Speaker Mike Johnson
Speaker Mike Johnson
Speaker Mike Johnson, whose full name is James Michael Johnson, is the 56th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. He is a Republican member of Congress, representing Louisiana's 4th congressional district since 2017. He recently assumed the speakership on October 25, 2023, following the controversial ousting of Kevin McCarthy.
Here's a breakdown of his profile:
Political Background:
Party Affiliation: Republican
Current Position: Speaker of the House (since October 25, 2023)
District Represented: Louisiana's 4th congressional district
Years in Congress: 4th term (since 2017)
Previously Served: Louisiana State Legislature (2015-2017)
Personal Background:
Age: 52 (born January 30, 1972)
Profession: Lawyer
Education: LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center (1998), Louisiana State University (1995)
Family: Married, with children
Political Views and Stances:
Considered a social conservative and an adherent of Christian right beliefs.
Contested the results of the 2020 presidential election.
Supports legislation that aligns with conservative ideals, including restriction on abortion and increased military spending.
Previously served as Chairman of the Republican Study Committee, the largest conservative caucus in Congress.
Current Relevance:
His rise to speakership is significant due to his relatively short tenure in Congress compared to previous speakers.
His political views and actions are subject to public scrutiny and debate.
Christian Nationalist Johnson
Johnson has been associated with Christian Nationalism, a movement that believes the U.S. is a solely Christian nation and that its laws and government should be focused on the religion’s values. In his first day as the new Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Mike Johnson used sweeping religious rhetoric to magnify this political moment.
While addressing his colleagues he shared how, “I don’t believe there are any coincidences. I believe that scripture, the Bible, is very clear that God is the one that raises up those in authority, he raised up each of you, all of us. And I believe that God has ordained and allowed us to be brought here to this specific moment and time.” This statement reflects a belief that his political role is divinely ordained, a common sentiment among Christian Nationalists.
Johnson has explicitly embraced the idea that the U.S. was founded upon particular Christian principles. In 2016, he claimed, “You know, we don’t live in a democracy . . . It’s a constitutional republic. And the founders set that up because they followed the biblical admonition on what a civil society is supposed to look like.” He has also questioned the principle of separation of church and state, stating that “Over the last 60 or 70 years our generation has been convinced that there is a separation of church and state . . . most people think that is part of the Constitution, but it’s not.” These views align with the ethos of Christian nationalism, which advocates for a particular expression of Christianity to be fused with American civic life.
Johnson’s political career has been marked by his Christian conservative views. He has been described as a "dyed-in-the-wool Christian conservative" and holds stringent positions on issues such as abortion and homosexuality. He contested the results of the 2020 presidential election on the House floor and in court, and supported bills that would institute a nationwide ban on abortion.
Before entering politics, Johnson worked as an attorney for Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), a Christian advocacy group. The ADF has been termed a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, which states it has called for the re-criminalization of sexual acts between consenting LGBTQ adults in the U.S. Johnson has expressed anti-LGBTQ views during his time working for ADF, including describing homosexuality as “inherently unnatural” and a “dangerous lifestyle” in a 2004 editorial for The Shreveport Times.
While Johnson has emphasized what he sees as the Christian truths embodied in the nation’s founding documents, he does not describe himself as a “Christian nationalist.” However, his public statements and actions reflect a strong alignment with the principles of Christian Nationalism. It’s important to note that these labels and associations are based on public statements and actions, and may not fully encompass an individual’s beliefs or affiliations. For the most accurate information, it’s recommended to refer to official statements or documents.
Johnson & The New Apostolic Reformation (NAR)
Johnson has deep ties to the NAR, a network of politically ambitious church leaders, pulled largely from a kind of Christianity called Neo-Charismatic Pentecostalism. Leaders within the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), often referred to as "apostles," have been attributed with fueling the significant and impactful Christian nationalist presence during the January 6 insurrection. The multitude of movements and factions—such as Neo-Charismatic Pentecostalism, the NAR, Christian nationalism, among others—can become overwhelming to differentiate. Consequently, there's a temptation to dismiss it all as simply right-wing Christians becoming impassioned supporters of Donald Trump.
