56. This is christian A.I. video is BIZARRE

Summary

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The Tim & April Show — Episode 56

Title: This Christian A.I. Video is BIZARRE
Date: October 21, 2025
Podcast: The New Evangelicals
Hosts: April Ajoy & Tim Whitaker

Episode Overview

In this lighthearted episode, Tim and April take a break from heavy political and cultural analysis to react to some of the most bizarre and unintentionally hilarious examples of Christian media on the internet. The episode’s main attraction is a viral A.I.-animated Christian short film about the rapture, followed by a discussion of the controversy around the upcoming horror movie "The Carpenter’s Son" starring Nicolas Cage, and a wild TikTok ad for a Trump-narrated children’s Bible story. While laughter is a constant, the hosts also deliver sharp, poignant critiques of faith-based fear-mongering and Christian nationalism.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Celebrating Subscriber Milestones & Ironic ‘Awards’

• The hosts thank listeners for supporting the show, celebrating 10,000 subscribers.
• They joke about receiving a "Medal of Honor from hell" from a sarcastic commenter, emblematic of the pushback they get from more fundamentalist circles.
  • “You two have just won the Medal of Honor coming directly from hell.” (03:10)

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2. Reacting to the Viral A.I.-Generated Rapture Short Film

[Main segment begins at 04:00]

Video Introduction:

• April introduces the viral A.I.-animated short film about the rapture (almost 1M views). It’s lauded in the comments by well-meaning Christians, but the hosts anticipate hilarity and cringe.
• Tim gives a “trigger warning” for listeners traumatized by rapture theology.

Live Reaction Highlights:

• The A.I. visuals are immediately and repeatedly called out for being unnerving and poorly done:
  • “The visual is truly jarring. Like, it’s worth watching the YouTube video at some point.” — April (07:37)
• Overly cheerful Christian family contrasts with grouchy "atheist" parents, reinforcing tired stereotypes.
• A plane flies backwards and characters’ arms vanish, adding to the absurdity.
• The trumpet sound indicating Jesus' return is... dubious:
  • “Stop. Stop. That was the worst. That sounded like a fart. Did God just toot?” — Tim (11:28)
• Chaos, vanishing children, and wild animation mistakes prompt a volley of jokes and horror:
  • “That is a white ass Jesus. My God. AI. That is a white. That is a snow white Jesus.” — Tim (15:23)
• The film depicts the usual rapture tropes: mass disappearances, confusion, chaos, and poorly animated ethereal ascensions.

Deeper Critique:

• The hosts question the supposed “blessed hope” of rapture narratives, noting their impact on children and broader society:
  • “When you really think about it critically, I’m not sure what is beautiful or touching about it...95% of humans are doomed. There’s nothing redeemable about that at all.” — Tim (23:32)
• April links rapture theology to political apathy:
  • “Because people believe that, though, it keeps them from actually trying to make our world a better place here and now.” — April (23:55)

Comments on the Video’s Reception:

• The video’s comment section is full of “Amen”s, people saying they plan to show it to their children—something the hosts find disturbing given the nightmare fuel and catastrophism of the video.
• The inevitable “age of accountability” debate for why some children are left behind.

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3. Trailer Reaction: ‘The Carpenter’s Son’ (29:02)

• Beecher, April’s spouse, requests a blind reaction to "The Carpenter’s Son"—a horror film about Jesus’ childhood starring Nicolas Cage.
• Both hosts admit to being easily scared by horror films but are morbidly curious.

Trailer Takeaways:

• The synopsis reveals a supernatural struggle as a mysterious stranger tempts young Jesus.
• The film draws from non-canonical sources (the Infancy Gospel of Thomas), which is likely why some Christians are upset.
• Christians are already review-bombing the not-yet-released film as “blasphemy”:
  • “A disgusting attempt to defame and mock the Christian faith.” — April reads a review (32:16)

Meta-Critique:

• Tim wonders why such a plot is controversial, given that demonic temptation is in the canonical gospels.
• April and Tim point out that outrage cycles over “blasphemous” Christian-adjacent media are predictable and often based on hearsay, not substance:
  • “No one that’s review bombing this has seen this. They’ve not watched the movie.” — April (34:01)

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4. Weird Christian Product: ‘The President’s Bible’ TikTok Ad (36:04)

• April presents a TikTok ad for a children’s Bible storybook narrated by an A.I. Donald Trump.
• The ad features Trump’s "voice" narrating Noah’s Ark, full of braggadocio and his trademark catch-phrasing:
  • “Alright, folks, listen up because I’m going to tell you about Noah’s Ark like you’ve never heard it before. It’s going to be huge.” — AI Trump (36:54)
• Both hosts are appalled and amused at the blending of Trumpist idolatry and Christian education.
  • “They’re going to have a rapist read Bible stories to children in the name of family values.” — Tim (37:35)

Social and Political Critique:

• The hosts note the double standard: if a Democrat or LGBTQ+ figure narrated a Bible, right-wing outrage would be immediate and furious.
• April recalls Trump saying he doubts he’ll make it to heaven, a statement his fans simply disregard—highlighting the depth of cultural-political tribalism.
• Tim decries the “caucasity” (White audacity) and hypocrisy of these Christian nationalists.

