The Violent Take It by Force

The Christian Movement That Is Threatening Our Democracy

By: Matthew D. Taylor

Narrated by: Asa Siegel

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 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.

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.

©2024 Matthew D. Taylor (P)2024 eChristian

A Relevant Book in 2024

The author, in great detail, traces the rise of Charismatic Christianity worldwide and the danger this rise poses as this form of Christianity has intersected with celebrity culture and right wing politics in a way that threatens the US democracy. it is being led by a bunch of questionably self-proclaimed "Christian Prophet and Apostle" opportunists. He sucessfully connects this movement with the January 6th Insurrection. This is an important read in 2024.

Comprehensively Researched

While the performance/reading comes across as quite stiff and stilted, I’ve been looking forward to this book for quite some time.
Taylor’s research is very thorough and extremely timely.
Well worth the time invested.

Detailed and Interesting but a bit Dry

This is a deep dive into the political transformation of the charismatic Christian movement over recent decades. It focuses on NAR (beliefs, practices, and people) and its relationship to Trump and January 6th. If you have asked yourself (or others have asked you) “Why do the evangelist Christians support a guy like Trump?” This book very clearly explains this seemingly odd pairing. The book does not speculate on what Trump’s side of the relationship was for him. The book warns that the politics of the NAR is likely destabilizing to a democracy.

This is a little dry (both writing and narration) and more detailed then most readers will need or want.

A revealing, upsetting nightmare

Listening this was like a horror movie. It’s watching some of equipping beliefs and good things being twisted to grab power and mixing them abhorrent political aims rather than methods to spread love.

Thoroughly researched

Highly recommended reading for Christians who are puzzled by the support many of their fellow believers show for Donald Trump.

well told story. terrific research

Although I liked the book in general because of his thorough knowledge of the NAR and it's leaders. I was struck by his admission that this group is a threat to our democracy while at the same time praising them for their growth worldwide while other Christian groups are declining. I have family members who are a part of the Charismatic influence and they voted for Trump. There is nothing about the NAR that is praiseworthy or benevolent. The Bible clearly warns that there are going to be a great deal of false teachers that will lead the flock astray! All of the leaders of this group are in it to enrich themselves. They have no problem with lying. Their prophesies are fake, so are all their appeals for money. They lie with the ease that Trump lies. Trump uses them because they are his biggest voting bloc.

These people are the wolves in sheep's clothing that the real Apostle Paul said to watch for. The ones he said that people will gather to themselves that tickle their ears and give them false promises that are not biblical. These leaders are not Christians who have been deceived, they are false to the core and are ruining the lives of many true believers. Those in my family who are involved with these wolves are not the same people they were before. It's a cult through and through. And I just pray that many will be delivered.

Heartbreaking

There's a moment in each Christian's life when we are tempted by power or greed. Clearly, we are weaker than unbelievers. I'm grateful for the work he's done to expose this... this ... catastrophe. I'm heartbroken to understand just how ignorant, gullible and COMPLICIT so many of my brothers and sisters in Christ turned out to be.
I needed to read his book, mainly to come out of any final shreds of denial.
Of course It's about white supremacy and racism. It's ALWAYS been about racism. This book is a MUST READ for anyone who considers themselves "Christian" . We are responsible to and for raising awareness and standing against the violence and lies.

OMG! This is scary!

Fascinating and I had no idea what was bubbling up on the lunatic fringe. This book is critical to understand what’s happening on the Christian right.

Approachable and Well-Researched

With easy to follow narratives pulled from his research, Dr Taylor lays out the facts of how the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) emerged and became the major political force of Charismatics and Pentecostals in American Christian Nationalism. I found the arguments, narration, and logic easy to follow.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to better understand the Christian themed flags on January 6, 2021, or who wants to start to understand the religious influences of any future unrest around American elections.

Find out who was really responsible for the January 6 attack on the Capitol

Everyone, especially if you call yourself a Christian, needs to know who the handful of instigators were behind the January 6 attack and why they did it. By the way, the book is written by a Christian who meticulously interviewed and researched the people and information in this book.