Christian Nationalism and the Theology of Spiritual Warfare

Christian Nationalism and the Theology of Spiritual Warfare

Christian nationalism and the theology of spiritual warfare intersect in some contemporary Christian political movements that interpret political and social conflict as part of a larger supernatural struggle between divine and demonic forces. Spiritual warfare itself is a much broader Christian concept and predates modern Christian nationalism by centuries. The distinctive development examined in much of the contemporary literature is the application of spiritual-warfare concepts to governments, elections, cultural institutions, geographical territories, and national identity.

These ideas are particularly prominent in parts of neo-charismatic Christianity and the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), a decentralized network emphasizing modern apostles and prophets, divine revelation, prophetic intercession, spiritual warfare, and the transformation of society. Within some of these networks, political activity is interpreted not merely as conventional civic participation but as one dimension of an underlying supernatural conflict.

Scholars, journalists, theologians, and participants disagree about the meaning, extent, and implications of these ideas. Christian critics argue that biblical teachings concerning spiritual warfare should not be equated with partisan political conflict, while researchers caution against treating evangelicalism, Pentecostalism, charismatic Christianity, the New Apostolic Reformation, and Christian nationalism as synonymous.

Spiritual Warfare in Christian Theology

In traditional Christian usage, spiritual warfare generally refers to the struggle between good and evil, temptation and faithfulness, or divine and demonic powers. Biblical passages such as Ephesians 6, which describes believers putting on the "armor of God," have long provided imagery for this concept.

Modern charismatic and Pentecostal movements developed additional forms of spiritual-warfare teaching. Some emphasize deliverance from demons at the individual level, while others extend the concept to communities, institutions, cities, nations, and entire societies.

One influential development has been called strategic-level spiritual warfare. This approach holds that powerful demonic beings or "territorial spirits" can exercise influence over geographical regions, governments, social institutions, ethnic groups, religions, or cultures. Supporters may use prayer, intercession, spiritual mapping, prophetic declarations, or other religious practices in an attempt to identify and confront these perceived supernatural forces.

The biblical and theological legitimacy of strategic-level spiritual warfare remains disputed within Christianity. Evangelical and Reformed critics have questioned whether Scripture supports identifying particular demons with cities, nations, institutions, or political movements.

The New Apostolic Reformation

The New Apostolic Reformation is one of the movements most frequently associated in the research literature with contemporary strategic spiritual warfare. The NAR is not a conventional denomination with a centralized membership structure. Rather, it consists of overlapping ministries, churches, prayer networks, conferences, media organizations, apostles, prophets, and charismatic leaders.

Important themes within NAR-related networks can include:

• modern apostles and prophets;
• contemporary divine revelation and prophecy;
• spiritual warfare;
• territorial spirits;
• spiritual mapping;
• prophetic intercession;
• societal transformation;
• dominion theology;
• the Seven Mountains Mandate;
• revival and national restoration.

Authority within these networks can differ substantially from traditional denominational structures. Apostles and prophets may be understood as possessing special spiritual authority or revelation, while prophetic messages can influence interpretations of current events.

The NAR has become increasingly important in scholarly and journalistic discussions of American Christian nationalism because some of its leaders combine charismatic theology with organized political activity.

Territorial Spirits and Spiritual Mapping

Territorial spirits are supernatural beings believed by some spiritual-warfare practitioners to exercise influence over particular places, institutions, populations, or areas of social life.

Spiritual mapping developed as a practice intended to identify the historical, religious, cultural, or spiritual conditions believed to give demonic powers influence over a territory. Practitioners may research local history, religions, social problems, political institutions, or significant events and interpret them within a supernatural framework.

The modern spiritual-mapping movement developed internationally and has appeared in the United States, Latin America, Haiti, Africa, and elsewhere. Research documents attempts to interpret cities, historical events, religions, government institutions, and national histories as locations of supernatural conflict.

This approach can have political implications when government agencies, political movements, cultural institutions, or ideological opponents are interpreted as manifestations of underlying spiritual powers.

Critics within evangelical Christianity have argued that spiritual mapping can move beyond what they believe can be supported from biblical texts and may encourage speculative claims about supernatural causation.

Dominion Theology and the Seven Mountains Mandate

The relationship between spiritual warfare and political activism becomes especially visible in discussions of dominion and the Seven Mountains Mandate.

Dominion-oriented theology generally emphasizes Christian influence over society, although the term encompasses several historically and theologically distinct movements. Christian Reconstructionism, charismatic dominionism, and the New Apostolic Reformation should therefore not automatically be treated as identical.

The Seven Mountains framework identifies major areas of social influence commonly described as:

• religion;
• family;
• education;
• government;
• media;
• business;
• arts and entertainment.

Advocates argue that Christians should exert greater influence within these institutions. Some formulations emphasize cultural participation and leadership, while stronger versions describe a mandate to gain governing or controlling influence over major sectors of society.

Within spiritual-warfare theology, these institutions may also be understood as contested spiritual territory. Political or cultural activity can therefore acquire a dual interpretation: participation in ordinary institutions and participation in an underlying supernatural struggle.

Lance Wallnau has been one of the best-known contemporary advocates associated with the Seven Mountains concept. His political teachings have combined charismatic prophecy, cultural influence, spiritual warfare, and the biblical figure Cyrus as a framework for interpreting Donald Trump's political role.

Prophecy and Political Mobilization

Prophecy is another important connection between spiritual warfare and contemporary political activism.

Some charismatic leaders have presented political events, elections, candidates, judicial appointments, or national crises as subjects of prophetic revelation. Political outcomes can consequently be interpreted as confirmation or rejection of prophetic expectations.

Donald Trump's rise to political prominence became particularly important within these networks. Some charismatic leaders described Trump through the biblical analogy of Cyrus, the Persian ruler who was not an Israelite but was nevertheless portrayed in the Hebrew Bible as serving a divine purpose.

Political campaigns have also been described by some activists as supernatural contests. Research and reporting document language involving:

• angels and demons;
• divine intervention;
• prophetic destiny;
• supernatural opposition;
• spiritual warfare;
• national covenant;
• the defeat of allegedly demonic forces;
• restoration of a Christian national identity.

Such rhetoric can transform an election from a contest between competing political programs into a struggle understood by participants as having cosmic religious significance.

Dutch Sheets, Appeal to Heaven, and Prophetic Intercession

Dutch Sheets has been particularly influential in connecting prophetic intercession, American national narratives, and spiritual warfare.

The Appeal to Heaven flag originated during the American Revolution but acquired new religious and political meanings through Sheets and associated prayer networks. Within these movements, the flag came to symbolize an appeal to divine authority for national revival or restoration.

Prayer networks associated with Sheets have promoted practices including:

• coordinated intercession;
• prophetic declarations;
• prayer concerning governmental institutions;
• national covenant themes;
• spiritual warfare;
• the concept of the church as an authoritative spiritual ekklesia.

The flag later appeared at political demonstrations, including events surrounding January 6, 2021, making its modern meaning a subject of substantial public discussion. The flag itself has a history predating contemporary Christian nationalism, so its meaning depends upon the context in which it is used.

Cindy Jacobs and Prophetic Networks

Cindy Jacobs and Generals International represent another influential stream of prophetic intercession. Jacobs' writings on prayer, prophecy, and spiritual warfare helped shape charismatic prayer networks beginning before the rise of contemporary Christian nationalism.

Her ministries have promoted coordinated intercession concerning governments, nations, and cultural institutions. Later teachings incorporated ideas of societal transformation and Christian influence within major cultural spheres.

These networks demonstrate how contemporary political spiritual warfare developed from earlier charismatic practices rather than appearing solely as a reaction to recent American elections.

Paula White-Cain and Presidential Politics

Paula White-Cain became one of the most visible charismatic Christian figures associated with Donald Trump's political career.