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• [07:12] Tim: “April, we are trying way too hard. We should just have AI do the show and call it a day.”
• [11:28] Tim (re: trumpet): “Did God just toot?”
• [15:23] Tim: “That is a white ass Jesus. My God. AI. That is a snow white Jesus.”
• [23:32] Tim: “That’s a horrible end of the world for 95% of humans. There’s nothing redeemable about that at all.”
• [37:35] Tim (re: Trump Bible): “They’re going to have a rapist read Bible stories to children in the name of family values.”
• [39:35] April: “Can you just imagine if someone sold a book of Barack Obama reading scriptures... They would be like, this is idolatry.”

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Celebration & Banter: 00:41-03:54
• AI Rapture Video Reaction: 04:00-23:55
• Commentary on Rapture Theology: 23:56-25:20
• ‘Carpenter’s Son’ Trailer Reaction: 26:20-35:06
• Outrage about Christian Horror Movies: 32:06-35:06
• Weird Christian Product (Trump Bible): 36:04-41:32

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Overall Tone

• Light-hearted, irreverent, and satirical—with moments of biting critique about culture, politics, and American Christianity.
• Tim and April blend empathy for those harmed by fear-based faith with comedic incredulity at the extremities and idolatries of current Christian culture.

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Summary for New Listeners

If you haven't listened, this episode’s a hilarious but pointed skewering of some of the wildest recent products of Christian media and culture. With a mix of personal stories, live reactions, and thoughtful critique, Tim and April expose the contradictions of fundamentalist Christianity, question the social impact of fear-based theology, and remind listeners why the intersection of faith, politics, and pop culture is so critical to wrestle with—especially in the age of A.I. and Trumpian idolatry.

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Transcript

[A]

To a new evangelicals production.

[B]

This episode is brought to you by Lifelock. It's cybersecurity awareness month and Lifelock has tips to protect your identity. Use strong passwords, set up multi factor authentication, report phishing and update the software on your devices. And for comprehensive identity protection, let Lifelock alert you to suspicious uses of your personal information. Lifelock also fixes identity theft, guaranteed or your money back. Stay smart, safe and protected with a 30 day free [e-mail] Podcast terms apply.

[A]

The Tim and April show, where we unravel faith, politics and culture. Hi, everybody. Welcome to the Tim and April Show. I'm one of your hosts, April A Joy.

[B]

I'm the other one of your hosts, Tim Whitaker.

[A]

Hello, Tim.

[B]

The one and only. The one and only. What can I say?

[A]

I know that's like Tim and April deep cut show.

[B]

Totally, totally.

[A]

Was that from the recap when I first called you Timothee Chalamet? Because in my head that's what.

[B]

Right around that time. For sure. Yeah, for sure. It stuck. It's stuck.

[A]

Yeah. Well, and also is because you did. Had never. You didn't know who that was.

[B]

I still really don't know. Is he playing in Springsteen, the new movie? Is that him? Bruce Springsteen? Is he playing Timothy Chalamet?

[A]

Is he.

[B]

Oh, no. Maybe he played Dylan. Bob Dylan.

[A]

Yes. Yeah, I think that was the one.

[B]

Yeah, there you go. Yeah, there's my.

[A]

Well, okay, so we have a. What do we need to cover in our banter? I don't remember.

[B]

Did we? No. The only thing I wanted to say for our banter is that thank you for helping US hit 10,000 subscribers. That's super cool.

[A]

That's awesome.

[B]

It's been very cool. Yeah.

[A]

You know, like our video. If you like it. You know, if you don't like it, you can tell us in the comments. Every little bit of feedback even helps. Oh, you know what? We never shared this yet, but you and I received an award. It was from a lovely commenter.

[B]

I think I still have it in my shot even though we didn't have it.

[A]

I can try to find it if you don't.

[B]

No, that's not it.

[A]

I still have it somewhere too.

[B]

No, I know I pulled it.

[A]

I can find it.

[B]

Which one was it? No, we got the. Was it the Sons of Hell award?

[A]

It was. No, it was similar. It's close. It was a medal of Honor.

[B]

Oh, I got it. I got it.

[A]

Yeah. Look at this. Based on our incredible level of spin doctrine here. Oh, the incredible level of spin doctrine here. But spelled wrong here, here, here is.

[B]

Applause worthy you to have just won the Medal of Honored coming directly from hell.

[A]

Yeah. Anyway, the first sentence part is. That's confusing, right? Am I reading it could be a.

[B]

Bot for all we know. I mean, we'll read it literally. It says the incredible level of spin doctrine. Here is applause where the. You two have just won the Medal of Honor coming directly from hell. That's what it says.

[A]

Yes. So anyway, the point is that that's the hearing here and not the quotation here.

[B]

Thank you.

[A]

But he informed us that we won a Medal of Honor from hell. I didn't know hell gave out medals of Honor, but, you know, I am.

[B]

Honored to be among the prestigious.

[A]

Yeah, I mean, I. To get an award like that. Such a prestigious award from a place I've never been.

[B]

Well, I mean, you're going there though, April. Obviously, it's just allegedly. Allegedly. So the bros say. Oh, boy. All right, well, why. Why don't we get into our main segment today?

[A]

Yes. So we decided to just have a more light hearted, kind of fun episode. And so I was sent this. This video. We're just going to react to a couple weird. Yeah, just some funny videos. The first is a AI animated short film that has almost a million views.

[B]

That means we're going to get copy struck on this video for sure.

[A]

But it's AI are we going to get copyright the music?

