26. Political Terrorism, Protests and Parades: Christian Fascism is Here

Podcast Summary: The Tim & April Show – Episode 26: Political Terrorism, Protests and Parades: Christian Fascism is Here

Podcast Information:

Title: The Tim & April Show
Host/Author: The New Evangelicals
Description: Where we unravel faith, politics, and culture.
Episode: 26. Political Terrorism, Protests and Parades: Christian Fascism is Here
Release Date: June 20, 2025

1. Introduction and Juneteenth Observance

Timestamp: [02:10] – [05:45]

Tim and April kick off the episode by celebrating Juneteenth, discussing its significance as a federal holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the U.S. They share personal anecdotes about how they came to understand the importance of this day, highlighting April's realization through her admiration for basketball player Dirk Nowitzki.

Notable Quotes:

April [02:14]: "First things first. Happy Juneteenth."
Tim [04:24]: "Find out more@fatherhood.gov brought to you by the U.S. department of Health and Human Services and the Ad Council."

2. Trump’s Military Parade: Critique and Satire

Timestamp: [07:28] – [12:04]

The hosts criticize former President Donald Trump's military parade, questioning its display and the stark contrast to recent protests. They satirize the event with humorous commentary on the lackluster crowd turnout and mechanical issues, using sarcastic remarks to highlight their disapproval.

Notable Quotes:

Tim [09:19]: "We have an almost trillion dollar military budget. No one had WD40."
April [11:05]: "Isn't that a tank rolling through to a very empty audience."

3. Vance Bolter and Political Terrorism

Timestamp: [12:04] – [21:27]

Tim and April delve into the harrowing case of Vance Bolter, a Christian nationalist preacher charged with the murder of a Democratic lawmaker and his spouse in Minnesota. They discuss Bolter's background, including his tenure on a bipartisan board appointed by Governors Mark Dayton and Tim Walz, countering claims that his appointment signifies Democratic radicalism.

Notable Quotes:

April [16:08]: "He was first appointed in 2016 by Governor Mark Dayton and then three years later Governor Walz reappointed him."
Tim [20:55]: "He attended Christ for the Nations Institute... 'Everyone ought to pray. At least one violent prayer each day.'"

4. Christian Nationalism and Evangelical Theology

Timestamp: [21:27] – [33:46]

The conversation shifts to the broader implications of Christian nationalism, emphasizing how certain evangelical teachings can radicalize individuals towards violence. They reference Matthew Taylor’s work on the "Violent Take It by Force" ideology and discuss the influence of charismatic Bible schools in fostering extremist views.

Notable Quotes:

Tim [25:46]: "Christian nationalist adherence... more likely to believe that our country has gotten so bad it might take some violent acts to set it back on the right course."
April [23:27]: "Live, active spiritual warfare talk, there's so much military language and war type language."

5. Israel, Iran, and Political Dynamics

Timestamp: [33:46] – [43:56]

Tim and April analyze the complex relationship between the U.S., Israel, and Iran, critiquing Christian Zionism and its impact on Middle Eastern politics. They argue that support for Israel is often rooted in eschatological beliefs rather than genuine concern for Jewish people, highlighting the anti-Semitic underpinnings of such alliances.

Notable Quotes:

April [34:06]: "The reason why people are pro Israel is not because they support the Jews, it's a hundred percent because they want Jesus to come back."
Tim [35:22]: "They are simply pawns to usher Jesus back to kill a lot of people."

6. Critique of Mike Huckabee’s Message to Trump

Timestamp: [39:53] – [43:56]

The hosts examine a contentious text message from Mike Huckabee to Donald Trump, displayed on Trump’s Truth Social account. They condemn Huckabee’s praise of Trump, labeling it as demeaning and indicative of the twisted loyalty within Christian nationalist circles.

Notable Quotes:

April [45:39]: "Mike Huckabee is currently the ambassador to the United States. Ambassador to Israel."
Tim [47:15]: "If God is ruling over this, then I'm in the wrong universe."

7. Tucker Carlson and Ted Cruz Clips Analysis

Timestamp: [43:56] – [60:35]

Tim and April critique interviews featuring Tucker Carlson and Ted Cruz, focusing on their discussions about Iran and Israel. They highlight Cruz’s lack of knowledge about Iran’s demographics and criticize Carlson for allowing misinformation and anti-Semitic sentiments to surface during his interviews.

Notable Quotes:

Tim [56:06]: "Tucker Carlson is not a good person. He’s someone who has had Holocaust revisionists on his show."
April [59:26]: "It’s solely because of America First. It’s not out of the lives that we could save in the Middle East."

8. Audience Interaction and Super Chats

Timestamp: [75:16] – [86:17]

During the live segment, Tim and April engage with audience members through Super Chats, laughing off awkward testimonies and sharing humorous takes on overly romanticized Christian rhetoric. They discuss the blurred lines between worship language and romantic expressions, illustrating the often uncomfortable intersections within evangelical culture.

Notable Quotes:

April [77:46]: "What does that mean? I mean, I don't want to know."
Tim [84:42]: "You did not have to say it, um, that was amazing..."

9. Discussion on Christian Purity Culture

Timestamp: [86:17] – [101:40]

The hosts explore the problematic aspects of Christian purity culture, recounting personal stories and critiquing theological misinterpretations that equate sexual acts with spiritual salvation. They highlight how certain teachings can lead to unhealthy relationships with sexuality and perpetuate misogynistic beliefs.

Notable Quotes:

April [89:17]: "They were all about the wife pleasing the husband."
Tim [97:04]: "There's no sacrifice involved. It does not feel good. It is just hard."

10. Conclusion and Call to Action

Timestamp: [107:12] – [108:14]

As the episode wraps up, Tim and April reflect on the extensive discussions, reiterate their stance against Christian nationalism, and encourage listeners to subscribe and engage with their content for ongoing dialogues about faith, politics, and culture.

Notable Quotes:

Tim [107:37]: "Thanks for being here. If you enjoyed this content... we'll talk to you all next Thursday. See ya."
April [108:13]: "Bye."

Overall Insights and Conclusions:

Intersection of Faith and Politics: The episode underscores the dangerous blend of evangelical Christianity with nationalist and extremist political ideologies, illustrating how theological misinterpretations can incite violence and political terrorism.
Critical Examination of Leadership: Through the scrutiny of figures like Donald Trump, Mike Huckabee, Tucker Carlson, and Ted Cruz, Tim and April highlight the problematic nature of leadership that aligns religious fervor with political power for selfish and destructive ends.
Call for Accountability: The hosts advocate for a more discerning and accountable approach within religious communities, urging listeners to recognize and confront the harmful impacts of Christian nationalism.
Personal Reflections: Tim and April share personal experiences and critiques of evangelical purity culture, emphasizing the need for healthier, more compassionate interpretations of faith that prioritize genuine empathy and human dignity over rigid, politicized doctrines.

Recommendations for Listeners:

Deep Dive Episodes: For a more comprehensive understanding of Juneteenth and its cultural significance, listeners are encouraged to explore the New Evangelicals podcast episode featuring Melinda Hale’s spoken word piece, "Let the Plantation Burn."
Further Reading: Jeff Charlotte’s Substack articles provide in-depth analysis of Christian nationalism and its roots in evangelical theology, offering valuable insights into the podcast's discussions.
Engagement: Listeners are invited to engage with the hosts via their podcast platform, Instagram, and other social media channels to continue the conversation on dismantling harmful intersections of faith and politics.

Disclaimer: This summary is based on the provided transcript and aims to capture the essence of the podcast discussion. For a complete and nuanced understanding, listening to the full episode is recommended.