The Violent Take It by Force

“Fascinating” –The New York Times

“With its meticulous research, lively writing, and exceptionally nuanced analysis, The Violent Take It by Force pulls back the curtain on the radical religious movement once occupying the fringes of American Christianity but now situated within reach of the centers of American power. This book should be required reading for anyone seeking to understand Christian nationalism and the threat it poses to American democracy.” –Kristin Kobes Du Mez, New York Times bestselling author of Jesus and John Wayne

“A meticulously researched, cogently explained translation of the often-unintelligible language of the far-right Christian nationalist movement, including the shadowy networks of apostles and prophets that use strategic spiritual warfare, ancient symbols, and unique theologies to support an agenda of authoritarianism and global Christian supremacy. Whether you are a policy maker, a student of religion, or a citizen who simply values separation of church and state, you will find The Violent Take It by Force illuminating, authoritative, and compelling.” –Congressman Jared Huffman (D-CA), co-chair, Congressional Freethought Caucus

“Lifts the veil from Independent Charismatics and explains that the self-proclaimed ‘apostles’ and ‘prophets’ aligned with Trump represent a theological challenge to the moralistic issue-oriented denominational titans of the early Christian right.” –Washington Monthly

“Fascinating and revelatory … Taylor’s sensitively reported exploration is a vital contribution to our understanding of the crisis facing democracy.” –Katherine Stewart, author of The Power Worshippers

“A harrowing tour of the once-fringe charismatic forces that have coopted and upended the contemporary Christian Right political movement, infusing it with an anti-democratic theology of spiritual warfare that is increasingly spilling over into political violence.” –Robert P. Jones, New York Times bestselling author of The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy: And the Path to a Shared American Future

“An essential guide to the radical charismatic Christian movement that catapulted from the fringes of evangelicalism to the center of Republican politics in the Trump era.” –Sarah Posner, author of Unholy

“Every once in a while a book comes along that changes not only its field, but how many of us understand the past and future of the United States. This is one of those books.” –Bradley Onishi, author of Preparing for War and host of the Straight White American Jesus podcast

“If you think you’ve already read everything you need to understand American Christian nationalism, think again. The movement is more diverse than many realize. And nobody knows its charismatic and violent elements better than Matthew D. Taylor.” –Samuel L. Perry, author of Taking America Back for God and The Flag and the Cross

“This astounding book is the inside story of the theology that both undergirded and inspired the January 6 insurrection and has continued to grow into the greatest religious threat to democracy this election year. Matthew Taylor’s brilliant work here is a great place to start in our understanding of how bad religion must be replaced by true faith.” –Jim Wallis, director of the Center on Faith and Justice at Georgetown University and author of The False White Gospel

“An essential book for understanding the role of religion in twenty-first-century American politics. A thorough study and a thoroughly unnerving warning, The Violent Take It by Force should be required reading for anyone concerned about the future of our democracy.” –Peter Manseau, author of One Nation, Under Gods

Matthew D. Taylor is the author of The Violent Take It by Force, Defying Tyrants, and Scripture People. His work has appeared or been featured in the New York Times, Weekend Edition, On the Media, Rolling Stone, The Bulwark, Politico, Sojourners, and Religion News Service.

A religious studies scholar specializing in American Islam, Christian nationalism, and Christian extremism, he is also the creator of the Charismatic Revival Fury podcast series. Taylor holds a PhD from Georgetown University and an MA from Fuller Theological Seminary. He is currently a visiting scholar at the Center on Faith and Justice at Georgetown University.