[B]

YouTube is so stinky and they're so like picky with music. So, friends, if you want to support the show, maybe a super chat would be super helpful. Just saying it'd be super helpful. Well, but yeah, I'm ready though. I'm prepared.

[A]

Well, it is AI so I don't know, maybe. Maybe it'll be. Well, we'll definitely get a strike when we. When we play the Carpenter sun trailer that we are both blind reacting to because my spouse be was like, y' all have to blind react to this on the shows. Yeah. So anyway, this is an AI short film about the rapture.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

And it has almost a million views. And the comments, we'll read some of the comments after the fact. But like, it's mostly full of people just saying amen. Wow. So inspiring. Love this.

[B]

I had not seen this. So we're going to get rolling. We figured, friends, that today, look, there's a lot of bad news out there. We need time to laugh and have some fun and listen to things that are ridiculous. That's what today's episode is. If you want more bad news, go watch our previous Live. Go back one week. We got plenty of it to share with you. Today is just for fun. All right, you ready? I have not seen this, so here we go. Oh, boy. Oh, I'm already triggered. Planes flying on fire.

[A]

That one plane was flying backwards.

[C]

No one knows knows the day or the hour, but one thing is certain. Jesus will return. This is the story of that moment.

[B]

Wait. We have to give a trigger warning to our audience. I can. I. I know some of them listening on podcasts are going to be like, I can't do this. Trigger warning. Talk about the Rapture. Okay? But we're here to get you through it. We're here to get you through it. Hang in there, okay?

[C]

It was a day like any other. The sun rose, people rushed off to school and work, and no one knew what was about to happen.

[B]

This is all AI generated.

[A]

Yep.

[C]

Wow.

[B]

Kind of insane.

[A]

You can notice there's some weird AI Glitter.

[C]

Our story begins.

[B]

That girl is just walking back.

[C]

Two families. Family loved and cherished God, including.

[B]

Her face looks wild.

[A]

Hold on. Back that up. Listen to how the AI guy says sue Susanna.

[B]

All right.

[C]

Our story begins with two families. Susanna's family loved and cherished God including.

[A]

She's very happy. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for this day. Please, we commit the day into your hands.

[B]

Wow.

[A]

Help us through, please. If you should come, don't forget us. Maya. Daniel, don't forget your lunchboxes. Got it, Mom. I have everything.

[B]

The voiceover is so bad. This has a million views almost.

[A]

It's like 900.

[B]

April, we are trying way too hard. We should just have AI do the show and call it a day.

[A]

Is. Is your mouse on the screen? Is that. Is that what the. Oh, thank you. That was driving me crazy. I kept wiping my screen thinking, there is a dot.

[B]

Over here at the Simon April show.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

I will say, if you're listening to this on podcast, you're gonna miss a little bit of the. The AI ness.

[B]

Yeah. The visual is truly jarring. Like, it's worth watching the YouTube video at some point.

[A]

All right, Maya, do you have yours? I have it, Daniel. Bye, Mom. I love you.

[B]

Look at the eyes.

[C]

They're so.

[A]

Okay, kids. Love you all. God be with you.

[B]

This feels like the beginning of a horror movie. Like, who's gonna snap first?

[A]

Because they're just too. They're so happy. It's, like, unrealistic.

[C]

Gideon's family didn't know God, but their kid Jesse did.

[B]

Jenny, where's my coffee? I'm already late.

[A]

Make it yourself and tell your son to Put that Bible away.

[D]

We don't need fairy tales this morning.

[B]

Amen. Hey, Jesse, what are you doing? Close that book and go to school, okay?

[A]

Dad, please. I am leaving for school now.

[B]

This is. I didn't know it was gonna be this bad. Like, AI Wise. It's so painful already. Okay.

[C]

Geez.

[A]

I love how they like the Christian families all smiles like they're in, like, a creepy dollhouse. And then the atheist family who doesn't know God, except for the kid. They're bickering about coffee and. Oh, gosh, put that Bible away.

[C]

School.

[A]

I think the school bus was, like, on the sidewalk there.

[C]

Get a drink.

[B]

Okay. We're driving to school.

[A]

Yeah. Giant red flag above the school.

[C]

Christian teacher literally starts the class with a brief, heartfelt language.

[A]

Good morning, class. Today we'll talk about history, but before that, just remember that Bell loves you. And one day he's coming back. Do you think it could be today? Maybe, but only God knows.

[B]

This is so weird. This is like our modern version of Thief in the Night. That's how I feel. It's like that real, like, weird. You get that really weird feeling of, like, the visuals. It's just so jarring. Okay. Oh, the kid's arm is cut off. The. With. With the green. His arms, like, gonzo.

[A]

Oh, is. Yep. Sure is. Oh, it's back.

[B]

It's back. Oh, they're so weird.

[C]

People continued with their daily activities. Kids play at school. People in their offices working, shopping places and.

[B]

Yeah, I saw that. I saw that. We have to go back, right? Okay.

[A]

Was she typing the desk?

[B]

Yeah. She's stepping on nothing. She's just air typing. 900,000 views on this.

[A]

Almost a million. Yeah.

[B]

Geez.

[C]

People in their offices, working. Shopping places and malls full of people. Businesses running smoothly.

[B]

Everyone's so happy.

[C]

In the blink of an eye, everything changed. Sky starts changing. Clouds part. Light shines powerfully. Something is about to happen.

