Matthew D. Taylor
@matthewdtaylor.bsky.social
senior Christian scholar at Institute for Islamic, Christian, & Jewish Studies | creator: "Charismatic Revival Fury" podcast | author: "The Violent Take It by Force: The Christian Movement that is Threatening Our Democracy"
He was a right wing media darling before the 2024 election, but now Feucht is more dangerous because he has "friends in high places" (hint: not Jesus) in DC.
Feucht can very easily get Pam Bondi, Pete Hegseth, and maybe even Trump on the phone to air his complaints and propagandistic lies. 4/
Feucht can very easily get Pam Bondi, Pete Hegseth, and maybe even Trump on the phone to air his complaints and propagandistic lies. 4/
August 25, 2025 at 9:45 PM
He was a right wing media darling before the 2024 election, but now Feucht is more dangerous because he has "friends in high places" (hint: not Jesus) in DC.
Feucht can very easily get Pam Bondi, Pete Hegseth, and maybe even Trump on the phone to air his complaints and propagandistic lies. 4/
Feucht can very easily get Pam Bondi, Pete Hegseth, and maybe even Trump on the phone to air his complaints and propagandistic lies. 4/
Trump himself is dialing up the God-talk, & even said, "We love you God" in his announcement about the Iran bombing raid.
We should all be very concerned about the relig advisers around Trump & how they are using God-talk to frame this moment. 19/
www.instagram.com/p/DLL5YZkI6Cj/
We should all be very concerned about the relig advisers around Trump & how they are using God-talk to frame this moment. 19/
www.instagram.com/p/DLL5YZkI6Cj/
June 23, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Trump himself is dialing up the God-talk, & even said, "We love you God" in his announcement about the Iran bombing raid.
We should all be very concerned about the relig advisers around Trump & how they are using God-talk to frame this moment. 19/
www.instagram.com/p/DLL5YZkI6Cj/
We should all be very concerned about the relig advisers around Trump & how they are using God-talk to frame this moment. 19/
www.instagram.com/p/DLL5YZkI6Cj/
Has anyone else noticed how overtly Christian (& in the genre of a papal encyclical or pastor's congregational letter) the Trump Admin's holiday presidential messages are?
Does anyone actually think that this even remotely reflects Trump's view or voice? 1/
www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-st...
Does anyone actually think that this even remotely reflects Trump's view or voice? 1/
www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-st...
June 10, 2025 at 4:19 AM
Has anyone else noticed how overtly Christian (& in the genre of a papal encyclical or pastor's congregational letter) the Trump Admin's holiday presidential messages are?
Does anyone actually think that this even remotely reflects Trump's view or voice? 1/
www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-st...
Does anyone actually think that this even remotely reflects Trump's view or voice? 1/
www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-st...
If you want to understand the broader context and who Paula White-Cain is, the entire first chapter of my book tells her story and demonstrates why this is so concerning:
icjs.org/the-violent-...
icjs.org/the-violent-...
June 6, 2025 at 3:46 PM
If you want to understand the broader context and who Paula White-Cain is, the entire first chapter of my book tells her story and demonstrates why this is so concerning:
icjs.org/the-violent-...
icjs.org/the-violent-...
Compared to past presidential religious advisors, White-Cain has unprecedented access to and influence over Trump. She is the head of the White House Faith Office.
She's also a key member of the quasi-authoritarian "Anti-Christian Bias Task Force" being run out of the DOJ.
These people mean it.
She's also a key member of the quasi-authoritarian "Anti-Christian Bias Task Force" being run out of the DOJ.
These people mean it.
June 6, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Compared to past presidential religious advisors, White-Cain has unprecedented access to and influence over Trump. She is the head of the White House Faith Office.
She's also a key member of the quasi-authoritarian "Anti-Christian Bias Task Force" being run out of the DOJ.
These people mean it.
She's also a key member of the quasi-authoritarian "Anti-Christian Bias Task Force" being run out of the DOJ.
These people mean it.
I spent a whole chapter on Feucht in The Violent Take It by Force, because he's molten core Christian MAGA.
He has skyrocketed to far-right political fame since 2020 with abrasive, confrontational tactics, relentless self-promotion, & savvy media spin. 3/
www.broadleafbooks.com/store/produc...
