Marching as to War: From Church Growth to Insurrection
A Review of
The Violent Take It By Force: The Christian Movement That Is Threatening Our Democracy
Matthew D. Taylor
Hardcover: Broadleaf, 2025
Buy Now: [ BookShop ] [ Amazon ] [ Kindle ]
Reviewed by Stephen R. Clark
Who knew a former missionary turned professor and church growth expert would plant the seeds of a multi-headed movement that some say threatens to disrupt democracy?
I first learned of C. Peter Wagner as the editor of Christian Bookseller magazine (owned by Christian Life Ministries [CLM]) in 1982. Wagner and John Wimber were behind an innovative and controversial course they started at Fuller Seminary called MC510 Signs and Wonders. Bob Walker, publisher of Christian Life magazine, found this “third wave” movement so intriguing, he dedicated an entire issue of the magazine to cover it in detail. Walker even put out an expanded booklet with additional material a short time later. CLM was subsequently sold to Stephen Strang, publisher of Charisma Magazine. After that, I lost track of Wagner, seeing his name occasionally pop up now and then. Wimber would go on to found Vineyard churches.
In his well-written book, The Violent Take It by Force, religious scholar Matthew D. Taylor traces Wagner’s movements and vast influence from his days at Fuller up until his death in 2016. After Fuller shut down MC510, Wagner moved to Colorado. There, he connected with people such as Paula White-Cain, Cindy Jacobs, Dutch Sheets, Ché Ahn, Lance Wallnau, Sean Feucht, Becca Greenwood, Chuck Pierce, and dozens of others (Taylor touches on at least 50). These are key players, many waving the “Appeal To Heaven” flag, in the quasi-evangelical constituency that has surrounded and influenced Donald Trump.
The players are legion and the connections among them are complex. Taken together, they form the somewhat amorphous New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), which itself encompasses elements of the Seven Mountain Mandate (aka Dominionism), five-fold ministry theology, Latter Rain, and the global Apostolic and Prophetic movement.
Taylor’s book is as much contemporary niche church history as it is analysis. Early in the book, Taylor presents two charts to help place the NAR in the contexts of traditional denominationalism and orthodox Charismatic/Pentecostalism. Within the greater scope of American Christianity, NAR is a small but potent piece. NAR is independent and charismatic, so not tied to denominations. This means there is no central organization with whom NAR adherents are beholden. Taylor likens NAR to the always changing bubbles inside a lava lamp.
ADVERTISEMENT:
These distinctions are important. As most understand, Christianity is not a monolithic entity. Churches, biblical theologies, and trends, even within historical orthodox faith, are nuanced and varied. Sadly, reporters, journalists, and others outside the faith often lump every expression into one melting pot of religion. This is further complicated with the term Evangelicalism itself being multi-faceted and its definition often murky and contested. The point being, that while NAR has been influential, it does not represent all of Evangelical or even Charismatic Christianity. It’s a relatively small part of American Christianity, yet its guerilla-like reach and impact is extensive.
NAR, which in itself is a variant of Christian nationalism, is a mutual-admiration society with key players well-networked with others. They acknowledge each other, work together, yet respect boundaries of influence. As Taylor states, they are “charismatic preachers, pastors, celebrities, nonprofit leaders, and international entrepreneurs who understand themselves to be recreating the energy and vitality of the early Christian church.” Their goal is to “conquer high places of influence in society and govern from the top down.”
Unlike other strains of Christian nationalism, NAR, or as Taylor labels it, “the independent charismatic style of Christian nationalism,” is multi-ethnic, transnational, with a fairly “egalitarian sensibility when it comes to gender and leadership.” It is rooted in the work of church growth guru, Peter Wagner. It comprises three major trends: strategic spiritual warfare, apostle and prophet leadership, and Dominionsim (aka Seven Mountain Mandate).
In 1989 Wagner met Cindy Jacobs, an advocate of a new type of spiritual warfare that involved dealing with “territorial hierarchies of demons.” These were tied to what scripture calls “principalities” and “powers.” Together, Jacobs and Wagner developed “‘strategic-level spiritual warfare’ that was meant to overpower and displace these territorial spirits.” Through his connections with the Lausanne Committee, Wagner helped circulate the ideas globally. Wimber saw strategic-level warfare as problematic and strongly cautioned Wagner. This difference eventually led to a falling out that was never resolved. Wimber died in 1997.