[A]

Look, Daniel, it is him. It looks like it is happening now. The lip syncing is gone. Okay.

[B]

Yeah. So people need to know who are listening on podcast. When that was said, no one's lips moved. Like, it's two. It's a shot of two children. No one's talking in that scene.

[A]

Can you move your mouse again? It's driving me crazy.

[B]

Oh, I don't have it on my. It disappears on my end.

[A]

Oh, well, not on mine. All right, go ahead.

[C]

It was too late. Then a trumpet sound echoes globally.

[B]

Stop. Stop. That was the worst that sounded. That sounded like a fart. Sounded like a toot. Wait Did God just toot? Hold on. We got to hear that again. That was that. That's the best. That's the best Jesus has. Okay, okay, here we go. Oh, my God. It's so bad.

[C]

People vanish in a flash. Whoa, clothes.

[A]

Oh, here we go.

[B]

They're all naked.

[A]

They're disappearing.

[B]

Wait, are you saying. Hold on, that means that the children are naked? That sounds like grooming to me. This sounds wildly inappropriate.

[A]

Well, we haven't showed us that yet.

[B]

Well, the clothes disappeared. Well, it's. They're hinting. Look, see? There's the clothes.

[A]

Oh, yeah. Oh, here. Here goes typing.

[C]

Dust lady.

[B]

That was weird. That was a weird sound.

[A]

Wait, she left her arm.

[B]

She left what?

[A]

Her arm. Her arm got left behind, too.

[B]

Let's see it again.

[A]

Look, it goes down with the clothes.

[B]

Oh, you're right.

[A]

Is that her arms?

[B]

That's her arms. Yeah. I'd be screaming, too. Wait, where's his kid's arm?

[A]

His arms.

[C]

Chaos begins. Cars crash. People scream. Some kneel and cry.

[B]

Oh, my God, that is jarring.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

That is a free man. Friends, if you're listening on podcasts, you gotta watch the YouTube video. The. The face on these two people screaming is. It's. It's horrific. It's. That's horror. No, it's. AI. Let's totally.

[A]

It's aggressive.

[B]

Are you saying that someone had. AI made this and went, this is great. Let's post to YouTube. Like. Like, no notes. AI arms are falling off. Oh, my goodness. Cars are driving themselves.

[C]

Those who are ready, gone.

[B]

What?

[C]

Yeah, the arm is there.

[B]

What just happened? No, no, wait. We gotta see that again. But that's. Watch. Okay, watch. Watch this. Grocery store owner. I'm dying.

[C]

Those who were ready were gone. There was confusion.

[B]

What just happened?

[C]

Left behind. Didn't know what was going on.

[B]

Whoa, that's freaky.

[C]

The dead also raised to meet up with the king.

[A]

That feels like weapons.

[B]

Ah, the dead in Christ there.

[A]

Oh, the dead in Christ.

[B]

They're, like, evaporating.

[C]

Continue to.

[A]

They're supposed to rise first, though.

[C]

Distraction everywhere.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Okay. Same shot we saw a minute ago.

[A]

Yeah, with a repeat.

[B]

What is happening?

[A]

Oh, the children went.

[B]

This is. Oh, planes just exploding. Apparently, the Rapture will cause planes to just explode in midair for no reason. Yeah, just out of the middle.

[A]

Yeah, just out of the middle.

[B]

Because why not?

[A]

Right out of 17F.

[C]

This is the glorious scene of believers rising into the sky, joyful and white. Robes.

[A]

They said it. Oh, they have robes.

[B]

Good thing. Good, good.

[A]

They're not naked.

[B]

Don't Ask questions. April. Just. This is truth. This is hard truth.

[C]

The great gathering of the saints.

[B]

That is a white ass Jesus. My God. AI. That is a white. That is a snow white Jesus.

[A]

Yep.

[B]

No for sure. That is an AR15 from Kids in America. White Jesus. That's who we're looking at here.

[C]

There in the presence of the king. They found joy beyond words.

[B]

Yep.

[C]

All was.

[A]

I just walked through Jesus. Into the clouds where dreams will stay.

[B]

And deserty.

[C]

No.

[A]

No way.

[C]

Now back to earth.

[B]

Back. Back to earth. Jarring.

[C]

Continue to search for the missing family members.

[B]

It.

[C]

It was too late.

[B]

Reports are coming in from all over the world. Millions missing in what experts can't explain.

[A]

I am here in the city center and millions are missing. We don't know what is happening.

[B]

This is wild. This is Kelvin reporting for TJN tv. Many are missing and the place is full of distractions. We need. Wait, look what it says. Millions are missing. No explanation. Like it's. I'm spell correct exp L I. Oh my God. Explanation.

[C]

Chaos.

[A]

Pause for a second. Pause for a second. I love how in all these rapture videos and this is nothing new, this has been in history like all the rapture media that I've ever seen, they're always like millions will disappear and no one will know what happened. Like if the rapture actually ever were to happen when we would all know exactly what happened. Cuz they've never not stopped talking about it.

[B]

Yeah, for sure. What happened? We all just heard a trumpet we don't understand. No, we all freaking know. It's the rapture that you've been predicting this whole time. It finally happened everywhere.

[A]

That plane is flying backwards.

[B]

Is it? Oh, you're right. The one on the right is.

[A]

Yeah.

[D]

Jeez.

[A]

It's in reverse.

[C]

It was too late for some, but not too late for all. People were full of regret. Some run to the church to seek refuge.

