sounds like "Defying Tyrants" is a downer think again. Taylor identifies, resting quite effectively within the Incarnation, an always-existing thread of faith those, including Jesus, who've pushed back and been punished for it. We've always had those who would take the Sermon on the Mount seriously and who would try to hold to account Christianity's violent history. Taylor talks about violence here, an always challenging discussion for this pacifist, and makes clear that both Jesus and Caesar can't be Lord.

Some would maybe not say both, but they would certainly live both. They'd be wrong.

To be honest, I was unfamiliar with Taylor prior to "Defying Tyrants," though he himself has identified his own theological voice's shift and this book marks a shift from his documenting of Christian extremism. If anything, at least for me, "Defying Tyrants" is taking much of his lived academic and theological ministry and placing it firmly within the grounds of faith. It's stunningly effective.

A few years ago, I left a denomination with which I'd been aligned for several years. I'd moved "up" into positions of responsibility. The more this happened, the more I squirmed. Finally, I could take it no more and left much to my surprise and to the surprise of a lot of folks. "Defying Tyrants" helps me identify the "why" behind my leaving and also helps me identify my continued path forward and why I didn't abandon my faith. In fact, it became stronger.

I could dive more deeply here, however, as someone who received an ARC (Advanced Reader's Copy) for the purpose of review I feel a responsibility to say I both loved this book and want you to read it and discover it for yourself. I've explained why, but the details are yours to be discovered.

While you may not resonate within its entirety, "Defying Tyrants" is an important discussion to be had and a tremendous place for those who've become concerned about this place of current American Christianity to have difficult conversations and respond to the theological emergency of our lifetime.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the theology but the book needs editing. An uneven mix of scholarly and overly popular writing. The swings back and forth are distracting.

[G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Matthew D Taylor has given us a book-length essay on the problem of Christian imperialism—that is, the marriage Christianity to power that winds up backing hierarchy and suppressing the people not in the “in” group in the name of the religion. It’s beautifully written in a lively, informal style.

Any truly honest assessment of history has to acknowledge the long list of terrible things that Christianity has wrought in the world. Taylor makes a valuable distinction between Christendom—what one gets when the religion is a tool for power—and Christian faith, or Christianity. He makes it clear that he is not disparaging Christianity as a faith. Also that we cannot sidestep the crimes of Christendom by saying that those people weren’t/aren’t “truly Christian.”

For me, the most valuable part of the book was the extended meditation on the significance of the Incarnation, and its implications for understanding the deeply anti-empire message not just of Jesus’ ministry on earth, but also of the rest of the New Testament. Taylor also offers an extended reading of the gospel of Mark, and the book of Revelation, highlighting the often overlooked ways that modern Christian interpretations miss the deeply anti-imperial message of these books. This isn’t a work of Biblical or historical scholarship as much as it is an informal, impassioned, highly readable argument about how wrong Christians have often gotten their own faith, and a call to better understand and live by what the New Testament is telling us. I don’t know that I found any new ideas in it, but I did find it valuable for how it pulls together and integrates a number of concepts. I also liked the extended consideration of both Mark and Revelation for how they fleshed out what I’d previously been introduced to in outline.

The book also can be read as a devotional. I liked its approach to strengthening one’s theological imagination.

I am not sure Taylor’s argument will sway a person not already primed to interpret the Bible in the way he explores, but I’m also not sure that’s his purpose. Shoring up, strengthening, expanding the theology of people who already understand that the traditional, imperialistic read is problematic is valuable. This book is engaging and accessible. I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in countering the theological and biblical interpretative influence of authoritarian and hierarchical systems.

My thanks to Broadleaf Books and NetGalley for the digital ARC.

[Laura Riedinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taylor's is a limited review of the history and state of Christian supremacy. The book serves as a basic introduction to the complex and nuanced corruption of power in the name of Jesus that has occurred for centuries across cultures. Broader in its presence and application than Christian Nationalism and therefore more insidious, the consequences of Christians believing they are entitled to power and then working together toward global domination have resulted in violent oppression and annihilation of cultures and people groups throughout the world, in the name of God. These are alliances who "try to blend the kingdom of God with all the kingdoms of this world. Simply put, it produces devilish results." This kind of corruption is "profoundly theological," based on one's view of God, scripture, and the call to convert all to Christ. Taylor examines the warnings about the antichrists of the early Christian communities, the "invasive species in the Christian garden" (Matt 13:24-30), those "Christians who claimed superiority and power over others and used that power abusively. [Antichrist] is a very useful term, in that it helps us theologically characterize and categorize this shadow side of Christian history. ...[I]n fact, it is antichrist Christians who have monstrously wielded the empires and weapons of this world to victimize the world in the name of Christ." Taylor proposes disciples remind ourselves who this Christ is and what gospel he preached in the "profoundly tyrannical culture of the Roman Empire." That is the invitation Taylor offers: re-examine the kind of power Jesus called out and the values he lived by and taught. Consider deeply one's confession and commitment to the "downwardly mobile god who became a colonized peasant, died a victim of empire, and showed us a different way, beyond domination." If we follow him, we will be like-minded (Phil 2).

