In Conversation… with Frank Schaeffer The Christian Nationalist Dystopia We Pretended Was Fiction with TJ Poortinga
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Jan 9, 2026 
Join novelist TJ Poortinga, a former evangelical insider, as he dives into his prophetic satire, Electric Orange. He shares his journey from an evangelical upbringing to agnosticism, shedding light on the insidious nature of Christian nationalism. Discussing themes of masculinity and spiritual manipulation, he reflects on his experiences with controversial figures like Ravi Zacharias. Poortinga also tackles societal issues, exploring how technology fuels propaganda and how satire can effectively critique political culture. A thought-provoking conversation not to be missed!
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A Warning From Inside The Faith
- TJ Poortinga wrote Electric Orange as a prophetic warning about Christian nationalism simmering in a subculture many secular people ignore.
- He aimed to show the danger by using satire and a dystopian frame grounded in real events and actors.
Ghostwriting For Ravi Zacharias
- TJ worked as a ghostwriter answering personal theological letters for evangelist Ravi Zacharias around 2000 and later wrote under his own name after a disputed reply.
- He witnessed how spiritual authority could manipulate vulnerable people and later learned of Zacharias's abusive double life.
Satire As Theological Argument
- Poortinga positions his novel in the dystopian-satire tradition (Atwood, Orwell) to argue theologically against invoking God for nationalist aims.
- He wanted the critique to resonate both with secular readers and insiders of evangelical culture.