However, a new book, focused on the political strategies of Neo-Charismatic Pentecostals, makes the case that to really understand the anti-democratic impulse of some of the Christian right, it’s worth examining the segment that believes in a literal battle for the country between the supernatural forces of good and evil—the segment Johnson already has ties to.
Johnson, a Southern Baptist himself, has spent years working with the leaders of NAR and praises Jim Garlow and Mario Bramnic, two of the movement’s most influential apostles in promoting the profoundly anti-democratic “Seven Mountain Mandate” aimed at transforming the nation into a Christian theocracy.
In many ways, Johnson seems like a classic leader of the Christian right. His legal career focused on elevating protections for “religious liberty” over the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. On a more personal level, he hits the traditional cultural markers, taking to extremes, for example, his commitments to marriage and avoidance of porn. Researchers studying the Christian right have described him as a quintessential example of a Christian nationalist.
However, there is another aspect of Johnson's extremism that has not received as much attention, and it relates to the flag displayed outside his office. The flag, which Rolling Stone has verified as hanging outside his district office in the Cannon House Office Building, features a white background with a straightforward evergreen tree in the center and the inscription "An Appeal to Heaven" at the top. Historically, this flag originated as a banner from the Revolutionary War, commissioned by George Washington as a naval flag for the colony, later turned state, of Massachusetts.
However, in recent times, this flag has become associated with the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), a network seeking to place the government under right-wing Christian control. The NAR is a part of the larger Christian Nationalist movement, which believes that the U.S. was founded to be a Christian nation and that the government and society should reflect Christian values.
By displaying this flag, Speaker Johnson is signaling his alignment with these movements and their goals.
See:
Seven Mountain Mandate
The Seven Mountain Mandate is a concept within certain segments of the Christian evangelical and charismatic movements, particularly associated with the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) and Dominion Theology. It proposes that Christians are called to influence and ultimately take dominion over seven key spheres, or "mountains," of society. These mountains represent different areas of influence and authority:
Religion: This mountain encompasses churches, religious institutions, and spiritual leadership.
Family: This mountain pertains to marriage, parenting, family dynamics, and household relationships.
Education: This mountain includes schools, universities, curriculum development, and educational policies.
Government: This mountain involves political leadership, governance structures, laws, and public policy.
Media: This mountain relates to communication channels, including journalism, broadcasting, social media, and entertainment.
Arts and Entertainment: This mountain covers creative industries, including music, film, literature, visual arts, and performing arts.
Business: This mountain encompasses commerce, entrepreneurship, finance, economics, and marketplace influence.
The Seven Mountain Mandate teaches that Christians are called to actively engage and influence these spheres of society with the values and principles of the Kingdom of God. Advocates of the mandate believe that by occupying positions of leadership and authority within each mountain, Christians can bring about positive transformation and impact society for Christ.
Critics of the Seven Mountain Mandate express concerns about its implications for religious pluralism, separation of church and state, and potential abuses of power. They argue that it may promote a form of Christian dominionism that seeks to impose a particular religious worldview on society and undermine the rights and freedoms of religious minorities.
Overall, the Seven Mountain Mandate is a controversial concept within Christian circles, with proponents viewing it as a call to cultural renewal and societal transformation, while critics raise concerns about its potential for religious and political extremism.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Speaker Mike Johnson’s religious beliefs have significantly influenced his political career and policy positions. His association with the New Apostolic Reformation and Christian Nationalism has been well-documented, and his public statements and actions reflect a strong alignment with the principles of these movements. His legal career, focused on elevating protections for “religious liberty” over the rights of the LGBTQ+ community, further underscores his religious extremism.
However, it’s important to note that these labels and associations are based on public statements and actions, and may not fully encompass an individual’s beliefs or affiliations. As with any public figure, understanding the full scope of Johnson’s beliefs and their impact on his policy decisions requires a nuanced and comprehensive examination of his public record.
This section has aimed to provide a balanced and informed perspective on Speaker Mike Johnson’s religious extremism, highlighting the importance of understanding the intersection of religion and politics in shaping our society. For the most accurate information, it’s recommended to refer to official statements or documents. The intersection of religion and politics is a complex and multifaceted issue, and understanding its implications is crucial for informed civic participation. As we continue to navigate these complexities, it is our hope that this section has provided valuable insights into the role of religious extremism in contemporary American politics.