The Worst Kind of Hypocrite

In this essay, I italicize certain phrases to point out the absurdity of the concepts. “Evangelical" usually implies Protestant, although some Catholics self-identify as Evangelical. They share a belief in Jesus as a personal savior, a regard for the authority of the Bible, an eagerness for evangelization, and a born-again experience. While a discussion of theology falls outside the scope of this article, it is appropriate to highlight some key points regarding Trump’s closest Evangelical supporters. Pentecostals and Charismatics put more weight on "spiritual gifts,” like speaking in tongues, and Charismatics often add other spiritual "phenomena" like healing, prosperity prayers, laughter, and “falling in the spirit” (dropping to the floor). When it comes to understanding the alliance with Trump, however, it is more fruitful to focus on the so-called New Apostolic Reformation (NAR). While the term itself is currently not widely used, neither among believers nor among scholars, it is somewhat broader than “Charismatics,” and it highlights some key features that are useful in order to understand the role of the major actors and the aim of their political engagement. The term was coined by C. Peter Wagner in 1994 to describe a movement that crossed traditional denominational lines, with roots in the early twentieth-century Pentecostal movement and the later Charismatic Protestant movements. The NAR has no official doctrine, membership lists, or legal ties. Still, it is possible to recognize NAR churches and adherents based on certain characteristics, which in turn will help explain their engagement for Trump, as well as the appeal of the "Trump prophecies." This is not to state that all Evangelical Trump supporters or all of his leading Evangelical proponents are NAR adherents, only that the NAR offers a useful framework to better understand the rationale behind the alliance.

NAR churches typically emphasize the manifestation of the Holy Spirit in signs and wonders, like healing, prophecies, deliverance from demons, and falling in the spirit. So-called prophecies about Trump, like those presented below, are hence commonplace. Another hallmark of the NAR movement is its acknowledgement of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers as leaders of the church. The belief is that authority is given by the Holy Spirit to individuals rather than to bureaucratic institutions. Strang (2017) points to several Trump supporters in these various roles. A sense of spiritual warfare permeates the whole perceived reality of NAR Christians, and the believers’ engagement in conflict is central. This is reflected by the war rhetoric in some of the prophecies presented during the 2016 election. NAR Christians do not only aim at “conquering” the hearts of men, but also nations. In an article defending the NAR movement, published by Charisma Magazine, Wagner refers to this as dominionism and explains that he and his NAR friends are working to establish the kingdom of God on earth by overcoming the kingdom of Satan.They do this by placing “kingdom-minded people” in “every one of the Seven Mountains: Religion, Family, Education, Government, Media, Arts & Entertainment, and Business,” so they can shape society, so that it will be blessed and prosper.

The argument that the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) is a movement led by charlatans who manipulate Christians into supporting Donald Trump, a most anti-Christian person, finds a prominent figure in Lance Wallnau, a former Texas oil marketer and now key NAR influencer, whose work exemplifies the movement’s tactics. Wallnau, a Pentecostal teacher and proponent of the Seven Mountains Mandate, has been instrumental in framing Trump as God’s chosen leader, using prophecy and strategic rhetoric to galvanize Evangelical voters. This framing fosters hypocrisy among Christians by endorsing a figure whose behavior starkly contradicts Christian values. I must conclude that the Evangelical community comprises some well-meaning but intellectually limited individuals, along with ethno-nationalist bigots who support Trump because he mirrors their prejudices. Wallnau’s role, particularly through his books, media appearances, and promotion of the “Cyrus frame” highlights how NAR leaders exploit faith for political ends, leading followers to prioritize power over principle.

The NAR, a loosely organized Charismatic movement rooted in early 20th-century Pentecostalism, emphasizes spiritual gifts like prophecy, healing, and spiritual warfare, with no formal doctrine or membership. Coined by C. Peter Wagner in 1994, the term describes a network of churches and leaders who prioritize apostolic and prophetic authority over institutional structures. Wallnau, a teacher at Wagner University (founded by the aforementioned C. Wagner), embodies this ethos, advocating the Seven Mountains Mandate—a strategy to "establish God’s kingdom” by dominating seven cultural spheres: religion, family, education, government, media, arts, and business. This dominionist vision, which Wagner himself defended in Charisma Magazine, seeks to place “kingdom-minded” individuals in positions of influence to reshape society according to NAR ideals. Wallnau’s work aligns with this goal, framing Trump as a divinely appointed figure to advance Christian control over American governance.

