Why do so many evangelical Christians support former President Donald Trump despite his decades of documented ungodly behavior?
An in-depth report from The Economist shows that it has a simple explanation: They believe that God personally appointed him to rule the United States.
In fact, the report cites a survey conducted by Denison University political scientist Paul Djupe that around 30 percent of Americans believe Trump "was anointed by God to become president."
The Economist traces the origins of this line of thinking to Lance Wallnau, a self-declared prophet who has long been seen as a fringe figure but who gathered a following arguing that Trump was God's personal pick for the White House.
In fact, Wallnau believes that God will use Trump to crush opposition to Christian nationalism and restore Christians as the nation's rightful political rulers.
"Adherents believe that God wants them to build his kingdom on Earth," explains The Economist. "Hindering them are demons, who govern vast swathes of the planet. To use a metaphor favored by Mr Wallnau, these demons control seven mountains, each symbolizing a sphere of life: family, religion, education, media, entertainment, business and government."
The article goes on to link this fevered belief in Trump's divine role with the deadly riots at the United States Capitol on January 6th, 2021, where Trump supporters broke into the Capitol and sent lawmakers of both parties fleeing for their lives.
"Prophets battled the evil spirits embedded in the Capitol by praying, their voices amplified on a PA system," the report states. "Protesters blew shofars, ram’s horns which they believe can summon the forces of heaven. Many protesters brandished flags emblazoned with the words 'An Appeal to Heaven,' the apostles’ rallying cry for a Christian conquest of America."