Spiritual Warfare and Christian Nationalism: A Conversation with Karrie Gaspard Hogewood

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: [email protected] happens when the language of faith is weaponized for politics? In this episode of Faithful Politics, Will Wright and Pastor Josh Burtram speak with Karrie Gaspard Hogewood, a licensed social worker and PhD candidate at Tulane University, whose research explores the growing influence of Christian nationalism and spiritual warfare rhetoric in American politics.Karrie explains how spiritual warfare, once a personal practice of prayer and discipleship, has evolved into a collective political strategy rooted in the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) and neo-charismatic movements. She walks us through the shift from evangelism to domination, the rise of the Seven Mountain Mandate, and how imagery of good versus evil fuels political engagement—from “Jericho marches” to Stop the Steal rallies. We also discuss the connection between these movements and broader themes of dominion theology, Christian Reconstructionism, and charismatic expressions of faith.Listeners will learn how this rhetoric not only mobilizes believers to vote, protest, and organize, but also raises concerns about political violence and democratic stability. Drawing from her dissertation research, Karrie offers insight into how narratives about “principalities and powers,” demon mapping, and America’s supposed covenant with God shape today’s most polarizing debates.Guest BioKarrie Gaspard Hogewood is a licensed social worker and PhD candidate in sociology at Tulane University. Her research explores the ways religion, politics, and social movements intertwine, with a particular focus on spiritual warfare rhetoric and its role in shaping political engagement. Raised in Louisiana’s Southern Baptist tradition, Karrie brings both personal experience and scholarly expertise to her work. Her dissertation examines how Christian nationalist groups construct “the enemy” and use spiritual warfare language to mobilize political action, from school board campaigns to national rallies. She has been featured in academic and public conversations about Christian nationalism, the rise of the New Apostolic Reformation, and the growing influence of dominionist theology on American politics. Support Sarah Stankorb’s work and preorder Damned If She Does: Why Women Quit Church and What It Means for the Future of Religion, Releases September 15, 2026.  Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9798889837091Website: https://www.sarahstankorb.com/Support the showKeep the conversation going.Want to learn more about Faithful Politics, suggest a future guest, or connect with us directly?Visit our website:faithfulpoliticspodcast.comBrowse our bookstore, featuring books from many of our guests:faithfulpoliticspodcast.com/bookstoreSupport the show and help us keep these conversations going:patreon.com/cw/FaithfulPoliticsSubscribe for behind-the-scenes content, reflections, and updates:faithfulpolitics.substack.comContact the hosts:Josh Burtram, Faithful Host: [email protected] Wright, Political Host: [email protected] Faithful Politics:Instagram: faithful_politicsFacebook: FaithfulPoliticsPodcast