Reporting and scholarship examined in the research material connect White-Cain's political ministry with prosperity theology, prophecy, presidential politics, and spiritual warfare. Her public prayers following the 2020 election received particular attention because they referred to supernatural forces and demonic networks allegedly opposing Trump's political purpose.

Her prominence illustrates how spiritual-warfare language moved from relatively specialized charismatic networks into highly visible national political settings.

ReAwaken America and Michael Flynn

The ReAwaken America movement represents another setting where Christian nationalism, revivalism, conspiracy narratives, electoral politics, and spiritual-warfare imagery have intersected.

Events associated with Michael Flynn have combined political speeches with Christian worship, baptism, prayer, political organizing, and rhetoric concerning an "Army of God."

Flynn and participants in these events have described contemporary American conflicts in both political and spiritual terms. Reporting also documents encouragement for activists to become involved in local institutions including elections, county government, school boards, and churches.

ReAwaken America illustrates how revival-style religious gatherings can simultaneously function as political mobilization events.

January 6, Jericho Marches, and Religious Ritual

The effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election included religious gatherings in which some participants interpreted the political conflict through spiritual-warfare theology.

The Jericho March adapted the biblical story of the Israelites marching around Jericho into a contemporary political ritual. Participants held prayer marches around government buildings and invoked divine intervention concerning the election.

Religious imagery associated with these events included:

• shofars;
• crosses;
• worship music;
• public prayer;
• prophetic declarations;
• Jericho imagery;
• Appeal to Heaven flags;
• spiritual-warfare language.

Researchers examining January 6 have documented the presence of Christian prayer, worship, clergy, biblical symbolism, charismatic prophecy, and Christian nationalist themes alongside secular political and conspiratorial narratives.

The scholarship does not establish that all participants shared the same theology. Instead, it identifies particular religious networks and practices that contributed to the broader mobilization surrounding the attempt to overturn the election result.

Worship as Spiritual Warfare

Worship itself can function as a form of spiritual warfare within some charismatic traditions.

Sean Feucht's Let Us Worship and Kingdom to the Capitol events provide examples of public worship being combined with political speech, prayer, prophecy, and campaigns focused on government institutions.

Within this framework, music and public praise may be understood simultaneously as:

• Christian worship;
• evangelism;
• public protest;
• political mobilization;
• territorial spiritual warfare.

The idea that worship can "reclaim" territory reflects the broader spiritual-warfare concept that geographic and institutional spaces can have supernatural significance.

Demonology and Political Opponents

One of the most controversial consequences of politicized spiritual warfare is the application of demonological language to political opponents.

Some activists have described political figures or institutions as influenced by demonic forces or particular "spirits." The phrase Jezebel spirit, originating in charismatic demonology, has been applied by some Christian political figures to female political opponents.

Other rhetoric has portrayed government agencies, secularism, the "Deep State," cultural liberalism, or political adversaries as manifestations of spiritual evil.

Researchers studying these narratives argue that demonological frameworks can change the perceived nature of political disagreement. An opponent interpreted as mistaken can theoretically be debated or compromised with; an opponent interpreted as an instrument of supernatural evil may instead be understood as something that must be spiritually defeated.

At the same time, many Christians using the general language of spiritual warfare do not apply it to political opponents, and Christian critics have explicitly rejected such applications.

Prayer, Violence, and Political Conflict

Research on Christian nationalism has increasingly examined whether religious rhetoric contributes to political hostility or violence.

Studies in the source material examine prayer, ritual, militant biblical imagery, spiritual warfare, and Christian nationalist political identity. Other quantitative research investigates relationships between Christian nationalist rhetoric and violence directed against religious minorities.

These studies do not make every form of spiritual-warfare belief equivalent to political violence. Rather, they investigate circumstances in which religious narratives may sacralize political goals, portray conflicts as divinely mandated, or sharply divide political actors into forces of supernatural good and evil.

Some activists emphasize that their concept of warfare is explicitly spiritual rather than physical. Critics and researchers nevertheless debate whether highly militarized religious rhetoric can affect attitudes toward real-world political confrontation.

Christian Criticism of Politicized Spiritual Warfare

Opposition to politicized spiritual warfare also comes from within Christianity.

Evangelical theologians have questioned several major ideas associated with strategic-level spiritual warfare, particularly:

• whether individual demons can reliably be identified with geographic territories;
• whether Christians are instructed to discover the names or jurisdictions of territorial spirits;
• whether prayer should be organized around speculative spiritual maps;
• whether political opponents should be identified with demonic powers;
• whether biblical spiritual warfare can appropriately be transformed into partisan culture warfare.

Russell Moore, for example, has argued that Christian spiritual warfare should not be collapsed into partisan political conflict.

Earlier evangelical debates over territorial spirits also demonstrate that disagreement over strategic spiritual warfare existed well before its association with contemporary Christian nationalism.

International Perspectives

Spiritual warfare and political Pentecostalism are not exclusively American phenomena.

Research from Brazil, Guatemala, Bolivia, Haiti, South Africa, and Zambia demonstrates that ideas involving territorial spirits, deliverance, prophecy, dominion, and national transformation circulate internationally.

These beliefs do not produce identical political outcomes in every country. Local histories, political systems, religious traditions, racial and ethnic relationships, and institutional structures reshape imported theological ideas.

Zambian examples, for instance, demonstrate how ideas derived partly from North American Christian Reconstructionism and NAR-style dominionism can be adapted to very different political and religious contexts.

Latin American research likewise shows that spiritual warfare can shape interpretations of citizenship, territory, ethnicity, political participation, and religious identity in ways that differ substantially from American Christian nationalism.

Historical Development

The political theology associated with contemporary spiritual warfare developed through several overlapping traditions rather than from a single origin.

Relevant influences identified in the research include:

• Pentecostal and charismatic Christianity;
• deliverance ministry;
• prophetic Christianity;
• the Latter Rain tradition;
• spiritual mapping;
• strategic-level spiritual warfare;
• Christian Reconstructionism;
• the American Christian Right;
• prosperity theology;
• apostolic and prophetic networks;
• dominion theology;
• the New Apostolic Reformation.

Scholarship from the late twentieth century already examined "spiritual warfare" in connection with the American Christian Right. During the 1990s and 2000s, spiritual mapping, territorial spirits, and strategic intercession became subjects of substantial evangelical debate.

The emergence of the NAR provided new organizational networks through which prophecy, spiritual warfare, and cultural transformation could be connected. The Seven Mountains framework subsequently offered a model for applying these ideas to major social institutions.

During the Trump era, some of these theological concepts became significantly more visible in American electoral politics.

Media, Fiction, and Cultural Transmission

Political ideas associated with spiritual warfare are transmitted through more than sermons and political rallies.

Research examines Christian fiction, worship music, podcasts, books, documentaries, online prayer networks, conferences, prophetic broadcasts, and social media as mechanisms through which supernatural interpretations of political conflict spread.

Evangelical fiction can portray political events within narratives of cosmic conflict, while worship songs can acquire new political meanings when performed at explicitly political gatherings.

Digital ministries also allow decentralized prophetic networks to coordinate prayer, circulate interpretations of current events, and rapidly distribute prophetic messages without relying upon traditional denominational structures.

Distinguishing Related Movements

A major caution running through the research is that several related terms should not be treated as interchangeable.

Evangelical Christianity encompasses a large and diverse religious population and does not inherently imply Christian nationalism or NAR theology.

Pentecostalism is a global Christian tradition emphasizing the activity of the Holy Spirit and includes politically and theologically diverse communities.

Charismatic Christianity refers broadly to Christians who emphasize spiritual gifts such as prophecy, healing, and speaking in tongues.

The New Apostolic Reformation refers to particular overlapping apostolic and prophetic networks and theological tendencies rather than all charismatic Christians.

Christian nationalism generally concerns ideas linking Christianity with national identity, political authority, or the character of the state.

Christian Reconstructionism is a separate theological tradition historically associated with thinkers advocating a society governed according to their interpretation of biblical law.

