The Tim & April Show

In this episode Tim Whitaker, and April Ajoy discuss the state of the union, and the influence of Christian nationalism. They analyze the implications of legislation affecting trans rights, the Epstein files, and the state of American democracy, offering critical insights and resources for listeners seeking a better understanding of current issues. Chapters 05:38 Kansas Trans Law and Its Impact 10:16 Black History Month Resources and Reflection 20:16 Analysis of Trump's State of the Union Address 37:56 Epstein Files: What Was Hidden? 50:48 Support for Trump and Midterm Outlook 52:35 Closing Remarks and Resources ____________________________________________________ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you'd like to support our work, you can DONATE here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Us On Instagram @thenewevangelicals  Subscribe On YouTube @thenewevangelicals The New Evangelicals exists to support those who are tired of how evangelical church has been done before and want to see an authentic faith lived out with Jesus at the center. This show is produced by Josh Gilbert Media | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Joshgilbertmedia.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We are committed to building a caring community that emulates the ways of Jesus by reclaiming the evangelical tradition and embracing values that build a better way forward. If you’ve been marginalized by your faith, you are welcome here. We’ve built an empathetic and inclusive space that encourages authentic conversations, connections and faith. Whether you consider yourself a Christian, an exvangelical, someone who's questioning your faith, or someone who's left the faith entirely, you are welcome here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Tim Whitaker, and April Ajoy discuss the alarming realities of ICE detention, Christian nationalism, and the influence of radical figures like Doug Wilson. They explore the implications of these issues on justice, democracy, and faith. Chapters 01:48 The inhumane treatment of immigrant families by ICE 08:00 The rise of Christian nationalism and its leaders 14:48 Doug Wilson's influence and extremist views 22:09 Historical roots of racial and religious bias 29:48 The impact of systemic injustice today 39:59 The role of evangelicalism in political extremism 49:55 Call to action and how to respond 59:48 Closing remarks and resources ____________________________________________________ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you'd like to support our work, you can DONATE here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Us On Instagram @thenewevangelicals  Subscribe On YouTube @thenewevangelicals The New Evangelicals exists to support those who are tired of how evangelical church has been done before and want to see an authentic faith lived out with Jesus at the center. This show is produced by Josh Gilbert Media | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Joshgilbertmedia.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We are committed to building a caring community that emulates the ways of Jesus by reclaiming the evangelical tradition and embracing values that build a better way forward. If you’ve been marginalized by your faith, you are welcome here. We’ve built an empathetic and inclusive space that encourages authentic conversations, connections and faith. Whether you consider yourself a Christian, an exvangelical, someone who's questioning your faith, or someone who's left the faith entirely, you are welcome here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Tim Whitaker, and April Ajoy discuss the selective interpretation of scripture by right-wing influencers, particularly in relation to issues like abortion and homosexuality. The conversation highlights the contradictions within biblical teachings and the hypocrisy of Christian nationalism, ultimately questioning the nature of true Christianity and the exhausting mental gymnastics required to uphold these beliefs. Chapters 01:17 Critique of MAGA Influencers 05:52 Response to Progressive Christians 11:24 The Bible and Abortion Debate 25:38 Contradictions in Biblical Teachings 39:03 The Nature of True Christianity 48:41 Conclusion and Reflection on MAGA Christianity ____________________________________________________ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you'd like to support our work, you can DONATE here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Us On Instagram @thenewevangelicals  Subscribe On YouTube @thenewevangelicals The New Evangelicals exists to support those who are tired of how evangelical church has been done before and want to see an authentic faith lived out with Jesus at the center. This show is produced by Josh Gilbert Media | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Joshgilbertmedia.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We are committed to building a caring community that emulates the ways of Jesus by reclaiming the evangelical tradition and embracing values that build a better way forward. If you’ve been marginalized by your faith, you are welcome here. We’ve built an empathetic and inclusive space that encourages authentic conversations, connections and faith. Whether you consider yourself a Christian, an exvangelical, someone who's questioning your faith, or someone who's left the faith entirely, you are welcome here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A fiery rundown of Pam Bondi's testimony and the Epstein files, including dramatic exchanges with lawmakers. A look at contradictions, redactions, and DOJ hiring choices tied to January 6. A wider conversation about evangelical political influence and activists pushing back. Brief detours into Super Bowl halftime reactions and a comedic sketch for levity.

They unpack coordinated efforts to roll back marriage equality and the political strategy behind it. They examine how patriarchy and white Christian nationalist ideals shape attacks on LGBTQ+ families. They discuss Project 2025 and policy moves aimed at enforcing traditional family models. They share personal stories about coming out and how proximity to queer people shifts attitudes.

They unpack the newly released Epstein files and the many high-profile names mentioned. They contrast loud outrage over a Bad Bunny Super Bowl performance with near-silence about alleged abuses and institutional cover-ups. They examine political and evangelical reactions, links to Elon Musk and James Dobson, and how culture shields powerful figures from accountability.

Promise Backlund, a former Bethel worship leader and ex-evangelical creator, shares her perspective on charismatic Christianity and Bethel culture. She discusses the rise and methods of prophetic figures, allegations and patterns of abuse, institutional responses and cover-ups, and the role of celebrity and political power in enabling harm.

They dissect reactions to the killing of Alex Preti by ICE and the defensive narratives pushed by MAGA influencers. They examine toxic empathy, hypocrisy in law-and-order and gun-rights rhetoric, and coordinated influencer messaging. They also discuss faith leaders organizing protests, family separation cases, and bizarre misogynistic Christian teachings highlighted in a recurring segment.

A sharp critique of Christian nationalist rhetoric and the framing of immigration as a criminal threat. A rundown of misused statistics and false analogies about borders. Conversations about empathy, racial profiling, and documented abuses by immigration enforcement. A call to rethink selective appeals to order and the political motives behind harsh enforcement.

Tim and April dive into the recent protests against ICE actions in Minneapolis, shedding light on the dehumanization of immigrants. They discuss the Christian nationalism narrative tied to these events and explore the complexities of faith and politics. Historical context highlights the divide between white and Black churches, while they tackle the emotional fallout from ICE's presence in worship spaces. Personal stories of families harmed by these tactics evoke a passionate debate about activism and morality, encouraging deeper community engagement.