PART 2: The Great Awakening or The Great Deception

Understanding the MAGA Religious Coalition

If you haven't read Part 1 of this article series, I recommend doing so before proceeding with this article. If you've already read past articles in this series, proceed to the section titled "Dark Enlightenment". I'll provide a brief review from Part 1, but it won't cover all the details needed to fully grasp my perspective. I put links highlighted in yellow throughout this article to provide you with the resources backing up my perspective.

 I am composing this series of articles and the aim is to assist individuals in understanding the current political and spiritual climate in America. What I'm telling you isn't a conspiracy theory. Each of these movements is real and has direct access to the heart of the Trump administration.

The target audience I am trying to educate is those within the Evangelical community. A primary focus of my ministry is to aid believers in "contending for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 1:3), which is also the central goal of this article. I have spent my life voting as a political conservative so the focus of this article will be primarily about what I see happening within the Republican party.

The series of articles I am writing are merely an exploration of the MAGA coalition and my observations. My aim isn't to be political, but to aid people in understanding the spiritual implications of the different ideologies. In my concluding article, I will share some personal and spiritual insights to aid you. Our nation is venturing into uncharted territory, with only God knowing the future path. Although history offers some guidance, I urge you to proceed carefully during these times, as the confusion of war can be disorienting. We are undoubtedly witnessing historic and significant transformations.

Is this an article about politics or spirituality? It's actually about both, as in modern America, the two are inseparable. Historically, America has always intertwined its political and spiritual spheres, but in Trump's era, we've entered a new phase. We're observing an unprecedented merging of the political and spiritual realms and America is undergoing a transformation. As an Evangelical Christian who holds to the core doctrines of the faith, I pose the question: Is America heading into a Great Awakening or a Great Deception?

Every perspective I will discuss has used apocalyptic language to describe our current political and spiritual environment. The MAGA coalition consists of four interconnected viewpoints that have united in the belief that the existing American system must be dismantled and rebuilt. However, the coalition does not agree on what will ultimately emerge from what they all refer to as a 'Great Awakening'.

The Differing Views of The Great Awakening

What I am hoping to show you is that there are four main views of what many are calling The Great Awakening. It's actually four spiritually infused political movements that have found home in the MAGA Movement centered around Donald J. Trump. Each has a different idea of what this coming Awakening means and there are a lot of differing characters that have hitched their wagon to the Trump Train.

The former political alliances of the Reagan Republican party have been supplanted. The conventional Republican party is fading as it has been consumed by the MAGA movement. This movement is not merely a political ideology but is interwoven with spirituality. It represents a blend of diverse spiritual concepts that have coalesced into a political ideology, with Trump serving as the central force.

I want you to think of this as more of a Game of Thrones alliance for the sake of power than the traditional power sharing of political coalitions. I'm going to identity four main groups, but you will find some individuals move in varying circles. For instance, Peter Theil is the leader of the Silicon Valley Tech Bro's and a gay Christian. Lance Wallnau is a Charismatic Gnostic, but mingles with Tech Bros and is a moderate Christian Nationalist. He also appears on Steve Bannon's War Room Podcast. You will find those who get into power positions are chameleons because the core center they operate by is a thirst for power.

1. Dark Enlightenment ~ Silicon Valley High Tech Religion

2. Opus Dei ~ Traditional Catholicism

3. The New Apostolic Reformation ~ Charismatic Gnosticism

4. Christian Reconstructionist ~ Christian Nationalist

Political Coalitions

Political coalitions are like the layers of a phone. What you are going to find is that these four groups differ and sometimes differ greatly. However, if you step back and look at the big picture what you will find is each one layers on top of the other. It's because they all have the same political ideology which is ultimately top down authoritarianism.

This series of articles aims to offer you insight. The 2024 election has shifted the nation considerably to the right. My goal is to define the MAGA coalition and, as a believer in Christ, to exercise discernment. Political and spiritual movements are frequently constructed on myths and propelled by emotion. These movements are often driven by common beliefs, a quest for social change, and the pursuit of perceived justice. It is the desire for a better future, typically drawing inspiration from religious or philosophical principles.  

America is being transformed from within, and I urge you to analyze and think critically. It's progressing rapidly for a purpose. It's chaotic by design. Its goal is to destabilize and overwhelm you. Historically, revolutionary political and spiritual movements are disruptive, aiming to detach you from the past, disorient you, and establish a new reality. It discourages questioning, and dissenters are silenced. Opposition is not tolerated, and those who resist are labeled as enemies.

Let's take a look at the first leg of this four pronged MAGA coalition. I will organize these different groups based on my view of their power hierarchy.

The Dark Enlightenment ~ Silicon Valley High Tech Religion

The Dark Enlightenment is probably a term you have never heard of before because I had never heard of it until recently. I knew the term Tech Bros and was acquainted with some of the tech entrepreneurs, but I didn't understand their operating philosophy. Watching the leading figures in the tech industry; standing in solidarity and supporting Trump on election day made me realize it was time to educate myself.

