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.

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)

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.

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)

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.

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.”

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

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.

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.