[B]

But it's scary.

[C]

Those tears don't look real for the Bible to read.

[A]

Why are there kids left behind?

[C]

Tears and remorses?

[B]

That's a good question. Why are. Isn't there the age of accountability? Why are these kids left behind?

[A]

I will say that was like one of a lot of comments on it that I saw. They're like, I love this so much. Only thing is, all children will be raptured.

[B]

So even. What? Wait, did it clarify? Even our immigrant children, even the ones that this administration is throwing into concentration camps, Will they be raptured or do they have to pay the, you know, pay their. The dues for their crimes?

[A]

You know, they didn't clarify. Maybe I'll go and ask them.

[B]

You should ask that. That's a very important. Guys in this Rapture scenario, do immigrant kids get into heaven? Or you know, are they just criminals?

[A]

Maybe heaven has ice to just make sure.

[B]

Could you imagine that?

[A]

No, it would never. It would never, never. Anyway, that was a joke. That was terrible.

[B]

Too far.

[A]

Too far. I'm sorry.

[B]

No, you're fine. We're just. We're having fun. April.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Jesus said I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go, is that supposed to be Jesus?

[B]

No, I think that's the narrator.

[A]

Oh, that makes sense.

[B]

No, Jesus was the real young white looking guy like two minutes ago. This.

[A]

This is the narrator and God are the same, so.

[B]

Right.

[A]

Whatever. You know, trinity things.

[C]

The rapture is not to scare us.

[B]

That's all just float.

[C]

But to prepare us.

[B]

The scroll, just floating in midair.

[A]

Okay. It says after Rapture. Do you think there is a second chance?

[B]

We still have three minutes left in this video.

[A]

Yeah, let's see what happens. Let's just go. The Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shell. Therefore be ready for the Son of Man is coming at an hour. You do not expect.

[B]

That is. I'm sorry. I was not ready for that.

[C]

What?

[B]

I'm sorry.

[A]

In all caps and lashing lights, it says he is coming soon. Today is the day to say yes to Jesus. And alarm AI. Birds flying in the background in like a meadow with a creek.

[B]

Yeah. And this noise.

[A]

Think Jesus network. I guess that's who made this AI video. Oh, hold on.

[B]

Wait. Is there more?

[A]

There's more. What is this?

[B]

It's behind the scenes. The World can turn. Okay. It's a song. I don't want to play too much of it because it might get censored from. But it looks like it's just a song. It's just a recap in a song.

[A]

Oh, it's like a music video version of the short film.

[B]

Yeah, which, I mean, who needs that? Okay, that was that wild.

[A]

But. But there are so many people loving that and finding it so inspiring. Pull. I pull. I screenshotted a few comments. There's like thousands on there. How many views is it actually at me?

[B]

See, I don't know. Why don't you take a look while I pull these comments up and look. Real unprofessional.

[A]

Real unprofessional.

[B]

Yeah, hold on, I'll grab this one. This is unprofessional. I have to adjust it in the moment.

[C]

Boop.

[D]

Okay.

[B]

Here's some of the comments.

[A]

It's called Rapture 2025 Animated Christian Movie that will change your life. That's. That's the title. It has 971,000 views.

[B]

Spiritually encouraging. I pray God give me a boldness to draw others to the kingdom.

[A]

Go back to the other one. Look at the one in the middle on that same one. Oh no, you get rid of it. It says, this story is amazing and so touching. Did we watch the same thing?

[B]

Did we did? Yeah. This is so touching. What mass carnage and chaos and destruction. It is. You know it is. April, you and I have been doing this for a while. We've covered this Rapture thing many times because we grew up in it. When you really think about it critically, I'm not sure what is beautiful or touching about it because. Because the story told on its own terms is that a select few people will be sucked up to heaven naked while the rest of the earth descends into chaos, carnage, death, plagues, famine. I mean everything literal hell on earth happens. And people are like, this is such, such a touching story. This is such a. I'm, I'm so moved by this beautiful story.

[A]

Our blessed hope.

[B]

Are you really? Like, if this was, if this was a video and I look, I, I use this only because of our context, but if this was a video made by Muslims about like their version of the end of the world, that was like a really, like something like that. This would be all over these right wing media networks. This is what Islam thinks about you. This is how dangerous it is. They want the end of the world to come where death and destruction to rain down. But because it's white Jesus, because it's white Christian Jesus. This is so touching. This is so beautiful. I pray for the kingdom to come. Really? You pray for mass destruction on earth? You do? Wow, the brainwashing is strong.

[A]

I know. And all the comments are just like, amen. Amen. It's amazing. A few people are like, I'm showing this to my grandchildren and my children.

[B]

Oh God, please don't.

[A]

They're so glad that there's an animated short that they can teach their children about the Rapture.

[B]

My, you know, I'm at the point with my kids, they're three and five. My three year old sucks everything up like a sponge. And he believes things. It's just true. I could not imagine my parents, and they never would by the way. Or me showing my 3 and a 5 year old that video, thinking that somehow I'm doing them like a good. I'm doing them a favor. Like, I'm giving them something that's beautiful to hang on to that. First off, the AI alone is scary. Some of the shots are just, like, jarring. But the actual premise is terrible. To teach children. Yeah, it's horrible. Anyway, I'll stop ranting about this, but, I mean, my God, it's. It's unreal. That's a. That's a horrible end of the end of the world for 95% of humans. There's nothing redeemable about that at all.