The Tech Bros, feature individuals like Peter Thiel, Elon Musk, David O. Sacks, Marc Andreesen, and their philosophical guide Curtis Yarvin. We are aware of the vast wealth and influence these figures hold, but what are their political and religious beliefs? I aim to begin by examining Silicon Valley High Tech Religion which is the most influential group in the MAGA coalition due to their financial power, control of information, and access to every aspect of our lives through technology.

The primary individuals in this group who advocate an ideological and spiritual perspective are Peter Thiel, Marc Andreesen and Curtis Yarvin. I will also add Steve Bannon to this group although Steve Bannon holds to the more populist views of Traditional Catholicism . Both Steve Bannon and Peter Thiel have been influenced by Opus Dei, a branch of Traditional Catholicism.

Peter Thiel is a fascinating study. He can at times present himself as an Orthodox Christian for instance in this interview with Eric Mextaxas. The best article I've ever read is this one on Peter Thiel and I would encourage you to read it. The new AI Tech religion of Peter Thiel infuses what looks like traditional Evangelical ideas with high tech ideas in his ACTS 17 Collective which he helped start and funds in the city of San Francisco.

If you have ever wondered why Donald Trump is obsessed with Greenland you should read this eye opening article about Peter Theil and Greenland. If you are perplexed about Donald J. Trump's fixation on the Panama Canal and Canada then you can follow the bread crumbs back to Elon Musk and the Fascist Technocracy Movement of his Canadian grandfather. Certainly, one could argue that the Panama Canal and possibly Greenland are national security concerns, but isn't the idea of invading them somewhat excessive? The drive to annex Canada only makes sense when considering the influence of the Tech Bros, as it lacks logical reasoning otherwise.

If you examine the gospel according to Peter Theil it is full of contradictions. It's a belief in the actual resurrection of Christ from the dead while speaking of the immortality we will obtain through technological transhumanism. It's a vision of technological advancement where humans integrate with technology to achieve a god-like state and can become immortal. It's a belief that views Jesus as an ethical model and even a miracle worker. However, Peter Thiel is married to a man and has male lovers. It's similar to the New Age Jesus as described in the book A Course on Miracles.

The gospel according to Peter Thiel is distinct from the one that traditional Evangelicals recognize in the scriptures. I urge you to stay vigilant, as we have not yet seen the full capabilities of AI technology in creating alternate realities. Distinguishing truth from falsehood will necessitate the guidance of the Holy Spirit and a solid grasp of sound doctrine.

To grasp the apocalyptic ideology of Theil's techno religion, one must understand the Strauss-Howe generational theory as outlined in the New York Times Best Seller, The Fourth Turning. It's important to understand this basic concept and how it applies to an apocalyptic vision of America.

The Four Turnings:

1. The High: A period of growth, prosperity, and social cohesion, marked by a strong sense of community and shared values.

2. The Awakening: A time of spiritual and social awakening, characterized by a growing sense of individualism and rebellion against established norms.

3. The Unraveling: An era of decay and fragmentation, marked by institutional decay, social polarization, and a growing sense of disillusionment.

4. The Crisis: A period of intense turmoil and transformation, where old institutions are torn down, and new ones are built.

   

   The Fourth Turning of the American Republic

A shared characteristic among all the ideologies we will explore is an apocalyptic vision. The Fourth Turning theory essentially asserts that we are in a crisis phase as the post-WWII world order is collapsing, with the American system at the center of this apocalyptic period. This is not related to the Evangelical belief in Christ's literal return to Earth. Rather, it involves dismantling the existing order to allow a new one to arise from the chaos and upheaval. For society to achieve this new order, it must undergo crisis, chaos, and become conscious of the new order through a Great Awakening.

In examining Peter Thiel's op-ed in the Financial Times dated January 25, 2025, his use of apocalyptic language is evident. Thiel portrays Trump's return as a narrative of apocalypse and judgment. This reveals a new form of a techno-religious movement, an emerging cult where some of Silicon Valley's richest individuals have cast themselves as contemporary prophets.

Gil Duran a San Francisco reporter who has been following first hand the rise of the Dark Enlightenment of the new Silicon Valley religions says: "This emerging tech cult admires religion for its rigid hierarchies. But unlike traditional conservative power structures where God sits atop the pyramid, these tech prophets place technology at the summit, with themselves as its high priests. Instead of divine authority flowing from God through patriarchal figures, authority flows from technology through its billionaire interpreters, who see themselves as humanity's saviors."

The Dark Enlightenment suggests that there is a natural and unchangeable hierarchy in the world. Basically it's a dog eat dog world and some individuals are inherently meant to lead, while others are destined to follow. Disrupting this carefully balanced order results in the decline of civilization and if you think it's a feudalistic idea of civilization then you would be correct. It's actually called Technofeudalism and it's no longer simply the musings of science fiction writers, but people with tremendous influence in American government. I'm not saying this is where America is necessarily headed, but it is an influencing idea.

