Key Takeaways:
– A widening community considers President-elect Donald Trump as waging spiritual combat against demonic forces, according to a recent examination of religious movements in the U.S.
– The New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) movement, an offshoot of Protestant Christian evangelicalism, is a key player in this belief system.
– Influential within the Trump administration, NAR seeks to reshape American society based on Christian spiritual beliefs.
– NAR aims to establish dominance in seven sectors – business, government, media, arts and entertainment, education, family, and religion.
Trump’s Destiny as a Biblical Warrior
Many followers of the NAR movement believe President-elect Donald Trump is fighting a spiritual war in the United States. They assert that divine intervention was behind the survival of an assassination attempt on Trump. This belief mirrors NAR’s doctrine, which includes spiritual warfare against perceived demonic influences in society. NAR’s warriors use prayers and actions to combat these ‘evil forces’.
About the New Apostolic Reformation
The New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) emerged from Protestant Christian evangelicalism in the 90s. Its mission: to mold and control American society based on Christian spiritual beliefs. They follow ‘The Seven Mountains Mandate,’ which encourages Christians to infiltrate seven key areas of society and gradually control them.
These believers advocate for a society ruled by religious leaders who receive divine guidance. Lance Wallnau, a leading figure in NAR and ardent Trump supporter, believes in the authority of Christian leaders to advance societal change.
Commencing Spiritual Warfare
The spiritual warfare doctrine is central to NAR. This involves identifying negative cultural influences, like LGBTQ+ activism, and working to dismantle them. The NAR also used their ‘Courage Tour’ platform to mobilize support for Trump, whom they see as a divine warrior against evil influences.
Leaders of NAR argue their fight against these ‘evil forces’ reveals miraculous signs of divine intervention. This includes events such as prophetic speaking and spiritual healing.
Behind the Election Support
Many followers of NAR view Trump as far more than a politician. They believe he is a divinely appointed leader, chosen to facilitate the New Apostolic Reformation’s goals for societal reconstruction and fight against a ‘corrupt government’. They see the 2024 elections as a decisive moment in spiritual warfare, with Trump as the god-sent warrior against satanic influences.
The Criticism
Despite its growing influence, the beliefs of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) face criticism from other Christian churches, often over alleged deviation from Christian orthodoxy. The blending of evangelical faith with political ambition in the NAR’s support for Trump has been questioned, particularly in relation to the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. Critics express concern that the NAR’s emphasis on spiritual warfare and societal control can cause societal polarization.
Will Their Influence Grow?
The New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) has successfully combined charismatic practices with a strong focus on politics and cultural change. Yet, it appears the majority of Americans disapprove of the idea of restructuring society based on religious theology. As such, the immediate influence of the NAR still appears limited but is evolving at a rapid pace.