{"id":7840,"date":"2025-05-27T08:14:02","date_gmt":"2025-05-27T15:14:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/christianethicstoday.com\/wp\/?p=7840"},"modified":"2025-09-10T10:37:59","modified_gmt":"2025-09-10T17:37:59","slug":"new-apostolic-reformation-evangelicals-see-trump-as-gods-warrior-in-their-battle-to-win-america-from-satanic-forces-and-to-christianize-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/christianethicstoday.com\/wp\/new-apostolic-reformation-evangelicals-see-trump-as-gods-warrior-in-their-battle-to-win-america-from-satanic-forces-and-to-christianize-it\/","title":{"rendered":"New Apostolic Reformation: Evangelicals See Trump as God\u2019s Warrior in their Battle to Win America from Satanic Forces and to Christianize It"},"content":{"rendered":"

(Photo\/YouTube screencapture)<\/em><\/p>\n

By<\/em> Art Jipson<\/em><\/p>\n

A growing movement believes President-elect Donald Trump is fighting a spiritual war<\/a>\u00a0against demonic forces within the United States. Trump himself stated in his acceptance speech on Nov. 6, 2024, that the reason that \u201cGod spared my life\u201d was to \u201crestore America to greatness<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

I have\u00a0studied various religious movements<\/a>\u00a0that seek to shape and control American society. One of these is the New Apostolic Reformation, or NAR, whose followers believe that they are waging a spiritual battle for control of the United States. NAR is an offshoot of Protestant Christian evangelicalism. \u00a0NAR advocates claim they receive divine guidance in reconstructing modern society based on Christian spiritual beliefs.<\/p>\n

In 2015, an estimated three million adult Americans attended churches that were openly part of NAR. Some scholars estimate that the number of\u00a0active NAR adherents may be larger<\/a>, as the movement may include members of Protestant Christian churches that are not directly aligned with the NAR movement.<\/p>\n

The beginning of the movement<\/strong><\/p>\n

NAR emerged in the late 1990s when theologian C. Peter Wagner popularized the term \u201cNew Apostolic Reformation.\u201d Wagner argued that God was\u00a0creating modern-day apostles and prophets<\/a>\u00a0who would lead Christianity in remaking American society.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0roots of the New Apostolic Reformation<\/a>\u00a0can be traced to the broader charismatic movement that sees spiritual forces as an active part of everyday life. \u00a0This view does not separate sacred experience from regular everyday life. For the much larger\u00a0network of charismatic Christians<\/a>\u00a0and Pentecostal movements that emphasize a personal relationship with God, the world is full of the active presence of the Holy Spirit, spiritual gifts and direct divine experiences.<\/p>\n

Core beliefs<\/strong><\/p>\n

Central to NAR is the belief that Christian religious leaders should be the main source of cultural and political authority in America.<\/p>\n

NAR proponents argue that select leaders receive direct revelation from God, guiding the direction of churches and fighting spiritual warfare against demonic influences, which they believe corrupt the behavior of individuals and nations.<\/p>\n

NAR advocates for a hierarchical structure in which religious leaders and their\u00a0political allies hold authority in society<\/a>.<\/p>\n

They believe in the \u201cSeven Mountains Mandate<\/a>,\u201d a way to represent Christian control of society through a strategy that Christians should infiltrate, influence and eventually control seven key areas in society \u2013 business, government, media, arts and entertainment, education, family and religion \u2013 to bring about\u00a0cultural transformation<\/a>.<\/p>\n

By doing so, NAR proponents believe they can establish a pure and true form of what they believe is a society ruled by divine guidance and strict adherence to biblical ideas.<\/p>\n

Lance Wallnau<\/a>, a prominent Christian author, speaker, social media influencer and consultant associated with NAR, has promoted the idea that such engagement where NAR Christian leaders hold authority through a government tied to divine will is essential for advancing societal transformation. Wallnau has been a\u00a0vocal supporter of Trump<\/a>, viewing him as a significant figure in NAR\u2019s vision.<\/p>\n