The argument concludes that democracy is ultimately harmful to humanity as it disturbs the natural order. The Dark Enlightenment proposes replacing democracy with techno-feudal societies, featuring a CEO king, a tech-savvy managerial middle class, and the general populace. It suggests that multiple techno-feudal societies necessitate the dissolution of the nation-state. It's philosophically anti-American and lawless in the traditional view of American constitutional law. It's extreme views have more in common with techno Sovern Citizens. It's a crazy form of techno Libertarianism. Yes these are the ideas of some of the most powerful men having influence upon American institutions.

American institutions are founded on Enlightenment principles. The framers in Philadelphia were familiar with Aristotle's political concepts and incorporated many of them into the document they crafted, known as the American Constitution. Contrary to what is often taught in Christian circles, it was the ideas of the Greeks and Romans that most significantly influenced the founders' thinking.

           The formulation of our Bill of Rights and the American Constitution were not inspired by the Torah. Instead, it was influenced by the Enlightenment period, which was marked by a revival of Greek and Roman concepts on governing societies. These concepts include the rule of law, equality, moderation, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, property rights, and a government that serves the common interest of all citizens.

The aim of the Dark Enlightenment is to break down democratic institutions globally — eliminating meaningful elections, oppositional political parties, and media freedom, while the state is governed like a corporation. Citizens lack influence. A small group governs the country according to their preferences. Ultimately the philosophy is that the Tech Oligarchs rule the world because in their view they are the gods chosen for this time.

Key Concepts of The Dark Enlightenment:

1. Critique of Democracy: Proponents argue that democracy leads to societal decay and mediocrity. They often advocate for forms of governance that prioritize elite rule or technocratic governance over popular sovereignty.

2. Anti-egalitarianism: The movement is characterized by a rejection of egalitarian ideals, arguing that inherent differences among individuals and groups justify hierarchical social structures.

3. Technological Acceleration: Many within the Dark Enlightenment embrace technological advancements and advocate for a future shaped by technology, often viewing it as a means to transcend current societal limitations.

4. Cultural and Social Critique: The movement often critiques contemporary cultural norms, including feminism, multiculturalism, and progressive social policies, which are seen as detrimental to societal cohesion and progress.

The spiritualism of the Dark Enlightenment is Transhumanism. Transhumanists believe that progress in science and technology will soon allow us to greatly surpass human biological, cognitive, and emotional limitations, resulting in the emergence of a posthuman species and possibly achieving immortality.

Ray Kurzweil notes:

“There won’t be mortality by the end of the twenty-first century…Up until now, our mortality was tied to the longevity of our hardware. When the hardware crashed, that was it. For many of our forebears, the hardware gradually deteriorated before it disintegrated…As we cross the divide to instantiate ourselves into our computational technology, our identity will be based on our evolving mind file. We will be software, not hardware.”

The transhumanists, see a coming Great Awakening. It's an event they call "the singularity” a term used to describe this proposed historic inevitability. It is seen as a great evolutionary leap into a new humanity and will make it possible for humans to escape from their mortal bodies. Kurzweil notes:

“The road we’re going down is a road paved with gold. It’s full of benefits that we’re never going to resist—continued growth in economic prosperity, better health, more intense communication, more effective education, more engaging entertainment, better sex.” Even spiritual experiences, Kurzweil proclaims, will be capable of enhancement in this “posthuman” age. As scientists discover “the neurological correlates of the variety of spiritual experiences.”

As someone who values the word of God deeply, I find numerous issues with this perspective. I will thoroughly present my stance as an alternative viewpoint at the conclusion of this series of articles. My aim here is to help you comprehend this perspective, as it is influencing decision-making within the Trump administration. Elon Musk supports Transhumanism, and his Neuralink technology seeks to integrate humans with machines. If it is successful it establishes a dual system: individuals who have transitioned to a human-machine integration and those who remain entirely human. This is no longer the realm of science fiction. As William Gibson noted, "the future is already here—it's just not evenly distributed."

I recognize that some may call me an alarmist and argue that Elon Musk is merely trying to Make America Great Again. I don't disagree that the Federal Government is out of control and who doesn't think getting waste, fraud and abuse under control is good. I'm a fiscal conservative. However I would ask you how does Musk portray himself?

Musk portrays himself as "Dark MAGA," since his goals align with the Dark Enlightenment. This philosophy's vision for the future isn't about reverting to America's founding principles rooted in Enlightenment ideas, but instead seeks to dismantle those notions and spark a Great Awakening towards a New America influenced by transhumanism. It's a dangerous path because as tech guru Bryan Johnson recently said on the Bari Weiss podcast that: "God didn't create us, we are creating God in our own image by building Supper Intelligent AI."

I could continue to argue that this segment of the MAGA coalition is detrimental to America because it ultimately undermines the Enlightenment principles that the American Experiment was founded on. To those who claim this can't occur in America because we have governmental checks and balances that can't be dismantled without public consent, the reality is that elections have consequences, and the American people voted for change. I would encourage you to watch this interview of a Silicon Valley reporter who has been following these philosophies and watching their development.

A post-election interview with Curtis Yarvin.