Dominion theology is an umbrella term whose meaning varies considerably depending upon the movement being discussed.

The Seven Mountains Mandate is a particular strategy or teaching concerning Christian influence over major cultural institutions.

Understanding these distinctions is important because spiritual-warfare beliefs occur in religious communities that do not necessarily embrace Christian nationalism, while Christian nationalist beliefs can also exist without charismatic spiritual-warfare theology.

Contemporary Significance

Recent research and reporting indicate that charismatic forms of Christian nationalism remain active within American political life.

Contemporary examples include prophetic ministries, prayer campaigns focused on government, Seven Mountains activism, political revival events, worship gatherings at government buildings, and efforts to recruit Christians into political institutions.

The movement also continues to evolve generationally. Reporting has documented younger activists adopting Seven Mountains ideas and spiritual-warfare narratives, while newer ministries operate through decentralized media networks rather than conventional denominational structures.

At the same time, growing academic, journalistic, and theological attention has produced more precise distinctions between Christian nationalism generally and the particular charismatic or NAR forms that emphasize prophecy, territorial spirits, and strategic spiritual warfare.

Conclusion

The relationship between Christian nationalism and spiritual warfare is best understood as an intersection between two broader religious and political traditions rather than as evidence that the concepts are identical.

Spiritual warfare has deep roots in Christianity and appears in numerous theological traditions that have little or no connection to Christian nationalism. The distinctive political development examined in contemporary scholarship is strategic-level spiritual warfare: the belief within some charismatic and apostolic networks that organized supernatural powers influence territories, governments, institutions, cultures, and nations.

When strategic spiritual warfare is combined with prophecy, dominion theology, and the Seven Mountains framework, ordinary political activity can acquire supernatural significance. Elections may become spiritual battles, government institutions may become contested spiritual territory, worship may become a means of reclaiming public space, and political opponents may sometimes be interpreted through demonological categories.

The New Apostolic Reformation has become a particularly important institutional network for these ideas, with figures such as Lance Wallnau, Dutch Sheets, Cindy Jacobs, Paula White-Cain, and associated ministries illustrating different combinations of prophecy, intercession, spiritual warfare, cultural influence, and political activism.

The relationship remains contested both academically and within Christianity. Christian theologians dispute the biblical basis of territorial-spirit theology and criticize attempts to identify partisan political struggles with biblical spiritual warfare. Scholars likewise emphasize the importance of distinguishing the NAR and charismatic dominionism from Christianity, evangelicalism, Pentecostalism, and Christian nationalism as a whole.

The resulting picture is therefore not of a single unified movement but of overlapping theological, political, and organizational networks in which supernatural understandings of conflict can sometimes become frameworks for interpreting political power, national identity, elections, institutions, and cultural change.

Christian Nationalism and the Theology of Spiritual Warfare

Core Theology and Demonology

[Christian Nationalism: Primer on an American Heresy | Craig L. Nessan | Currents in Theology and Mission | June 17, 2026]

Surveys Christian nationalism's theological antecedents, including Christian Reconstructionism, the New Apostolic Reformation, and the Seven Mountains Mandate.

[Claiming What Is Theirs by Right: The Elective Affinity Between the Prosperity Gospel and Christian Nationalism | Naomi Haynes | Religion | 2026]

Explores theological connections between prosperity teachings and Christian nationalism, including the idea that spiritual warfare constitutes a struggle to reclaim territory believed to belong legitimately to God.

[The Varieties of American Christian Nationalism | Nilay Saiya | Politics and Religion | June 2025]

Distinguishes several varieties of American Christian nationalism and identifies charismatic dominionism as a form strongly associated with spiritual warfare, territorial spirits, prophecy, and the New Apostolic Reformation.

[Spiritual Warfare and the Politics of Conquest in the Age of Trump | André Gagné | Journal of Illiberalism Studies | Spring 2025]

Examines how neo-charismatic Pentecostal leaders interpret American politics through spiritual warfare, territorial spirits, prophecy, and ideas of religious conquest.

[The Deliverance of the Administrative State: Deep State Conspiracism, Charismatic Demonology, and the Post-Truth Politics of American Christian Nationalism | S. Jonathon O'Donnell | Religion | September 10, 2020]

Examines one of the clearest scholarly links between Christian nationalism and charismatic spiritual-warfare theology. O'Donnell analyzes beliefs that political institutions, borders, and the "Deep State" can be understood as arenas of conflict between divine and demonic forces.

[The Militarization of Prayer in America: White and Native American Spiritual Warfare | Elizabeth McAlister | Journal of Religious and Political Practice | 2016]

Traces the development of militarized prayer and spiritual-warfare networks, showing how prayer can create religious understandings of territory, sovereignty, history, and political conflict.

[Destroying Arguments and Captivating Thoughts: Spiritual Warfare Prayer as Global Praxis | Elizabeth McAlister | Journal of Religious and Political Practice | 2016]

Examines the international development of warfare prayer and spiritual mapping, including disputes within evangelical Christianity about territorial spirits and strategic-level spiritual warfare.

[Strategic-Level Spiritual Warfare in Historical Retrospect | Gerald Ediger | Direction | Fall 2000]

Reviews the historical and theological origins of strategic-level spiritual warfare and asks whether its modern forms represent traditional Christianity or a comparatively recent evangelical innovation.

New Apostolic Reformation (NAR)

["To All Who Call on Him in Truth": Divine Authority and Enregisterment in the New Apostolic Reformation | Kristen Miller | University of Chicago | June 2026]

Examines how authority is constructed in decentralized NAR churches where apostles, prophets, revelation, and charismatic authority can replace traditional denominational structures.

[Top 24 Leaders of the New Apostolic Reformation in the U.S. | Frederick Clarkson | Religion Dispatches | April 2, 2026]

Profiles influential NAR leaders and identifies strategic spiritual warfare, modern apostles and prophets, Five-Fold Ministry leadership, Christian Zionism, and political activism as recurring themes.

[New Apostolic Reformation | Political Research Associates | Political Research Associates | 2026]

Research portal collecting articles and background studies on the NAR, dominionism, Christian nationalism, spiritual warfare, and related political networks.

[It's Not Backlash, It's Strategy: How We Got the Christian Right We Know Today | Chelsea Ebin, Matthew D. Taylor and Julie Ingersoll | Political Research Associates | October 15, 2025]

Discusses continuities and differences between the older Christian Right and the increasingly influential NAR, including dominionism and spiritual warfare.

[A Reporter's Guide to the New Apostolic Reformation | Frederick Clarkson and André Gagné | Religion Dispatches | May 23, 2024; revised 2025]

Provides an extensive glossary and guide to NAR concepts including apostles, prophets, dominion, strategic-level spiritual warfare, territorial spirits, prayer walking, spiritual mapping, and the Seven Mountains Mandate.

[The New Apostolic Reformation and the Anti-Americanism of Radical Christian Nationalism | Paige Stevens | The Lemur, Duke University | February 24, 2025]

Reviews the NAR's theological development and its use of spiritual-warfare ideas within contemporary political activism.

[New Apostolic Reformation Evangelicals See Trump as God's Warrior in Their Battle to Win America From Satanic Forces and Christianize It | Paul A. Djupe and Ryan P. Burge | Religion News Service | November 11, 2024]

Describes NAR theology concerning divine revelation, apostles and prophets, demonic influence, spiritual warfare, the Seven Mountains, and political authority.

[Rising Christian Right Movement, New Apostolic Reformation, Emerged as a Mid-20th Century Splinter of White Supremacy | Keri Ladner | Religion Dispatches | June 10, 2024]

Offers a critical genealogy of strands contributing to the NAR, including Latter Rain theology, charismatic revivalism, dominion beliefs, prophecy, and spiritual warfare.

