Articles
■ The Agenda & Teaching Of The New Apostolic Reformation Transcript of a message by C. Peter Wagner (and therefore color-coded orange, though the site is a research site for Christians). Wagner gave this message at the Arise Prophetic Conference, Gateway Church, San Jose, CA, 10-10-2004. Sandy Simpson writes:
I am posting the transcript of this conference in the hope that those who want to know what is going on in the churches across the world today will be able to understand the agenda of the New Apostolic Reformation. This agenda runs through thousands of agencies and web sites. It is what is driving the Transformations movement, the global prayer movement, and thousands of other churches and organizations. What Christians need to realize is that they need to make a choice now. A majority of Christian churches have already succumbed to this Dominionist agenda foisted on the churches by false apostles driven by false prophecies from false prophets. Wagner is talking about the government of the church, under the leadership of the new foundational restored “apostles”, OVERTHROWING the governments of the world. A spirit is indeed saying something to the churches, but since this is based on false prophecy rather than the written Word, you can begin to understand that this is not of the Holy Spirit speaking. If this agenda that C. Peter Wagner is proposing and is about to pull off is not “the woman who rides the beast” I don’t know what is!
■ Attack of the Super Apostles, by Mark Vrankovich
[T]hese Super Apostles do not follow Paul’s example. They are rigorous self-promoters who see power and wealth as important goals. They demand that you cede (to yield typically by treaty) to their authority. Church members must sign “covenants” stating that they will obey the church leadership. Church leaders themselves must “submit” their lives to the Super Apostles. To not submit is to rebel against God’s will and condemn you to a barren Christian life outside the protection of the Super Apostles magical “umbrella of authority”. For those who do not yield it is claimed God will leave them to fend for themselves when the enemy comes. Also rebels will suffer a life of physical poverty, not to mention terrible accidents and diseases. To reject the Super Apostles themselves is the greatest sin. Do not even suggest that they are wrong; the spiritual repercussions could be horrendous!
■ The Faulty Foundation of the Five-Fold Ministry, by Robert Bowman
The teachers of the “five-fold ministry,” in seeking to “restore” a foundation which has never been moved, are actually laying a false foundation which will not support the building up of the body of Christ.
■ A Strong Delusion – The New Apostolic Reformation, by Mishel McCumber
Blogs
■ Holly Pivec. Excellent discernment blog. Holly focuses on the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), including the most prominent NAR church today—Bethel Church in Redding, California.
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I write about the New Apostolic Reformation, apologetics, and theology. I equip Christians to be discerning and to evaluate all their beliefs based on Scripture and careful reasoning.
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I have a master’s degree in Christian apologetics from Biola University. I was the University Editor at Biola for nearly a decade and also served as managing editor of the award-winning Biola Magazine. Together with Biola professor Doug Geivett, I co-authored three books about NAR: Counterfeit Kingdom: The Dangers of New Revelation, New Prophets, and New Age Practices in the Church; A New Apostolic Reformation?: A Biblical Response to a Worldwide Movement, and God’s Super-Apostles: Encountering the Worldwide Prophets and Apostles Movement.
Books
■ A New Apostolic Reformation?: A Biblical Response to a Worldwide Movement [Paperback] [Kindle], by Doug Geivett and Holly Pivec. Highly recommended! This is a powerful book — thoroughly researched and documented, and presented with insight, clarity, gentleness and respect
This critique provides a framework for understanding and interpreting the widespread but little-known New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) movement. As the authors state in the preface: “We write this book with two major goals in mind. First, to give people an idea of the sheer size and reach of the NAR movement. And second, to systematize its key teachings and practices and evaluate them on the basis of Scripture and careful reasoning … . In our judgment, the NAR perspective crosses these boundaries [that is, certain broad parameters, revealed in Scripture and practiced in the historical orthodox church], and it does so in part because of flawed theology rooted in a flawed understanding of Scripture. We wish to warn readers about a possible confusion: Some critics have linked the NAR movement with mainstream Pentecostalism and charismatics. We do not do this. In fact, it is our contention that the NAR movement deviates from classical Pentecostal and charismatic teachings. This movement has emerged out of independent charismatic churches and, thus, has gained a foothold in many of those churches in varying degrees.”
■ Wandering Stars: Contending for the Faith with the New Apostles and Prophets [Paperback] [Kindle], by Keith Gibson
One prime example of a harmful heretical movement is the New Apostolic and Prophetic Movement. This movement is gaining traction especially with the charismatic segments of the Church. As noted in a recent review of the book, a number of ministers within this movement have “achieved superstar status.” The new “apostles and prophets” claim that God’s appointed offices in Ephesians 4:11 are to be submitted to by the Church in order to fulfill the end-time purpose. Keith’s well researched, fair and balanced book demonstrates the error and correctives to these wandering stars like Rick Joyner, Cindy Jacobs, Mike Bickle, Peter Wagnre, Paul Cain, Todd Bentley, Bob Jones, and more.
See Also
■ Latter Rain Movement, Apologetics Index
■ NAR Connections. “On this website you will find out what the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) is, who is part of this organization and the affiliations and close connections with the New Apostolic Reformation.” A very useful research resource.
Because the New Apostolic Reformation is not one solid organization, it is very unclear who is part of this group, who is connected with this group, or is influenced by this group. I have done in depth research and found out that birds of the same feather, flock together. Having said that, many churches and pastors even have no idea that they are part of this group called the New Apostolic Reformation and bring their blatant false heretical teachings to their church. Three of the most worldwide well known churches involved are Bethel, Hillsong and Elevation, who influence many churches across the globe through their so called worship music. But who is behind the scene pulling the strings?
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On every page of an individual or organization you will find their connections, who they hang out with and incredible resources from credible discernment ministers and pastors … and many many others that expose these false teachers and their heresies.
■ Strange Fire: The Rise of Gnosticism in the Church [PDF] Online book by Travers and Jewel van de Merwe. Provides the historic background to many of the controversial movements currently in the Church.
Some books are written before their time. This is one such book. It was never our privilege to know Travers van der Merwe but we had heard of his exemplary walk before God and man while on Earth. While battling cancer, a painful ordeal that lasted for many years, Travers and his wife Jewel penned this book. He saw an ancient heresy arising in the modern Christian church and it weighed heavily on his heart.
After the book was completed, it lay dormant for several years. In the meantime much was happening in the Christian church nationally and internationally to confirm that there was a revival going on – not accompanied by repentance and a turning away from dead works – but of Gnosticism.
Video
■ An Ex-NAR Apostle Tells His Story, Alisa Childers talks with Dawain Atkinson
More from Apologetics Index
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- Discernment
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Article details
Category: New Apostolic Reformation
Related topic(s): New Apostolic Reformation
First published (or major update) on Tuesday, April 15, 2008.
Last updated on November 30, 2022. Original content is © Copyright Apologetics Index. All Rights Reserved. For usage guidelines see link at the bottom.
Related topic(s): New Apostolic Reformation
First published (or major update) on Tuesday, April 15, 2008.
Last updated on November 30, 2022. Original content is © Copyright Apologetics Index. All Rights Reserved. For usage guidelines see link at the bottom.
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