We discussed Rick Perry's involvement in the New Apostolic Reformation movement here. This is a follow-up, a discussion with Forrest Wilder from Texas Monthly and The Texas Observer, who has done good research in this area.
In the discussion, Maddow makes the key point:
I see the New Apostolic Reformation movement as a political movement, as a group that has political goals.The rest of the conversation turns around that idea. Watch:
It's interesting that everyone who discusses this brand of evangelical-ness uses words like "fringe," as if in the coat of many colors that is modern Christianity, this is the color represented by a single thread — found in the lint near the bottom of an inner pocket.
It certainly is self-aggrandizing, in that "I am Napoleon" way. Imagine creating a religion in which you are personally chosen to be the next instance of Peter, Paul, Luke & John. This is the literal meaning of "in your dreams."
Maddow is right that they have political goals, and therefore need watching, at least as long as someone as viable as Perry is fronting for them.
By the way, for a great introduction to all of these Christian Dominionist types, listen to Michelle Goldberg on Sam Seder's new Majority Report podcast. She literally wrote the book on the subject.
Nice country we live in, bless its heart.
[Updated to fix my butter-fingered typing.]
GP