[Where's Wallnau? A NAR Apostle Takes Aim at Swing Counties in the 'Battle for the Mountain of Government' | Frederick Clarkson | Religion Dispatches | May 10, 2024]

Investigates Lance Wallnau's political organizing and its connection to the Seven Mountains framework, spiritual warfare, electoral mobilization, and the government "mountain."

[Taking Aim at Religion Itself, Apostles Prime Networks for Real-World Violence | Frederick Clarkson | Religion Dispatches | February 27, 2024]

Examines militant rhetoric within NAR networks and the relationship between spiritual-war imagery, apostolic authority, political conflict, and discussions of physical confrontation.

[Meet the New Apostolic Reformation, Cutting Edge of the Christian Right | Paul Rosenberg | Salon | January 2, 2024]

Explains the history of the NAR and describes how dominion theology, the Seven Mountains strategy, prophecy, and spiritual warfare interact within the movement.

[Warfare and Dominion in the Second Apostolic Age | Damon T. Berry | The New Apostolic Reformation, Trump, and Evangelical Politics | 2023]

Traces the theological development of the NAR's warfare and dominion concepts and explains how spiritual conflict became linked to political action and national destiny.

[The 2020 Election—Spiritual Warfare by Other Means | Damon T. Berry | The New Apostolic Reformation, Trump, and Evangelical Politics | 2023]

Examines how NAR figures interpreted Trump's 2020 election defeat through prophecy, spiritual warfare, conspiracy narratives, and claims of supernatural opposition.

[Cyrus versus the Deep State | Damon T. Berry | The New Apostolic Reformation, Trump, and Evangelical Politics | 2023]

Studies the NAR portrayal of Trump as a modern Cyrus and the political "Deep State" as part of an opposing spiritual and ideological order.

[God's Chaos Candidate—Prophecy & Trump's 2016 Campaign | Damon T. Berry | The New Apostolic Reformation, Trump, and Evangelical Politics | 2023]

Analyzes charismatic prophecies surrounding Trump's 2016 candidacy and the development of the idea that his political rise had supernatural significance.

[The New Apostolic Reformation and Christian Zionism | Irvin Chetty | Journal for the Study of Religion | 2014]

Examines NAR authority structures and biblical interpretation, with particular attention to apostles, charismatic leadership, prophecy, and Christian Zionism.

[Humanitarian Adhocracy, Transnational New Apostolic Missions, and Evangelical Anti-Dependency in a Haitian Refugee Camp | Elizabeth McAlister | Nova Religio | May 2013]

Studies the transnational "New Apostolic" or spiritual-mapping movement and the ways its theological framework was adapted in post-earthquake Haiti.

Territorial Spirits and Spiritual Mapping

[Territorial Spirits and Spiritual Warfare: A Biblical Perspective | Eric Villanueva | Christian Research Institute | Updated August 5, 2026]

Reviews the doctrine that demonic beings exercise authority over geographical areas, nations, ethnic groups, religious communities, and institutions.

["Put on the Full Armor of God": Evangelical Spiritual Warfare and Civic Engagements at the Margins of Latin American Cities | Tobias Reu | International Journal of Latin American Religions | July 2, 2025]

Ethnographic study of Guatemala and Bolivia showing that spiritual-warfare concepts can structure relationships to territory, society, ethnicity, citizenship, and political engagement.

[Hidden in Plain Sight: Dominion Theology, Spiritual Warfare, and Violence in Latin America | André Gagné | Religions | December 2020]

Examines dominion theology, Seven Mountains strategies, warfare prayer, political mobilization, and evangelical efforts at national "transformation" in Latin America.

[Protestant Evangelical Pilgrimages: Hagiography, Supernatural Influence, and Spiritual Mapping | Amos S. Ron | Journal of Cultural Geography | 2020]

Examines how spiritual mapping overlays supernatural interpretations onto geography, history, political events, and evangelical pilgrimage sites.

[Spiritual Mapping Evangelicals Battle Vodou in Haiti | Reza Aslan | Religion Dispatches | March 18, 2017]

Describes spiritual-mapping missionaries who interpreted Haitian Vodou and Haitian history within a cosmic struggle between Christian and demonic territorial powers.

[From Slave Revolt to a Blood Pact with Satan: The Evangelical Rewriting of Haitian History | Elizabeth McAlister | Studies in Religion / Sciences Religieuses | 2012]

Explores how some evangelical spiritual-warfare narratives reinterpret the Haitian Revolution as a supernatural covenant with demonic powers.

[Dominion Theology, Christian Reconstructionism, and the New Apostolic Reformation | Julie Ingersoll | Religion Dispatches | August 30, 2011]

Compares different forms of dominion theology and explains how militant spiritual-warfare imagery frames political and cultural struggles as conflicts between God and Satan.

[The Christian Right's "Dominionist" Strategy | Sarah Posner | Salon | August 21, 2011]

Explores the emergence of the NAR in American politics and explains its combination of dominion theology, spiritual warfare, prophetic leadership, and political mobilization.

[Prosperity, Spiritual Warfare, and the 'On-Demand' God | Sarah Posner | Religion Dispatches | July 16, 2009]

Discusses spiritual warfare and dominion as foundational concepts in emerging apostolic and charismatic networks.

[Spiritual Mapping in the United States and Argentina, 1989–2005: A Geography of Fear | René Holvast | Brill | 2008]

Historical study of the spiritual-mapping movement and its attempts to identify demonic strongholds associated with particular geographical areas.

Seven Mountains and Dominion Theology

[The Seven Mountains Mandate: The Latest in Christian Nationalism | Tim Callahan | Skeptic | July 7, 2026]

Examines the Seven Mountains idea that Christians should influence or control the institutions of religion, family, education, government, media, business, and arts and entertainment.

[Who Inherits the Seven Mountains Mandate After Charlie Kirk? | Matthew Boedy | Religion News Service | December 19, 2025]

Examines the organizational future of Seven Mountains activism and its relationship to Turning Point USA and conservative evangelical political organizing.

[Our Man at the Top: How the Seven Mountains Mandate and Paul Weyrich's Last Testament Have Shaped the Presidency of Donald Trump | Hanne Amanda Trangerud | Studies in Religion / Sciences Religieuses | November 22, 2025]

Compares the Seven Mountains Mandate with conservative political strategies for gaining institutional influence and examines their relationship to Christian nationalist politics.

[The Seven Mountains Mandate Author Stops by the 'A Matter of Faith' Podcast | Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) | Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) | September 30, 2025]

Discusses Matthew Boedy's research on the Seven Mountains movement and Christianizing institutions including government, education, media, business, family, religion, and entertainment.

[Seven Mountains Mandate Worth Paying Attention To | John Longhurst | Winnipeg Free Press | September 27, 2025]

Introduces the Seven Mountains Mandate for a Canadian audience and discusses its growing visibility within American evangelical political activism.

[Interreligious Dialogue and Religious Nationalism | Don Thorsen | The Ecumenical Review | 2025]

Discusses Christian nationalism and religious pluralism while examining the Seven Mountains Mandate as one contemporary theological model for Christian political influence.

[The Seven Mountains Mandate: A Look at Dominion Theology | Dominick Bonny | Dominick Bonny Reports | December 12, 2022]

Examines the Seven Mountains movement and its presence within contemporary American charismatic Christianity.

[Seven Mountain Mandate | J.P. Stewart | EBSCO Research Starters | 2022]

Provides an introductory history of Seven Mountains theology, including its seven spheres of religion, family, education, government, media, entertainment, and business.

[Taking Dominion in a Christian Nation: North American Political Theology in an African Context | Naomi Haynes | Comparative Studies in Society and History | 2021]

Traces the influence of Christian Reconstructionism and the New Apostolic Reformation on Christian nationalist theology in Zambia.

[Preparing for War | Lance Wallnau | Lance Wallnau Ministries | 2014]

Primary-source material from a leading Seven Mountains advocate explaining society's major institutions as "mountains" or centers of cultural and spiritual influence.