[A]

Well, because people believe that, though, it keeps them from actually trying to make our world a better place here and now. Because what's the point if Jesus at any moment and destroys the earth?

[D]

Hey, everyone, this is Melinda Hale, the executive director of the New Evangelicals. Listen. Every day we hear from people who feel isolated, disillusioned, and hurt by a version of Christianity that has been hijacked by politics and nationalism. And yet they still long for a faith that is rooted in love, justice, and compassion. And that's why the New Evangelicals exist, because we believe there is a better path forward. We're creating resources, hosting conversations, and we're building communities for people who want to reclaim Christianity and stay rooted in the teachings of Jesus. But building a movement like this takes time. It takes energy, and it takes financial support. So if this podcast or our YouTube, our educational offerings or community space or anything that we've created has impacted you, would you consider becoming a donor? Even a gift of $5 makes a huge difference for small organizations like this. Your support helps us to continue empowering people to put their faith into action by rejecting Christian nationalism and to live in a way that shows people how to truly love our neighbors. Together, I know that we could build something beautiful. So visit theneweevangelicals.com support to give today. You can find the link right in our show notes. Thank you for standing with us.

[B]

Hey, guys, this is Will from Tulsa, Oklahoma. I was introduced to the YouTube channel New Evangelicals about a year ago. It's from my friend Seth Piper, who used to do. Do some volunteer video editing for Tim. I have loved the channel over the past five or six years. I've been on a pretty similar deconstruction journey to Tim, and I've just loved how his guests and Tim himself have provided me with kind of the language and clarity to describe that spiritual journey. So I've loved what you guys are doing, how you're helping protect the marginalized from the evangelical church. And I want to help in whatever Little way that I can. So thank you guys for doing what you do, and please keep it up. Well, do you want to move to what your partner demanded we do on this show? I mean, who's really in charge? April, I don't know, is beach running the shots.

[A]

She was a suggestion, so I haven't seen that.

[B]

For the record, you know this, but for the audience I love, be sure. Me and Sarah spent time with April and Beecher last year. We had a great time. Beecher is one of my favorite humans, period. So they can tell me what to do on the show anytime, and we will do it.

[A]

They don't make suggestions very often.

[B]

They don't like.

[A]

Okay, so there's this new movie out or coming out called the Carpenter's Son.

[B]

Okay. That's all I know.

[A]

And it has Nicolas Cage in it.

[B]

Oh, it does not have Nicolas Cage.

[A]

I do feel like I have heard rumblings of Christians being mad about this film, because the only thing Beer told me is that it's a horror film.

[B]

Oh, no.

[A]

So I don't do. I don't know beyond that.

[B]

I don't do horror. Look, I'm such a scaredy cat. I finally watched Sinners, which, by the way, was an amazing movie. And I was. I slept with the nightlight on that night. I slept with, like, a door open and the night. I'm a huge scaredy cat. I'm a. I'm a huge wimp when it comes to scary movies. Well, listen, there were a few scenes that I was like, whoa. But obviously, the movie was amazing.

[A]

Gory. But it was like.

[B]

It was gory.

[A]

It was more, like, suspenseful. Yeah, but I was going to say the gore was more kind of cartoony. Like, it wasn't, like, realistic gore.

[B]

There is one scene, no spoilers, that happens where you're like, this feels like they're going over the top on purpose almost to point at the absurdity of what they're doing here. Right. Like, it's just. Anyway, I'm just saying that I'm a scaredy cat. But for you, April, and for Beecher, more importantly, I will watch this trailer blind with you and get my reaction.

[A]

Well, to be fair. To be fair, I don't really love horror either. When Beecher and I were dating, one thing that they were like, they said before we got married, they're like, april, every October, you have to agree to watch one horror film with me or one scary movie every year. So. And we. And I've held to my bargain, but I end up like, I do like some horror. I. I don't like being scared, though, because I have very vivid dreams. If it's, like, too scary.

[B]

Yes, exactly.

[A]

Like Conjuring. I watched the Conjuring with Beecher and I definitely slept the light on that night, but, like, I've seen a lot of horror, so, like Sinners to me was pretty tame.

[B]

Oh, I'm not saying it was scary. I'm just saying it scared me. That's all I'm trying to say.

[A]

So anyway, it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter. I don't know anything about this film other than it's called the Carpenter's Son.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

And as far as Nicolas Cage, I think Christians are mad. And as horror.

[B]

This is a minute and a half trailers. Let's just play the whole thing once, then we can go through it again if we want to. And pause.

[A]

Okay? Okay. Okay.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

I'm excited.

[B]

Here we go. I could do this. All right, here we go. Sounds happy so far.

[C]

What awaits us when we turn at last to death? Let my faith endure. Faith, my only strength to bear against the devil itself.

[A]

Okay, so some graphic crucifixion stuff.

[C]

For years, we live in hiding, driven from every home. He bears a power he cannot understand. A power I cannot contain.

[B]

Is he my Father?

[A]

Who put that in your mind? Do you want to know the secret? I know one that can free you.

[B]

Who are you?

[A]

You know who I am.

[C]

Is he from your angels, but from demons?

[A]

You were always afraid.

[B]

Greatly afraid.

[C]

My faith has been shattered.

[A]

I am the accuser of life.

[B]

I am the adversary.

[A]

And why am I here?

[B]

To torment me.

