I've written a full post on Substack about the book and the shift it represents in my work. Read it, pre-order the book, and subscribe for excerpts before the October 6 release.
substack.com/home/post/p-...
PRE-ORDER DEFYING TYRANTS: www.broadleafbooks.com/store/produc...
5/5
DEFYING TYRANTS makes the biblical case: "antichrist" in the New Testament is plural, and antichrists come from inside the church. They claim Jesus while betraying his way.
That's not my framing — that's Bible!
And it applies directly to Christian leaders who bless tyrants today. 4/
That conviction was confirmed making AMERICAN UNEXCEPTIONALISM with @sohayward.bsky.social — a podcast where we interviewed activists & experts from India, Brazil, Russia, Myanmar, & more.
Across every context, the most effective resisters went deeper into their tradition, not away from it. 3/
After years of documenting Christian nationalism & extremism through THE VIOLENT TAKE IT BY FORCE and Charismatic Revival Fury, I kept hitting the same wall: the civic warning isn't enough.
When the propaganda driving your society mad is theological, you have to contest the theology. 2/
My new book DEFYING TYRANTS: Following Jesus in a World of Christian Antichrists is available for pre-order. Out October 6th.
A thread on what it is and why I wrote it — and why theology is central to resisting the authoritarian right. 🧵
All of this to say, please don't write off or downplay Trump's religious talk about himself.
Of all the terrible & degraded things about his second term thus far, it is truly one of the things that scares me the most.
Look back thru history: megalomaniacs with messiah complexes create horrors. 8/
The American Constitution does not install a divinely ordained savior to sit on a White House throne. The president is a functionary in the American Constitution: designated to protect the country and execute the laws and budgets Congress passes.
Today, we are tipping toward tyranny. 7/
Combined with Trump's ego and megalomania, just imagine how these prophecies -- if he believes even a shred of it -- could help fuel his sense of power, destiny, and invulnerability.
Many of Trump's advisors and devotees have also noticed this change & speak glowingly of it, but it terrifies me. 6/
If you want to understand why there's much more of a "divine right of kings" vibe to the second Trump administration, I suggest you start by looking here.
The Kim Clement prophecy is one of dozens of such prophecies that've been presented directly to Trump by his evangelical advisers since 2015. 5/
The Butler, PA assassination attempt seems to have severely impacted Trump's psyche. He brings it up frequently now, often off the cuff, with statements like these.
The refrain: God saved me to save America (or return it to greatness).
This is different from Trump's first term. 4/
As to what Trump believes or doesn't believe, I'm loath to speculate about what any politician SINCERELY believes in their heart of hearts -- they have many potential motives & cross-cutting pressures on why they do anything.
I will say: I watch closely & I've seen a change in Trump since 2024. 3/
I've seen many mocking this prophecy post, but, in the world of charismatic prophecy (which has millions of followers in the US), this Kim Clement clip is the ur-Trump prophecy.
It occurred in 2007 (at Bethel Church), and was seized upon by Trump supporters very early during his 2016 campaign. 2/
In my writing & speaking about Pentecostal-charismatic leaders around Trump, I'm often asked if Trump buys into any of these modern prophecies about him or is even aware of what they say.
I generally say: Yes, he's very aware & does seem to buy in at some level.
Here's my new Exhibit A:
1/
I was honored to be back on the @refusefascism.bsky.social podcast. This time we talked about the American war in Iran and how dueling Christian Zionist and antisemitic versions of Christian nationalism are powering debates about the war:
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/c...
This podcast interview I did for The Great Battlefield covers a lot of ground: the New Apostolic Reformation's development, how Christian theology is fueling Trumpian messianism, and what it means to theologically resist authoritarianism.
Check it out.
greatbattlefield.com/episode/char...
On this week’s episode of our pod, Sam speaks w @matthewdtaylor.bsky.social about the religious undercurrents underpinning this incredibly dangerous new war against Iran.
Listen here: bit.ly/4sEvexu
Or wherever you get your podcasts
Highly recommend @matthewdtaylor.bsky.social's podcast series Charismatic Revival Fury: icjs.org/charismatic-... apologies in advance it will melt your brain.
For the whole interview: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...
I joined The Resisters podcast this week.
This interview will probably appeal more to Christians than to others, because it's a conversation with a pastor & also someone w/ a New Apostolic Reformation background, so we get deep into what's wrong with NAR theology.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsSY...
If you want to understand how all this has been building, @matthewdtaylor.bsky.social's audio series, Charismatic Revival Fury, is essential listening.
icjs.org/charismatic-...
“The Violent Take It by Force” by @matthewdtaylor.bsky.social or @bradleyonishi.bsky.social ‘s podcast “Straight White American Jesus” or @badfaithdoc.bsky.social or follow @katerqburns.bsky.social or @thebugbeardispatch.bsky.social
To understand the current wave of religious extremism
Excellent conversation with @sarahposner.bsky.social and @matthewdtaylor.bsky.social on the illiberalism of the Christian Nationalist movement infesting the halls of power. "You can't have liberal democracy when you believe the other side is demonic."
On charismatic Christians, prophets, apostles, spiritual warfare, and how they see Israel and Iran, with @matthewdtaylor.bsky.social:
redcircle.com/shows/fbed71...
NEW Reign of Error. You don't want to miss this one. I talk with @matthewdtaylor.bsky.social about how Trump's top evangelical advisors are activating voters for the midterms around voter suppression, Iran, immigration, and literally casting out demons
redcircle.com/shows/fbed71...
I'll be leading a 6-week, public, online course in March & April:
"The Christian-Jewish Question Today: Antisemitism, Christian Zionism, & Israel"
How has Christian theology shaped this fraught moment?
Inst. for Christian Studies (Toronto)
$400 Canadian, $290 for US
substack.com/@matthewdtay...
@matthewdtaylor.bsky.social & I recorded a postlude to our podcast American Unexceptionalism. I shared my experience in the resistance from Minneapolis, focusing on the role of faith. Thanks to @bradleyonishi.bsky.social for platforming the episode on SWAJ. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s...
Grateful for this review of my book, The Violent Take It By Force, by @erichrobinson1969.bsky.social.
"For anyone trying to understand how Xn language, spiritual fervor, & political power became so tightly entangled...this book is essential reading."
resourcesforus.wordpress.com/2026/02/06/t...
Quick correction: it's actually Thurs 2/12.
For anyone in the DC area, this promises to be a really interesting conversation:
CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM & THE RISE OF AUTHORITARIANISM
It'll also be in one of the most beautiful spaces in all of DC-- Georgetown's Riggs Library.
Come and join us Tues, 2/12 at 6pm.
events.zoom.us/ev/Apr-OK55d...
For everyone who would like some context for this video and why it's important to pay attention to stuff like this, I would suggest:
www.axismundi.us/charismatic-...
and:
www.broadleafbooks.com/store/produc...