Books like The Trump Prophecies by Mark Taylor, God and Donald Trump by Stephen Strang, and The Oracle by Jonathan Cahn use framing strategies to highlight Trump’s alleged divine anointment, aligning with NAR’s goal of establishing God’s kingdom by controlling societal sectors like government and media. These leaders, leveraging their influence through media and televangelism, present Trump as a defender of Christian values

Wallnau’s influence within the NAR is amplified by his role as a self-styled prophet and strategist. Unlike traditional Evangelicals, who emphasize biblical authority and personal salvation, NAR adherents like Wallnau focus on modern-day prophecies and spiritual warfare, viewing politics as a cosmic battle between God and Satan. This perspective, coupled with the movement’s rejection of bureaucratic church structures, allows figures like Wallnau to wield significant influence through media platforms, conferences, and books. His book, God’s Chaos Candidate, published in 2016, became a bestseller during the presidential campaign, capitalizing on Trump’s controversial image to argue that he was God’s unlikely but necessary choice to save America from moral and cultural decline.

Wallnau’s central contribution to the Trump-Evangelical alliance is his use of the “Cyrus frame,” drawing from the biblical figure of King Cyrus, a pagan Persian king whom God anointed to free the Jews (as written in Isaiah 45). In God’s Chaos Candidate, Wallnau recounts a 2015 prophecy where God revealed Trump as a “wrecking ball to the spirit of political correctness” and later instructed him to read Isaiah 45, linking Cyrus to Trump as the 45th president. This frame is powerful because it justifies supporting a morally flawed candidate by emphasizing divine purpose over personal piety. Wallnau argues that, like Cyrus, Trump is a secular leader chosen by God to achieve specific tasks—namely, restoring America’s Christian heritage and combating liberal secularism. He compares Trump to historical figures like Abraham Lincoln and Winston Churchill(!) suggesting that God often uses imperfect vessels to fulfill divine plans.

Wallnau defines America’s problem as a spiritual and moral decline, exacerbated by the political left and apathetic Christians who have failed to “disciple” the nation. The cause, he argues, is Christians’ disengagement from cultural spheres, allowing secular forces to dominate. His moral judgment is clear: supporting Trump is a divine mandate, while opposing him risks God’s judgment. The solution is to vote for Trump, whom Wallnau calls “God’s chaos candidate,” a disruptive force to dismantle corrupt systems and restore godly governance.

I can hardly believe that anyone would fall for such obvious horseshit but, then again, I never delve into the myriad of latter-day charlatans who call themselves Christians, and the absurd things they say and write on their way to fame and fortune. So I shouldn't have been surprised that Wallnau's narrative resonated with NAR believers, who see politics as spiritual warfare, and appeals to their schemata—the mental frameworks that prioritize divine intervention and biblical archetypes.

Many of those who "received" prophetic messages about Trump as God’s chosen president were either connected with him during the election, giving him advice on issues and showing public support, or associated with others who were. Trump was well aware of the religious frames that circulated. Through his Evangelical advisors, he received guidance on how to pick issues, words, and phrases that matched these frames. Trump had been preparing for the presidential race for years, and he targeted the Evangelical constituency in particular. The coordination of Trump’s words and actions with these frames contributed to making the prophecies self-fulfilling.

In 2015, Wallnau met Trump at Trump Tower alongside other Evangelical leaders, and pitched the "Cyrus prophecy.” His 2016 book addressed the controversies (such as accusations of racism and the Access Hollywood tapes) which threatened to alienate Christian voters, employing a “born-again” frame—not claiming that Trump was a born-again Christian, but distinguishing between “Trump in the past” and “Trump in the present.” Wallnau wrote, “Never judge an entire book by a single chapter,” invoking the Evangelical belief in redemption and second chances. This frame mitigated concerns about Trump’s character, portraying him as a man evolving under divine influence! Wallnau further countered racism allegations by highlighting Trump’s friendships with Evangelicals and his policy promises, such as appointing "conservative” (Bible-thumping) Supreme Court justices, which aligned with NAR priorities like overturning Roe v. Wade.

Wallnau’s appearance on The Jim Bakker Show in October 2016, weeks before the election, amplified his message when Hillary Clinton led polls by 14 points. He emphasized the urgency of mobilizing the 100 million potential Evangelical voters, saying that Christians could be the decisive vote if they pushed past media mind control—such as exposés of Trump's racism, misogyny, dishonesty, etc.

Wallnau’s prophecy frame placed responsibility on believers, arguing that God’s plan for Trump required their action: “The future of America is in our hands.” He claimed God only revealed Trump as a Cyrus “if we have eyes to see.” By framing the election as a spiritual battle, Wallnau motivated believers to register, vote, and pray, aligning with the NAR’s warfare rhetoric, where God’s army must conquer cultural “mountains” to establish His kingdom.