[C]

Y.

[B]

What? Do we have to rewatch that? Do we have to pause?

[A]

Is Jesus in that?

[B]

I think that. Okay.

[A]

Is that Jesus is Nicholas Cage.

[B]

I'm playing it lower audio just so we can talk over it as it plays. I'm pretty sure the plot is that's Nicolas Cage, who, by the way, looks real rough in this movie is Joseph, and his son is Jesus. That's what I got from it. I'm not sure if that's true.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Because he heals a cricket.

[A]

Right. The film synopsis is a remote village in Egypt explodes into spiritual warfare when a carpenter, his wife, and their son Jesus are targeted by supernatural forces.

[B]

And Christians are upset about this?

[A]

I. I mean, I. I just heard vague rumblings that they are. I mean, I could probably look it up.

[B]

That's a pretty intense.

[A]

What are they not upset about? Oh, yeah, they are.

[B]

That's a good point.

[A]

Literally, they are upset. Hold on, I just Googled it.

[B]

Like this scene here though, shows Jesus holding back a snake. It's a sign of the serpent.

[A]

Listen, I googled it, right? It already has a bunch of Google reviews. Like, it's got a 1.5 rating already. This movie is not out yet, I don't think. When does this movie come out?

[B]

I look it up.

[A]

Oh, it comes out November 14th. So it's not out yet. And people are review bombing it. Here's one, right? A disgusting attempt to defame and mock the Christian faith.

[C]

What?

[A]

Instead of trying to make peace with each other in the world, we're going to make fun of other people's religions.

[B]

Oh my gosh.

[A]

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the only, as you call it, is the only religion. There is no other God. This is not truth.

[B]

There's a whole blog post going through it.

[A]

How are we. Karen's for being defensive over our. Defensive over our religion? No. Yeah. So they're mad. I was correct about that.

[B]

Okay? They're mad. They're mad. Shocker alert.

[A]

I mean, I didn't. Okay, what? I don't, I don't fully understand. Like, I understand, okay? I understand it. It's dealing with Mary and Joseph and Jesus and I'm guessing that Satan, that's kind of terrorizing.

[B]

Well, because they, they say I'm the adversary. That's. That's the Satan.

[A]

Right?

[B]

The Satan is the title. Right. So that's obviously Satan. And so by the way, I don't know, again, I don't know why Christians would be offended because there's, I mean, like Jesus was tormented by. He was tempted by the devil. Right? 40 days in the wilderness. Like there is this idea that this, there is a motif in scripture. Why would they be into that?

[A]

So the family is targeted by a mysterious stranger who tempts the young Jesus to abandon his devout father. And so I guess it says it explores the darker interpretation of Jesus's childhood based on the Infancy Gospel of Thomas.

[B]

Interesting. That's why it's not biblical enough. Jeez.

[A]

Right. It's because it's the gospel that didn't make it into the canon.

[B]

I mean, I'm just saying, like this shot here of Jesus holding back like a snake, that seems pretty biblical to me. I mean, I'm like, I don't know, whatever. I'm not gonna watch it. I. I don't do horror.

[A]

Honestly, I'm a little curious. Now. Here's the thing. No one that's review bombing this has seen this. They've not watched the movie.

[B]

Of course not.

[A]

It's not out yet. I don't know. It's whatever, like, yeah, whatever.

[B]

We'll see. I'm sure Ali Stuckey or Matt Walsh or whoever will be talking about it when it comes out, how it's blasphemy and terrible. And we'll do a longer segment on a blah, blah, blah, blah. You know, April, we know how this merry go round goes, right? We know what's coming. We're gonna have content forever based on this.

[A]

I have a feeling Beer and I are gonna end up watching it just to see. I want to, like, I just want to know why. For the record, I don't think the people that are going to be complaining about it are actually going to watch it, but I would like to be educated if I'm going to talk about it.

[B]

Agreed.

[A]

But, yeah, honestly, I'm a little underwhelmed by the trailer because just based on some of the reaction that I was hearing, I thought it was just going to be like zombie Jesus terrorizing people and not, you know, showing him to be human, which we are also taught that he's fully human. So.

[B]

The math ain't mathing. Nothing we can do about it.

[A]

So many more things to be mad about than Nicolas Cage being in a weird movie again.

[B]

Yes. Like trans women in sports. We should be more angry about that in America. That's the problem. Okay.

[A]

Yeah, I'm kidding.

[B]

If you're new to the show, that's just a joke. Sorry. Real clear here, jk. All right, well.

[A]

Yeah. Well, I've got one final weird Christian segment for you.

[B]

All right, let me roll this bad boy.

[A]

Weird Christian. Weird Christian. Beep.

[B]

That's a fun one.

[A]

This video, I got served this organically on TikTok.

[B]

Great, great.

[A]

So it is an ad. The text on the video says, be one of the first to own book one of the President's Bible.

[B]

This is real, right? I want to make sure this is not a satire.

[A]

No, it's a real product. I mean, you can order it from TikTok, but I don't think it's actually, like, it's not actually sanctioned by Trump, as far as I know. I think it's. Someone just made it, probably without honestly using AI. Probably with the voice. It's. I think it's AI Donald Trump voice.

[B]

And again, Christians are not upset about this. They're upset about the carpenter's son. Just want to point that out. Okay. Should we watch this?

[A]

Yeah, let's do it.