Spiritual warfare<\/strong><\/p>\n

Followers of\u00a0 NAR believe that they must engage in\u00a0spiritual warfare<\/a>, which includes prayers and actions aimed at combating perceived demonic influences in society.<\/p>\n

This practice often involves identifying \u201cstrongholds\u201d of evil, around cultural issues, such as gay marriage, transgender rights and LGBTQ+ activism, and then working to dismantle them. An example of this is a recent series of religious-based political rallies led by NAR leaders known as \u201cThe Courage Tour\u201d that\u00a0advocated directly for Trump\u2019s second election<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The NAR emphasizes that Christians should expect to see miraculous signs, where extraordinary events, such as\u00a0Trump\u2019s survival of an assassination attempt<\/a>, are interpreted to be explained only by divine or spiritual intervention.<\/p>\n

The movement\u2019s adherents also\u00a0believe in faith-based healing and supernatural experiences<\/a>, such as prophetic utterances and speech.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Trump as divinely ordained<\/strong><\/p>\n

Many NAR leaders and followers support Trump, viewing him as a divinely appointed figure who would facilitate NAR\u2019s goals for societal reconstruction, believing he was\u00a0chosen by God to fulfill a prophetic destiny<\/a>.<\/p>\n

They position Trump as a warrior against a so-called demonically controlled \u2013 and therefore corrupted \u2013 \u201cdeep state,\u201d aligning with NAR\u2019s emphasis on spiritual warfare and cultural dominion as outlined in the \u201cSeven Mountains\u201d mandate. NAR leaders followed Trump\u2019s understanding of a corrupt government.<\/p>\n

The NAR led a \u201cMillion Women<\/a>\u201d worship rally on Oct. 12, 2024, in Washington, D.C., in which the organizers sought to encourage one million women NAR adherents to come to pray, protest and support Trump\u2019s campaign. The event was promoted as a \u201clast stand moment\u201d to save the nation by helping Trump\u00a0win the election as a champion against dark, satanic forces<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Several prominent politicians, legislators and members of the judiciary, such as\u00a0House Speaker Mike Johnson<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito<\/a>, have flown the NAR-based \u201cAppeal to Heaven\u201d flag.<\/p>\n

For NAR evangelicals, the presidential election is interpreted through a Christian apocalyptic rhetoric. In this rhetoric, one candidate is a force for good, a warrior for God \u2013 Trump \u2013 and the other is led by demonic forces, such as Harris. Trump\u2019s 2024 win is\u00a0seen as a critical moment of spiritual warfare<\/a>\u00a0where the forces of God defeat the forces of evil.<\/p>\n

Criticism from many Christian denominations<\/strong><\/p>\n

Despite its growing popularity, NAR faces substantial criticism. Many mainstream Christian churches argue that the movement\u2019s teachings deviate from traditional Christian orthodoxy.<\/p>\n

Critics highlight abuse of authority by\u00a0people who claim God is directing their actions<\/a>\u00a0and the potential for abuse of authority by those claiming apostolic roles. The embrace of Trump raises concerns about blending evangelical faith and political ambition.<\/p>\n

Critics argue that the NAR\u2019s support for Trump compromised the integrity of the gospel, prioritizing political power over spiritual integrity. The events surrounding the\u00a0Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol<\/a>\u00a0further complicated this relationship, exposing the potential dangers of conflating religious beliefs with partisan politics.<\/p>\n

Moreover, the NAR\u2019s emphasis on spiritual warfare and the idea of taking control over society has raised other Christian groups\u2019 concerns about its potential to foster an \u201cus versus them\u201d mentality, leading to\u00a0increased polarization within society<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The New Apostolic Reformation represents a significant development, blending charismatic practices with a strong emphasis on politics and cultural transformation.<\/p>\n

However, a large majority of Americans disagree that society should be remade\u00a0based on religious theology<\/a>. Thus, for now, the NAR movement\u2019s fundamental views about religion and government are starkly at odds with most Americans.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u2014 Art Jipson is an associate professor of sociology at the University of Dayton. This essay first appeared in The Conversation on Feb 22, 2025 and is reprinted with permission of the author.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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