The dynamics between Trump and his Evangelical allies explain what really took place in the 2016 election, including the massive support of conservative Christians for this unlikely candidate. When Trump sent out cues that matched the schemata of the target audience—appealing promises, phrases like “Christianity is under siege,” or pictures of him pretending to pray—it created the impression that he was indeed the man who was prophesied. By the very act of aligning himself with the prophecy frames (and the advice from his Evangelical allies), Trump caused the "prophecies" to be fulfilled. As a side effect, he may also have attracted other Christian voters who themselves may not have believed in the "prophecies" or even known about them but shared the same basic values. The Evangelical vote played a major role in Trump’s win in 2016. He, in turn, was instrumental to the agenda of NAR Christians. Through their frames, the alliance shaped him to become the "Cyrus” of their prophecies, taking the measures they considered necessary to make America great (i.e., Christian) again. The "prophecies" mentioned Israel, conservative Supreme Court justices, immigration, abortion, and expressions of Christian faith in the public sphere, and Trump "fulfilled” them. How simple!

Wallnau’s tactics exemplify the charlatanism within the NAR, manipulating believers into supporting a candidate whose lifestyle—marked by documented instances of dishonesty (well over 30,000 documented lies to date), infidelity, and inflammatory rhetoric—clashes with Christian ethics. The hypocrisy lies in Evangelicals endorsing Trump while condemning similar behaviors in others, prioritizing political power over moral consistency. Wallnau’s Cyrus frame, while biblically rooted, is a convenient justification to overlook Trump’s unchristian conduct, exploiting believers’ trust in prophetic authority. His emphasis on spiritual warfare and dominionism further fuels a narrative that equates dissent with demonic opposition, stifling critical thinking among followers.

I assume that many within the Evangelical community are good-hearted but intellectually limited, susceptible to Wallnau’s emotive "prophecies" and lacking the discernment to question his motives. Others can only be racist, nationalist bigots who support Trump because he reflects their prejudices, using their so-called "faith" as a veneer to justify voting for a candidate whose policies and rhetoric target minorities and immigrants. Wallnau’s narrative, by framing Trump as a defender of Christian liberties against a secular left, appeals to both groups.

Wallnau’s role in the Trump-Evangelical alliance highlights a strategic exploitation of faith. His coordination with Trump’s campaign, facilitated by figures like White-Cain, ensured that Trump’s rhetoric—phrases like “Christianity is under siege”—matched Evangelical schemata, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy. Trump, in return, has delivered for them in his appointment of judges, recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, etc.

Take a look at the latest of hundreds of NAR headlines at the People for the American Way website:

Rick Joyner Claims Judges Ruling Against Trump May Provoke Civil War (04/22/2025)

Religious Right Backs Trump's Lawless 'Deportation Strategy’ and Authoritarian Attacks on Judges (04/15/2025)

Paula White's Prayer Warriors Target Supreme Court and Federal Judges (04/11/2025)

Lance Wallnau, Donald Trump, Statesmen Evangelists, and The Great End Times Harvest (03/10/2025)

Hank Kunneman Says Trump is a 'Moses-Like Figure’ Sent By God to Give Christians Control of the Seven Mountains (02/27/2025)

It's all so absurd. I personally know an Evangelical pastor who fervently believed that God's choice for president in 2000 and 2004 was George W. Bush, who said in a debate, when asked who his favorite philosopher was, "Jesus Christ.” Years later, after the disastrous invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq had ruined millions of lives and caused the worst recession in memory, this pastor said that he regretted having voted for Bush. By that time, of course, he believed that Obama was Satan's choice, because Obama said that abortion should be “safe, legal and rare,” a phrase coined by Bill Clinton, another president that the Evangelicals loved to hate. This Bible literalist, who believes the Earth is about 8000 years old, once wrote to me, "Abortion has killed more people than all the wars in history!” conveniently ignoring not only the Bible's silence regarding abortion, but also Genesis 2:7, “Then the Lord God…breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being,” in other words, life begins when a baby takes his first breath.

The 1954 Johnson Amendment supposedly prevents churches from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for elective office. I'd heard that this happens in churches all over—in the South, especially. Strangely, no church has ever lost its tax-exempt status or been punished for breaking that law. Then in May, 2017, Trump signed an executive order relaxing the enforcement of the Johnson Amendment.

In 2021, when I happened to be in the neighborhood for the first time in nearly a decade, I was invited to attend the above pastor's sermon. At the time, I had never heard of Lance Wellnau or the New Apostolic Reformation. We drove to the church but then, rather than go inside with the pastor and his family, I walked around the church for maybe 20 minutes, because hearing idiots pontificate can really grate on my nerves. Then I walked in, sat in the back and, within 5-10 minutes, he told his flock—as though reminding them of something he'd said earlier—not to forget to read some part of the Bible that dealt with King Cyrus, whom I'd already heard was code-speak for Trump. I got up and walked out, practically in a daze. It's one thing to surmise, but another to have confirmed one's suspicions that a national network of Evangelical churches receives, from a head office somewhere, sermon outlines that function as voting instructions.

Apocalyptic irony: 81% of white evangelicals voted for a man who can’t name a single Bible verse, stands against everything Jesus ever said or did and, in private, expresses contempt and scorn for his evangelical supporters.