I have a story up today on how Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann’s millenial theology shapes her political positions (on Israel, monetary policy, and education, most notably). The likely GOP presidential contender, who cut her teeth in politics as a grassroots Christian activist, has been a frequent guest on “Understanding the Times,” a radio program devoted to interpreting current events through the lens of End Times prophecy. Bachmann’s no novice when it comes to faith; when she raises the spectre of “One World currency” in an interview with a host who believes the arrival of the Antichrist is being expedited by President Obama’s policies, she understands full well the connotation of her words.
Now, via the folks at Dump Bachmann, comes an even clearer explication of Bachmann’s views…from Bachmann herself. Here she is in 2006 stating that “we are in the Last Days” (picks up at the 1:20):
The idea that we are living in the “Last Days” is not, at least theologically speaking, particularly radical. Last Days is not meant to be taken literally (i.e. “Thursday”), but rather as an indefinite period, and means that we’re in the last “dispensation” before the Rapture. But when taken in conjunction with her associations and Left Behind rhetoric, the picture becomes a lot clearer.
It’s also worth noting the context: Bachmann’s “Last Days” remark came in a prayer for You Can Run But You Cannot Hide International, a heavy-metal ministry that travels to public schools to encourage students to find Christ (on the taxpayers’ tab). It’s also anti-gay. Very, very anti-gay. As I explained last month, its founder, Bradlee Deen, has suggested that gays caused the Holocaust, and called for gays to be thrown in jail. Until 2009, he was also a member of the Embassy of Heaven, a sovereign citizen organization that’s classified as an “anti-government” group by the Department of Justice. (Bachmann has raised money for YCRBYCHI.)
