Episodes

We’ve all heard the rhetoric about the so-called “war on Christmas.” But why, exactly, do some Christians talk this way? Why do they get so angry? What are they so afraid of? And is there more going on with this rhetoric than might appear on the surface? In this episode, Dan decodes the “war on Christmas” language to uncover the expressions of Christian nationalism that form the basis for it. Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC Denver SWAJ Event Recording Available Here: https://buy.str...

Michael Flynn was raised Catholic. But in recent years his spiritual identity has shifted - or expanded. He talks often about spiritual warfare and the need for any army of God's warriors to do battle. It is one thing to hear pastors or even worship leaders talk about spiritual warfare and “expanding spiritual territory,” but this language of warfare and prayer weapons systems and spiritual adversaries sure has a different resonance coming out of the mouth of a literal general. How did this lan...

Cindy Jacobs is one of the most influential independent charismatic apostles on the planet. And almost no one outside of charismatic circles has any idea who she is or what she does. It was through Cindy Jacobs that C. Peter Wagner came to believe that Christian prayer could be mobilized on a grand scale to affect and open up entire nations to the gospel. That infamous passage in Ephesians doesn’t just talk about little garden-variety evil spirits, but it also refers to “principalities” and “po...

Brad and Dan begin by discussing a litany of stories related to the 45th president - the releasing of his tax returns, the criminal referrals to the DOJ by the J6 Select Committee, and the silence from the GOP. They then get into a column at the New York Times that bemoans how Americans have "updated" and "personalized" Christianity be going "woke" and so on. This leads to an epic dual rant by the co-hosts befitting the Festivus Season. https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC Denver SWAJ Event Reco...

We’ve likely all heard someone tell us to “remember the reason for the season.” But what exactly does that mean? What are Christians doing when they say that? In this episode, we find that there never has been a single “reason for the season” and decode the demand that we nevertheless “remember” the reason for the season. https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC Denver SWAJ Event Recording Available Here: https://buy.stripe.com/dR67ty0te2Qq6Gs5ks Join Brad in Costa Mesa, CA - January 13: https://www....

There are two phenomena that we hear a lot about these days in connection to the NAR: The Seven Mountains Mandate and Sean Feucht. The former is a theology, or ideology, or brand depending on who you ask. It proposes that Christians have a call to dominate every sphere, or mountain, of earthly existence--from the economy to entertainment to politics. It was first popularized by Lance Wallnau, a popular figure in NAR circles and one of C. Peter Wagner's closest followers. But before diving into ...

There are two phenomena that we hear a lot about these days in connection to the NAR: The Seven Mountains Mandate and Sean Feucht. The former is a theology, or ideology, or brand depending on who you ask. It proposes that Christians have a call to dominate every sphere, or mountain, of earthly existence--from the economy to entertainment to politics. It was first popularized by Lance Wallnau, a popular figure in NAR circles and one of C. Peter Wagner's closest followers. But before diving into ...

Brad and Dan begin by discussing the Young Republicans gala, where the president said: “We want to cross the Rubicon. We want total war. We must be prepared to do battle in every arena. In the media. In the courtroom. At the ballot box. And in the streets. This is the only language the left understands. The language of pure and unadulterated power." It was followed up by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green saying if she was in charge of J6 "we would have won" and "been armed." In the second segment, Dan...

Brad and Dan begin by discussing the Young Republicans gala, where the president said: “We want to cross the Rubicon. We want total war. We must be prepared to do battle in every arena. In the media. In the courtroom. At the ballot box. And in the streets. This is the only language the left understands. The language of pure and unadulterated power." It was followed up by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green saying if she was in charge of J6 "we would have won" and "been armed." In the second segment, Dan...

Who “owns” Christmas? When Christians tell non-Christians that they need to “remember the reason for the season,” or accuse them of engaging in a “war on Christmas,” do they have a right to do so? Is Christmas “theirs” just because it originated as a Christian religious holiday? In this episode, Dan argues that American Christians made Christmas a mainstream part of American culture, a dimension of general Americana, and that as a result they no longer have a claim on the holiday or the right to...

Ché Ahn Builds an Empire and Inspires an Insurrection

Warnock. Sinema. Warren. Griner. Festivus.

