The podcast explores how memes shape narratives and information framing in society. It delves into restorationism in religious movements, false prophecies, the teachings of Dutch Sheets, the Seven Mountains Mandate, the hope for broken vessels meme, and the role of memes in shaping eschatological beliefs within the apostolic prophetic movement.
Memetics is the study of how ideas spread and evolve in cultures.
The meme of rediscovering old ways influences the narrative of divine destiny in America.
Keeping ancient covenants is seen as crucial for receiving blessings and avoiding judgment.
The apostolic movement and belief in key spiritual authority shape charismatic Christians' perception of their role.
Memetic archetypes like mountains to be conquered and Trump as Cyrus contribute to the spread of the narrative virus.
Deep dives
The Power of Memetics
Memetics is a concept that describes how ideas, stories, and common knowledge can spread and evolve. Similar to genetic building blocks, memes reproduce and mutate over time. While trying to build culture from memes alone might be inadequate, memes are effective for understanding the narratives and beliefs that shape what people think others believe. Memetic analysis is a valuable method for understanding how narratives spread, such as the electoral fraud system discussed in this podcast episode.
Rediscovering the Old Ways
The concept of rediscovering the old ways is a powerful meme found in many cultures. It represents the desire to return to a perceived ancestral wisdom or tradition. In Christianity, various restorationist movements have sought to restore practices and doctrines of the early church. Dutch Sheets, an influential figure in the charismatic Christian community, promoted the idea that America has an ancient covenant with God and that faithfulness to this covenant will lead to revival and righteousness. This idea, combined with the belief in apostolic authority, shaped the narrative of a divine shift and the importance of the 2000 election as a turning point for the nation.
Keeping Ancient Covenants
The meme of keeping ancient covenants revolves around the idea that faithfulness to commitments, whether to God, nations, ancestors, or the future, leads to blessings, while faithlessness brings judgment. Throughout history, various cultures and religions have emphasized the importance of honoring covenants. Dutch Sheets propagated the belief that America has a covenant with God, and the nation's adherence to this covenant determines its fate. Sheets taught that the keys of the kingdom of heaven would allow believers to decree the outcome of elections and influence the nation's spiritual trajectory.
Apostolic Restoration and Prophecy
The charismatic movement, particularly the apostolic and prophetic branches, played a significant role in shaping the narrative of ancient covenants and the divine destiny of America. Dutch Sheets, regarded as an apostle within this community, promoted the idea that fervent prayer and prophecy would determine the nation's course. However, several specific prophecies made by Sheets, such as predicting judgments on America following the 2008 election, proved to be inaccurate. Despite this, the influence of the apostolic movement and the belief in key spiritual authority persisted, impacting how charismatic and evangelical Christians perceive their role in shaping the nation's future.
The Power of Memetic Archetypes
The podcast episode explores the power of memetic archetypes in creating a narrative virus that influences people's beliefs and behaviors. It discusses five core memetic archetypes that contribute to the formation of the virus: rediscovering old ways, keeping ancient covenants, mountains to be conquered, Trump as Cyrus, and faithful remnant returning. Each archetype plays a vital role in shaping the beliefs and actions of the apostolic prophetic movement, particularly within the charismatic Pentecostal tradition. The episode outlines how these archetypes are introduced, merged, and adapted, ultimately leading to the propagation of the narrative virus in evangelical and conservative circles.
Influence of Rediscovering Old Ways
The podcast explores how the meme of rediscovering old ways is inserted into the narrative virus by Peter Wagner. It forms the basis of an apostolic reformation within the church, emphasizing the reorganization of how the church receives messages from God and incorporating a renewed focus on biblical prophecy.
The Power of Keeping Ancient Covenants
The podcast highlights the significant role of the meme of keeping ancient covenants, introduced by Dutch Sheets and Chuck Pierce. This meme emphasizes America's Christian heritage, promising blessings for faithfulness and judgment for lack of commitment. It contributes to a narrative of maintaining covenant with God and underscores the importance of faithfulness to Christian values.
Mountains to be Conquered
The podcast discusses how Lance Wallnau transformed the meme of mountains to be conquered into the powerful narrative of the seven mountains mandate. This archetype frames the church's mission as taking dominion over seven spheres of society, emphasizing the church's role as God's ruling authority on Earth and highlighting the need to bring Christian values to all areas of culture.
Trump as Cyrus
The podcast delves into the narrative of Trump as Cyrus, popularized by Lance Wallnau, Jeremiah Johnson, and others. This meme portrays Trump as a flawed vessel with a special anointing from God, drawing parallels to Cyrus, who fulfilled God's purposes despite not knowing Him. It helps justify evangelical support for Trump, especially in the face of opposition and controversy.
Faithful Remnant Returning
The podcast explores the meme of a faithful remnant returning, prevalent in charismatic Pentecostal circles. It highlights the idea of a persevering and faithful group within the church, fulfilling prophecies and ushering in a great end-time harvest of souls. The narrative of a faithful remnant contributes to a sense of perseverance and hope in the face of resistance and opposition.
In the same way that genetics governs how physical viruses reproduce within a host, memetics governs how narrative viruses reproduce within a culture.
And the memes which govern our narrative virus are powerful.
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