He has skyrocketed to far-right political fame since 2020 with abrasive, confrontational tactics, relentless self-promotion, & savvy media spin. 3/
www.broadleafbooks.com/store/produc...
June 2, 2025 at 10:11 PM
I spent a whole chapter on Feucht in The Violent Take It by Force, because he's molten core Christian MAGA.
He has skyrocketed to far-right political fame since 2020 with abrasive, confrontational tactics, relentless self-promotion, & savvy media spin. 3/
www.broadleafbooks.com/store/produc...
He has skyrocketed to far-right political fame since 2020 with abrasive, confrontational tactics, relentless self-promotion, & savvy media spin. 3/
www.broadleafbooks.com/store/produc...
Sean Feucht is one of the most popular evangelical Christian Trump supporters & MAGA activists.
He rose to prominence with his guerilla-warfare style Let Us Worship, a COVID-restriction defying series of Christian concerts in 2020 & 2021.
He now has many imitators. bsky.app/profile/matt... 2/
He rose to prominence with his guerilla-warfare style Let Us Worship, a COVID-restriction defying series of Christian concerts in 2020 & 2021.
He now has many imitators. bsky.app/profile/matt... 2/
June 2, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Sean Feucht is one of the most popular evangelical Christian Trump supporters & MAGA activists.
He rose to prominence with his guerilla-warfare style Let Us Worship, a COVID-restriction defying series of Christian concerts in 2020 & 2021.
He now has many imitators. bsky.app/profile/matt... 2/
He rose to prominence with his guerilla-warfare style Let Us Worship, a COVID-restriction defying series of Christian concerts in 2020 & 2021.
He now has many imitators. bsky.app/profile/matt... 2/
WHISTLEBLOWER REPORT ON SEAN FEUCHT
This is wild! A full-blown website written & sourced from ex-employees & ex-leaders in Sean Feucht's various ministries detailing his abuses, financial misconduct, & general scumball-ery.
Let me detail why this is important... 1/
truthandfreedomstories.com
This is wild! A full-blown website written & sourced from ex-employees & ex-leaders in Sean Feucht's various ministries detailing his abuses, financial misconduct, & general scumball-ery.
Let me detail why this is important... 1/
truthandfreedomstories.com
June 2, 2025 at 10:11 PM
WHISTLEBLOWER REPORT ON SEAN FEUCHT
This is wild! A full-blown website written & sourced from ex-employees & ex-leaders in Sean Feucht's various ministries detailing his abuses, financial misconduct, & general scumball-ery.
Let me detail why this is important... 1/
truthandfreedomstories.com
This is wild! A full-blown website written & sourced from ex-employees & ex-leaders in Sean Feucht's various ministries detailing his abuses, financial misconduct, & general scumball-ery.
Let me detail why this is important... 1/
truthandfreedomstories.com
But look at this crowd dancing and chanting at Johnston's event. They don't think of themselves as far-right provocateurs.
In their minds, they are just Christians acting as Christians should. They're singing and dancing in the face of their enemies. They're just worshiping Trump... oops, God. /17
In their minds, they are just Christians acting as Christians should. They're singing and dancing in the face of their enemies. They're just worshiping Trump... oops, God. /17
May 25, 2025 at 6:01 AM
But look at this crowd dancing and chanting at Johnston's event. They don't think of themselves as far-right provocateurs.
In their minds, they are just Christians acting as Christians should. They're singing and dancing in the face of their enemies. They're just worshiping Trump... oops, God. /17
In their minds, they are just Christians acting as Christians should. They're singing and dancing in the face of their enemies. They're just worshiping Trump... oops, God. /17
Like Feucht, Johnston regularly leads charismatic-revival style worship events.
Here are white-power gang members openly displaying at a CA event of theirs. I've heard from activists on the ground who've seen it, this is a regular occurrence. Proud Boys, Neo-Nazis, et al., at revivals. Yup. 12/
Here are white-power gang members openly displaying at a CA event of theirs. I've heard from activists on the ground who've seen it, this is a regular occurrence. Proud Boys, Neo-Nazis, et al., at revivals. Yup. 12/
May 25, 2025 at 6:01 AM
Like Feucht, Johnston regularly leads charismatic-revival style worship events.