Christian Nationalism and Anti-Trans Rhetoric

This is the first episode in our new series - Charismatic Revival Fury: The New Apostolic Reformation, written and created by Dr. Matthew Taylor. In this episode, Matthew traces the beginning of the NAR to C. Peter Wagner, a former missionary and seminary professor who spent the last part of his life cultivating what he believed to be a new apostolic age in the life of the church. Wagner wanted to go beyond denominations to a new Reformation - one in which modern day apostles and prophets used ...

Brad and Dan begin by discussing the Senate's passage of the Respect for Marriage Act, which provides federal protections for same-sex marriage. Both hosts see the bill as a net win, but are concerned about the concessions it gives to churches and conservative lawmakers. They then discuss the seditious conspiracy conviction for Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes. Again, it's a net win, but it won't prevent right-wing extremism or put out the fire of the Big Lie. For that, we need the conviction...

“Count it all Joy” Why do Christians sometimes tell people they should feel “joy” when they experience difficult times? What can that possibly mean? Is it intended as a form of encouragement? As a fatalistic acceptance of everything that happens to us? And what are the implications of this? What are the implications of this idea for mental health, for high-control religious environments, or for the range of feelings, emotions, and experiences that are considered legitimate within the faith commu...

We are kicking off a new series on the history of the New Apostolic Reformation with Dr. Matthew Taylor. "Charismatic Revival Fury: The New Apostolic Reformation" will run from the first Monday in December all the way to the January 6th anniversary. The series will explore the history of the NAR through its key figures - starting with C. Peter Wagner, then moving to Ché Ahn, Lance Wallnau, Cindy Jacobs, and Dutch Sheets. Along the way we will see how people like Sean Feucht, Gen. Michael Flynn, ...

+ Dobson's Influence on Putin

In the second episode from their 2019 series, Brad and Dan continue their discussion of the history of the Christian Religious Left. They try to figure out how Mainline Protestantism won massive cultural victories in the 20th century, only to decline rapidly in terms of membership and political visibility. Pre-Order Brad's new book: https://www.amazon.com/Preparing-War-Extremist-Christian-Nationalism/dp/1506482163 For access to the full Orange Wave series, click here: https://irreverent.suppo...

This is the first episode in a 2019 series on the Religious Left . Brad and Dan begin by giving a brief history of the Christian Left over the last century. They highlight four main differences with evangelicalism: approaches to the Bible, the relationship between science and religion, the end of the world, and the Social Gospel vs. Individual Piety. Pre-Order Brad's new book: https://www.amazon.com/Preparing-War-Extremist-Christian-Nationalism/dp/1506482163 For access to the full Orange Wave...

Brad and Dan are in Denver for the SWAJ event this evening! Buy a last minute ticket here: bradonshi.com/nationalism. If you can't watch live a recording will be sent to all virtual attendees in a week or so. In place of a weekly roundup, here is Episode 3 of Monster in the Mirror! Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! Monster in the Mirror Episode 3: The trope of the “Asiatic criminal mastermind” has haunted Asians for over a century, from the notorious Fu Manchu right up to the myths of ...

We often hear Christians, cultural conservatives, and conservative politicians appeal to the family, and particularly the need for children to have families. Why do they say this? Would anyone disagree with it? When we crack the code of this language, do find more going on that the simple affirmation that children need and deserve adult caregivers who love them, care for them, and want them to thrive? In this episode, Dan argues that when we crack this code, we find that this sentiment is primar...

Brad is joined by return guest and co-author Annika Brockschmidt to discuss three things: Her recent piece at Religion Dispatches on the fascist elements of the Right's taste for violence and cruelty The 2022 midterms, including J.D. Vance, Blake Masters, and the looming DeSantis/Trump showdown What the f*ck is happening with Twitter? We have thoughts. THE MONSTER IN THE MIRROR pod has its own feed. Go subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! SWAJ in DENVER: We have in-person tickets at 5...

Brad and Dan breakdown the good, the bad, the ugly, and the hopeful from the 2022 midterms. Join us at the SWAJ Live Event: https://www.bradonishi.com/nationalism/ We have in-person tickets at 50% off - use SWAJ50 (limited number available) We have virtual tickets at 50% off - use SWAJ50 (limited number available) Pre-Order Brad's new book: https://www.amazon.com/Preparing-War-Extremist-Christian-Nationalism/dp/1506482163 For access to the full Orange Wave series, click here: https://irrevere...