The name NAR evolved from a 1996 conference Wagner put together called the National Symposium on the Postdenominational Church. However, Jack Hayford balked at that title. After some brainstorming with Wagner and others, they landed on New Apostolic Reformation. At the same time, Wagner was being exposed to the growing Apostolic and Prophetic movement, referred to as five-fold ministry (Latter Rain). He became convinced that “churches and ministries should be governed primarily through apostles and prophets.”
Dominionism took form in the 1970s through the 1990s, a cross-pollination of Reconstructionism and the charismatic movement. Says Taylor, “Dominion theology aims to build the kingdom of God on earth right now.” A common catchphrase is “Kingdom Now.”
Wagner believed “the church should be governed primarily by charismatic apostles and prophets, who will lead it into concerted and orchestrated campaigns of strategic-level spiritual warfare, through which the church can transform societies.” In his book Dominion! Wagner stated, “We will not take dominion by remaining passive. We will only take dominion if the Body of Christ becomes violent and declares war on the enemy!”
From this foundation, Taylor methodically traces the Wagner-seeded NAR influence all the way to its natural outcome on January 6, 2021. He states, “The NAR leaders’ militant theologies, violent rhetoric and Christian mobilization efforts were inextricable from the happenings at the Capitol riot.”
Taylor does an excellent job revealing the backgrounds of the top players showing the connections among them. Paula White-Cain, probably the closest spiritual advisor to Trump, who, while not in Wagner’s original circle, has served as a major force bringing other NAR Wagner-influenced advocates into Trump’s view who have played a direct role in getting him re-elected.
Taylor warns that this Christian supremacist movement threatens to destabilize a pluralistic democracy through establishing Christian strongholds in family, religion, education, media, arts and entertainment, business, and government. A significant issue is how narrowly NAR defines “Christian” to their own advantage. Anyone who disagrees with their view of faith and agenda of spiritual dominion are labeled as “possessed by demons or under the sway of malign territorial spirits.”
The book offers a detailed and fascinating view into this often below-the-radar movement. Following all the trails can be a bit overwhelming – the book could have benefited from a visual timeline.
As I read, I was nagged by the question, “Is Trump just using these people to accomplish his purposes? Will he discard them and ignore their influence once he’s in office?” Late in the book, Taylor addresses these concerns a bit dismissively.
Taylor doesn’t believe they are being manipulated, but does acknowledge they could have been egged on, but only because their purposes aligned with the mischievous goals of Trump’s own disruptive agenda. Taylor writes, “the Christian supremacy and Christian nationalism on display that day were actively cultivated by people within the Trump administration.”
Only time will tell whether Trump continues to embrace or eventually shun them. My sense is that their influence is waning. But either way, damage has already been done, both to the country and to the church. Hopefully this book will open more eyes to the malign workings of this dangerous and misguided movement that has fomented real-world violence in the name of Christ. NAR does not accurately represent the true Kingdom of God or point to its one true King, Jesus.
Stephen R. Clark
Stephen R. Clark is an award-winning writer who lives in Lansdale, PA with his wife, BethAnn, where they are members ofImmanuel Church. His website iswww.StephenRayClark.com. He is a member of the Evangelical Press Association and managing editor of theChristian Freelance Writers Networkblog. His writing has appeared in several publications. He writes an occasional blog about being a Christian introvert atwww.QuietlyFaithful.com.
 Reading for the Common Good From ERB Editor Christopher Smith "This book will inspire, motivate and challenge anyone who cares a whit about the written word, the world of ideas, the shape of our communities and the life of the church." -Karen Swallow Prior Enter your email below to sign up for our weekly newsletter & download your FREE copy of this ebook! |
Understanding Christian Nationalism [A Reading Guide] |
 Most Anticipated Books of the Fall for Christian Readers!
|
 Hilarious One-Star Customer Reviews of Bibles |