[God's Chaos Prophet: How Lance Wallnau Drew the Christian Right's Map to Power | Global Project Against Hate and Extremism | June 15, 2026]

Profiles Lance Wallnau and his role in popularizing the Seven Mountains framework, political prophecy, the Cyrus interpretation of Donald Trump, and charismatic political mobilization.

Prophecy, Elections, and Political Mobilization

[MAGA Pastor Lorenzo Sewell Says 'Politicians Are Called to Listen to the Church' | Kyle Mantyla | Right Wing Watch | September 30, 2026]

Reports Sewell's claim that political influence is spiritual warfare and his argument for a governing role for the church.

[Spiritual Warfare and Dominionist Ideology at TPUSA's AmericaFest | Peter Montgomery | Right Wing Watch / People For | December 23, 2024]

Reports on speakers interpreting the 2024 election through spiritual warfare and urging conservative Christians to expand their influence over political institutions.

[Trump Courts Christian Vote and Says 'God Saved Me for a Purpose' | David Smith | The Guardian | October 21, 2024]

Reports on campaign events where speakers described contemporary American politics as spiritual warfare transcending ordinary left-right political disagreement.

[Influential Prophesizing Pastors Believe Reelecting Trump Is a Win in the War of Angels and Demons | Peter Smith | Associated Press | October 2024]

Reports from charismatic gatherings where political events were interpreted through prophecy, supernatural warfare, the Seven Mountains Mandate, and conflict between angelic and demonic powers.

[Lance Wallnau, First to 'Prophesy' Trump's Presidency, Is Back to Vanquish Anti-Trump Demons | Jack Jenkins | Religion News Service | September 13, 2024]

Profiles Wallnau's prophetic politics and his interpretation of political conflict through demonic forces, divine intervention, and spiritual warfare.

[Inside Ziklag, the Christian-Right Group Trying to Sway the 2024 Election | Andy Kroll, Nick Surgey and ProPublica | ProPublica | July 13, 2024]

Investigates a network of conservative Christian donors and activists and discusses Lance Wallnau's Seven Mountains theology and description of politics as spiritual warfare.

[Christian Nationalism and Spiritual Warfare at CPAC | Peter Montgomery | Right Wing Watch / People For | February 27, 2024]

Documents speakers at CPAC using religious imagery depicting political conflict as a war between God's forces and the devil's forces.

[Behind Christian Nationalism's Influence on the 2024 Election | Andy Kroll and Nick Surgey | ProPublica | 2024]

Interactive historical investigation tracing Reconstructionism, the Christian Right, the NAR, strategic spiritual warfare, Seven Mountains theology, and modern political organizing.

[Trump Boosts a Hard-Right Christian Worldview That Paints the Election as 'Spiritual Warfare' | Peter Smith | Associated Press | 2024]

Examines religious rhetoric depicting electoral politics as part of a supernatural struggle between good and evil.

[The Evangelicals Calling for 'Spiritual Warfare' to Elect Trump | Wall Street Journal staff | The Wall Street Journal | 2024]

Reports on Wallnau's Courage Tour, NAR political organizing, Seven Mountains teaching, voter mobilization, and the framing of an election as spiritual warfare.

[The Courage Tour and the Mountain of Government | Various contributors | Religion and politics reporting | 2024]

Coverage of Wallnau's election-year tour highlights the combination of revival meetings, voter organizing, prophecy, spiritual warfare, and Seven Mountains theology.

[Christian Prophets Playing High-Profile Role in Midterms | Michelle Boorstein | The Washington Post | November 5, 2022]

Examines Wallnau and other charismatic prophets participating in electoral politics and framing political contests as supernatural warfare.

[Christian Nationalist Tony Spell Says Prophets Should Reign Over Government and the People | Kyle Mantyla | Right Wing Watch | 2022]

Documents a pastor's argument that prophets and priests should provide spiritual direction to government while describing contemporary politics as spiritual warfare.

[Election Day Christian Nationalism From Paula White's One Voice Prayer Movement | Peter Montgomery | Right Wing Watch / People For | November 2020]

Documents election-day prayer events invoking spiritual warfare, divine intervention, the church as an "ekklesia," and the defeat of supernatural forces believed to oppose conservative political goals.

[Voting in the Kingdom: Prophecy Voters, the New Apostolic Reformation, and Christian Support for Trump | Damon Berry | Nova Religio | April 15, 2020]

Examines NAR leaders who regarded political prophecies as divine instructions and understood elections partly as spiritual warfare against allegedly demonic conspiracies.

[Christian Nationalist David Lane Seeks $22 Million to Win 2020 Battleground States and Eradicate Secularism | Peter Montgomery | Right Wing Watch | February 4, 2020]

Examines Lane's effort to mobilize conservative Christian voters and his depiction of political conflict as spiritual warfare against secularism.

[God's Chaos Code | Lance Wallnau | Killer Sheep Media | 2020]

Develops Wallnau's prophetic interpretation of American politics and the idea that political events participate in a wider supernatural conflict.

[God's Chaos Candidate | Lance Wallnau | Killer Sheep Media | 2016]

Primary-source account presenting Trump through the biblical analogy of Cyrus and interpreting the presidential election within a prophetic theological framework.

['Under the Radar': Christian Nationalist David Lane Is Quietly Waging 'Spiritual Warfare' to Save America | Kyle Mantyla | Right Wing Watch | November 26, 2014]

Documents David Lane's description of conservative Christian political organizing as spiritual warfare and efforts to recruit pastors into electoral politics.

[Invading Babylon: The 7 Mountain Mandate | Lance Wallnau and Bill Johnson | Destiny Image | 2013]

Primary Seven Mountains text arguing that Christians should influence major cultural institutions as part of advancing the Kingdom of God.

Dutch Sheets, Appeal to Heaven, and Prophetic Intercession

[The Appeal to Heaven Movement and American Political Religion | Various scholars and journalists | Religion reporting | 2015–2026]

Research on Dutch Sheets' movement shows how an eighteenth-century flag acquired new meanings involving prophecy, national covenant, spiritual warfare, and political restoration.

[How Is the 'Appeal to Heaven' Flag at Alito's House Linked to Christian Nationalism? | Jack Jenkins | Religion News Service | May 23, 2024]

Interview with scholar Matthew Taylor tracing Dutch Sheets' adoption of the flag and its transformation into a symbol of NAR spiritual warfare and Christian America.

[The Watchman Decree | Dutch Sheets and participating ministries | Give Him 15 / NAR networks | 2022]

Primary document declaring the church a governing spiritual body and presenting national politics through ideas of divine authority, covenant, intercession, and cultural restoration.

[Exposing the Source of Evil in America | Dutch Sheets / Give Him 15 | Intercessors for America | July 24, 2021]

Primary-source example interpreting national political and cultural problems through supernatural forces and warfare prayer.

[As One Prayer Strategy | NAR prayer networks | Various ministries | 2015–2016]

Prayer mobilization that used the Appeal to Heaven symbol and connected national revival, political change, coordinated intercession, and Christian unity.

[Give Him 15 | Dutch Sheets | Give Him 15 | ongoing]

Primary prayer platform through which Sheets discusses national politics, prophecy, governmental institutions, intercession, and spiritual warfare.

[Appeal to Heaven: What Does It Mean? | Dutch Sheets | Dutch Sheets Ministries | various editions]

Primary-source explanation of the flag as a symbol of appealing to divine authority for America's religious and political restoration.

Cindy Jacobs and Prophetic Intercession

[All the President's Prophets | Sandi Villarreal | Texas Monthly | April 28, 2025]

Reports on Cindy Jacobs and other NAR leaders developing spiritual-warfare strategies during Trump's second administration.

[Prayer Networks and the Politics of Prophecy | Various scholars | Academic and journalistic sources | 2000s–2020s]

Research on Jacobs' networks illustrates how decentralized charismatic leadership can connect prophecy, prayer, political mobilization, and national transformation.

