In God We Vote
1Digest
This episode of Reveal delves into the intersection of religion and politics, focusing on the rise of a new evangelical movement known as the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR). The episode follows the story of Don Lam, pastor of Lifegate, a small church in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, and his congregation's involvement in local politics. Don Lam, a strong supporter of Donald Trump, believes the 2020 election was stolen and encourages his congregation to fight for their beliefs. He views the current situation as a spiritual battle and actively engages his congregation in the "culture wars." Lifegate members have gained significant influence on the Elizabethtown School Board, raising concerns about the blurring of lines between church and state. The episode introduces Dutch Sheets, a prominent figure in the NAR, who preaches online and has a large following within conservative Christian circles. The NAR emphasizes spiritual warfare and political activism, believing in taking dominion over various aspects of society through the "Seven Mountains Mandate." This mandate calls for Christians to control seven key areas: business, government, education, religion, family, arts and entertainment, and media. The episode also examines the Independence Law Center (ILC), a legal organization specializing in religious liberty cases. The ILC has been instrumental in shaping legal and cultural norms, particularly in the area of reproductive rights and transgender rights. The ILC's involvement in school board policies, including those regarding transgender athletes, has sparked controversy and raised concerns about its impact on local communities. The episode concludes by discussing the Reawaken America Tour, an event organized by former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn, which has strong ties to Christian nationalism. The tour has been criticized for its anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and its promotion of conspiracy theories. The episode highlights the tragic story of Next Benedict, a non-binary student who was bullied and beaten unconscious at school in Oklahoma, ultimately taking his own life. This tragic event underscores the devastating impact of anti-trans policies and rhetoric.
Outlines
Introduction: The Rise of a New Evangelical Movement
This episode of Reveal introduces Don Lam, a pastor at Lifegate, a small church in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania. The episode explores the intersection of religion and politics, particularly within the context of the 2020 election and the rise of a new evangelical movement.
Lifegate and the 2020 Election: A Spiritual Battle
Don Lam, the pastor of Lifegate, expresses his strong disapproval of the 2020 election results and believes it was stolen. He encourages his congregation to fight for their beliefs and views the current situation as a spiritual battle.
Don Lam's Journey to Faith and the Influence of Jesus Fest
Don Lam shares his personal journey to Christianity, describing his early experiences with Baptist churches and his search for a deeper connection with God. He found his calling at a large Christian music festival, Jesus Fest, which transformed his life.
Lifegate's Growing Influence in Elizabethtown
Despite being a small church, Lifegate has gained a reputation for its outspoken views and political activism. Tim Runkle, a local resident, noticed a shift in public comments at local meetings, with many attendees regularly attending Lifegate.
Lifegate and the January 6th Insurrection: A Show of Support
Members of Lifegate traveled to Washington, D.C., on January 6th, 2021, to show support for President Trump. While Don Lam claims no one from his church entered the Capitol, they were present outside after attending Trump's speech.
Lifegate's Political Engagement: The "Culture Wars"
Don Lam encourages his congregation to actively engage in the "culture wars" and not remain silent. He emphasizes the importance of political involvement and uses his pulpit to rally his followers.
Lifegate's Influence on the Elizabethtown School Board: Blurring the Lines
Lifegate members have gained significant influence on the Elizabethtown School Board, with several members of the congregation now holding seats. This has led to accusations of blurring the line between church and state.
Dutch Sheets and the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR): A Growing Movement
The episode introduces Dutch Sheets, a prominent figure in the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), a growing charismatic movement that emphasizes spiritual warfare and political activism. Dutch Sheets preaches online and has a large following within conservative Christian circles.
Keywords
New Apostolic Reformation (NAR)
A decentralized network of individuals promoting a specific type of charismatic Christianity, emphasizing spiritual warfare and political activism. Led by self-proclaimed apostles and prophets who believe in taking dominion over society.
Seven Mountains Mandate
A central tenet of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) that calls for Christians to take control of seven key areas of society: business, government, education, religion, family, arts and entertainment, and media.
Dominionism
A belief that Christians should exercise control over all aspects of society, including government, education, and culture, in order to establish a Christian theocracy.
Christian Nationalism
A political ideology that seeks to establish a Christian nation, often characterized by a belief in the supremacy of Christian values and a rejection of secularism.
Independence Law Center (ILC)
A legal organization specializing in religious liberty cases, known for its involvement in controversial cases and its advocacy for conservative Christian values.
Religious Liberty
The freedom to practice one's religion without government interference, often used as a justification for policies that discriminate against minority groups.
Transgender Rights
The rights and protections afforded to transgender individuals, including the right to express their gender identity and to participate in activities that align with their gender.
School Board
A governing body responsible for overseeing the operation of a public school district, often the subject of political debate and activism.
Culture Wars
A term used to describe the ongoing conflict between conservative and progressive values in American society, often centered on issues such as religion, morality, and social change.
Spiritual Warfare
A belief that Christians are engaged in a spiritual battle against demonic forces, often used to justify political activism and social control.
Q&A
What is the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) and how does it influence American politics?
The NAR is a decentralized network of individuals promoting a specific type of charismatic Christianity, emphasizing spiritual warfare and political activism. They believe in taking dominion over society through the "Seven Mountains Mandate," which calls for Christians to control key areas like government, education, and media.
How does Lifegate, Don Lam's church, exemplify the intersection of religion and politics?
Lifegate has gained influence on the Elizabethtown School Board, with several members of the congregation now holding seats. This has led to accusations of blurring the line between church and state, as the church's political agenda seems to be influencing local policies.
What is the Independence Law Center (ILC) and what role does it play in the "culture wars"?
The ILC is a legal organization specializing in religious liberty cases, known for its involvement in controversial cases and its advocacy for conservative Christian values. It has been instrumental in shaping legal and cultural norms, particularly in the area of reproductive rights and transgender rights.
How does the story of Next Benedict highlight the dangers of anti-trans policies and rhetoric?
Next Benedict, a non-binary student, was bullied and beaten unconscious at school in Oklahoma. He took his own life shortly after the incident, highlighting the devastating impact of anti-trans policies and rhetoric, which can create hostile environments for transgender individuals.
What are the potential consequences of the ILC's influence on school boards?
Critics argue that the ILC's policies are harmful to transgender students and represent a threat to democratic values. They fear that the ILC's influence could lead to the erosion of LGBTQ rights and the creation of discriminatory environments in schools.
Show Notes
A small church in a small town in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, has been flexing its political muscle and building an outsized reputation for blurring the line between church and state. Pastor Don Lamb wants his congregants to be engaged in spiritual warfare and not be “head-in-the-sand, Jesus-loves-you kind of Christians,” especially when it comes to the local school board.
To Lamb, this is not a Christian takeover. Yet his church is influenced by an elusive, hard-to-pin-down movement whose followers believe that Christians are called to control the government and that former President Donald Trump was chosen by God. It’s called the New Apostolic Reformation, and it’s nothing like the culture war–fueled Moral Majority of yesteryear. There are prophets and apostles, and a spiritual war is underway, not just in Pennsylvania. To win, the church has to do more than just preach the gospel; it has to get political.
This week, Reveal’s Najib Aminy and Mother Jones reporter Kiera Butler explain what the New Apostolic Reformation is and what happens when it seeps into small-town churches like Lamb’s.
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