Here are white-power gang members openly displaying at a CA event of theirs. I've heard from activists on the ground who've seen it, this is a regular occurrence. Proud Boys, Neo-Nazis, et al., at revivals. Yup. 12/
Here are white-power gang members openly displaying at a CA event of theirs. I've heard from activists on the ground who've seen it, this is a regular occurrence. Proud Boys, Neo-Nazis, et al., at revivals. Yup. 12/
Following Feucht's model (Johnston is literally a Feucht mentee), this Mayday event was profoundly provocative and overtly anti-LGBTQ, targeted for the center of Seattle.
Feucht was famous for doing this exact thing (including inside CHOP in Seattle) during the height of 2020 COVID summer. 9/
Feucht was famous for doing this exact thing (including inside CHOP in Seattle) during the height of 2020 COVID summer. 9/
May 25, 2025 at 6:01 AM
Following Feucht's model (Johnston is literally a Feucht mentee), this Mayday event was profoundly provocative and overtly anti-LGBTQ, targeted for the center of Seattle.
Feucht was famous for doing this exact thing (including inside CHOP in Seattle) during the height of 2020 COVID summer. 9/
Feucht was famous for doing this exact thing (including inside CHOP in Seattle) during the height of 2020 COVID summer. 9/
The NAR is part of the Independent Charismatic world (think: nondenominational Pentecostalism), a segment of evangelicalism built around experiential and ecstatic worship, belief in miracles & supernatural divine gifts, & spiritual warfare against Satan & demons everywhere. 4/
May 25, 2025 at 6:01 AM
The NAR is part of the Independent Charismatic world (think: nondenominational Pentecostalism), a segment of evangelicalism built around experiential and ecstatic worship, belief in miracles & supernatural divine gifts, & spiritual warfare against Satan & demons everywhere. 4/
The NAR leaders were also the theological architects of the January 6th Capitol Riot, mobilizing their followers through prophecy and spiritual warfare rhetoric to believe Trump's lies & show up on his behalf to stop the "demonic conspiracy" to prevent his coronation. 3/
icjs.org/charismatic-...
icjs.org/charismatic-...
May 25, 2025 at 6:01 AM
The NAR leaders were also the theological architects of the January 6th Capitol Riot, mobilizing their followers through prophecy and spiritual warfare rhetoric to believe Trump's lies & show up on his behalf to stop the "demonic conspiracy" to prevent his coronation. 3/
icjs.org/charismatic-...
icjs.org/charismatic-...
My recent book tracks the political emergence of a network of Christian extremist leaders called the NEW APOSTOLIC REFORMATION (NAR).
They were some of Trump's 1st Christian endorsers & have become his chief Christian propagandists. 2/
www.broadleafbooks.com/store/produc...
They were some of Trump's 1st Christian endorsers & have become his chief Christian propagandists. 2/
www.broadleafbooks.com/store/produc...
May 25, 2025 at 6:01 AM
My recent book tracks the political emergence of a network of Christian extremist leaders called the NEW APOSTOLIC REFORMATION (NAR).
They were some of Trump's 1st Christian endorsers & have become his chief Christian propagandists. 2/
www.broadleafbooks.com/store/produc...
They were some of Trump's 1st Christian endorsers & have become his chief Christian propagandists. 2/
www.broadleafbooks.com/store/produc...
Sean Feucht leading worship at the White House and... hanging out w/ Russell Brand?
Yes, you heard that correctly. The Christian far right gets curiouser & curiouser.
No one is a closer watcher of all of these mutations than @katerqburns.bsky.social.
Check out her latest article.
Yes, you heard that correctly. The Christian far right gets curiouser & curiouser.
No one is a closer watcher of all of these mutations than @katerqburns.bsky.social.
Check out her latest article.
April 29, 2025 at 3:48 AM
Sean Feucht leading worship at the White House and... hanging out w/ Russell Brand?
Yes, you heard that correctly. The Christian far right gets curiouser & curiouser.
No one is a closer watcher of all of these mutations than @katerqburns.bsky.social.
Check out her latest article.
Yes, you heard that correctly. The Christian far right gets curiouser & curiouser.
No one is a closer watcher of all of these mutations than @katerqburns.bsky.social.
Check out her latest article.
THEORY #1: Many non-white evangelicals are charismatic.
As I try to show in my latest book, The Violent Take It by Force, charismatic Christians (esp. of the nondenominational variety) are the most ardent sector of evangelical Trump support.