[At D.C. Gatherings, Dominionist Leaders Ask God for GOP Victories, 'Sweep' of Supreme Court, Purge of Deep State | Peter Montgomery | Right Wing Watch / People For | November 6, 2018]

Reports on Cindy Jacobs, Lance Wallnau and other prophetic leaders describing midterm politics as spiritual warfare requiring supernatural intervention.

[Dominionists in Search of Warriors: More From FRC-Cindy Jacobs 2012 Kickoff Rally | Peter Montgomery | Right Wing Watch / People For | January 12, 2012]

Documents cooperation between the Family Research Council and Cindy Jacobs in an election-related prayer campaign framed partly as spiritual warfare.

[The Reformation Manifesto | Cindy Jacobs | Bethany House | 2008]

Presents a charismatic vision of societal transformation involving Christians influencing cultural and governmental institutions.

[The Voice of God | Cindy Jacobs | Regal Books | 1995]

Primary-source work on prophecy and discerning divine communication, concepts central to modern NAR prophetic politics.

[Possessing the Gates of the Enemy | Cindy Jacobs | Chosen Books | 1991]

Influential primary text on intercessory prayer and spiritual warfare that helped shape later charismatic prayer networks.

[Generals International and Reformation Prayer Network | Cindy Jacobs | Generals International | ongoing]

Primary organizational material illustrating coordinated prophetic prayer, national transformation, intercession, and spiritual-warfare practices.

[Strategic Intercession and Government | Generals International | Generals International | various dates]

Primary materials encourage coordinated prayer concerning governmental institutions and interpret social conditions through supernatural conflict.

[Transformation and the Seven Mountains | Generals International contributors | Generals International | various dates]

Primary-source material connects prophetic intercession to efforts at changing cultural institutions and influencing national life.

Paula White-Cain and Political Spiritual Warfare

[Paula White-Cain Likens Spiritual Warfare in White House to 'Absolute Hell' in Resurfaced Sermon | Jon Brown | The Christian Post | May 4, 2026]

Reports White-Cain's description of her White House role through the biblical language of fighting a spiritual battle.

[Spiritual Adviser Paula White and the Politics of Prophecy | Various religion reporters | Religion journalism | 2016–2026]

Profiles White's role at the intersection of charismatic Christianity, presidential politics, prosperity theology, prophecy, and spiritual warfare.

[White House Faith Leadership and Charismatic Christianity | Various sources | Religion and politics reporting | 2017–2026]

Examines how charismatic Christian leaders obtained institutional access while retaining theological language involving prophecy, divine purpose, and supernatural conflict.

[Paula White's Election Prayer and Demonic Networks | Various journalists | National reporting | November 2020]

Reporting on White's post-election prayer documents explicit appeals against alleged demonic networks opposing Trump's political purpose.

[The Deliverance of the Administrative State | S. Jonathon O'Donnell | Religion | 2020]

Uses White and other charismatic figures to examine how political institutions and the "Deep State" came to be depicted within a demonological framework.

ReAwaken America and Michael Flynn

[Trump Invokes Patron Saint of Far-Right Catholics | Brian Kaylor | A Public Witness / Word&Way | October 3, 2024]

Examines Michael Flynn and other Catholic activists invoking Saint Michael the Archangel as a model for a contemporary spiritual struggle over American politics.

['Flynn' Portrays the Christian Nationalist Evangelist's Fight With the Deep State | Tess Owen | Religion News Service / Word&Way | April 22, 2024]

Reviews Michael Flynn's political messaging and his role in ReAwaken America, including rhetoric about spiritual warfare and local political organizing.

[Saint Michael, Spiritual Warfare, and American Political Activism | Brian Kaylor | A Public Witness | 2024]

Explores how Catholic spiritual-warfare traditions have been incorporated into contemporary conservative political movements involving Flynn and allied organizations.

[Michael Flynn Is Recruiting an 'Army of God' in Growing Christian Nationalist Movement | Associated Press | PBS NewsHour | September 2022]

Reports Flynn telling ReAwaken America participants that the country faced both a political war and a spiritual war.

[Michael Flynn's ReAwaken Roadshow Recruits 'Army of God' | Michelle R. Smith and Richard Lardner | Associated Press / FRONTLINE | 2022]

Investigates Flynn's movement and its combination of Christian nationalism, political conspiracy narratives, baptism, electoral organizing, and declarations of spiritual war.

[A Glimpse Inside Michael Flynn's Holy War | FRONTLINE staff | PBS FRONTLINE | 2022]

Examines Christian nationalist imagery and good-versus-evil spiritual-warfare rhetoric surrounding Flynn's post-2020 political activism.

[ReAwaken America Tour and Christian Nationalism | Associated Press and FRONTLINE investigative team | AP / FRONTLINE | 2022]

Investigates the movement's political organizations, rallies, Christian rhetoric, conspiracy narratives, voter mobilization, and "Army of God" imagery.

[Michael Flynn, Christian Nationalism, and Local Political Power | Various reporters | 2022–2025]

Reporting describes Flynn encouraging followers to participate in school boards, elections, churches, county politics, and other institutions while framing the struggle in religious terms.

[Army of God: Religious Mobilization at ReAwaken America | FRONTLINE / Associated Press | 2022]

Documents baptism, revival practices, conspiracy narratives, political endorsements, and supernatural conflict imagery within the ReAwaken movement.

January 6, Jericho Marches, and Political Ritual

[Christian Nationalism as a Social Practice: Prayer, Violence, and the Politics of Public Ritual | Research article | Terrorism and Political Violence | 2025]

Studies prayer at January 6 and other demonstrations as a political and religious practice that can sacralize political goals and define struggles as divinely mandated.

[At Center of Alito Controversy, a Flag Celebrated by Extremists | Washington Post staff | The Washington Post | June 2, 2024]

Traces the modern history of the Appeal to Heaven flag and its adoption in prophecy-oriented and spiritual-warfare forms of Christian nationalism.

[How Is the 'Appeal to Heaven' Flag Spotted at Alito's House Linked to Jan. 6? | Jack Jenkins | Religion News Service | May 23, 2024]

Explains how Dutch Sheets and NAR networks transformed a Revolutionary-era flag into a symbol associated with spiritual warfare and restoring what adherents describe as Christian America.

[Flag Associated With Christian Nationalism Flown at Alito's Beach House, Report Says | Laura Barrón-López | PBS NewsHour | May 23, 2024]

Discusses the Appeal to Heaven flag, Dutch Sheets, the NAR, January 6, and interpretations of the symbol involving spiritual warfare.

[The Radical Evangelicals Who Helped Push Jan. 6 to Wage War on "Demonic Influence" | Molly Olmstead | Slate | January 6, 2024]

Interview-based examination of neo-charismatic Pentecostal theology, spiritual warfare, Paula White-Cain, Jericho Marches, prophecy, and January 6.

[Evidence Strongly Suggests Trump Was Collaborating With Christian Nationalist Leaders Before January 6th | Matthew D. Taylor and Bradley Onishi | Religion Dispatches | January 6, 2023]

Investigates relationships between political actors and charismatic Christian leaders active in prayer mobilizations before January 6.

[Charismatic Revival Fury | Matthew D. Taylor | Straight White American Jesus / Institute for Islamic, Christian, and Jewish Studies | 2023]

Audio documentary traces NAR figures, prophecy networks, spiritual warfare, election denial, and religious mobilization leading to January 6.

[From Shofars to Hammers: The Spiritual Warriors of MAGA Are 'ReAwakening' to Political Violence | Mark Clatterbuck | Religion Dispatches | November 14, 2022]

First-person and scholarly-informed analysis of NAR spirituality at ReAwaken America events, emphasizing dominion theology, spiritual warfare, conspiracy narratives, and militant rhetoric.

[Scholars, Activists Brief Lawmakers on Role of Christian Nationalism in Insurrection | Jack Jenkins | Religion News Service / Word&Way | March 19, 2022]

Reports scholarly testimony concerning militant spiritual-warfare rhetoric in the mobilization preceding January 6.