[David Tade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simply put, This is an excellent book, taking a deep dive into the nature of Tyrants, be it Kings, Dictators or Presidents, as they are all cut from.the same cloth. Taylor shines a very bright light into the nature and inner workings of Tyrants. I particularly found it insightful as he compared how the early Christians and Jesus and their teachings were geared primarily towards those on the fringe of society and were anti-Imperial authority. Also interesting was how he broke down how the majority of the population were primarily living from day to day. This isn't necessarily something new, but to see it spelled out is somewhat startling. Also I found it interesting how he used The Magnificat of Mary as an example of defying tyrants. I believe the temptation of many Christians is to pass over this portion of the Bible as not as something to be taken seriously, but if one truly reads the words and understands what were behind their meaning, they might see it as it was meant to be understood.
Also, his defining of antichrist not as someone who will come, but as someone who is, well, anti-christ,.i.e.against christ. He notes that anti Christ isn't used in Revelation, but only in the letter of 1 John.
I recommend everyone reading this book, and soaking in all the information Taylor puts forth.

[Morf Morford · Rating 5 out of 5]

“How can Christ be so good and Christianity so awful?”

That’s the question every reluctant, borderline believer must ask - if current, public and political “Christians” are the biggest obstacles to conversion, what has Christianity become?

If those who speak – or harangue – the loudest are Christians, who among us would want to be like them? Or associated with them? And, of course, who of us would want to spend eternity with people like that?

To say that those public Christians have missed the plot with their proclamations and performative faith is, to some, obvious.

How many of us know good-hearted, generous, even sacrificial people, who want nothing to do with Christianity precisely because of the actions of Christians a few centuries ago? Or this morning?

Can we blame them?
In response to tyranny, especially one embedded with “Christian” jargon and symbols, what should one who cares about the commands and ethics of Jesus of Nazareth do?

In short, just what any of us should do in any culture or political system; advocate for those who need it most, exercise practical grace and, be a refuge of hope and encouragement when the ugliness bears down on us all.

[Jim Holscher · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a thoroughly comprehensive look at the Christian church, both what it looks like now and what it has looked like through history.

That was both a blessing and a curse as this book was so dense it took me over a month to read. This covered deep history throughout so the reader could come to conclusions based on some historical facts. This project could have very easily become completely bogged down by that history, and thusly, been left to collect dust on the shelves of academia. The authors wit and humor shone through enough to make it approachable to lay readers and academia as well.

The authors poses the thesis, (which I find quite convincing), that the church has allowed itself to fall pray to those with strong personalities and ideas over the words of Christ and the authors of the Bible. This calls for an interesting and much needed conversation through the church about how we relay the gospel and the safeguards we must put in place to prevent tyrants from defying Christ.

Ultimately this is a call to action with the receipts to back it up. 4 stars.

[Alana Amunrud-Sharp · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book roundly condemns much that is happening in Christianity (and Christendom) today, but maintains a stunningly beautiful vision of Jesus and the life he calls his followers to live. Taylor does not shy away from the attrocities committed by Christian throughout the centuries, but does not allow those to dim the vision of the Lamb of God and his example of setting aside power rather than striving after it.

This book challenges all who call themselves Christians to decided: are they going to follow Jesus and the way of the cross, or are they going to use Christianity to seize power in the way of the antichrist?

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're a person who has had any Christian upbringing, and if you are currently looking out on the world and its churches and their leaders and wonder why it is that there is such a disparity between those who claim to be Christians and those who actually follow Christ, if you wonder about the abject moral hypocrisy of those leaders' actions and words verses what they say you/we should or shouldn't be doing, this is the book for you.

Matt Taylor elucidates the difference between the empire of Christiandom and the true order of Christ and Christ-like living and love.

A very appropo book for our times.

[Bill Sleeman · Rating 2 out of 5]

A lot of pre-release buzz for what is basically an extended bible study. Certainly not a bad thing but there was nothing - IMO - new in this work. Two hundred plus pages just to say “Jesus wasn’t a d&$k, so don’t be one yourself!” I was disappointed in the overall superficiality of this book. Not recommended

[shei; · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sadly, one of the main reasons people fall into the crisis of faith is because the church and some of the Christian churches out of the main one don’t follow the core values of Jesus instead is used as a form of worship coercion and guilt trapping politics.

[Persis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A timely book that makes a sound theological case against Christian supremacy and for Jesus’ upside down kingdom. The audio version is read by the author. His convictions come through in the narration.

[Jennifer Hixson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is different from Taylor's last book in that it's very personal and examines theology. He does a beautiful job of defining the believer's role in any political system and calls us to action in loving our Lord and our neighbor. Loved the intertwining of history, theology, and reflection.