Cults to Consciousness Cherry-Picking God: How the Bible Gets Weaponized (ft. Monte Mader)
Feb 4, 2026
Monte Mader, a biblical scholar who dismantles fundamentalist readings of scripture, guides listeners through historical context and mistranslation. Short takes explore how passages have been used to control women and LGBTQ people, the politics behind Bible translations, evolving ideas of hell, and why the ethical core of Jesus matters beyond doctrine.
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Raised In Far‑Right Christian Nationalism
- Monte Mader recounts upbringing in far-right Christian nationalism with armed stockpiling and rigorous apologetics training.
- She studied at Liberty University and privately tutored in theology for over a decade.
KJV Prestige Is Cultural, Not Purely Textual
- The King James Version's prestige comes from age and colonial reach, not perfect accuracy.
- Political and ecclesiastical pressures shaped its content, including additions like the Johannine comma.
Trinitarianism Was Politically Shaped
- Trinitarian orthodoxy was consolidated post-Nicaea to unify empire and church control.
- Early Christianity included diverse Christologies before imperial enforcement.
