Spiritual Warfare Rhetoric Is Dangerous to American Democracy

Last month, J.D. Vance appeared at a Pennsylvania town hall hosted by self-proclaimed prophet and political activist Lance Wallnau. It was part of a “Boldness” tour targeting independent, charismatic Christians (those who accept so-called “gifts of the Spirit” such as modern prophecy, supernatural healing and “speaking in tongues”) in key battleground counties. mobilize in support of Donald Trump.

As documented in Matthew D. Taylor’s book Violent Takeover: The Christian Movement That Threatens Our Democracy, Wallnau is a leading figure in the radical Christian supremacist movement known as the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR). Taylor demonstrates how the NAR became a powerful new political force in the MAGA and Christian right movements.

NAR leaders believe that Christians are destined by God to rule society. They promote the so-called “Seven Mountain Mandate,” a scheme in which conservative Christians are commanded by God to conquer seven spheres of influence in society: government, religion, media, arts and entertainment, education, family and business.

This idea spread widely beyond NAR circles and greatly influenced the views of many American Christians on the relationship between religion and politics. According to a June 2024 poll conducted by the Public Religion Research Institute, 39% of Republicans, 48% of white evangelical Protestants, and 51% of Americans who most trust conservative news sources agreed that “God wants Christians to take control of 7 mountains.” society.

These Christo-authoritarians also use the inflammatory language of “spiritual warfare” to irritate their followers by demonizing fellow US citizens who disagree with them. Neighbors are considered spiritual enemies. Democrats are seen as possessed by demons. Legitimate political differences are seen as part of a supernatural struggle between good and evil, God and Satan.

Wallnau said “the left is full of demons,” Kamala Harris is “the devil’s choice,” and her campaign is under “demonic power.” He claims Harris embodies the “spirit of Jezebel,” a reference to an old misogynistic stereotype based on the biblical story of the evil Israelite queen Jezebel, who used her seductive powers to usurp male power and spread evil. Such language paints Harris as the ultimate villain, a godless, amoral threat to the Christian right in its holy war to return America to God.

This spiritual warfare rhetoric has become widespread within the Republican Party. Shortly after the 2020 election results were announced, House Speaker Mike Johnson, along with many other Republican leaders, participated in prayer calls organized by NAR Apostle Jim Garlow, calling for divine intervention to keep Trump in power. During one such call, Johnson said Garlow had a “profound impact on my life.” The language of spiritual warfare also played a key role in mobilizing the January 6 rebels.

On January 31, 2024, Speaker Johnson and two dozen members of Congress gathered with the NAR and other leaders of the religious right for a “National Meeting for Prayer and Repentance” in DC. They spent hours in spiritual warfare-drenched prayer and repentance on behalf of the nation. At the Republican National Convention this past July, a Heritage Foundation event promoting Project 2025 ended with Tucker Carlson telling attendees they were fighting a “spiritual battle” against “anti-human” forces that want to destroy Christians.

Such careless and dangerous rhetoric creates a permission structure for violence, for resorting to extreme measures to achieve the desired outcome. If political elections are viewed as part of an apocalyptic spiritual battle between God and Satan, then your fellow US citizens will become your enemies and the road to constructive dialogue will be bulldozed. Ultimately, democracy loses.

(Dr. Peter Jauhiainen is a professor of religious studies at Kirkwood Community College, specializing in American religious history.)

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