Spiritual Warriors: Decoding Christian Nationalism at the Capitol Riot | Institute for Islamic, Christian & Jewish Studies ▶️

From the point of view of effectiveness alone, a Calvin or a Luther, having launched conflicts still unresolved today, quite eclipse a Charles V or a Philip II. Spiritual Caesarism is more refined and richer in upheavals than Caesarism proper: if you would leave a name, attach it to a Church rather than to an empire. You will thereby have neophytes enfeoffed to your fate or to your fads, followers you can save or mistreat as you like.

CIORAN, History and Utopia (1960)

Video footage from the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot shows a myriad of religious symbols and actions. Why do you have groups of Christians, as a riot is going on just yards away from them, singing praise and worship music? Why are people blowing shofars? Why are people speaking in tongues as tear-gas grenades detonate all around them?

In this short documentary based on three years of research, ICJS Protestant Scholar Matthew D. Taylor describes the central role the New Apostolic Reformation, a relatively new charismatic Christian movement, played in instigating the Capitol riot. The NAR continues to be a force in American politics and will wield considerable influence going into the 2024 election.

Charles Peter Wagner was an American missionary, writer, teacher and founder of several Christian organizations. In his earlier years, Wagner was known as a key leader of the Church Growth Movement and later for his writings on spiritual warfareWikipedia

To dismantle religious bias and bigotry, ICJS builds learning communities where religious difference becomes a powerful force for good.


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