It's also one of the most multiethnic sectors. 4/
As I try to show in my latest book, The Violent Take It by Force, charismatic Christians (esp. of the nondenominational variety) are the most ardent sector of evangelical Trump support.
It's also one of the most multiethnic sectors. 4/
April 24, 2025 at 3:54 AM
THEORY #1: Many non-white evangelicals are charismatic.
As I try to show in my latest book, The Violent Take It by Force, charismatic Christians (esp. of the nondenominational variety) are the most ardent sector of evangelical Trump support.
It's also one of the most multiethnic sectors. 4/
As I try to show in my latest book, The Violent Take It by Force, charismatic Christians (esp. of the nondenominational variety) are the most ardent sector of evangelical Trump support.
It's also one of the most multiethnic sectors. 4/
It's time to stop speaking only about WHITE Christian nationalism & WHITE evangelicals. Donald Trump is winning over NON-WHITE evangelicals.
@ryanburge.bsky.social has data + analysis.
Having observed this phenomenon for a while, I have theories... 1/
www.graphsaboutreligion.com/p/2024-elect...
@ryanburge.bsky.social has data + analysis.
Having observed this phenomenon for a while, I have theories... 1/
www.graphsaboutreligion.com/p/2024-elect...
April 24, 2025 at 3:54 AM
It's time to stop speaking only about WHITE Christian nationalism & WHITE evangelicals. Donald Trump is winning over NON-WHITE evangelicals.
@ryanburge.bsky.social has data + analysis.
Having observed this phenomenon for a while, I have theories... 1/
www.graphsaboutreligion.com/p/2024-elect...
@ryanburge.bsky.social has data + analysis.
Having observed this phenomenon for a while, I have theories... 1/
www.graphsaboutreligion.com/p/2024-elect...
I was asked (@snowkids.bsky.social) to identify which NAR or NAR-affiliated people I see in this pic of relig leaders from the White House today.
I did you one better & labeled the picture with all the major nondenom charismatic players I see in the room. I probably missed some in the back:
1/
I did you one better & labeled the picture with all the major nondenom charismatic players I see in the room. I probably missed some in the back:
1/
February 9, 2025 at 4:43 AM
I was asked (@snowkids.bsky.social) to identify which NAR or NAR-affiliated people I see in this pic of relig leaders from the White House today.
I did you one better & labeled the picture with all the major nondenom charismatic players I see in the room. I probably missed some in the back:
1/
I did you one better & labeled the picture with all the major nondenom charismatic players I see in the room. I probably missed some in the back:
1/
C) Trump cites an FBI memo asserting that "Catholics were domestic-terrorism threats."
The FBI agents in question were right! Some Catholics are threats.
They arrested a man gathering explosives & weapons in Richmond, VA, & discovered he was deep into "Rad-Trad" Catholic extremist networks. 11/
The FBI agents in question were right! Some Catholics are threats.
They arrested a man gathering explosives & weapons in Richmond, VA, & discovered he was deep into "Rad-Trad" Catholic extremist networks. 11/
February 7, 2025 at 6:15 AM
C) Trump cites an FBI memo asserting that "Catholics were domestic-terrorism threats."
The FBI agents in question were right! Some Catholics are threats.
They arrested a man gathering explosives & weapons in Richmond, VA, & discovered he was deep into "Rad-Trad" Catholic extremist networks. 11/
The FBI agents in question were right! Some Catholics are threats.
They arrested a man gathering explosives & weapons in Richmond, VA, & discovered he was deep into "Rad-Trad" Catholic extremist networks. 11/
Let's be clear: roughly 2/3 of the US pop IDs as Christian.
Christians are THE dominant religious majority in America, & evangelicals (i.e., Trump's MAGAest supporters) have more political clout than any other religious group.
So where's all this persecution coming from? 5/
Christians are THE dominant religious majority in America, & evangelicals (i.e., Trump's MAGAest supporters) have more political clout than any other religious group.
So where's all this persecution coming from? 5/
February 7, 2025 at 6:15 AM
Let's be clear: roughly 2/3 of the US pop IDs as Christian.
Christians are THE dominant religious majority in America, & evangelicals (i.e., Trump's MAGAest supporters) have more political clout than any other religious group.
