Conspirituality Podcast - Episode 263: The Apostle Assassin

Release Date: June 26, 2025

Hosts: Derek Beres, Matthew Remski, Julian Walker

1. Introduction

In Episode 263 of the Conspirituality podcast, titled "The Apostle Assassin," hosts Derek Beres, Matthew Remski, and Julian Walker delve into the alarming intersection of spiritual extremism and political violence. The episode dissects the tragic case of Vance Bolter, an ordained pastor linked to the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), who orchestrated a deadly attack on Democratic officials, resulting in two fatalities and two critical injuries.

2. The Vance Bolter Shooting

The episode opens with Julian Walker recounting the harrowing events surrounding Vance Bolter's violent spree:

Julian Walker [01:58]: "Conspirituality263 the Apostle Assassin dad went to war last night. Read Vance Bolter's text to his family in the early hours of June 14th... he was an ordained pastor in a church associated with the new Apostolic Reformation..."

Bolter's attack on four Democratic government officials and their families underscores the sinister blend of extremist spirituality and political fanaticism. His affiliation with the NAR, a movement viewing the world as a spiritual battleground, reveals how religious beliefs can morph into tools for justifying violence.

3. Understanding the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR)

Matthew Remski provides an in-depth exploration of the NAR's origins and doctrines:

Matthew Remski [20:34]: "Vance Bolter is a 1990 graduate of the Christ for the Nations Bible College in Dallas, Texas... Christ for the Nations is one of the early proponents of a theology now associated with something called the New Apostolic Reformation..."

The NAR emphasizes Dominion theology, advocating for control over key societal sectors—government, business, education, family, arts, media, and religion—collectively known as the "Seven Mountains." This ideology positions adherents as spiritual warriors destined to reclaim America for divine purposes.

Key Concepts:

• Dominion Theology: The belief that Christians should govern and influence all aspects of society.
• Seven Mountains Mandate: A strategic framework targeting seven key societal sectors for spiritual and political influence.
• Apostles and Prophets: Leadership roles within NAR, where apostles handle administrative duties and prophets provide divine messages.

4. NAR’s Influence on Politics and Society

The podcast examines the deep-seated connections between the NAR and contemporary American politics, particularly its influence on the Trump administration and events like the January 6th insurrection.

Derek Barris [32:14]: "He met with many NAR leaders, including Paula White, Kane and Samuel Rodriguez, and NAR leaders such as Becca Greenwood and Dutch Sheets. They met with Trump officials a few days before the January 6th insurrection."

Prominent figures within politics and media are revealed to have ties to the NAR, highlighting the movement's significant presence within mainstream institutions. This synergy between religious extremism and political power amplifies the potential for mobilizing followers towards radical actions.

5. The Spread of Misinformation: Benny Johnson's Role

A significant portion of the episode critiques the role of right-wing conspiracy theorist Benny Johnson in propagating misinformation surrounding Bolter's actions.

Derek Barris [47:18]: "Benny Johnson... has 4.8 million YouTube subscribers, 3.7 million Twitter followers... He reads posts and articles aloud sometimes as he's just learning this information. Then he pontificates on it all in real time."

Johnson's unfounded theories, such as alleging Bolter wore a Walter White mask or fabricated connections to political figures like Governor Tim Walls, demonstrate the perilous impact of conspiracy-laden narratives. His relentless dissemination of inaccuracies not only distorts public perception but also fuels further radicalization.

Matthew Remski [55:12]: "There are thousands of guys like this. Radicalization can happen very fast."

6. The Consequences of Conspirituality

The hosts discuss the broader implications of intertwining spirituality with conspiracy theories, emphasizing the societal risks posed by such ideologies.

Derek Barris [57:45]: "People like Johnson and the entire right-wing media ecosystem... they just don't have any oversight... You can't possibly stop the spread of conspiracy theories in this environment."

The unchecked spread of conspiratorial content, especially when interwoven with spiritual extremism, creates a fertile ground for violence and societal division. The episode underscores the urgent need for critical discourse and fact-checking to counteract these dangerous narratives.

7. The Role of Glossolalia and Emotional Contagion

Matthew Remski draws parallels between the phenomenon of glossolalia (speaking in tongues) and the spread of conspiracy theories, suggesting a psychocultural linkage.

Matthew Remski [59:04]: "There's a continuity between social media conspiracism and speaking in tongues... they have found a really effective way of hacking into it."

This connection highlights how emotional and spiritual expressions can be harnessed to reinforce and perpetuate extremist beliefs, making it challenging to dismantle such ideologies once they take root.

8. Conclusion and Reflections

Wrapping up the episode, the hosts reflect on the intricate web of conspiratorial spirituality and its real-world ramifications. They emphasize the critical importance of awareness and proactive measures to prevent the normalization and spread of such dangerous hybrid ideologies.

Derek Barris [57:59]: "The families and friends of the Hortmans and the Hoffmans are suffering right now. And people like Johnson are using that and them to radicalize people and make a ton of money."

Key Takeaways

• Interconnected Extremisms: The fusion of spiritual ideologies like the New Apostolic Reformation with political conspiracy theories fosters an environment ripe for violence.

• Influence of Conspiracists: Figures like Benny Johnson play a pivotal role in amplifying misinformation, thereby exacerbating extremist tendencies among followers.

• Need for Oversight: The podcast highlights the lack of accountability within certain media ecosystems that allow the unchecked spread of dangerous narratives.

• Cultural Phenomena: Understanding cultural and emotional dynamics, such as glossolalia, is essential in addressing the psychological underpinnings of conspiratorial beliefs.

This episode of Conspirituality serves as a sobering analysis of how spiritual movements can intertwine with extremist politics, leading to tragic outcomes. It calls for heightened vigilance and informed discourse to combat the spread of such ideologies.