[C]

All right, folks, listen up because I'm going to tell you about Noah's Ark. So Noah started to build an ark using the most tremendous wood.

[B]

Are you joking? Is that Trump's voice?

[A]

Yeah, it's AI, though. So she's opening the book. It's a Noah's Ark book.

[C]

All right, listen up, because I'm going to tell you about Noah's Ark like you've never of heard, heard it before. It's going to be huge. So there was this guy, Noah, right? Amazing guy, very successful in his field, very loyal, had a great.

[A]

I just got my son a new book and it's a fun, interactive way to do his next Bible study. He'll be learning about Noah's Ark, narrated by the President.

[B]

No freaking way.

[C]

Listen up, because I'm going to tell you about Noah's Ark. Rain had stopped. Noah sent out a dove. The most famous discoverer of land, the very best and most famous ever. He brought back an olive leaf, which meant land was near.

[B]

I, I am appalled. They're going to have a rapist read Bible stories to children in the name of family values.

[A]

Oh, I'm laughing because it's so terrible.

[B]

They can't be for real. These people. Like, the man is a convicted felon.

[A]

They think he's a Christian hero, despite the fact that. Did you see the video of Donald Trump on the airplane talking to reporters and he said that he doesn't think he's getting into heaven because he thinks it's too late for him.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Like they'll hear him say that. Like they believe that man is a Christian despite everything that Trump actually says. Like, those are the one things that they don't believe Trump on.

[B]

I, I, I just, I hate it here so much. Like, I, I just, I cannot believe that we live in an America where white evangelicals get upset about the most minute things that don't affect them at all.

[A]

And like Cracker Barrels.

[B]

Yeah, Cracker Barrel's logo. Or a gay character in a Disney movie or a trans woman in sports. Like, there are so many things are just there's, or, you know, someone, the wrong kind of person promoting Bud Light. Like, they get, they get so angry over the stupidest, most inconsequential shit. And then they have the caucasity to create a Bible with Trump's voice giving it to children. And somehow they see no problem with that. They see no moral conflict with that. They don't see it as blasphemous or idolatrous or immoral. That's fine. But my God, April, boycott Disney because there's a gay character on one show Somewhere.

[A]

Yeah, well, to be fair, he was just reading Noah's ark story in that one, so it wasn't the whole Bible.

[B]

Okay. Oh, thanks, April. Okay. You know, I changed my mind. It's fine.

[A]

Can you just imagine, though, if Barack. If someone sold a book of Barack Obama reading scriptures to give to kids or Joe Biden? No, they would be like, this is idolatry.

[B]

Or imagine like Dylan Mulvaney or something.

[A]

Oh, yeah, yeah.

[B]

That's her name, right? I said it correctly.

[A]

Dylan.

[B]

I'm so bad with names. I'm so bad with names, so I always get scared. But, like, imagine, you know, her reading it or. Or someone else who's, you know, who's one of these. One of these in their mind, you know, crazy people. Oh, it'd be all over the Matt Walsh would do segments on it. This is blasphemy. They are demonic. But hey, if our convicted felon of a president who also rapes women and brags about grabbing them by the. You know what? If they do it, it's great. If he sells his own Bible. It's fantastic. He's a good Christian, man.

[A]

I know.

[B]

I hate it here.

[A]

It really is the stupidest timeline. I feel like we say that weekly.

[B]

The stupidest timeline.

[A]

I just like to think there's a universe out there somewhere where Kamala Harris won. And I just want to imagine that world I. These Christians, which wouldn't solve all our problems, but.

[B]

No, for sure. But it'd be a lot better than. I don't think that we have. I don't think that we have a federal government sending in a politicized military force into Portland or to Chicago to arrest peaceful, nonviolent immigrants who are just trying to live life. I don't think that'd be happening under Harris. And by the way, just before we get. You know, you guys are sick of fans for Democratic parties. We always get this. No, we're not. We've called out them many, many times, especially for the ongoing genocide of the Palestinians. So don't make a mistake here. We're not a Democratic shill outfit here. Okay? But my God, it would be infinitely better under Harris than what we have now on. So, I mean, the Department of Education would still be around. The big beautiful bill would never have happened. Like, there are just so many things that we could point to. Gosh. Anyway, I know today's supposed to be fun. April. No, it was supposed to be bad news. No, sad news.

[A]

I should have. I should have picked a not Trump related, weird Christian video, but the show's ruined now.

[B]

That's it. It's unsalvageable.

[A]

We gotta traumatizing children with the Raptor.

[B]

Yeah, that's way more fun. Okay. I think this is a fun. A Fun Shorter episode. 40 minutes. That's like. This is like a trailer for us. Yeah, I know.

[A]

Yeah. Well, it happened.

[B]

It happened great. Yeah. Fun Tuesday, friends. Thank you so much for being here. Make sure to like this video. Subscribe to the channel. It really helps us out. If you're listening on podcasts, please make sure to give this episode a rating and a review. We really rely on your support. It helps get the show out to a new audience. We love doing this work. We're so grateful that you're here. Hopefully you enjoyed a more light episode, covering things that, you know, hopefully a little more humorous overall, even though sometimes it's still pretty dark. So that's all I got.

[A]

All right. Yeah. Like us. Subscribe to us and leave us a review. All the things.

[B]

Sweet. I'm Tim Whitaker.

[A]

And I'm April Ajoy. Until the next crafter.

[B]

Bye.

[C]

Sam.