[How Christian Nationalism Fueled the Insurrection and Threatens Democracy | Peter Montgomery | Right Wing Watch / People For | 2022]

Reviews religious rhetoric surrounding the effort to overturn the 2020 election, including claims that political opponents represented forces opposing God's purposes.

[Jericho March and the Battle of Jericho as Political Ritual | Various journalists and scholars | 2020–2025]

Analyses show how marchers adapted the biblical conquest of Jericho into prayer marches around government buildings following the 2020 election.

[Christian Nationalism and the January 6 Insurrection | Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty and Freedom From Religion Foundation | February 2022]

Multi-author report documents Christian symbolism, prayer, clergy participation, worship, nationalism, and religious rhetoric surrounding January 6.

[Shofars, Prayer, and the Battle of Jericho at the Capitol | Various religion reporters | 2020–2024]

Reporting documents the adoption of the shofar by some Christian activists who interpreted contemporary political events through the biblical conquest narrative.

Prayer, Worship, and Political Mobilization

[Dominionists Draw Thousands to DC for Anti-Abortion, Anti-LGBTQ, Pro-Trump Spiritual Warfare | Peter Montgomery | Right Wing Watch / People For | October 2024]

Reports on a large NAR-linked gathering combining prayer, political mobilization, prophecy, dominion theology, and strategic-level spiritual warfare.

[How a Beloved Worship Song Became the Theme Song of Christian Nationalism | Kathryn Joyce and Jeff Sharlet | Word&Way | May 2, 2024]

Examines the political use of contemporary worship music and the interpretation of worship itself as a weapon in spiritual warfare.

[National Day of Prayer Task Force Promotes Dominionist Language, Christian Nationalist Speakers | Peter Montgomery | Right Wing Watch / People For | May 2, 2024]

Examines Seven Mountains terminology and spiritual-warfare imagery used in National Day of Prayer organizing.

[Kingdom to the Capitol | Sean Feucht and Let Us Worship | Primary campaign materials | 2023–2024]

Primary-source campaign combining worship rallies, state capitols, prayer, political speech, prophecy, and efforts to influence public culture.

[A Capitalizing Kingdom | Brian Kaylor | A Public Witness / Word&Way | 2023]

Reports on Sean Feucht's "Kingdom to the Capitol" events and analyzes charismatic worship as territorial spiritual warfare directed toward state capitols.

[What Moms for Liberty's Summit Revealed About the MAGA Movement's 2024 Strategy | Peter Montgomery | Right Wing Watch / People For | 2023]

Describes conference speakers who framed educational and political controversies as spiritual warfare between supernatural forces of good and evil.

[The Politics of a Praying Nation: The Presidential Prayer Team and Christian Right Sexual Morality | Cynthia Burack | Journal of Religion and Popular Culture | June 2014]

Examines political prayer networks and the concept of "prayer warriors" as mechanisms for communicating conservative Christian political priorities.

[Let Us Worship and the Politics of Praise | Various journalists and scholars | 2020–2025]

Examines Sean Feucht's worship events and the idea that public praise can serve simultaneously as evangelism, protest, political mobilization, and spiritual warfare.

[Worship as a Weapon | Sean Feucht | sermons and ministry materials | various dates]

Primary materials explicitly present worship as a weapon against spiritual opposition and a means of reclaiming public territory.

Demonology and Political Opponents

[What's a 'Jezebel Spirit'? Some Christians Use the Term to Paint Kamala Harris With a Demonic Brush | Peter Smith | Associated Press | October 2024]

Explains the "Jezebel spirit" concept in charismatic Christianity and its political use by some NAR and Christian nationalist figures.

[Fighting Demons: The New Apostolic Reformation Is Waging a Holy War Against Democracy | Paul Rosenberg | Salon | October 20, 2024]

Long-form examination of NAR demonology, spiritual mapping, warfare prayer, Christian nationalism, and relationships with political institutions.

[Why Experts Say Christian Nationalists' Rhetoric May Spur Violence | Alice Herman | The Guardian | October 19, 2024]

Examines militant spiritual-warfare language at NAR-linked political gatherings and presents both leaders' claims that their warfare is spiritual and scholars' concerns about possible real-world implications.

[Pro-Trump Christian Extremists Use Scripture to Justify Violent Goals | Hannah Allam | The Washington Post | July 13, 2024]

Investigates militant biblical imagery, spiritual-warfare rhetoric, and portrayals of political opponents as participants in a cosmic conflict.

[Cracking the Christian Nationalist Code: A Glossary for the Confused | Paul Rosenberg | Salon | May 26, 2024]

Defines terms including dominion, Seven Mountains, spiritual warfare, strategic-level spiritual warfare, apostles, prophets, and territorial spirits.

Christian Critiques and Alternative Interpretations

[Culture War Is Not Spiritual Warfare | Russell Moore | Christianity Today | September 2023]

Argues from an evangelical Christian perspective that biblical spiritual warfare should not be collapsed into partisan political or culture-war conflict.

[Spiritual Warfare: A Reformed Evaluation | Theological study | Korea Citation Index | 2016]

Evaluates strategic-level spiritual warfare from Reformed theology and raises biblical, missiological, and theological objections to several of its central teachings.

[Spiritual Warfare and the Lausanne Movement | Lausanne Movement materials | Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization | 1990s–2004]

Documents evangelical debates over territorial spirits, warfare prayer, spiritual mapping, and the boundaries between accepted missiology and speculative demonology.

[Evangelical Debates Over Spiritual Mapping | Various evangelical theologians | 1990s–2000s]

Theological discussions reveal substantial disagreement within evangelical Christianity about identifying territorial demons and attributing social or political problems directly to supernatural beings.

International and Comparative Perspectives

[Engaging Political Pentecostalism: A Probe Into the Political Theology of a Post-Confessional Christian Network | Academic researchers | Religions | 2025]

Examines political Pentecostalism internationally and argues that dominion theology can make politics appear as a form of spiritual warfare over social authority.

[Resurgent Fundamentalism, Politics, and the Anti-Liberal Agenda: Challenges for South Africa's Constitutional Democracy | Dale Wallace | Journal for the Study of Religion | July 4, 2020]

Examines political networks influenced by the NAR and other strands of conservative Christian activism in South Africa.

[The Politics of Pentecostalism in Africa | John F. McCauley | Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Politics | August 28, 2019]

Surveys Pentecostal political influence in Africa, including prosperity theology, deliverance, spiritual warfare, media, and narratives about Christian national identity.

[Political Conflict and Spiritual Battle: Intersections Between Religion and Politics Among Brazilian Pentecostals | Carlos Gustavo Sarmet Moreira Smiderle and Wania Amelia Belchior Mesquita | Latin American Perspectives | March 16, 2016]

Examines Brazilian Pentecostal political participation and the belief that electoral conflicts can correspond to territorial battles between divine and demonic forces.

Violence, Public Ritual, and Democracy Research

[Christian Nationalism as an Illiberal Interpretation of Religion | Marlene Laruelle and Steven Livingston | Journal of Illiberalism Studies | 2025]

Places the NAR, spiritual warfare, charismatic authority, and Christian nationalism within a broader analysis of religious nationalism and illiberal politics.

[Christian Nationalism and Violence Against Religious Minorities in the United States: A Quantitative Analysis | Nilay Saiya and Stuti Manchanda | Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion | September 2, 2024]

Quantitative study investigating relationships between Christian nationalist political rhetoric and violence against religious minorities; useful for separating empirical questions about violence from theological analysis.

Historical Background and Genealogy

[American Evangelicals for Trump: Dominion, Spiritual Warfare, and the End Times | André Gagné | Routledge | 2024]

Book-length scholarly study of neo-charismatic Pentecostal political theology, including dominion, prophecy, spiritual warfare, territorial spirits, and apocalyptic expectation.