So where's all this persecution coming from? 5/
Christians are THE dominant religious majority in America, & evangelicals (i.e., Trump's MAGAest supporters) have more political clout than any other religious group.
So where's all this persecution coming from? 5/
Other presidents have had faith offices, so no huge departure from precedent, though it remains to be seen how this office will actually operate.
Typically, these offices serve as a point of contact b/w the Pres & relig leaders. Paula White played a similar role in Trump 1.0. 3/
Typically, these offices serve as a point of contact b/w the Pres & relig leaders. Paula White played a similar role in Trump 1.0. 3/
February 7, 2025 at 6:15 AM
Other presidents have had faith offices, so no huge departure from precedent, though it remains to be seen how this office will actually operate.
Typically, these offices serve as a point of contact b/w the Pres & relig leaders. Paula White played a similar role in Trump 1.0. 3/
Typically, these offices serve as a point of contact b/w the Pres & relig leaders. Paula White played a similar role in Trump 1.0. 3/
The 2 big announcements at the Prayer Breakfast were
1) He's creating a WH "Faith Office" & appointing his personal pastor Paula White (Cain) to lead it.
Not surprising. In fact, having written a whole book chapter on PWC & Trump, I'd be surprised if he chose anyone else. 2/
1) He's creating a WH "Faith Office" & appointing his personal pastor Paula White (Cain) to lead it.
Not surprising. In fact, having written a whole book chapter on PWC & Trump, I'd be surprised if he chose anyone else. 2/
February 7, 2025 at 6:15 AM
The 2 big announcements at the Prayer Breakfast were
1) He's creating a WH "Faith Office" & appointing his personal pastor Paula White (Cain) to lead it.
Not surprising. In fact, having written a whole book chapter on PWC & Trump, I'd be surprised if he chose anyone else. 2/
1) He's creating a WH "Faith Office" & appointing his personal pastor Paula White (Cain) to lead it.
Not surprising. In fact, having written a whole book chapter on PWC & Trump, I'd be surprised if he chose anyone else. 2/
Yesterday, Christian nationalism & Christian supremacy were on full display at the Inauguration.
Tomorrow, I'm beginning a 3-part, free, public course on "Christian Theologies of Power & Resistance."
This week we'll look at the anti-imperialism of the early church.
icjs.org/events/chris...
Tomorrow, I'm beginning a 3-part, free, public course on "Christian Theologies of Power & Resistance."
This week we'll look at the anti-imperialism of the early church.
icjs.org/events/chris...
January 21, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Yesterday, Christian nationalism & Christian supremacy were on full display at the Inauguration.
Tomorrow, I'm beginning a 3-part, free, public course on "Christian Theologies of Power & Resistance."
This week we'll look at the anti-imperialism of the early church.
icjs.org/events/chris...
Tomorrow, I'm beginning a 3-part, free, public course on "Christian Theologies of Power & Resistance."
This week we'll look at the anti-imperialism of the early church.
icjs.org/events/chris...
There are churches like this targeting nearly every one of our capital cities & state legislative bodies & governors -- aimed at taking Christian dominion to let the Ekklesia govern, a.k.a. conquering the Seven Mountains, a.k.a. taking back spiritual territory. 11/
January 15, 2025 at 5:21 AM
There are churches like this targeting nearly every one of our capital cities & state legislative bodies & governors -- aimed at taking Christian dominion to let the Ekklesia govern, a.k.a. conquering the Seven Mountains, a.k.a. taking back spiritual territory. 11/
What he's praying about the "ekklesia" means: Christians are the real legislature & a colonizing, governing class appointed from heaven on the earth.
Mind you, he's praying over ACTUAL state legislators.
I have a whole chapter on this theology & its originator, Dutch Sheets, in my book. 4/
Mind you, he's praying over ACTUAL state legislators.
I have a whole chapter on this theology & its originator, Dutch Sheets, in my book. 4/
January 15, 2025 at 5:21 AM
What he's praying about the "ekklesia" means: Christians are the real legislature & a colonizing, governing class appointed from heaven on the earth.
Mind you, he's praying over ACTUAL state legislators.
I have a whole chapter on this theology & its originator, Dutch Sheets, in my book. 4/
Mind you, he's praying over ACTUAL state legislators.
I have a whole chapter on this theology & its originator, Dutch Sheets, in my book. 4/