Podcast Summary: The Isabel Brown Show

Episode: Don Lemon Harasses Church & Michael Knowles Debunks Christian Zionism
Date: January 20, 2026
Host: Isabel Brown (The Daily Wire)
Guests: Michael Knowles, Daniel Apollos, Don Lemon (clips), Harmeet Dhillon (clips)

Overview

This episode of The Isabel Brown Show explores two intense cultural and religious flashpoints:

1. The controversial protest led by Don Lemon and left-wing activists at a Minneapolis church, and
2. The uproar surrounding a joint statement by Christian leaders in Jerusalem denouncing Christian Zionism as false theology—an issue clarified and debated with guest Michael Knowles.

The show blends on-the-ground reporting, legal/constitutional analysis, and in-depth theological discussion, culminating in a comparison of how religious and political identities shape the current American and Christian landscape.

Key Topics & Discussion Points

1. Don Lemon and the Minneapolis Church Protest

• Background:
  Don Lemon attended and reported on a disruptive protest targeting City’s Church, a Southern Baptist congregation in Minneapolis, after rumors that one of its pastors was secretly an ICE officer. Protestors made accusations, shouted slogans, and interrupted the worship service, demanding congregants ‘stand up’ for “Somali and Latino communities.”
  ([00:21]–[04:53])

• Escalation:
  Lemon is seen confronting the lead pastor, Jonathan Parnell, and justifies the protest with First Amendment arguments, even as frightened families and children flee the church. ([04:53]–[12:31])

• Notable Quotes:

  • "Protesting is all about creating trauma for people, making trauma for children in the middle of their church."
    — Don Lemon ([12:07])
  • "My job is to take care of my congregation. Respectfully, you need to leave. This is not an appropriate venue."
    — Jonathan Parnell, Lead Pastor ([08:34])

• Host Commentary (Isabel):
  Isabel decries the “toxic empathy” motivating such protests, mocking Lemon’s self-presentation as a Christian, and sharply distinguishes between lawful protest and religious harassment.

• Double Standards & First Amendment:
  Isabel critiques Lemon for weaponizing free speech, highlighting the contradiction: Pro-lifers praying outside abortion clinics are prosecuted, but churchgoers aren’t protected from similar disruptions.

  • "Your free speech does not get to trample upon someone else's free speech."
    — Isabel Brown ([08:47])

• Legal & Federal Response:
  Harmeet Dhillon (Assistant Attorney General) announces on the Benny Johnson show that federal charges—including potential FACE Act and Ku Klux Klan Act violations—will be pursued against those involved in harassing worshippers, possibly including Lemon. ([42:35])

• Key Moment:
  Protestors at one point mistake Lemon for an ICE supporter and shout “white supremacist” at him before realizing he is on their side—highlighting the chaos and confusion within the activist ranks.
  ([18:19]–[18:50])

Timestamps of Interest

• [07:51] Lemon’s on-site confrontation with Pastor Parnell
• [12:07] Lemon declares, “That’s what protesting is about.”
• [14:53] Lemon’s defensive selfie video
• [18:19] Protest confusion; Lemon called “white supremacist”
• [42:35] DOJ and Harmeet Dhillon announce federal investigation

2. The Christian Zionism Controversy

• Event:
  Patriarchs and heads of the historic churches in Jerusalem issue a joint statement denouncing Christian Zionism as a damaging ideology and clarifying that only the historic churches represent Christians in the Holy Land.
  ([44:00]–[52:58])

• Full Denominational Backing:
  Signatories include Greek Orthodox, Latin (Catholic), Armenian, Coptic, Maronite, Melkite, Anglican, Lutheran, among others.

• Key Statement Excerpt:
  "Recent activities… who advance damaging ideologies such as Christian Zionism… mislead the public, sow confusion, and harm the unity of our flock… Such actions constitute interference in the internal life of the churches."
  — Joint Letter ([44:00])

Michael Knowles Debunks Christian Zionism

• Context & Reaction:
  Knowles explains this is a reaffirmation of ancient Christian teaching, not a new anti-Semitic or anti-Israel stance. He distinguishes religious support for Israel (which the Church does not teach) from political alliances (which are legitimate based on international law).
  ([53:55]–[65:23])

• Notable Quotes:

  • "Support for the state of Israel is just like I support the state of Italy."
    — Michael Knowles ([54:55])
  • "Zionism as an ideology… is just not persuasive… It’s not part of our theology."
    — Michael Knowles ([57:26})
  • "Rather than try to condemn the patriarchs as anti-Semitic… I think it really behooves the state of Israel to give Christians an alternative to this very particular 19th-century heresy."
    — Michael Knowles ([59:18])

• Theology Discussion:

  • Isabel and Michael discuss how Christianity sees itself as the fulfillment of Judaism, and how Christian Zionism is historically a Protestant (not Catholic/Orthodox) innovation—rooted in 19th-century dispensationalism, not traditional doctrine.
  • Michael explains layered biblical understanding: literal, allegorical, moral, and anagogical. ([65:23]–[72:56])

Secular/Political Support for Israel

• Both agree it is legitimate to support Israel as a pragmatic Western ally and custodian of Christian sites, but theological claims about divine right are outside historic Christian teaching.
• J.D. Vance example cited: “It is in our best interest to have a relationship with a country that preserves Christian heritage sites.”
  ([74:03])

3. Further Discussion & Perspectives

Daniel Apollos (the "Jewish Catholic") on Pints with Aquinas

• Apollos traces the biblical and theological reasons why Christian Zionism and dispensationalism are unfounded, emphasizing God’s always “one people” under covenant, not a permanent dualism between Jews and Gentiles.
  ([81:10]–[87:51])

  • "God has always had one people… Christian Zionism promotes the concept of there being multiple peoples of God when it’s not the case."
    — Daniel Apollos ([81:28])

Broader Themes

• Toxic Empathy & Secular Religion:
  Isabel reiterates the dangers of “toxic empathy” and “ism-based” replacement religions, warning that fervor for political causes is supplanting foundational Judeo-Christian values in the American public square.

• Persecution Double Standard:
  Federal law (FACE Act) is inconsistently applied, with pro-lifers penalized for peaceful prayer but agitators against churches facing, until now, little response.

• Pop-Culture Reaction:
  Notably, even pop star Nicki Minaj calls for Lemon’s prosecution—illustrating how the protest transcended political lines.

Notable Quotes Summary

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|---------|-------| | 08:47 | Isabel Brown | “Your free speech does not get to trample upon someone else’s free speech.” | | 12:07 | Don Lemon | “That’s what protesting is all about... creating trauma for people… for children in the middle of their church.” | | 14:53 | Don Lemon | (on criticism) “We did an act of journalism... It’s called Journalism First Amendment, all that stuff.…” | | 18:36 | Protestor to Lemon | “White supremacist agenda!” (before realizing who he is) | | 57:26 | Michael Knowles | “Zionism as an ideology is just not very persuasive, I think…” | | 67:02 | Michael Knowles | “[Christian Zionism] is a Protestant thing... It’s based on the theological innovations of the 19th century.” | | 81:28 | Daniel Apollos | “God has always had one people. Christian Zionism... is wrong because these ideas promote the concept of there being multiple peoples of God.” |

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:35] Protestors demand congregants explain why they're not “protecting Somali and Latino communities.”
• [07:51] Pastor Parnell calmly withstands Lemon’s on-camera challenge.
• [12:07] Don Lemon explicitly connects protest to intentionally causing trauma.
• [14:53] Lemon defends himself, shifts blame, and calls it “journalism.”
• [18:36] Protestors call Lemon a “white supremacist.”
• [42:35] Harmeet Dhillon on federal prosecution, FACE Act, and Klan Act.
• [53:55] Michael Knowles debunks misconceptions about the Jerusalem church statement and Christian Zionism.
• [62:06] Knowles outlines secular vs. religious reasons for supporting Israel.
• [67:02] In-depth Catholic/Orthodox interpretation of new vs. old covenant.
• [81:28] Daniel Apollos (Jewish Catholic) rebuts dispensationalism, details “one people of God” theology.

Memorable, Character-Setting Moments

• Don Lemon’s “journalistic” confrontation with Pastor Parnell and Lemon being mistaken for an enemy by other protestors are both highlighted as moments underscoring the confusion and radicalism of modern activism.
• Isabel’s sharp, sometimes sarcastic commentary lampoons the self-righteousness and “NPC” mentality of left-wing protesters.
• Knowles’ humorous and practical analogy of choosing “pastrami sandwiches over shawarma” as a metaphor for American Jewish affinity and Middle East pragmatism.
• Daniel Apollos’ biblical and historical deep dive—countering the idea of dual-covenant theology.
• Isabel’s comparison of Christian Zionism with land acknowledgment rituals at college graduation, connecting identity politics and modern theological discourse.

Conclusion

Isabel Brown closes by affirming the need for nuanced, open conversation about faith, politics, and society—especially on divisive issues like church protests and Christian Zionism. She previews upcoming coverage on the Trump administration's second year, and encourages defending the space for complex debate.

For listeners:
This episode explores not only constitutional and religious freedoms being tested in America, but also the contours of Christian theological identity and its intersection with modern politics. Isabel, Michael Knowles, and Daniel Apollos collectively push back against simplistic narratives—placing respect for tradition, reasoned debate, and honest theological nuance at the show’s core.