[The Violent Take It by Force | Matthew D. Taylor | Broadleaf Books | 2024]

Historical study of the New Apostolic Reformation, charismatic spiritual warfare, political mobilization, and events surrounding January 6.

[Who Are the Christian Nationalists? A Taxonomy for the Post-Jan. 6 World | Bob Smietana | The Washington Post | January 2023]

Distinguishes several currents commonly placed under the Christian-nationalism label and helps prevent treating all conservative Christians or all Christian nationalists as a single theological movement.

[The New Apostolic Reformation, Trump, and Evangelical Politics: The Prophecy Voter | Damon T. Berry | Bloomsbury Academic | 2023]

Book-length study showing how prophecy, conspiracy narratives, spiritual warfare, and political activism interact within the NAR.

[Convergence of Far-Right, Anti-Democratic Factions in the Northwest Could Provide a Model for the Rest of the Nation | Frederick Clarkson and Cloee Cooper | Political Research Associates | May 28, 2021]

Examines relationships among NAR networks, dominion theology, prayer networks, anti-abortion activism, militia movements, and spiritual warfare in the Pacific Northwest.

[Building God's Kingdom: Inside the World of Christian Reconstruction | Julie J. Ingersoll | Oxford University Press | 2015]

Background study of Christian Reconstructionism useful for distinguishing Reconstructionist dominion theology from charismatic NAR dominionism.

[The Christian Right, Reborn: The New Apostolic Reformation Goes to War | Rachel Tabachnick | The Public Eye / Political Research Associates | March 22, 2013]

Early investigation of the NAR's growing political role, apostolic networks, dominion theology, and warfare-oriented religious language.

[Spiritual Warfare: The Politics of the Christian Right | Sara Diamond | South End Press | 1989]

Important historical study using "spiritual warfare" as a framework for examining the development of the American Christian Right.

Media, Fiction, and Cultural Transmission

[The Politics of a Praying Nation | Cynthia Burack | Journal of Religion and Popular Culture | 2014]

Demonstrates how devotional and prayer practices can communicate political ideas without conventional campaign rhetoric.

Symbols, Rituals, and Sacred Geography

[NAR Vows to Stage Largest-Ever Gathering of Christian Women | Frederick Clarkson | Religion Dispatches | October 9, 2025]

Discusses plans for transnational NAR women's mobilization and the continuing use of spiritual warfare and Appeal to Heaven symbolism.

[Not the Whole Megillah, Just Enough to Be Dangerous: "A Million Women: An Esther Call to the Mall" | Laura S. Lieber | Religious Studies Review | 2025]

Analyzes the biblical Esther imagery, prophetic revelation, demonic conflict, and gender politics surrounding the 2024 A Million Women gathering.

State and Local Politics

[Donald Trump Sweeps Michigan's Republican Party Convention | Rachel Leingang | The Guardian | March 2, 2024]

Reports on Michigan Republican politics and Kristina Karamo's use of spiritual-warfare and demonic language in describing intraparty conflict.

[Pennsylvania's Prayer Warrior: Abby Abildness and Her Dominionist Crusade in the Commonwealth | Jennifer Cohn | Bucks County Beacon | July 11, 2023]

Investigates apostolic prayer networks, dominion theology, spiritual warfare, and political organizing in Pennsylvania.

[A Pennsylvania Lawmaker and the Resurgence of Christian Nationalism | Eliza Griswold | The New Yorker | May 2021]

Profiles Doug Mastriano and discusses the role that spiritual-warfare beliefs played in his religious and political worldview.

Definitions and Interpretive Guides

[What Is Christian Nationalism and Why It Raises Concerns About Threats to Democracy | Laura Barrón-López and Brad Onishi | PBS NewsHour | February 1, 2024]

Overview of Christian nationalism that specifically discusses the NAR's belief in spiritual warfare and a cosmic battle between supernatural good and evil.

Broader Theological and Comparative Context

[All Things Are Possible: Pentecostalism and the Uncontrollability of the World | Michael Wilkinson | Cambridge Centre for Christianity Worldwide | April 16, 2025]

Examines charismatic Christianity, prophecy, spiritual warfare, election narratives, and Christian nationalism in contemporary American politics.

[Passing Orders: Demonology and Sovereignty in American Spiritual Warfare | S. Jonathon O'Donnell | Fordham University Press | 2020]

Scholarly treatment of American evangelical demonology in relation to sovereignty, nationalism, social hierarchy, territory, and political power.

[Christian Nationalism and Christian Supremacy | Institute for Islamic, Christian, and Jewish Studies | ICJS | ongoing resource]

Research resource containing the documentary "Spiritual Warriors," educational materials, and scholarship on NAR theology and January 6.

Contemporary Developments

[God's Not Neutral: Narrative Tropes, Spiritual Warfare, and the Construction of Evangelical Political Identity in American Christian Fiction | Evelyn L. McCullough | Portland State University | September 14, 2026]

Studies the role of evangelical fiction in constructing political identity through narratives of supernatural warfare, divine conflict, and American political life.

[The Teen Believers in Christian Nationalism | Eliza Griswold | The New Yorker | June 2026]

Examines younger activists influenced by Christian nationalism and Seven Mountains ideas, including language about spiritual warfare and unseen demonic forces.

[Epistemic Closure and Spiritual Warfare in Independent Evangelical Ministries: A Sociological Analysis of Anti-Intellectualism and Christian Nationalism | Douglas C. Youvan | ResearchGate preprint | June 3, 2026]

Examines independent evangelical ministries, spiritual-warfare discourse, authority, information networks, and Christian nationalism. As a preprint, it should be treated differently from peer-reviewed scholarship.

[The New Faces of Christian Nationalism | Eliza Griswold | The New Yorker | 2026]

Reports on charismatic Christian political networks in Texas, including prayer over government buildings, spiritual-warfare rhetoric, prophetic authority, and political organizing.

[Part MAGA Rally, Part Christian Revival — Charlie Kirk's Memorial Service Includes Numerous Calls for 'Spiritual Warfare' | Religion Dispatches | September 22, 2025]

Analyzes repeated appeals to Ephesians 6 and spiritual warfare at a major political-religious memorial gathering.

[The Christian Left's Battle for the Bible — and the Country | Salon | July 21, 2025]

Contrasts progressive Christian political theology with NAR-style explanations of social problems involving spiritual warfare, demons, and dominion.

[Taxing the Churches Won't Stop Christian Nationalism | Salon | November 16, 2025]

Discusses the increasing overlap between partisan political rhetoric and language describing policy disputes as spiritual warfare.

Primary and Sympathetic Sources

[A Call to Prayer | Dutch Sheets | Dutch Sheets Ministries | 2018]

Primary-source example describing American political conflict as an extraordinary spiritual war for the nation's future.

[Watchman Decree and Give Him 15 Materials | Dutch Sheets and associated ministries | Various dates]

Primary materials illustrating how some apostolic prayer networks combine intercession, prophetic declarations, American national narratives, and political concerns.

Overall Research Synthesis

[Christian Nationalism and the Theology of Spiritual Warfare | Research synthesis | Multiple sources | 1992–2026]

Taken together, these sources show that "spiritual warfare" is a broad Christian idea with a much longer history than contemporary Christian nationalism. A distinctive modern development within some neo-charismatic and New Apostolic Reformation networks is strategic-level spiritual warfare: the belief that organized demonic powers can influence geographical territories, governments, institutions, cultural spheres, or nations. When combined with dominion theology and the Seven Mountains strategy, political activity can consequently be understood by adherents as one dimension of an underlying supernatural struggle. Critics within Christianity dispute both the biblical basis of territorial-spirit theology and attempts to identify partisan political opponents with demonic forces. Scholars likewise caution against treating evangelicalism, Pentecostalism, charismatic Christianity, the New Apostolic Reformation, and Christian nationalism as interchangeable categories.