Episodes

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/StraightWhiteJCDenver SWAJ Event Recording Available Here: https://buy.stripe.com/dR67ty0te2Qq6Gs5ksJoin 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/1506482163For 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/1506482163For 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 crueltyThe 2022 midterms, including J.D. Vance, Blake Masters, and the looming DeSantis/Trump showdownWhat 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/1506482163For access to the full Orange Wave series, click here: https://irrevere...

Is the slogan, “stand for the flag, kneel for the cross” a harmless expression of the conviction that good Christians can also be good citizens? Or if we decode it, do we find that a meaning that’s much more pernicious than that? In this episode, Dan argues that this slogan is an expression of Christian nationalism, giving voice to anti-Black racism and licensing election denial and efforts to overturn the 2020 election.Join us at the SWAJ Live Event: https://www.bradonishi.com/nationalism/We...

When it was first published in 1897, Bram Stoker's Dracula immediately triggered a spate of strong emotional responses. These responses partly stemmed from its action-movie depiction of Christianity, but also partly from the xenophobic fears of European Jews that lurk beneath its titular monster. Dracula also introduced the idea of a holy conspiracy, whose members must conduct their sacred fight against evil in secret. In this episode, we talk about how a century of adaptations has preserved the...

Brad and Dan begin by discussing the attack on Paul Pelosi. Brad discusses the conspiracy theories that have taken hold surrounding the attack and why the jokes, memes, and laughs coming from the American Right reveal how they think of the country - and themselves.Dan then dives into Kanye West's anti-Semitic remarks and discusses his history of anti-Blackness.The episode finishes with an examination of the open racial fear mongering on GOP midterm ads in the South.Join us at the SWAJ Live...

One of the most central commands given by Jesus of Nazareth in the Bible is to “love your enemies.” But if this is true, why does it seem like we seldom see this in practice among Christians, especially those who actively articulate their faith in terms of culture war and Christian nationalism? Dan tackles these issues in this episode, decode Christian understandings of what “love of enemies” does, and doesn’t mean, for the Christians who appeal to it.Join us at the SWAJ Live Event: https://ww...