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 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.

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.

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.

Accurate and disturbing

The omission of a faith for the purposes of men who want power. This book provides valuable information on the NAR. Out of curiosity… do you think that “dominion” may be the tap root to why “consent” isn’t addressed from the pulpit? After all you don’t ask consent when your god gives you dominion , right?

Thank you for this powerful book it was insightful and helpful to my understanding.

And Jesus Wept

I think this book shows that when we justify evil people to lead us by using the Bible, we are easily deceived. The book does a great job of giving the history of how we can go wrong.

Sobering

An education in the history of Christian evangelicalism and how extreme things have become over the past several decades, how influential they were in the Jan. 6 insurrection, and how well connected they are to Republican leadership. This is essential reading for anyone interested in understanding how well coordinated these sometimes disparate groups actually are. Modern communication methods (social media, YouTube) have enabled even more coordination. The growth of this highly influential movement is not to be dismissed. Charismatic evangelicalism has had a huge influence in bringing about the kinds of antidemocratic laws and SCOTUS rulings that are leading us away from a pluralistic society. Indeed, those involved in leading this movement believe that they are divinely called to take over government, media, education, etc. (the Seven Mountain Mandate) The warping of Christian theology to suit their goals is truly disturbing. As Matthew Taylor indicates in his conclusion, we ignore this at our peril. So please read, learn, scream out loud out how insane so much of this seems, and then act to help ensure a future where we all belong.

Don’t miss this one!

A well-crafted breakdown on how ideas from the fringes of Evangelicalism have seeped into the minds of a large portion o the American electorate. Christian Nationalism explained, the weak theology laid bare, and the “apostles” who seek to militarize Christians for their own self-aggrandizement, advocating a theocratic plan for America and the world, by utilizing and deconstructing American democracy.